Want - Crockett & Jones Boston

This spring and summer I want to be wearing loafers, penny loafers to be exact, and I want to be wearing them sockless - or perhaps with white socks. I have been looking for the right pair for a long time. Of course I would prefer some in shell cordovan, but I also want them with a rubber sole because I'm not the biggest fan of leather soles - don't ask me why.

I considered the iconic Alden loafer, but they almost always come with a leather sole. I then thought about the "Howard" model by Cheaney, which I still haven't written off, but I always seem to be ending up where I started, the Boston model by Crockett & Jones. Crockett & Jones makes some of the best footwear in the world and it's a of a consistent high quality. I just wish they would make their Harvard (unlined shell cordovan) with a Dainite sole. They probably would, but then it would be a custom order, which my budget doesn't allow at the moment.

If you don't believe me, then take Heavy Tweed Jacket's word for it.

A Proper Collection of Footwear

A very recent comment on ATD reminded me of a Flickr account, that made it's way through a lot of tumblrs and blogs.

I'm refering to this one

I sometimes return to it, just to get some inspiration and to feel poor because I wouldn't be able to afford 1/10 of that collection. Some models aren't my style at all, but I wouldn't mind borrowing (stealing) most of them.

Alden for Unionmade

There is no leather like shell cordovan. I love it. Simply. This is also why, I feel almost ashamed, that I do not currently own a pair of shoes made of cordovan. I plan on changing this, once I come across a pair of shoes or boots, that fits my wants. Thing is, most footwear made of cordovan is equipped with leather soles. Personally I feel leather soles very impractical and rubber soles much more comfortable and long wearing. At the moment I don't think there is a cobbler in this country, that I would trust with resoling a pair of shoes, so I avoid any kind of footwear with leather soles.

This is why I was very pleased to see that Unionmade decided to go for the plantation crepe sole on this blucher. They are beautiful and will never look off or dated.

Alden really know how to put together a pair of shoes and they still do it in the US. Unfortunately they are quite expensive outside of the US, and I think that most English shoemakers are just as good, if not better at some point. However I must say, that the Alden's use of shell cordovan and other leathers from Horween gives them big star in my book.

Now I couldn't mention Alden without mentioning the now defunct blog, The Agatine Eyelet. It will fill you in on what you need to now about Alden.

Recommended reading - Life Time Gear

If you like workboots or just boots, I suggest you head over to the German blog, Life Time Gear.

http://www.life-time-gear.com/

He continues to show an impressive - and not least growing - collection of boots. Especially Red Wings. Like many other guys, myself included, he had troubles finding a good shoemaker that could resole his boots without ruining them.

I'm sure a lot of the American companies offer an amazing refurbishment service, but if you are to send it to the US, have it sent back and pay for the service itself, then it is going to be a costly affair.

Luckily he has found a good cobbler nearby that is now putting new Vibram soles on his boots. Most recently he created this beast with a pair of Alden Indy boots.