Getting the new RM Williams Catalogue in store is probably one of my favourite events that happens regularly at Australian Boot Company. Flipping through all the new styles and learning what seasonal leathers have come and gone bring so much excitement to me. I couldn’t help but dream. For almost eight years in fact, I had eyed the RM Williams Executive style, a full length, top-boot style with embroidered stitching and a classic cowboy block heel.

After visiting RM Williams in Australia and finally getting to try on boots at the RM Williams Store in Adelaide, I knew I had to have them. However, I didn’t want the pair they had in store. I wanted something special, something different. I spent a lot of my flight home dreaming on how I would be able to customize and design my new pair of boots. I quickly decided on the default black Yearling Leather – all my other RM Williams were a tougher leather and I wanted a black dress pair. The toe was a struggle. I didn’t love the Narrow Medium Toe, but was undecided between the signature toe of the Yearling Craftsman or something more blocky and much more cowboy like. In the end, I found the Yearling Craftsman Toe more suitable for Toronto’s Urban Chic, and went for that.

The sole was a hard decision, as well. Leather was classic, but in Canada, the salt and rain can be tough on the leather soles, so I decided for the plain rubber sole, a treadless sole that still has a dress profile and much more water resistance.

Then the stitching – the hardest decision. Black on black was not going to cut it. I could choose from several patterns, and five different colors. I kept the original executive pattern, and narrowed down the colors to red and blue. I flip flopped on this element of the boot for weeks and finally put it in…

Beautiful, eh?

Want to learn how to become the next RM Williams?

Then come in to any of our locations on Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 18 to enter for a chance to win the coveted Bushman’s Handcrafts book. It’s an all-you-need-to-know for making and decorating leather belts and whips….and all-you-need-to-DO is slip your feet into a comfy pair of RM Williams boots.

What style do we recommend? The Comfort Craftsman in Whisky.

(yes like the drink- and no that’s not a spelling mistake….we spell it the Scottish/Canadian/Indian way-the way it should be)

Even though Lake Ontario isn’t known for its waves and Vancouver’s English Bay gets more cruise ships than surfers, it’s no excuse not to come into one of our stores and get into the surfing spirit.

Kustom is a dandy Aussie surf brand, and they make some snazzy men’s and women’s sandals which we carry in both our Toronto and Vancouver stores. Even if you are only pretending to surf while standing on your bed as your friend shakes the mattress to simulate waves, they are a great idea.