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#27 2008-02-22 11:24:57
- eg
- Member
- From: Burlington, ON
- Posts: 1499
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
I haven't worn loafers since the late '80s. I still have the Bass Weejun pennies in black (which sit unloved in my closet), but long since disposed of the Bass tassels in burgundy.
#29 2008-02-22 21:43:59
- Horace
- Member
- Posts: 6433
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#30 2008-02-23 00:39:03
- Tomasso
- Member
- Posts: 598
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
I've yet to read the thread but I'm sure that Matt will opine shortly that Italian cordovan is superior to all.......Even though they don't make the stuff.
#31 2008-02-23 03:50:46
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
Last edited by David (2008-02-23 03:58:26)
#34 2008-02-23 09:36:05
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
I get mine in what I think is actually a Fairmount shop on Rue du Bac a stone's throw from the Bon Marche and Horace's memorial wall of socks, but they will do mail order I'm sure.
I have these from them too which I also love:
http://www.fairmountshoes.com/co_produits.php?pdt=1&rfp=1FA-20-65-54&idl=102&lim=0
Other offerings are a little hit & miss depending on taste.
What drew me to them was the fact that they were Cordo as I'd never seen it before. Far more Weejun-esque than a dress shoe and so very affordable.
#35 2008-02-23 12:30:21
- Horace
- Member
- Posts: 6433
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#37 2008-02-24 15:58:18
- Tony Ventresca
- Member
- Posts: 5132
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
I agree with you broadly, David. I think the Alden penny loafer is to bulky to be a true penny loafer. Also, it has a low vamp.
#39 2008-02-25 09:56:51
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
I see Qwerty mentions my Fairmounts on the Stuart Cordo Pennies thread in Andyland. COULD IT BE THAT THEY EXIST?????
Good to know he's an FNB reader.
Who'd buy the 986 when you could buy those Stuarts?
Or just buy Fairmounts & tell the Internet Gents to go **** themsleves.
Eh What?
Jim
#40 2008-02-25 12:20:18
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
Oooh! And Egadfly now slags off my Fairmounts as an Englishman's idea of Trad...
The shoes are French, mon Chum.
Tally Ho!
#42 2008-02-25 12:33:43
- Tony Ventresca
- Member
- Posts: 5132
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
^ Not trying to pick a fight, but those Fairmont shoes appear identical to any number of shoes sold by Bass and Sebago, and others. Your dismissal of them seems rather "Americano-centric", if that's a word.
#43 2008-02-25 13:10:19
- egadfly
- Member
- Posts: 136
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
Tony:
I'm not sure what "Americano-centric" means, and my "slagging" of Our Friend's shoes was not without irony, but it's true that I've never much liked Sebago's loafers, and the only Bass shoe I like is the classic Weejun in the original oxblood color.
From the pictures, I much prefer the styling of the Paul Stuart loafer to Fairmount's version, but as I said, it's hard to know how the latter would look in person. Better photography would help.
Best,
EGF
#44 2008-02-25 14:34:29
- Tony Ventresca
- Member
- Posts: 5132
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
^ What I meant was, and this is more an Andylander thing, is that if those French penny loafers are identical to American penny loafers, then why should the French penny loafers be rejected as inauthentically trad while the American penny loafers are accepted? If they're the same thing? It's only okay if being "trad" means American only. That's what I meant by Americano-centric. There must be a better word.
#47 2008-02-25 22:11:12
- Horace
- Member
- Posts: 6433
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#48 2008-02-26 02:02:03
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
Oh the Stuarts are far nicer than the Fairmounts - A different league alltogether.
The Fairmounts are just another option and very affordable.
Cordovan for Everyone! 
#50 2008-02-26 10:00:37
- egadfly
- Member
- Posts: 136
Re: French Cordovan is better than American?
Tony:
The Americano is a Campari-based apèritif. It's similar to the classic Negroni, but substitutes soda water for gin, which makes for somewhat easier going, especially on an empty stomach:
Fill a highball glass with ice and add 1 oz Campari and 1 oz sweet vermouth. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange slice.
Campari is said to be something of an acquired taste -- it's quite bitter -- but this is an excellent drink, and a good way to ease into the stuff.
Cheers,
EGF