As we prepare for this Saturday’s Edward Green Trunk Show we are featuring the Southwold in our front window this week, seen here on the 888 last in Antique Edwardian.
In case you’re curious we recently received an assortment of English cashmere scarves from Psycho Bunny they’re quite fun and available in several patterns and colors.
Yesterday I spent the day visiting men’s shoes stores on Madison and 5th Ave. I made stops at Slivano Lattanzi, Tom Ford (not a shoe store) J.M. Weston, John Lobb, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks 5th Ave.
Along the way I was very mindful of the shoes men were wearing on the streets. In general it was very underwhelming. Not to mention that with the exception of a few stores Lattanzi, and Weston the rest of the stores were underwhelming as well (service and merchandising I’ll write about in another post).
The typical footwear of the 20-30 year old office workers was something like this.
Older men were wearing loafers Ala John McCain. It may be age and bending over that has something to do with it.
Why is it that shoes are reduced to the lowest common denominator? Surely there are better options out there; I know this as I speak from experience. To be successful you need to look successful, business 101, It’s a credibility issue. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. A good pair of traditional, or classic shoes will boost your cred 100% not to mention the appearance of your wardrobe.
20-30 something’s would do well in a pair of Church’s Diplomat’s or Grafton’s,
While the loafer lovers would look great in the Artioli’s with their elastic laces or a Weston loafer.
Of course there are many other options to choose from, and as always I am happy to help you find the perfect shoes to fit your individual lifestyle.
The weather in New York is perfect; if you looked up “fall weather in NY” in a dictionary this would be it. There’s been a lot of interest in boots lately, which makes sense. I wanted to feature this pair by Aubercy. The Morgan is that perfect combination of leather & suede, in a wonderful dark rust with purple linings. A color that really looks great with any other colors. I would wear these with a pair of wide whale cords in loden green or a pair of gray flannels for example.
What makes these particularly appealing is their continental styling, very sophisticated. All the Aubercy shoes are extremely lightweight and comfortable, and the Morgan is no exception.
I’m very pleased to announce that Leffot will host our first Edward Green Trunk Show on Saturday October 18th. Please join Mr. Robert Godley of Edward Green and myself as we happily assist you in creating your own unique pair of shoes or boots.
Edward Green’s MTO program allows you to work with existing patterns, leathers, and lasts to create an individual pair of shoes. You personalize it by selecting the colors, calf or suede, sole type, single, double or rubber and in about 14 weeks your shoes will be on their way to you.
As a special courtesy to our clients, the Edward Green single pair make up fee of $120 will be waived on all orders placed on the day of the event. This is a great opportunity to view many Edward Green styles in one place; I hope you’ll join us.
In case you need a little inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, click here.
I’ve seen my share of stressful times in the U.S. over the years, Vietnam, assassinations, oil embargoes, the technology bubble, and 9/11. I’m just a humble shoe store owner but this much I believe, we will adjust to the current economic situation as we have to all crises. One thing is certain however, “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” and although Bob Dylan wrote the words to reflect a different era there’s a lot that still relates.
Oh yes, one other thing I’ve learned is that when times are tough it’s natural to want to do something to make ourselves feel better, that’s human nature. Treating ourselves to something special is one way we accomplish that. If you’re feeling the financial funk why not try treating yourself to something you’ve been denying yourself like a great pair of shoes for instance. You may be surprised to find that not only will it make you feel good you’ll look better too.
This week we are featuring the Pierre Corthay “Bucy” in our front window. I like the sleek lines of the Bucy and the fact that it’s a very stylish, & tailored shoe. The last is the same as the Arca the 001. But unlike the simpleness of the Arca the cap toe and punching around the vamp and quarters give it a distinctive flair, which is Corthay at his finest. A reminder that Leffot is the sole stockist of Pierre Corthay in the U.S.
Pierre Corthay, Bucy in Ardillat
The Edward Green Ladbrooke in black on the 888 last is a very classic shoe, nothing fancy really just simple English styling and fine hand grade quality. They work extremely well with a business suit or just a pair of slacks and a sport coat.
I like the Swans Neck quarter very much; it’s a very subtle, yet stylish detail.
The Ladbrooke by Edward Green on the 888 Last in Black Calf
I just received via Japan the November issue of Ates magazine, which includes a very nice article about Leffot on the World Press page. Thank you Ates we appreciate your coverage very much.
We all know how important it is that shoes fit comfortably, but how do you determine what the “proper” fit is? That’s a highly subjective question, and can be asked of anything we wear such as a suit or a shirt although they probably won’t cause extreme pain or permanent damage if they aren’t right. A shoe is felt with each movement of your foot, so it’s crucial that they’re comfortable.
I always start by measuring the feet with a Brannock Devise. It’s important to point out here that this is a starting point, or guide since each manufacturer has their own size scale on top of which each last and style fits differently. It’s a combination of all these factors that goes into fitting a pair of shoes. Once the approximate size is tried on it then becomes a question of how you like your shoes to feel, meaning snugger, looser or just comfortable. This is where it really becomes a matter of individual preference.
I can usually tell from the sound a shoe makes going on the foot, that whoosh of air that this could be it. But I can only suggest, by feel, and sight what looks right or not. Ultimately each person has to make the determination how they feel. I’ve had customers buy shoes smaller, or larger than what I think is a proper fit but that’s the way they like them to feel, and I respect that. I’ve had people tell me that they’ve bought shoes that kill their feet because the person that sold them to them insisted it was the proper size, so I am sensitive to being insistent.
My advise is to ask questions if you’re not sure about how a shoe fits and what to expect it to feel like after you wear it a number of times. Ask as many questions as come to mind because the answers, plus your own sense of feel and experience will guide you to what will amount to the proper fit.
I liked Paul Newman a lot, not only was he a great actor to watch on screen, I liked his style. He was cool as Luke, he was fast as Eddie, and great as Butch, Hud, Brick, Henry, and too many other characters to mention here.
I’m not sure I would have considered him a style “setter” but he did look comfortable within himself and, that I think is a quality that stylish people possess.
Our Gaziano & Girling trunk show this past Wednesday was an unqualified success. Dean and I were busy all day fitting, advising and just schmoozing with our clients who placed several MTO and Bespoke orders. I think everyone had a very enjoyable experience and are now eagerly awaiting their new shoes.
On a personal note I would like to say how very appreciative I am to all of you who attended this first show, your patronage and support means a great deal to me.
A special thank you to Mr. Dean Girling for making the time to spend the day with us. Cheers, Dean I’m already looking forward to our next event together.
My friends do not fear do not panic for now is the time to be bold, to invest, maybe not in the markets but rather in something of lasting quality and value, say a pair of “quality” shoes for instance. My suggestion is to spend a little less on clothing and “invest” in the best pair of shoes you can possibly afford. For as we all know a great pair of shoes will tremendously enhance even the most modest of garments.
A well maintained pair of “quality” shoes will last 20 or more years. Amortized, that’s pennies a day. And while the return on the investment won’t be in currency it will return, comfort, credibility, and long term savings. Believe me, the rewards far outweigh the risks.
