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#1 2009-01-14 16:19:04
- Charles
- New member
- Posts: 1
Saddle Shoes.
Hi there, I was wondering whether someone might be able to point me in the direction of somewhere I might be able to find some saddle shoes, ideally brown with the pony hair panel, they seem to have vanished from the face of the earth, at least in London and online.
thanks in advance.
#2 2009-01-15 00:40:11
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
Going cheap:
http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?c=649&pid=57420
http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?c=649&pid=35552
If my Walkovers ever die then I'd get the top ones. Don't wear them often but when I do I wear them most with jeans.
Last edited by Russell_Street (2009-01-15 00:42:21)
#4 2009-01-15 01:20:12
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
Saddles are interesting because depending on how you wear them they can say such different things. You've got to really know what you're doing to wear them today I think.
Over on the 'Ivy Style' site they took a bashing lately as an easy target. One cove even name-dropped Shirley Temple in their connection - Now I ask you who even has Shirley T. on their radar these days? Certainly not any one who knows what they're talking about when it comes to this subject.
I'm a fan of the Dirty Saddle Buck (above) & the Cordo coloured saddle ('Madeira' I think it was called) on dark Brown leather Oxford - Both by Walkover. The first I wear with Blue jeans & the second with Grey Flannels most often. Although having said that I have to also say that I don't wear them that often. But they add to the mix & they make a nice change.
Any other fans?
#6 2009-01-15 04:45:49
- Toffeeman
- Member
- Posts: 103
Re: Saddle Shoes.
I would say the experience of buying my Walkover suede saddle walkover bucks from JS in 1987 was second only to the life-changing feeling of buying my first pair of Weejuns. I think they are an awesome shoe that physically embody so much of the twisted appeal of Ivy League style : straight yet weird, casual yet smart, ugly yet beautiful. They are unknowable and unloveable to anyone outside of 'the look' and for this alone they ought to be cherished. Walkover were a wonderful American shoemaker and I have never seen a better saddle buck. Are any of them still made in the USA? I almost bought a pair of Bass ones from that good shoe shop down the side of Bloomingdales a few years back but then I really checked them out - the suede was cheap, the shape was wrong, and then I spotted it : 'Made in the Dominican Republic'. I'm just not having it.
#7 2009-01-15 06:18:14
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
Amen.
The Saddle Buck is unknown in England. It was a part of that Brave New World which lay behind the door of No. 2 Russell Street. Styles you had never seen before, options you never knew you had.
The Saddle is a real test of whether you're actually really into Ivy or not I'd say.
#8 2009-01-15 06:36:13
- 1966
- 1,966% Ivy
- Posts: 2382
Re: Saddle Shoes.
^ So there IS a uniform Ivy curriculum after all. Thank god you cleared that up, I shall wear my saddle bucks tomorrow.
*With what?*
#9 2009-01-15 06:40:14
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
Jus' mixin' it up in da house (Is that right?)
Try them with Levis & a BD. Dress them down.
Maybe?
#10 2009-01-15 06:51:24
- 1966
- 1,966% Ivy
- Posts: 2382
Re: Saddle Shoes.
^ Just playing - I tried just that. Will try again.
*Stupid closed throat shoes*
#12 2009-01-15 11:40:56
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
^ That's the way to go. Underplay. Leave the bow tie for another day.
#14 2009-05-26 00:55:27
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2008/09/05/PH2008090503106.jpg
#15 2009-05-26 01:44:33
- Kingstonian
- Member
- From: sea to shining sea
- Posts: 3205
Re: Saddle Shoes.
I noticed the other day that I do own a pair of saddle shoes.
They are Footjoy Dryjoys and they have soft spikes in the soles. I have not played golf for about 18 months.
Anyway, they are better than the brogue style, because the broguing used to get ripped with use somehow.
Footjoy are by far the best golf shoes. They never let me down or let in water like other brands.
Latest models are not a very attractive style though. They are designed like crappy trainers - a worrying trend in golf shoes.
http://www.footjoy.co.uk/catalog/mens.asp?c=14
Here is the crappy version. I never wear white golf shoes anyway - not practical in the UK
http://www.footjoy.co.uk/catalog/mens.asp?c=14&s=53714&p=1
Last edited by Kingstonian (2009-05-26 02:07:28)
#16 2009-05-26 02:41:17
- Ian Strachan's Raincoat
- Member
- Posts: 521
Re: Saddle Shoes.
I look at mine... and I look at them... and I look at them... and then I generally end up wearing white or dirty. I sometimes have a mad urge to wear them with nutmeg socks and khaki shorts, but then sanity returns and I basically chicken out. I think with moderately faded denim they might work - if the wearer is virtually oblivious to them. It's odd: they shouldn't be too difficult: yet somehow they are. I bought a pair from John Simons with the intention of re-selling them (which I did, and for reasonable money), and he called them 'a piece of history': which they are. I can only put it down to abject cowardice on my part. Later, though, when I pop into town, I might just slip 'em on...
#17 2009-05-26 02:53:10
- 1966
- 1,966% Ivy
- Posts: 2382
Re: Saddle Shoes.
^I'm in the same boat. They're just sitting there and I kind of enjoy their presence, they look good by themselves the smug hohos, it's just when I put them on - I don't know. I just can't.
#18 2009-05-26 02:59:45
- Ian Strachan's Raincoat
- Member
- Posts: 521
Re: Saddle Shoes.
I would have thought that, in 2009, they would mark you out at Yale let alone in London or Amsterdam.
#19 2009-05-26 04:49:08
- adam!
- The Future
- Posts: 608
Re: Saddle Shoes.
i'd almost definitely wear a pair.
paul smith has some in his current collection.
#20 2009-05-26 05:04:00
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Saddle Shoes.
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/saddle-shoes.jpg
http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/LIFPOD/5558992~College-Coed-Sporting-Ubiquitous-Saddle-Shoes-Posters.jpg
http://www.jackpurcell.com/bassimages/saddledirtybuc.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/saddle%20shoes%20pictures/WalterL_2007/Picture1.jpg
http://www.robertsshoestore.com/new%20saddle%20shoes/saddle_group.jpg
http://www.muffys.com/images/mm1.JPG
http://www.dann-online.com/SADDLE%20DIRTY%20BUCK%20BRN%20L.jpg
#21 2009-05-26 05:24:44
- Natural Sole Brother
- Ivy, naturally.
- Posts: 782
Re: Saddle Shoes.
It must be said that most modern saddles (and bucks too for that matter) have a clumsy silhouette which doesn't compare well with the classic Walkover.
The 'Alan Payne' bucks sold at O'Connells and under a different name (Peter Huber?) elsewhere would seem to be the closest approximation to old the old Walkover in terms of visual balance. Made in Brazil and maybe not top quality; but priced accordingly so they could be a good bet.
One thing to bear in mind with a lot of these modern versions is that the sole is made from a light and pretty flimsy synthetic material which disappoints when compared with the dense, real rubber, true brick sole of classic models.
Alden do a white buck as a special order and from what I've seen on Japanese websites they are stunning. I like the look of the alpine calf / black cordovan saddle oxford made by Alden for the Shoemart. These have a single leather sole as opposed to brick and would only seem to team well with a limited number of outfits: a tan poplin suit maybe.
The classic dark burgundy saddle oxford in cordovan by Alden is a fantastic shoe to wear with a dark suit. I like it a lot and feel it is an under-valued slice of pure Olde Worlde Americana.