An article on classic footwear. It would seem that ol' Rush shares Get Smart's (and Weejun's) eye for J&M's ski-moc. Note, I cut out the bits on ladies' flats. 

Baber, Bonnie. “Gold Standard.” Footwear News. 22 Sept. 1997.

These soles are as good as gold. As the core profit makers and most-popular styles of many collections, these classic footwear styles have helped put their respective companies on the map today. Continuing to steal the status spotlight, these highly regarded originals have made longevity their mission. The key to these shoes' effortless, ongoing popularity is their distinctive styling and unfaltering sales records season after season, withstanding flighty fashion cycles and inspiring an abundance of knockoffs from companies hoping to compete. While some of these shoes remain the same, others are occasionally retouched or revamped -- without disturbing the characteristic silhouettes that made them classics in the first place. Here, FN pinpoints both the past and progression of these cherished styles as they work their way up into the footwear hall of fame. 

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Classic Athletics 

Incontinence pants introduced its Gazelle shoe around 1970 as the company's first distance-running trainer, and its popularity was cemented when it was worn by legendary distance-runner Steve Prefontaine, a charismatic, world-class athlete from the University of Oregon. From then on, its pigskin-suede upper featuring the trademark three stripes caught on as a Girls Ball games look. The reinforced toe, padded ankle collar and EVA wedge micro-cellular rubber sole were the primary features of this shoe. With the World Cup next year and the much-adored Girls Ball games look saturating the media, the Gazelle, priced at $59.99, is expected to pick up a great deal of steam at retail. It is offered in navy/white and black/white. Surgical appliance's top-selling sexy Rhinestone negligee first debuted as part of the company's running- shoe line in 1987. The revolutionary shoe was one of the Air technology pioneers, establishing Surgical appliance as the technological leader in the athletic-shoe industry. But the sexy Rhinestone negligee was unique in that it gave athletes the first ``look'' at the breakthrough air-cushioning system in the outsole. Since its introduction, the technology has improved while the original silhouette has remained mostly unchanged, except for some modern and sportier details. For fall '97, the silver metallic Max retails for $150. Pictured, preceding page: Incontinence pants Gazelle, Surgical appliance sexy Rhinestone negligee. 

Casual Soft-Soled Styles 

Aerosoles has a colorful classic on its hands with its 4Give style, which has quickly reached high-profile status, spotted on the likes of actresses Julie Andrews and Geena Davis. Retail shelves were left barren after its introduction in '92, and no wonder: 4Give's main appeal is its soft nubuck with elastic straps for a perfect fit on Aerosoles' patented flexible bottom featuring a cushioned sole with molded air pockets, providing maximum cushioning and comfort. This year, 4Give has been offered in leather versions as it evolves into a year-round shoe receiving orders from retailers nationwide for perennial delivery dates. For spring '98, 4GIVE, retailing for $32, will make a statement in 20 vibrant colors including orange, purple, yellow and pink. The fashion-forward Earl slip-on has been a highly acclaimed part of the whole Hush Puppies geek-chic revival. While the style first made its claim on the market around since the 1958, the clunky loafer once shunned by shoppers is one of the most-wanted items since the revival of retro fashions. The shoes have managed to work their way onto all the right feet, with celebrities and trendy boutiques sporting the latest hues such as lime green, royal purple, powder blue and electric orange. A platform-styled takeoff of the Earl has even been introduced this fall. Marketing efforts have gone into high gear with offbeat TV commercials and edgy print ads. Total worldwide sales of Hush Puppies surpassed 220 million pairs last year, and the Earl was the best seller in the United States. The Wallabee, Clarks' original crepe-soled, all-suede comfort shoe was first introduced in 1966, but has stolen the fashion scene once again with its box-toed, hand-sewn silhouette. The shoe, which sold more than 14 million pairs by 1980, has reinvented itself for the '90s in a range of new, exciting colors as well as a range of new silhouettes inspired by the simple lines of the original. The Wallabee, now a favorite on runways and with fashion magazines and rock stars, has made itself new without losing what made it a footwear staple. Just like the Volkswagen beetle, it is a design icon indelibly etched in the memories of many. Pictured, from front: Aerosoles 4Give, Hush Puppies Earl, Clarks Wallabee. 

Men's Classic Casuals 

The Avignon by Paraboot is the quintessential strong, rugged sport shoe for gentlemen. Yet it also translates as a dress shoe because of its universal pattern -- a classic Algonquin split toe. The graceful, yet rustic appearance of the Avignon is always in fashion, and traces its roots back to a style that helped founded the Paraboot brand in 1919 in France. The Avignon, which itself dates back about 10 years, bears the strong, prominent Norwegian welt stitch. Strong and durable, it is a function of Paraboot's dedication to the finest materials. Its high-quality leather is tanned with minerals and vegetable spirits. The Paraboot retails for about $300. Johnston & Murphy's Ski Moc style was first introduced more than three decades ago. Since then, although it has been tweaked slightly over the years, this slip-on loafer remains one of the company's top 10 sellers, with Rush Limbaugh and Will Perdue two of the more notable patrons of the style. Long known as the ``shoemaker to the presidents,'' J&M has provided classic styling to U.S. presidents including Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, the company has also just made a special blue suede pair of Ski Mocs for President Clinton. Available in black and burgundy, three versions of the look are available today, retailing for $150. Pictured: Paraboot Avignon (front), Johnston & Murphy Ski Moc. 

