Put This On

This photo, in our series of pictures of real men who dress well, is of Rob, from Brooklyn (and his adorable daughter).

Rob’s dressed for the serious weather they’ve been having in New York lately.  The coat is the boldest statement here - that pattern is called a gun club check.  It’s traditionally a country pattern (yes, there are traditional city and country clothes), but I think given the weather and the Brooklyn milieu, that’s entirely excusable.

Greg’s wearing this heavy coat with a pair of dark jeans.  I think jeans are best paired with more casual fabrics like the tweed Rob’s wearing - they both have a more utilitarian feel.  Rob’s shoes, a pair of heavy brogues which toe the line between city and country and form and casual, tie the jeans to the coat.

Rob’s also committed to growing that beard until he and his fellow teachers have a contract, which we’re on board for 1000%.  The good news for Rob is that it looks great on him.

I consciously avoiding posting pictures of new clothing items, not because I’m against them, but rather because I don’t like the fashion machine that surrounds them.  I often don’t like the price tag, either.  You’ll never see a reference to what’s going on “this season” here.

That said, these shoes from Alden being sold at Epaulet are just wonderful.  They’re expensive as hell - $425 - but they’re also great quality shoes that will literally last a lifetime.  I’ve got a similar pair with double leather soles (rather than crepe) from Nettleton, an old competitor to Alden, and they’re one of my favorite foot coverings.  They go with anything besides shorts or a suit, and they’re built like tanks.  Crepe is a sole made of natural rubber which should offer a bit of comfort and grip in inclement weather - they’re called the “All Weather Walker.”

This style of shoe is called a blucher here in the states (or a derby in the UK).  It’s distinguished by the open lacing - notice that rather than the laces pulling together two sides of one piece of leather, they pull together two separate pieces of leather.  Generally these are more casual than the alternative, the balmoral, which is why I wouldn’t wear these with a suit.

LL Bean Handsewn Blucher Moccasin

LL Bean’s Blucher Moccasin is a great option for those of you looking for an alternative to sneakers and boat shoes for casual wear.  They look good both with and without socks, and they’re only $69, with Bean’s famous no-questions-asked warranty.  Great with jeans or chinos - just make sure those chinos aren’t big flappy pleaty dad-style numbers, or the shoes will look dad-ly, too.

(photo via)

Q and Answer: Shoe Repair

Jacob writes: After a most successful vintage shopping trip in San Francisco, I found myself with a pair of exceptionally made Church brown oxfords. They’re in mostly good condition, but have some wrinkle and wear near the front, some scuffs here and there and some scratching near the back. Even in this condition, at $28, they’re wearable as a dressed down nice shoe, but I was wondering what my expectations can be to salvage them into an even better state.

A cobbler can do all kinds of things to your footwear - replace your soles and heels, add protectors to your shoes and even stretch your shoes.  On thing he can’t do is replace the panels of your shoes’ uppers.  Creases will remain creased.  Mild scratches and scuffs can be buffed and polished out to some extent, but deep scratches and scuffs are there for good.

Stop by your local cobbler and ask what he can do.  Some cobblers are better than others, and you might be surprised at what a good one can accomplish, but none have magic powers.  Ask around for the best guy in your area, and stop by.

It’s On Ebay

Berk velvet slippers

Starting at $50, ends Tuesday

It’s On Sale

Opening Ceremony Saddle Shoe, Size 46 (fits like US 12)

$64.95 (retail $325) at Beacon’s Closet

The proprietor of the (somewhat creepily-named) blog Fleshfoot is a man named Dave.  Dave purchased a pair of natural-leather hobo boots made by Esquivel, and he intends to wear them every day for the next year and document their aging process.  Like raw denim, untanned leather gains patina with wear, and we can expect the band-aid color above to gradually transform into a dark brown by the end of the year.  I’m excited to follow the process.

It’s On Ebay

Cortina Scotchgrain Leather Longwings by Romano Martegani

$275 or best offer