To Call Doucal's

Doucal's, maybe you've heard of them, maybe you haven't. Either way, they're certainly something to enjoy! I first encountered the company while travelling to New York. Albeit an impromptu discovery, I don't suspect I would turn a blind eye to any stylistic designer like this one no matter the venue of manifestation.

If you know my taste, then you know how I truly adore a full brogue (wing tip) shoe, however these offered something different! The shoes are Italian leather, which apparently is better than American Leather, because it's more expensive. The throat line of the shoe (bit between the toe area and where the laces begin) has been reduced to a single layer one piece design which yields a more supple feel and limits wrinkling over time!

The sole is wood, a classic Italian touch, with a vibram comfort outsole! With every step, with every halted stance, there's a favorable settling within the shoe, a brilliance even.

Here's the setback! Despite the elegant design, the slim, sleek patterns and the almost groovy detail medallion holing, the stitching is absolute rubbish! All the stitching is edge flesh, however, Doucal has saw fit to only edge flesh once! With a staggering price of $875, it's just sloppy! Another unfortunate result of this is sizing, again, all wrong. Salesperson said 43 EU, I own a plethora of 43 EU shoes, I ordered! Guess what? True size is a 44 EU soooo... yeah! Not happy! Unfortunately, bought on sale for much much less so all sales are final!

If you happen to wear a size 11, please let me know! I offer you these shoes for free! They're quite beautiful! 

Quest for the Black Pearl

Gravati Wagner Monk

There is always a search for the perfect black dress shoe! So lacking in creativity and style, black is the last color selection of the unimaginative searching refuge and salvation from an inability to select proper colors. Be that as it may, black dress is a necessity to a man's wardrobe so long as that wardrobe is not completely compromised of the said black beauty. 

I have never been satisfied with the black dress shoes I have owned, ergo, I don't wear black much. I own 1 black suit, nothing fancy, and recently I found a pair of Mezlan Tyson dress shoes in black in the back of my closet...

I found these shoes at www.Berenshoes.com and immediately became entranced. The attention to detail and supple leather selection, it didn't take long to deduce these shoes were made by 1 of 3 companies; Canali, Romano Martegani or Gravati! Of course with those names comes a small price, in this case about $575 worth.

Retired & Hired

Donald Pliner Embossed Jimmy

So here we are, in that inevitable time of the year. Summer is upon us in the most horrid of fashions, although today it was quite nice out. In a series of unfortunate circumstances, or so they seemed at the time, I was forced to retire some of my more coveted articles of my wardrobe. Most notable are my Moreschi Deer Skin Monk Straps! You may remember them from a shoe shine video a month or so ago. (I am assuming I have blog readers). In that retirement also came 2 dress slacks navy and brown, 2 Chelsea Boots Brown & Stone/Navy and one of the more indelible pieces, Donald Pliner Jimmy's.


So the quest began to find suitable replacements for the continuation of a stylistic wardrobe that offered style & fashion in both form and functionality. The slacks were easy, I am huge fan of Jos A Bank dress slacks, so as soon as a sale hit I was on it. Recent purchase, Navy Executive Dress Slacks MSRP $225, sale price $44.99. The shoes have been a bit more difficult. Thus far I have not successfully found a Bordeaux Oxford or Monk Strap that fits Style and Budget, even if I remove budget, style is still elusive.

Other nominees however, to push forward with the journey are quite brilliant in their representation. In the Oxford Category we have the following:

Mezlan Endicott

Gravati Full Brogue Wing Tips

Allen Edmonds Strands Full Brogue Cap Toe

There is never a time when expanding your shoe collection is a bad idea. In fact, multiple pair of the same shoes can be highly recommended. If the company represents more style than fashion it's not so much imperative to double up, but in a fashion forward company of less stylistic quality but maintaining desirable proportions of aesthetics it may be in your best interest to purchase more than one. I am, to this day, regretting not purchasing more than 1 pair of Donald Pliner Radley-61's. I have owned these shoes for 10 years and although they still look great, there will come a day...

