R.M.Williams Lady Yearling review: the Chelsea boots I could wear with everything

I can spot a pair of quality boots at 50 paces and the Chelsea boot is up there with my favourites - smart enough for tailoring and robust enough for dog walks.

The best wardrobe classics look deceptively simple and the R.M.Williams Lady Yearling is a fabulous example.

It's a beautifully shaped leather Chelsea boot with an almond toe, elasticated sides and a block heel. Although there’s nothing particularly radical there, if you look closely, you'll discover that the entire upper is cut from one piece of leather, with just a single seam at the back.

This construction technique has become synonymous with R.M.Williams. There’s a practical benefit, too, because fewer joins mean fewer potential pressure points around the foot. And it explains why comfort is such a major part of their appeal.

I tested the Lady Yearling in black leather in the wide fit. I’ve always gone for Chelsea boots in black but there are many other colours to choose from - the current range runs from classic chestnut through caramel, mid brown, chocolate and chocolate raisin, which could all work well for autumn. Cedar and dark cedar suede are also worth a look and there's also a newer smooth-leather version in black.

There are choices underfoot too, with different versions of the Lady Yearling available with either a traditional leather sole or a more practical rubber option. The Comfort version I tested has a cushioned foam insole with a rubber outsole for more shock absorption and grip, while the wide fit provides that little bit of extra room across the foot.

Black won for me on sheer wearability, although I can't imagine being disappointed with any shade.

There aren't many boots that can trace their DNA back to the Australian outback and still look completely at home with a midi dress. R.M.Williams has been making top-tier boots since 1932, when Reginald Murray Williams began producing footwear designed to cope with the demands of life in the Australian bush. More than 90 years later, its signature boots are still made in Australia.

The Lady Yearling came along much later, after R.M.Williams noticed women were buying smaller sizes of its men's Yearling boots. Launched in 2016, the women's version retained the brand's pull-on construction and craftsmanship but added a more feminine silhouette and 4.5cm block heel. It's since become one of R.M.Williams' bestselling women's boots.

What I like about the Lady Yearling boots

First, they really are lovely-looking boots. The shape is elegant without being dainty, while the heel gives you a little extra height (essential for me!) without making them feel as though they should be reserved for smarter occasions. I've worn mine with jeans and trousers, but I can easily see them working with my favourite floaty dress or even thick, black tights and a shorter skirt.

The wide fit option is another big plus. R.M.Williams offers the Lady Yearling in regular and wide widths, as well as half sizes across much of the range, so there's more scope to find a really precise fit.

Then there's the comfort. These are substantial leather boots, so don't expect them to feel like trainers, but I was surprised by how comfortable they were from the start. I tested my Comfort Lady Yearling boots on a 5k dog walk (avoiding muddy fields) and the lack of seams around the sides of the foot also makes much more sense once you've spent time walking in them: there simply aren't lots of stitched joins rubbing against your feet.

The rubber sole gives useful grip, the block heel feels stable and those two distinctive pull tabs help you pull them on. They're Goodyear welted too, which means worn soles can potentially be replaced rather than the entire boot reaching the end of its life.

The leather itself feels substantial and beautifully finished. It’s not thin or overly soft. And these aren't boots I'm expecting to wear for one season and move on from. In fact, owners who have had R.M.Williams boots for considerably longer talk about how the leather softens and develops with wear, so I can’t wait to see how mine look a year from now.

What I don't like so much about the Lady Yearling boots

Now for the slight downside: they're £425. There's simply no pretending that's anything other than a significant investment in a pair of boots. You can buy leather Chelsea boots for a fraction of that, so the Lady Yearling has to offer considerably more than a recognisable name to justify it.

For me, the way they’re made and the fact I can see myself wearing them for years go a long way towards doing that. But £425 will understandably put them beyond some budgets.

They're also quite structured when they're brand new. I didn't find mine uncomfortable, but the leather is robust and they don't have that instantly floppy, worn-in feeling you get with a much softer boot. Other owners make similar observations about an initial breaking-in period, although they also report that the leather becomes increasingly comfortable with wear.

Finally, pull-on boots aren't quite as effortless to get into as something with a side zip. The tabs at the front and back are there for a reason, particularly while the leather is still new. It's hardly a deal-breaker, but it's worth knowing if you're used to simply stepping into your boots.

Verdict: are the Lady Yearling boots worth it?

I've worn plenty of shoes and boots that look beautiful in photographs but become considerably less appealing once you actually have to spend a day wearing them. The Lady Yearling is the opposite: the more I've worn them, the more I've appreciated the thought that's gone into them.

Yes, I love the way they look, but it’s the less obvious details that have impressed me most. The one-seam construction helps with comfort and the rubber sole makes them really practical.

Most importantly, I can see myself wearing them an awful lot.

They're beautifully made, exceptionally versatile and, based on my experience so far, seriously comfortable. If you buy the Lady Yearlings and the man in your life gets serious boot envy, send him in the direction of the Craftsman. It's R.M.Williams' iconic men's Chelsea boot and should put a stop to any arguments over who's got the best footwear.