I must admit that the ubiquity of b/w co-respondents leaves me puzzled.  It's such a casual shoe, in what circumstances would you be wearing them with anything that goes remotely with black leather?

Of all places, Brooks Bros has a very nice brown one with canvas right now (as well as the loathsome b/w).  I have a pair and they're beautiful and not too expensive.  (I firmly believe that a frippery like a co-respondent shoe should not be dear.)  The salesman told me that C&J made them, but I think he was confused and they're actually Sargents.  There's also a similar pair with a double monk strap, but I think that's beginning to flirt too closely with "spiv".

On the whole, however, I'm very impressed by the Peal designs these last couple of years.  In fact, I was in BB for the sale yesterday, and the orgy of classic summer colours and styles really warmed the cockles.

Ooh, B&W spectators and grey pants with a glen plaid houndstooth jacket, white shirt and bright red or even orangey- yellow tie. Red socks. All greyscale except for the socks and tie (and pocket square).  That would look great.

For a $100 surcharge over normal full retail, Allen-Edmonds will custom make you the Broadstreet (or any other shoes) in the leathers of your choice. I think white suede or nubuck and A-E's chestnut Antibes calf would be a striking combo. (As I recall, FlatSix on the AAAC forum ordered something like that last year.) Unfortunately, if you are going for spectators, they must be on the same last as the Broadstreet, the #3, which I don't find a very good fit. I think that last year they had a deal during August whereby the custom special orders were only $25 over full retail during that month.

The last time I saw Lord Fairfax (or so he was pointed out to me on this occasion, I had seen the same man on and off for the previous 3 years) at Charlecot Park he wore these with pale cream wide cut cotton trousers, a blue end-on-end spread collar shirt (undone), and an olive wide wale corduroy jacket in the English cut (Darted, 2 button, but with minimal waist supression and shoulder padding). I was not close enough to be able to report on his socks.
He carried a medium sized glass of white wine and a newspaper (title unknown).
I quickly sketched him on a post card for my brother as an good example of a stylish man at home and at ease. It was probably early May of 1998, around 2pm.
The sketch was entitled 'Ruddy Lord Fairfax' on account of the contrast between his healthy pink complexion and his slightly curling white hair. He made you think a little of the actor Dudley Sutton, but not much. A stylish man anyway, whoever he actually was.
It was the way he wore his clothes more than what he wore... He could have been the gardener for all I know.
The sketch had various 'humourous' captions. The spectators had an arrow pointing to them with the caption: "Especial shoes for executing the Charleston".
I recall my brother saying that my sketch had really made him smile.

(True story).

Miles

Last edited by Miles Away (2006-06-09 10:55:28)

I believe Plain Clothes did re-order the Alden specs for this season. I have never called to check back, but they are very accomodating.

The number is 205-871-3391.