1963.

Sports Illustrated, 1963.



Frye boots.



"French" penny loafers? How unpatriotic, how un-trad...

Tony Ventresca wrote:

"French" penny loafers? How unpatriotic, how un-trad...

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9259 … or3.th.jpg

Unpatriotic to whom, Norway?  French Shriner [and Urner] was, at that time, a Massachusetts based shoe manufacturer (see the ad), just like Bass.  It was a line carried in my family’s store; so these French Shriners were the first “weejuns” that I wore, though it was earlier than 1963, probably more like ‘60-‘61.  The ad’s representation that the leather used “Feels like free-breathing calfskin,” was, as I recall, not exactly accurate.  In fact the shoes felt and breathed or, rather, suffocated much more like the cordovan that they were said to resemble.  For that reason I quickly abandoned them and got a pair of Bass, at full retail (gasp).

As I reminisced earlier in this discussion, I soon also strayed from Bass in favor of the Bostonians pictured here:

http://img440.imageshack.us/my.php?image=19632bzp6.jpg

The leather and construction of the Bostonians was superior to either the French Shriner or the Bass, though at a premium of about 25% in price; but the real attraction for me was, as I previously said, the rich brown color.  But talk about defection.  My Bass shoes were bought at a department store that did not really compete with the business operated by my grandfather and father; but the Bostonians came from other true men’s shop in town.  Perhaps not strangely, however, in small town retail, the competing shop was operated by one of my grandfather’s closest friends who took no end of delight in gloating to my grandfather whenever I bought anything from him.

Voltaire's Bastard wrote:

The toe shape of those Dexter loafers is rather extreme, isn't it?

I suspect artist's impression, may vary in real life, etc. Older sketches and paintings are unreliable, unless one knows how to look at them.

*****

My comment on "unpatriotic" is reference to 'Freedom Fries' and all that nonsense of the late troubles. One could never market French shoes in the US right now and hope to be taken seriously, or any French product I suspect.

Tony Ventresca wrote:

Voltaire's Bastard wrote:

The toe shape of those Dexter loafers is rather extreme, isn't it?

I suspect artist's impression, may vary in real life, etc. Older sketches and paintings are unreliable, unless one knows how to look at them.

This seems to me to be an important caveat to consider in interpreting these old ads.  As I mentioned before, as have others, how accurate a portrayal of reality should the AA illustrations be considered to be?

My comment on "unpatriotic" is reference to 'Freedom Fries' and all that nonsense of the late troubles. One could never market French shoes in the US right now and hope to be taken seriously, or any French product I suspect.

2 things:  1) do any shoes except sport shoes have any marketing clout in the US?  2)  I bet metropolitan areas of the US could have French shoes marketed without a problem.

Good short little blurb on Weejuns on Men's Style, here.

I liked the following comments posted from readers:

Bullethole wrote:

POSTED MAY 16, 2008 12:34PM:  Bought my first pair 50 years ago. They were mostly handemade. The leather would polish well and they would last forever. Now unfortunately the leather is not nearly as good. My last new pair were very stiff and the stitching around the toe soon came undone. It has not been that long ago when Bass was still in Maine and would rebuild your Weejuns for $25. They would come back with all stitching repaired, new soles, heels, scratches buffed out, and a new insole. If they were still around I would gladly pay extra for that kind of service. Now all we get is an imitation that lacks the quality and service.

biglakestyle wrote:

POSTED FEB 27, 2008 03:40AM:  How can you knock a classic, but you can. Something of the magic is gone when you can find these at every Bass Outlet at 1/2 the retail price. I wore these as a child but, I fear, It's over. We gotta move on...

Sad, but true.

Sebago vintage?

The brooks PTB dont have a single leather sole, they have a double leather sole. What they dont have is an extended sole and storm welt, which the Alden PTB has.

shuman wrote:

I am planning on purchasing a pair of Shell Cordos before another price increase, and cant decide between the Brooks Plain Toe blucher (like the metal eyelets but not sure about the single sole, and on sale now), or the Alden Longwing or No. 8 Chukka. Decisions, decisions....

l saw some Alden shell shoos for only $350 online the other day. Can anyone find the link?

Tony Ventresca wrote:

Sebago vintage?

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2994 … vd4.th.jpghttp://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5163 … hd7.th.jpghttp://img71.imageshack.us/img71/1160/6 … cz5.th.jpg

You seem to have a love for Loafers Tony?

The_Shooman wrote:

Tony Ventresca wrote:

Sebago vintage?

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2994 … vd4.th.jpghttp://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5163 … hd7.th.jpghttp://img71.imageshack.us/img71/1160/6 … cz5.th.jpg

You seem to have a love for Loafers Tony?

No I only have one pair. I am always wondering if old shoos were better. I don't know if those SEbago shoes are vintage, but they certainly look far better than modern day available Sebago shoes I've seen in stores.

Tom Rath wrote:

sorry, fiesty mood this morning.

Me too, actually.
Let's fight!

Your mother smells of elderberries!!