The market for “miNiMaLisT LuXUrY” sneakers is totally saturated, to say the least. There are probably over a hundred options these days, and many of them are perfectly good at doing what they set out to do. Given the somewhat sterile aesthetics that this style tends to lend itself to, I was on the lookout for something that was in this vein but had a bit of character. That search is what led me to Sweyd. […]
Buying Guide: Tassel Loafers
Last spring I put together a buying guide for penny loafers. Since then my tastes in loafers have only gotten more wild, and I’ve started to spend a lot of time thinking about tassel loafers. While the penny loafer is a bit of an understated classic, the tassel boasts a similar pedigree but with a bit more of an attitude. […]
Beckett Simonon “Morgen” GAT Sneaker Review
I thought about starting this article by saying that spring is on the horizon, which means that we can finally put our boots away and start reaching for sneakers. But the weather in San Francisco has been so strange lately that I honestly have no idea what season is coming up. My own wardrobe has tilted a bit toward the casual in recent years so I’ve found myself thinking about sneakers more, regardless of what the weather chooses to do. The newest pair in my stable is the “Morgen” by Beckett Simonon, a young brand that some of you are likely familiar with. […]
Product Review: Sons of Henrey Wholecut Chelsea Boot
The menswear resurgence of the past 10 years has been wonderful for the discerning customer, but tough for mid-market brands. It seems like every week there is a new story about a brand or retailer in trouble, stuck between customers that want fast fashion prices and those that want luxury products. Personally, I love the middle of the market – I find that it’s where the products of highest value often exist, and that’s usually my first priority when deciding where to purchase. A new member to the club of “not expensive, not cheap, but definitely good” is footwear brand Sons of Henrey, founded earlier this year. […]
For the Love of Longwings – a Comparison
If you read my recent shoe collection post you know that I like longwings quite a bit. They’re an incredibly versatile shoe style, and over the years I’ve collected four pairs from four prominent brands. Since I know I’m not the only one interested in this style of footwear I thought I’d dive in to the details and compare the various aspects of each one – each have their little nuances that make them unique in their own way. […]
Taking Stock: the State of my Shoe Collection
I was recently doing a bit of deep cleaning and reorganizing in my apartment, which led me to take all of my shoes out of their little hutch and move them onto the floor. It had been a long time since I’d seen them all laid out like that in one place, so I decided to take stock of everything and see how my collection looked as a whole. […]
Product Review: Crockett & Jones Skye in Shell Cordovan
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. […]
Meermin’s Expanding Empire
Earlier this month I was able to catch up with the Meermin team when they conveniently hosted a trunk show in Amsterdam, just a few blocks from where I was staying. The brand has perhaps not received as much chatter as they did a few years ago when they were new to the market, but they’re still doing what they do best – making attractive, well-made shoes and selling them at a pricepoint that nobody can touch. […]
It’s On Sale: Allen Edmonds Seconds ($325 Shell Cordovan)
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. […]
It’s On Sale: Fine Footwear at Mehra
Mehra, a young footwear retailer based in Vancouver, is having a sale that includes many brands that aren’t often discounted. Mehra’s prices seem pretty competitive at full MSRP, so the discounted prices are quite good if you’re in the market for top-tier footwear. […]