Shell Cordovan Archives - From Squalor to Baller

Product Review: Crockett & Jones Skye in Shell Cordovan

January 10, 2018 6 Comments

When I was in London early last year, I spent a good deal of time at the Crockett & Jones store(s) on Jermyn street, as I discussed earlier. While I wasn’t really planning on purchasing anything initially, the very favorable 1.25:1 exchange rate at the time (along with my ability to try things on – such a rare treat for the online shopper) got the best of me and I ended up leaving with something very special. […]

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It’s On Sale: Allen Edmonds Seconds ($325 Shell Cordovan)

December 2, 2017 2 Comments

Allen Edmonds seconds are almost a rite of passage into the menswear world – it’s just about the least expensive way to get in to a nice pair of welted shoes. Finding shell cordovan shoes on the cheap is not as common, however. […]

Editorials

A Trip to Horween

February 16, 2016 8 Comments

I just returned from a brief work trip to Chicago and while there I had the great fortune of touring the famed Horween tannery. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been working with Phil Kalas through Massdrop for a while now, and Phil also heads up operations at Horween. He was kind enough to give me a tour of the place, and I must say that I learned quite a bit. […]

Editorials

Save a Horse – Ride a Cow, Boy

June 10, 2015 3 Comments

Shell cordovan – the ever-popular material made from a horse’s rear – is exceptional stuff. It’s hard-wearing, has a wonderfully rich color, is naturally water-resistant and crease-resistant, and just looks damn good. It’s no wonder that the stuff is so popular among the shoe aficionados of the world. There are two major problems with shell, […]

Editorials

What’s in a Name? Horween Shell and the Story of #8

March 17, 2015 No Comments

I was recently chatting with my friend Phil Kalas, who owns Ashland Leather and runs operations over at Horween. Because of his special relationship with the Horween tannery (he’s worked there for about a decade), Phil has a vast knowledge of leather and always seems to have access to some unique and rare hides. We were […]

Editorials

The Quest for the Most Versatile Shoe

February 10, 2015 2 Comments

Like many people that read this blog, one of my favorite pastimes is researching an item of clothing in search of the “perfect one” – the piece that will be the ultimate addition to my wardrobe. I do this in part because I try to keep my wardrobe relatively simple and utilitarian, but also because […]