New Arrivals

Cole Haan Colton Nubuck Suede

The wardrobe is expanding, the style is curving with a slight rise in the form of fashion. Be that as it may, there is no perennial dictum mandating any facet of shoe ware that would consider these purchases trivial. Despite them coming at great opportunities both in time and in price, I have found myself smitten by their establishment of residence in my closet.

One of the first anomalies to note is the brand of shoe. I thought for certain I had finished with the line of Cole Haan. When I first started my trek to style Cole Haan was there to greet me. I spent the lot of my money acquiring what I thought was the height of shoedom. I was later introduced to many other lines, more prestigious lines, that left me desiring a more hand-crafted shoe. I left the Cole Haan line in search of accolade of Italian fashion moguls. My quest led me to Gravati, Donald Pliner, Romano Martegani, Canali, Toschi, Martin Dingman and many others. As life comes full circle...

Cole Haan Paul Chukka Boot

                                                         It was not an intentional purchase to return to Cole Haan, it was a matter of a sleepless night searching for great shoes. I had not owned a pair of Chukka Boots and thought the new craze of jean wear would intrigue, and a what is intrigue without action to satiate.

Tan/Cream SeerSucker Pattern

As for the Colton Suede Cream beauties, that was a, last minute I need to go to sleep but these shoes are tugging at me, purchase. What's a wardrobe without cream suede shoes for the next Yachting party you are invited too?! A nice Taupe/Brown or Brown/Cream SeerSucker Suit with a donning pair of suede shoes to match, brilliant says I.



A few websites I have recently found quite useful:
www.BerenShoes.com
www.Pelleline.com

But remember, if you can, support your local retailer's like:
F Camalo
Moseley & Hollard
Steve's Clothier
Partner's
Gentry



                                                                             

It's Just a Shoe

This picture arrived in my email from my beloved sister who seems to know the very way to my heart. As it turns out, Prada is allowing personal color customization of their latest Spring shoe line. Their forward progressive ideology is pining at my soul to become yet again a patron of the fine stylistic establishment. Hats off to you Prada, this is by way of great innovation Prada may find themselves back in the forefront Milan and Paris.

Enjoy!

Today's Big Idea

One shoe can change your life.

-Cinderella

Happy Feet

Before Washing

After Washing

There is something brilliant about donning a new pair of shoes. There is something even more alluring when an old pair of shoes gets new life and revitalization. I was in the Garden Square Building in down town Lafayette for a meeting and on the way out I saw a shoe shine booth, "Mr. Gloss". I was currently wearing the shoes that were involved my unfortunate flood and they needed new life blood. I approached Mr. Gloss with a smile and he was happy to acquiesce.

The shoes are Moreschi Bourdeaux Monk Strap Deer Skin Slip-On's. I was very impressed with his attention to detail and charisma in application of employment.

I've been looking for an old school shoe shine booth for a while, finally found one. The before and after pics are astounding. 

New Shoes Blues

I had a request today from LOM to do a bit on work/dress shoes. Although it seems fair, albeit seemingly interchangeable, the two are not synopsis. Your work shoes and your dress shoes should lead different lives. They should also be categorized differently by price and style. Everyone has their own opinion of the "dress shoe" and the "work shoe" and what they should look and cost, here's mine. Although your work shoes can be a dress shoe, it should not be your title dress shoe, for instance, I own many pair of Donald Pliner's and Romano Martegani's, these prices and design are not for the work environment, they are for dress occasions only, however, I also own many pair of Cole Haan's and Mezlan's, which are both really brilliant shoe lines but at really reasonable price points, which is where this post is going.

Cole Haan Calhoun

The Cole Haan Calhoun, pictured here, has been for me one of my personal favorite work/dress shoes on the market, I probably buy 2 pair per year, brown and black. (It is very important to have a brown and black pair of work/dress shoes). The beauty of the Calhoun is they will last all year and they are a great price, retailing at 155.00 at most outlets, I just found them on 6pm.com for less than $100.00. Also note, Cole Haan partnered with Nike, and almost all of there shoes have the Nike Air pockets in the heels, very very comfortable for being on your feet all day.

