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Shoes that look better with age...


kiya

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Ha ha...

Popped on here a few pages back to complain at the clown shoes on show (appealing for more English beauty).

Got shouted at for daring to criticise - although the sometimes cloying sycophancy forces me to speak out.

Great to see some others have dared to say "no!" to some of the posts. And funny to see even more clowny clown shoes. Money and craftsmanship does not always equal style.

Anyway, it is all subjective. I'm now hankering for something like an Alfred Sargent Holburn in black, or Trickers Allan in black; no custard pies free with those shoes!

It could be said that the recent love for fairly dull, brown, English boots (to me anyhow) is bordering on sycophancy but that is the beauty of forums I guess.

Coleslawyum - great pic there. The captoe boots on the left middle shelf of the final pic look like my perfect boot. Clear how those red/oxblood boots near them stand out because of their elton-esque bulbous toe.

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It's interesting that you mention G&G, since I would rather get a pair of those instead. It would take about 5 months and about $800 less than a pair of WK to be made. Of course G&Gs are not hand lasted, welted or stitched so in some ways WK is a "bargain."

A pair of the full fat bespoke Gaziano and Girling shoes will run to around £3K, which is somewhat more expensive than WK.

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True, bespoke is the most expensive, since an original last is created for you, but I was referring to their MTO program.

At some point tall ass boots was more function than fashion. Maybe someone know a historical anecdote as to what they were for.

Is this historical enough? Circa 1969..

I want all you skinheads to get up on your feet, put your braces together and your boots on your feet, and gimme some of that ooooold' Moonstompin' !!!

In regards to the Brass, Second image down middle row, all very worthy.

Edited by Double 0 Soul
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/\ Those look great.

There's alot to be said for the humble chelsea boot, or dealer boot if you prefer - versatile and just easy to live with. Slip 'em on, slip 'em off!

My only hesitation on a personal note is how you'd ever fix it if the side elastic tore or pulled free of the edge stitching. That said it never happened to me with the pair I owned years ago.

I bought this pair nearly ten years ago. No problem with the elastic.

I think the shop that also released them under there brand was called "Hope&Glory".

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Thought you lovers of English boots might be interested in this snippet from a larger piece in today's FT. University of Northampton has an Institute of Creative Leatherwork with a 100% employment record for graduates. I imagine there's a few candidates on here to receive a doctorate in shoe making.

University pushes ‘employability skills’

By Chris Cook

The University of Northampton is one of England’s younger universities: it only won the status in 2005. But it is also top of the league when it comes to getting its students into work...

...Northampton is home to the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies, which offers graduate leatherwork qualifications – a “niche manufacturing†specialism, according to Prof Petford, in which it is possible to study to doctoral level.

The university also has a postgraduate lift engineering course, backed by the elevator-making industry. The leatherwork faculty has a 100 per cent employment record, with the elevator specialism not far behind. But, Prof Petford says, the biggest courses are business, marketing, accountancy and management – courses in which it is competing with many other large institutions. Northampton has a strong record with these subjects, too.

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I bought this pair nearly ten years ago. No problem with the elastic.

I think the shop that also released them under there brand was called "Hope&Glory".

I used to have lots of Hope & Glory stuff around 10-15 years ago - mainly trousers and a few moddish polo shirts. They had a couple of shops around Covent Garden - in Shorts Gardens (opposite the Duffer of St George) and also in Neal's Yard (inside). My son now has my old Hope & Glory ski-hat from about 1990! I wonder if the brand is still around...

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^Boondockers?

Boondockers isn't a maker, it is a type of boot. These have a rivet which is consistent with USArmy service boots, boondockers are USMC and do not have a rivet. Given the shoddy stitching shown (which seams consistent with any repro of these that are not made in Japan), I will guess they are from AtTheFront.

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True, bespoke is the most expensive, since an original last is created for you, but I was referring to their MTO program.

At some point tall ass boots was more function than fashion. Maybe someone know a historical anecdote as to what they were for.

The height has to do with support. You can get new, function only logging boots with 12"+ shafts, it has to do with the extra protection and support offered by a tall boot. Kind of the same idea with riding boots, the height is for protection.

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My Viberg Short Shifts

Owned little more than 2 years, about 6-7 months effective wear.

Oiled with my own blend (mutton tallow, beeswax, shea butter) 4 times, Usually before rain/snow.

Otherwise just a good brushing.

Love seeing the contrast between the shaft suede and the toebox suede.

CIMG3136.jpg

Edited by bbcapone
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I'm still looking for some quality waterproof outdoor boots that, and here's the tricky part, also look nice.

Can anyone recommend anything?

I'm currently have the Irish Setter elk tracker in mind.

Hehe, probably not what you had in mind at all but was just about to post these Selkirks, the model that was spotted by Paul T in Spitalfields Market (?) that led to some serious online zug-lovin':

imag0591i.jpg

The leather sole really does make a difference to the profile, which I know is a really obvious thing to note...these seem to be a lot harder to track down than the Kelso variant.

Seriously though, Crat, what are you planning on using the boots for? I'll be using my veldts in the snow I reckon we'll be getting next week..

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  • sufu1 changed the title to Shoes that look better with age...

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