The last paragraph says it all. I am right, that could have been written by me myself. (except that you doubt that split toes and Oxfords are as Ivy as Longwings... They are, the only difference is that Longwings are probably more 100% 'American')
Last edited by Leer R. (2014-11-24 11:17:49)
P.S. considered or not. A double sole Fullbrogue for sure was inspired by Country Brogues.
I sincerely hope you don't teach logic or the art of debate. Glad we've found a degree of agreement though.
- you don't wanna know what I teach
I think you actually told me in a PM a few years ago. It was so exciting I had to wipe it from my mind.
Anyway my PTBs are in the post, so hopefully they'll fit and I can finally wear a suit well. Although if black works better with a suit it prompts the question: which is better with a grey suit, black longwings or brown GIs?
Depends on the combination... Worsted? There I might prefer the black Longwings... The decision should follow how it looks in combination with tie etc...
I think brown Trickers are very UK country style, but longwings, like the ones in the OP seem to be a lot more city looking. Both brogues but completely different shoes really.
No. I never follow rules but asthetic ones as I don't need to follow rules (appropriate dress for a teacher is to wear long trousers and some shoes and not to go to school half naked, that's all)... And I suppose same is with you in the UK. So... what?
The only time I follow a rule is when going to a Ball as I think the rules for evening dress are useful and follow the most asthetic rules ever... so - no Weejuns for me with Black Tie and only patent shoes with White Tie.
P.S.: I definitely would wear Alden cordovan loafers or even Tassels (I really hate them in some way but in some pics they look ace I think - Tom is guilty for that ) with a navy Club Blazer and grey flannels (repp tie etc.) - not really appropriate historically. But looks good...
Last edited by Leer R. (2014-11-24 12:54:18)
Bizarre as it may sound, I'll take Cary Grant's opinion over yours re. black tie. But I think we did that one to death on a previous thread.
I don't understand your p.s. Are you suggesting that non-cordo loafers (Weejuns etc) are too casual for flannels and blazer? I've never tried it - I don't own a blazer for one thing - but I suspect it would work fine. Weejuns work fine with a suit, so why not a blazer?
(Cue: William Holden)
Last edited by Yuca (2014-11-24 13:12:33)
Not a bad film really, although I find pretty much all 50s US films rather dated and sterile. (Anyone is welcome to set me straight on that one, but the only 50s films I've seen that I consider outstanding, as films and for their clothes, are French.)
Sure, that sounds right. My main point is that I very much doubt the longwing was generally regarded as a country shoe. Even a pebble grain looks like it works for the city as well as the country, and in cordovan longwings are highly sophisticated items.
Last edited by Yuca (2014-11-24 14:50:30)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brogue_shoe
Would it be fair to say that open-laced or "blucher"style dress shoes were much preferred over the closed lace style "balmoral" shoes among ivy-styled men back in the day? Longwings, split-toes, and plain-toe bluchers being the shoes of choice? Or were balmoral style shoes just as popular? Can blucher style be worn on all occasions except for black tie perhaps? Which color is best? Cordovan/burgundy, brown, or black? I wish I could have them all.
Last edited by Jivy (2014-11-25 03:24:15)
Personally I dislike burgundy unless the shoes actually are made of cordovan, although in practice it can look good - just my preference. Black I would avoid unless with a suit, and even then it's optional (or is it? - see the spirited debate above). Therefore brown calfskin and/or burgundy if you can stretch to the beloved cordovan are my personal tips. Preferably at least one pair of each. The latter are more of a 3 season exc. summer shoe, although wearing them in summer is not exactly a disaster. The former are good year round. For summer chukkas or desert boots can help you keep cool, and can often be found on the cheap.
I would avoid vintage shoes unless they are unused or barely worn, and even then condition them a lot before wearing to avoid cracking. However if you can do that, vintage shoes can be really superb! There's a good reason why those old Florsheims are fetching stupid prices.
Yuca gives sound advice, but I don't heed one word of it myself. I wear brown, black, and burgundy all year round, and I interchange each color with suits and casual attire.
Last edited by Leer R. (2014-11-26 01:41:04)