And most of us on this site would buy 2 decent t shirts rather than 10 cheap Primark ones. I do a bit of recycling of shirts with friends and cousins. Some of us appear to use charity shops as well. We tend to keep our clothes rather than bung them out after a couple of washes. We look after our footwear. I have shoes over 30 years old. Resoled occasionally. The Ivy crew are innocent of planet destroying. The elite that tell us how we should behave are the real guilty ones.

Clarks desert boots 2 currently half price on Clark’s Outlet site. Free postage.
https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/p/261613467

(Not actually popped through my door yet but I cannot see a ‘Sales’ topic on here.)

Agree about the engraved branding. The Astorflex has the brand engraved on the tongue.

i’ve been deliberately trying to eschew labels for the last couple of years, not always successfully but 99% of the time I manage. I like to think of it as “if you know, you know??  - and as a massive generalization, the better stuff doesn’t have a label stamped on the boob for exactly that reason.

Going back to Clarks desert boots, Tower have a light tan boot in sizes 7 & 9 for £65 in their sale. The classic Cola colour is also on sale but £97

Last edited by RobbieB (2022-08-23 03:50:39)

Fitzgerald chambray button down from eBay. Just served to remind me how I wished I’d bought more Fitz shirts when they were available. Great fit.

Also a pair of cheap ‘playboy’ desert/chukka boots. I was never sure if I’d like these, but I do now. Any recommendations for a ‘good’ pair?

Kennedy: a pair of cheap ‘playboy’ desert/chukka boots. I was never sure if I’d like these, but I do now. Any recommendations for a ‘good’ pair?

Are you saying you’re after a pair or now have a pair and like them? Sadly if you want a good pair there’s not really a cheap option. eBay search for Sanders is a good start, I believe JS had an Astorflex shoe that was similar but very casual in style. The best ones are of course the Hutton but they are certainly not a cheap option.

@Tomiskinky I bought a cheap pair and have discovered I like them, so I’m now considering a better pair. Thanks for the suggestions.

The only thing about Sanders Playboys is the soles which are murderously slippery in the wet. The uppers are great quality and last and last if they are looked after. The crepe sole units wear down but you can get them repaired at Rushtons Shoes comparatively cheaply, so a pre-owned pair are feasible.

“The only thing about Sanders Playboys is the soles which are murderously slippery in the wet. The uppers are great quality and last and last if they are looked after. The crepe sole units wear down but you can get them repaired at Rushtons Shoes comparatively cheaply, so a pre-owned pair are feasible.??


Try them on first. You will probably need to size up. There is not much depth in the toe box either. Look at them from the side it’s mostly the deep crepe sole. So your foot may feel constricted.

Last edited by Kingston1an (2022-09-09 03:24:44)

Ha, I did - scored many a pair, still wear those I first bought. Not seen Phil have any stock in for a few years tbh, maybe in part to Sanders having the outlet on their site.

If you can source a pair, the round toe version (Sno last) have more room in the toe, I have 3 pairs like that and 3 with the pointed Joel last, some are unworn others only lightly. I also found a pair of Sanders from before they started doing the preformed sole unit which are much closer in style to the original Hutton's but I wear these sparingly as like the first pair I bought from Blackman's the crepe is incredibly soft (compared to those made now).

I've been rambling along the Thames Estuary every day and occasionally ending up at TKMaxx, Southend. Last week I got excited when I spotted a Baracuta, made in England rain mac for £125. Unfortunately, it was a one off xs and no other sizes available. Frazer lining, stone colour it looked pretty good. It went straight away. I bought a couple of Folkclothing t -shirts and missed out on a cotton crew neck jumper, that I was interested in, as it went while I was dithering.
I'm suspicious of the items from Folkclothing in TKMaxx. I never see the same products for sale on their website. Are they making cheaper products for TKMaxx to get their name out there? The products I have bought are well made, however.