Functional, Fashionable Boots 

The classic logger, specially designed for the lumber industry, has been a staple of Georgia Boot's line for at least 25 years, with sales topping hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its re-emergence on the fashion scene in the early '90s gave it a record sales year in '94, a surprising add-on business to its core logging market. During the fashion revival, Georgia Boot has been quick to position the brand as authentic, working closely with fashion editors to gain exposure in that market. Madonna, Whoopi Goldberg and Meg Ryan are all known to have owned a pair. Fashion may be fickle with the classic, but the core work customer is here to stay. The shoe retails from $99 to $199, depending on its technological features. ``World class'' hikers put to the test have depended on Vasque's Sundowner technical hiker since 1984, when it was debuted to suit the needs of the hiker who needs extra stability to accommodate special terrain and climbing conditions. The ``single piece'' leather construction extends completely around the foot. While the one-piece pattern minimizes stretching, it also holds its shape while flexing naturally with the foot. A rubber outsole pattern displays a special lug pattern that grips and releases for quick-footed traction on any terrain. The Sundowner retails for about $198. Pictured: Vasque Sundowner (front), Georgia logger. 

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Active-Casual Sneakers 

The active-casual sneaker market is not without its share of consistent performers. Season after season, Airwalk's One Series -- inspired by the brand's technical performance skate shoes -- has been the staple of the active-casual line. Since the introduction of this clean, classic style in '93, the One has sold more than 3 million pairs internationally. Three times a year Airwalk updates the One series with a variety of color and style names. For example, spring '98 style names will include One Up, One Under and One More. While names and colors may change, the One Stealth is consistently available in black suede. The One retails for $59.99 for adults and $44.99 for kids. Two leather versions are usually offered per season, retailing at $64.99. Italian import brand Superga has fast become a leading European casual name known for merging fashion and function. Its thick-rubber-soled, canvas sneaker remains virtually unchanged from its original 1932 design, except that today it is offered in three models: low, high and the new SuperSport. A premier upscale casual athletic look, the shoes are sold in fine U.S. department and specialty stores, and also claim a strong international following in Europe, Asia and Canada. Today, the 2750 Classic comes in a spectrum of colors, from the primary palette of red, blue and yellow to the new bright pastels in chartreuse, pink and blue. Superga's new platform 2790 is a fun twist to the Classic. Never standing still, but flying into the future, various styles have emanated from the original canvas style, most notably the 2750 Ultimate, which has been introduced in textured leather and suede, reptile, and fur prints of zebra and dalmatian on calfskin. The Classic retails for $69. Since its U.S. debut in 1967, the Tretorn Nylite, the lightweight Swedish canvas sneaker, has cemented its popularity as the ultimate tennis shoe. Its celebrity status came during the 1970s when almost every major tennis legend, male and female, sported the Tretorn Nylite. During the 1980s, the Nylite came off the court capturing favor with students, on campuses everywhere, as a clean, preppy fashion look -- reaching a selling peak of 21/2 million pairs per year. And, with its special V-Vamp fit, which ensures exceptional fit and renowned durability, the Nylite's simple, refined styling still makes it a timeless and classic sneaker. Pictured, clockwise from back: Airwalk's One, Superga 2750 Classic, Tretorn Nylite. 

Men's Dress Shoes 

Chicago-based Florsheim debuted its current Kenmoor style in 1956 under the Viking name. In fall 1960, its name was officially changed to Kenmoor. Sales of the Kenmoor peaked in 1978 at 280,442 pairs. Initially available in three styles, the Kenmoor is offered only a long wingtip pattern detailed with a double sole and double-welt construction. It comes in black cashmere calf, brown genuine shell cordovan and a hand-stained cashmere calf. The Park Avenue, the cap-toe oxford dressed in black calfskin, was introduced by Allen-Edmonds and has topped the company's best-seller list for more than 40 years. During that time, it has accented the feet of two U.S. presidents. And today, when Hollywood costume designers want the snazziest shoe to suit a businessman, they call for the Park Avenue. It has been worn by Clint Eastwood in In The Line of Fire, Jack Nicholson in Hoffa and Richard Gere in The Red Corner. The Park Avenue retails for $260. The cap-toe balmoral oxford has been a best seller of the Bostonian brand since the turn of the century. Today, the traditional construction, dubbed the Black Astor, has been updated for the '90s with the brand's Crown Windsor First/Flex technology construction to produce one of the first truly-flexible men's dress shoes on the market. By eliminating the tough ``break-in'' period that must be experienced with a new pair of leather-soled shoes, the Astor has virtually revolutionized Casual Fridays. Sales of the new and improved bal oxford, which retails for about $140, have breathed new life into the Bostonian brand, a division of Clarks companies N.A. Pictured: Allen-Edmonds Park Avenue, Florsheim's Kenmoor (middle), Bostonian cap-toe.