Random fashion thoughts

RW not really a bad looking boot but they're not something I'd voluntarily wear. With that said it'll be funny to look back on this trend in another year or two and see if our perceptions have changed.

Originally Posted by Big Punisher

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Not just trolling, but I don't understand shoes SFer's love, besides PS and some CPs. Redwings. I mean why do people like crepe soles? They look so awkward and ugly, and the stitching that separates top of the boot from the sides is heinous.

Desert boots still feel like 8 year old wear to me.

Don't really get tassel loafers either, but that's MC status

Warming up to boat shoes a bit, they'll be worn to the beach only though (with shorts only)

Is there any brand out there that has similar designs to Paul Smith Ricards, possibly cheaper? Even some PS's look oblong and awkward at times. Oh well it might be nice just to find one good footwear brand and stick with it.

Still looking for stores in the Twin Cities besides Len Druskin


I look at CP's and don't get them. I really don't. I haven't seen them in person, so for me to call them ugly or overpriced would be stupid on my part... i just don't get them honestly. they don't look like they'd be worth it, but again i d k.

i think tassel loafers look right with the right gear.

boat shoes don't really look all that good, but they look better than flip-flips and are way more comfortable.

what i guess i am getting at with all of this is the obvious answer... different strokes for different folks.

Originally Posted by mlyngard

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^ I think they're a staple that remains a basic classic rather than a trend. Like sweatpants.
It's cute that people hopping on the americana/outdoorsy bandwagon actually think this. Poor robin. He has been on this tip for awhile and already has it down to a science and now might accidentally get lumped in with people trying to nail the latest GQ look

Originally Posted by chronoaug

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It's cute that people hopping on the americana/outdoorsy bandwagon actually think this.

+1...Bobo, robin, and timpoblete have gotta be disappointed. I guess after reading a J.Crew catalog enough, though, you start to believe that RWs are "a staple of Americana!"

It's pretty fascinating how many items aren't inherently trendy, but rather the way they are worn by large masses of people, ironically or sincerely outside of their original context. For instance Red Wings could never be classified as a trendy item, they are worn by so many unfashionable people in the country because of appropriateness to their lifestyle. But as far as styleforum and the people it represents are concerned, the item fits in with the americana trend and is good enough in quality/aesthetic to get the seal of approval and consequently be a trendy item.

It's the same with bow ties, ray bans, trench coats (remember what they were used for) and a lot more that I can't think of right now.

But trends aren't a bad thing, there's no need to be the most unique snowflake in what you wear, it doesn't necesserally make you a better dresser, originality doesn't equal style. I wish people wouldn't see the cycles and motions in which people wear certain things as such a bad thing, it's only the mindsets of some (trying to be someone they aren't, trying to show off) that is bad, there's nothing wrong with ubiquity itself.

J Crew is kinda like unbranded Abercrombie I like some B. Son, **** all y'all Even though I don't really care about denim as much, it doesn't seem like many others care about actual denim color, just quality, price, and fit. Nudie Average Joe Dry Heavy still has the best color IMO, hopefully I won't get a crotch rip.

There's too much J. Crew talk around here. That includes people talking about how overrated it is. Let's move on.

I can be really great if you live somewhere decidedly slow, conservative, and behind the times as far as men's dress goes. At least I think it's really great - those who see me in the city might get confused from time to time. I don't see anyone wearing anything remotely work wear... I don't see anyone even wearing work styled boots (only scuzzy cowboy things).

I have two pairs of heritage line Red Wings and they turn heads every time. I have never seen another man wearing grey, white, or coated jeans and I use them to break a business dress code weekly - they are so different here, no one realizes I'm wearing banned 'denim' to work. Realistically, I can buy everything at end of season sale prices and still be a year ahead of everyone around me.

OU definitely dictates style here way more than anything else, but in whatever random, smaller sized city you look at, the stylish "groups" have really only managed to incorporate very random, small subsections of what UO offers. Skinny jeans on the hipsters and deeper penetration of plaids / flannel.

What's really NOT great, is if men's clothing lags behind, everything lags behind. The entire city is socially conservative. Nothing can be found for sale in stores. And the additional negatives of living in a socially conservative city. It probably takes two years or more for any interesting trend to make it from the coasts to the midwest.

Originally Posted by asobu

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How much in yen? I remember Beams in Harajuku used to carry Buttero 2-3 years ago, when the exchange rate was good, and they retailed for like 60-80k I think, which was still too expensive.



to keep on tyo topic, a lot of *** guys honestly made the 875 look pretty good last time I was in town.

I'll check again when I'm back there, I'm pretty sure they were around 50k, which atm is like 580 USD.

And yea, some people can make red wings look okay, and obviously there are exceptions to every statement, but the shoes themselves are ugly IMO and anyone who wears them would do better to get some Alden Indys or something that doesn't look so (imo) childish.

Originally Posted by Flame

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Doc martens are cool tho. I wear mine like almost every 3 days. Would want them in all white now.
Don't like the Doc soles, always looked clunky to me

Originally Posted by robbie

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I look at CP's and don't get them. I really don't. I haven't seen them in person, so for me to call them ugly or overpriced would be stupid on my part... i just don't get them honestly. they don't look like they'd be worth it, but again i d k. i think tassel loafers look right with the right gear. boat shoes don't really look all that good, but they look better than flip-flips and are way more comfortable. what i guess i am getting at with all of this is the obvious answer... different strokes for different folks.
I've seen them in person and must say I wasn't terribly impressed but that could just be me. I just don't really see the appeal in buying something that expensive that is going to wear down and be thrown out in at most a couple of years. If someone has the money to buy >$200 sneakers, more power to them I guess but I'll stick to real shoes when paying that much

Products from The Flathead are the type of items I would've scoffed at a year ago. Now, I want almost everything they've put out.

I saw a guy with the most hideous pencil thin goatee last night.

Occasionally I will look at a few posts in the jcrew thread when it keeps getting bumped to see what it is they are going apeshit over and I am constantly disappointed at what I see. Save your money.

I like plaid ties.

workwear and americana still need to die

the only cool thing i've seen was zissou's fit with his mfsc jeans and his sailor shirt, everyone else looks like a cousin-****** except worse because they paid 500$+ to look like it.