Mezlan Tyson II

The Mezlan Tyson II's are another personal favorite of mine, retailing slightly higher than the Cole Haans at 185.00 (on sale at 6pm.com for less) these will last a bit longer than the Cole Haan's because of the crimped upper on them. Where the discoloration is on the Mezlan is almost deerskin like, prohibiting the shoe to form creases from walking, allowing a longer more beautiful wear consistency.




Price is very important in buying a dress shoe, I don't recommend going cheap, but I also don't think it wise to spend over $200 per pair of shoes. Keep it simple, keep it luxurious, and make sure your belts match somewhat closely.  There are many other options for shoe companies but these are my two favorite work/dress shoe lines, they are both timeless designs. A few other companies I endorse are as follows:
The Cool People, Bostanian, Johnston & Murphy, Rockport, Calvin Klein, Bacco Bucci, Bruno Magli, Magnani & Allen Edmonds; but my two top choices are certainly anything by Mezlan or Cole Haan.

You can try on the Cole Haan's at any local Jos. A Bank, and Mezlan's can be found at a local Dillards.

The Unofficial Prose of Soludos

Dear fans and fanettes of the Soludos' world (and this also applies to unconverted fans), I have worn and I have swooned and above all I have praised. As you know I purchased my Soludos from Vanessa V Boutique in Lafayette and I am in the market for more... from Vanessa of course (I shall be on her like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm 'til she gets them). The shoes have a wonderfully soft denim dark stripped upper with a dynamic change in stitching pattern at the throat line with hemp welt and out soul outfitted with a rubber bottom. I particularly like the gum rubber bottom as hemp has a tendency to soften when under high temps (i.e. against hot pavements). It will absorb rocks if not protected and Soludos has taken the initiative to protect the shoe for durability. I have a pair of leather Pierre Cardin's of a similar nature that are suffering miserably from this oversight in their design.

The first recommendation Vanessa or Viki will give you in purchasing these shoes is to get them 1 size smaller as I can confirm they will stretch. Vanessa made me privy to this the day before so all was well, also, they are sized via a European size chart which you can view here . So do the ladies a favor, know your size before you go. I am a true 9.5 (Soludos doesn't offer half sizes) so I purchased a 42 as a 43 is the most common size 10 although it has been known to be a 9.5 in some other parts of Europe.  Happy shopping and good luck. I hope to see the lot of you in Soludos before long.

Soludos, Soludos To You Too

It came in its own sack cloth...

     I have been eying a pair of Tom's for a while now but have never really decided to pull the trigger on an over priced pair of cotton blended shoes that will deteriorate over a short period of time. Then I was introduced to Soludos. This past weekend I was invited to a 4 year old birthday party... well Eden was invited, Ashley and I facilitated the transportation. It was for our good friend Vanessa Vicari, owner of Vanessa V (follow them here on Facebook or here on Twitter, ok I'm projecting sorry) but she's a close friend and I am very proud and impressed by her dedication to her establishment. She only carries the most amazing women's fashion, but more recently she acquired this men's line of shoes, Soludos as they are called, and for only $28.00 they are perfectly delightful. I love everything about them. Vanessa has created an amazing atmosphere in the Lafayette Women's Fashion Arena, and for that she is well noted and praised. Upon her acquisition of more colors, so I will be in possession of more colors... If you get the chance stop in and try them on, they stretch over time so get one size smaller fortunately they only come in whole sizes it makes selection easy. I would recommend bringing the significant other, but I may make enemies of my friends in a very short time frame. I'm always up for a shopping trip...

Romano Martegani's Retired

Romano Martegani is a representation of the epitome of luxury. Although not displayed here in these shoes, the history and quality of this 1891 Italian shoe company is second to none. I own 4 pair of these amazing shoes, each more beautiful than the next. However, these particular shoes have seen a good bit of the world. From American to China, China to Russia, Russia to Tibet and then to Vietnam and Thailand - in that order. The acquisition of a pair of shoes by Mr. Martegani is no more effortless than seeing Frank Camalo at F. Camalo's in the oil center.

Be that as it may, these shoes have seen there last. I will be posting what they are being replaced by soon. An exquisite combo of both black and brown Marting Dingman loafers. Another note worthy fabricant de chaussures of our era.