Michael Jackson used to dance backwards in them, you know.

As to the Belgian Shoes, I bought many of them in the mid-80's (the tassel "Lui" model) and wore them on the snowy Michigan streets. All the time pretending I lived in the east 50s (my father lives there, but I'm only a visitor). As to wearability, the Belgians creased horribly (more a crevasse than a crease) almost immediately. Then the soles wore out. Then I threw them away. I had probably 4 of them. They were all gone within 6 months.

Last edited by stylestudent (2006-12-07 09:32:59)

Vaclav, I belong to that wonderful class of Manhattan white collar wage slaves.

I found a very nice, very cheap, very good copy of the original Clarks D.B. called 'Roamers', made in Spain, earlier on this year.
For a long time the cut of the D.B. tried to copy the Timberland domed-toe look (If that makes sense). A D.B. should be a light-weight affair not a chunky boot. The Chukka is even more refined.

In P.W.'s favour I do like the way he just does what he likes. There was a fantastic photo of him in The Face once, Style Council era - Slicked back hair, dark Smedley or polo shirt, Retro tweed overcoat, Ivy length no-brake chinos, dark socks & wine tassel Weejuns. He was walking through a group of his fans who were all checking him out frowning as the muppets were all wearing fish-tail Parkas and other nebbish-wear. He'd wrong-footed them all again!

(I have to admit that I found out about all this long after the event from a friend who is much more Mod/Modernist than me. I was aware of the S.C. & their playing with Jazz and made a big point of being snooty & ignoring it all at the time. In the process I missed a lot of fun: 'Micks Blessing', Mick's Up' etc. Good times music.)

Look at the quality we got here?
Stan's The Man.

Never met Mr. Weller but saw him one Saturday afternoon out shopping wearing the 'A Paris' rig pretty much (Black tassel Weejuns, no socks, white jeans) with a very big minder (I guess) for company who was also a la mode. This was on St. James's Street, I was walking down on one side with Mrs Lean, he was walking up the other side.
P.W. was carrying a large Simpson's bag - I'm guessing it had a jacket inside, and he was looking across at Kent & Curwen and talking to his mate about should they/shouldn't they pop in by the look of them. I think they decided not to, although I can't be certain as me and Mrs Lean just kept walking.
When? Summer of... 198-something. Whenever that look was current with him anyway.
I was wearing U.S. Levis with 1/2" turn-ups, Burlingtons, Wine Penny Weejuns, a Yellow 'Duck Head' polo shirt and a woven cordo belt by 'Canterbury'. Mrs. Lean had a stripey Breton shirt on and a short dark blue pleated skirt a bit like a tennis skirt. I can't remember her shoes... maybe they were white Keds. 'Oh look, a pop star' she said.