The Value of Good Shoes Over Time
When it comes to good shoes that last for the long haul, I've learned that it doesn't pay to play it cheap.
Vegan Dress Shoes? Maybe.
I recently wrote a piece about my last leather jacket, submitting that, when it comes to going totally leather-free, I draw the line at dress shoes, which are essentially the only new leather items I still buy. If a company like Alden or Crockett & Jones applied their level of craftsmanship to shoes and boots made with a vegan material that rivaled leather, I’d seriously consider it.
The Essential Wellington Boot
Winter in the north is a bitch. In terms of smart and effective outerwear, an alarming number of men I observe are ill-prepared. I don’t know if it comes from lack of thought or some hyped sense of virility, but these same men are also felled by colds, flu and other debilitating winter ailments that negate the “I’m too tough for hats, gloves, heavy coats and boots” idea. When it’s 10ºF with snow on the ground, a fleece zip-up and sneakers don’t cut it.
Chukka Boots for This Fall (and Every Fall for the Rest of Your Life)
I’ve written it before, I’ve done a podcast on it, and I’ll say it again: a smart wardrobe starts with good shoes. While there are some places where one could cut corners or “cheat” with less expensive shirts, ties, pants, and even suits, shoes are the one area where playing it cheap really doesn’t pay off in the long run.
And when I talk about shoes, I’m talking about real shoes from companies whose heritage, foundation and strength is shoes. This doesn’t include designer labels who grind out a new collection every season. If someone has the money to blow thousands annually on the new and fabulous, super. I’m not interested in that, and I don’t think most pragmatic and discerning men are, either. It’s about shoes that work now, will work next year and will continue to work for the rest of your life. Good shoes can be expensive, but they are worthy investments. This is about the long game. Take good care of them with regular conditioning and shining, heel and sole maintenance and cedar shoe trees between wearings, and they’ll last longer than a good car.
For the cooler months, I have a thing for chukka boots. They’re handsome, masculine, elegant and practical for just about any occasion, depending on the color and finish. Suede is obviously a more casual flavor, while polished leather in a dark shade with a matching (or closely matching) sole can also be worn in dressier suit and tie modes. I have a few pairs, and they’re my steady fall/winter go-to boots with suits or jeans.
Sponsored: Beckett Simonon
It’s confusing to watch some legacy clothing giants from Ralph Lauren to Macy’s stumble when it comes to this thing called the internet, the thing that completely changed the way people want to shop and the thing that younger and more innovative entrepreneurs seem to manipulate with more agility. It’s almost as if the thinkers behind these old brands borrow from the too-big-to-fail music industry playbook, ultimately falling behind. With staggering hubris, they expand and expand over and over with more and more new stores in cities across the globe, then ultimately pull back and close those stores because the anticipated sales weren’t there. (Google the story of Tower Records.) In the wake of disappointing sales and closing stores, the spokespeople from these companies almost invariably tell the press some version of “We’re going to start paying more attention to our online presence.” Gee, ya think?
As I’ve written before, it’s exciting to see young brands take a good idea, run with it, and execute it well with a worthwhile product, especially when the product is handsome, well-made, affordable, and workable. One such recent entry is Beckett Simonon.
My Cordovan Chukka Boots from Alden
With many things pertaining to smarter modes in menswear, I’m often late to the party. I didn’t fully understand the pleasure (or importance) of a well-tailored suit or what went into a well-made shoe until my late 30s. When I “discovered” things like Warby Parker, J.Crew’s Ludlow suits, Kamakura or The Tie Bar, I learned that other smartasses in the menswear ether had known about them for years. I don’t claim to be inventing any wheels here, and I will never pretend to be an expert. We get there when we get there.
Another party to which I arrived late is Alden. To be clear, I’ve certainly been aware of Alden and their gold standard in American shoe and boot making for a long time. In fact, I’ve been coveting a pair of Alden’s cordovan chukka boots for several years. My new arrival to the Alden party comes in the form of actually owning a pair.
Handsome Selections in the AW2012 Collection from CAT Footwear
As many of you probably know, Caterpillar - that same company that makes tractors - also makes footwear. Earlier this month, CAT Footwear celebrated the launch of their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection of casual shoes and boots at their showroom in…
A Handsome Vegan Alternative To Leather Shoes and Boots
There is an emerging movement of apparel designed by and for discerning gents who like to look handsome while maintaining their love and respect for the animals with whom we share the planet. These animal-friendly collections use no leather, no…
A New Life for Old Boots
After eight years of too-frequent wearing and basic-care neglect from not oiling, polishing or using shoe trees, I was about to kiss an old pair of boots goodbye. Instead, I took my kickers to the shoe repair to see if…
Getting Booted, Handsomely and Inexpensively
[singlepic id=176 w=320 h=320 float=left]Quality footwear is one area of a man's wardrobe that can't really be done on the dirty cheap. It's hard to find good shoes and boots, i.e. ones that aren't trendy and that will last, for…