Alden X ?

My Alden obsession has gone from a mild fever to full dementia over the last 6 months.  Driving this sickness are the collaborations between the esteemed New England bootmaker and new school Aldenistas J. Crew, Epaulet (the creators of the gorgeous Ravello Genuine Shell Cordovan boots pictured above) and San Francisco's own UNIONMADE ( dig the Indy Shoe in Natural Chromexcel).
Guys, please cut it out - my wallet can't take anymore!
So if you are looking for handcrafted shoes that get better with age and wear well with most anything, take a look at Alden - and specifically the Alden collaborations.

Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots

  
Been living in these things.  Held up well against the dirt, beer and other abuses dished out at Outside Lands this past weekend.  Made in Rockford, MI.  Leather from America's finest tannery, Horween leather, Chicago, IL.  Check this short film about Horween's process for creating shell cordovan leather. Get em at UNIONMADE.

Botoni

Picked up these Botonis at Wilkes Bashford last week as I was on the hunt for quality dress shoe.  These shoes are incredibly gorgeous - a true testament to Italian craftsmanship.  Botoni's master shoemakers ("calzalaios") in Montegranaro painstakingly craft something like 6 to 8 pairs of shoes a day. Each shoe requires over 300 individual tasks and hundreds of hand stitches.  They are then hand colored using a multi-layered finishing process that creates the beautiful antiqued and burnished finishes. The richness of the finish make these shoes look more like artwork than footwear. 

Usually quite expensive but thanks to WB's summer sale, I got this pair at an Allen Edmonds-like price. My suits seem to look much nicer now. Really enjoyed the royal treatment the staff provides at Wilkes Bashford as well.

Gentleman's Lounge

Tough Love

I know, I know...it's all about boots these days with American brands like Red Wing and Wolverine getting mad love.  But a man can't live in boots alone.  These Frye oxfords (similar to these ones) are a good alternative.  With their chunky rubber sole and pebble grain leather, they are right at home in the garden or having a beer dropped on them at Bottom of the Hill.  In fact, the more beat up they get, the better they look.  I stole these at Martin + Osa for $45 - down from $200 (Martin + Osa is going out of business and the whole store is basically on sale. I'm liking these shorts and these chinos).
Lots of alternatives out there. I like these and these - both available at the indispensable Gimme Shoes in Hayes Valley.

Brick Soul

Red brick soled shoes are all the rage at the moment.  After checking out the Mark McNairys at UNIONMADE, I was determined to get me some.  However I didn't want to spend 300 bones.  Found a nice substitute with these Cole Haan dirty bucks at Nordstrom Rack for less than 100 bucks.

Sping/Summer Essential: The Desert Boot

Two trends are dominating men's fashion this spring. The first is the near obsession with all things Americana-  and American workwear in particular. Brands like Levis, Woolrich, Gant, Pendleton and Red Wing Shoes are now staples at cutting-edge retailers like Barneys New York.  The second  is the reimagining of American preppy, emphasizing color and pattern with updated fits. Footwear-wise, designers and retailers are pushing canvas sneakers and boat shoes, and on the dressier side, suede bucks, saddle shoes and desert boots or chukkas.  If I had to choose between a suede buck, saddle shoe and desert boot, I'd go with the desert boot as they are more versatile and will probably have more staying power. Invented in 1950 by Nathan Clark, the desert boot was inspired by the crepe-soled, rough suede boots Officers in the British Eight Army had made in the Cairo Bazaar during World War II. 

There are a myriad of choices at a wide range of price points.  A few of my favorites:

Clarks Desert Boot $95
The original classic. 'Nuff said

John Varvatos Hipster Chukka $195
John Varvatos does men's shoes very well and this Chukka is no exception.  I dig the slightly burnished look and the tire tread sole will outlast a traditional crepe sole.

Cole Haan Jake $375
While not the classic suede desert boot, this is a beautifully made shoe from Cole, Rood & Haan (Cole Haan's heritage collection). The thick, deep blue-black leather looks like it will age wonderfully. 

Shoe Geekdom

This Episode from the blog "PUT this ON," is admittedly, pretty nerdy. But it contains some great tips for what to look for in a quality shoe, how to care for your shoes and even how to properly tie your laces. Shoe geeks unite!

The Return of Color/ Optimism?

Color is back big time in men's fashion this spring as evidenced by bold gingham-check shirts, ribbon belts, and colorful boat shoes. Seems to me, embracing color may not only be a sartorial positive, but signal a renewed sense of general optimism.

So here's my bold prediction: By mid-summer the economy will be in full recovery mode, people will be back to work, the Dow will break 13,000, and the World Cup will foster greater global cooperation and harmony.

Here's to a brighter, more colorful future...

Spring/Summer Essential: Canvas Sneakers

Canvas sneakers are an essential for the warmer months. Wear them with jeans or khakis, or if you're Kanye West, with an Armani Suit. I like the John Varvatos Converse Chuck Taylor model ($95) pictured above. Easy to slip on and kick off. Best of all, you can toss them in the washing machine. Grey, blue or white is a good call. There are a ton of options out there for canvas sneakers, and its easy to find them on sale at places like Nordstrom Rack.

In Search of the Perfect Brown Wingtip...

I have been scouring Union Square as of late in search of the perfect brown wingtip. This classic shoe an indispensable part of any man's wardrobe. Brown dress shoes go well with both gray and blue suits and are and just more fun than black dress shoes. My criteria for picking the perfect wingtip were 1) Price 2) Quality of build and 3) Versatility (you want a shoe you can dress up or down). Here were the best brown wingtips I found at different pricepoints...

Allen Edmonds Lombard Walnut $285
A stylish wingtip in a very versatile walnut color. Quality build at a good price.

Cole Haan Air Neroli Wingtip $398
A true bench-made Italian shoe that is very comfortable shoe due to Cole Haan's use of Nike Air technology. The Air Neroli is a deep chestnut color which gives it a more serious air than the other options.

Barker Black Archdale Wingtip Antique Chestnut $850
In a time where companies are obsessed with expanding their brand through more and more products (Prada skis - really?) you gotta love a company dedicated to doing one thing and doing it right. Barker Black has been making shoes for 125 years in a factory christened by the Queen herself. Granted nine hundred bucks is a lot to spend on a pair of shoes, but as long as you give them some tlc (namely resoling) these shoes will last you a lifetime. Plus there's a certain feeling of confidence that only a work of art like a Barker Black provides.