The Sartorialist hits the Trifecta

Wow, those are some thick soles!

For better viewing...

The guy in front looks like either Yoda or a gremlin. I'm still deciding.

Maybe It's an aged version of this guy

Dude's wearing brothel creepers. Normally only seen on aging guys in rockabilly bands. EDIT: I once saw a rockabilly dude change his shoes for going out on the town. He changed from one pair of black and white creepers for a house party to another precisely identical pair, which an even thicker sole for bar-hopping. Strange species...

I love The Sartorialist. So indie, so different.

The irony

He's wearing George Cox creepers, which is the original company that made them in 1952. He's got good taste, the only creepers that use a true rubber crepe sole, goodyear welted, and double stitched around the eyelets (unlike pale imitations like TUK)

actually creepers are more worn among younger rockabilly guys, not aging ones, unless they are hardcore Teds

I thought that was Michelle Obama at first glance.

Interesting about the shoes.

The age thing might just be my own youth and attitudes showing. Most rockabilly dudes I've encountered seem slightly fossilised to me.

I suppose I've also seen a few punk kids wearing them, though.

^ yea lot of punk kids wear creepers too. but almost never George Cox ones (too expensive for kids). Also Cox shoes are hard to come by, only 1 authorized seller in USA (in LA) and a couple in Japan, and London of course.

I'm sure you're right. I couldn't spot the difference though.

Actually, out of interest: What is the difference?

The way most creepers have the eyelets sewn on, they're easily prone to ripping out over time. The Cox creepers are heavy duty double stitched so they'll never fall off with regular use

Even tho creepers are known for their rubber crepe sole, only the Cox ones have it. Imitations all just use black rubber and not actual crepe (which is far more comfortable to walk on)

The leather is thicker and nicer on the Cox.

Soles are goodyear welted rather than glued on.

and there's the whole "you cant find these anywhere and this is the original 1950s brand" pedigree for that extra touch of snobishness that music tribes are always so fond of.

I used to have a couple pairs and I was able to resell them on ebay for nearly the same price I bought them for brand new. To europeans of course, as they and the Japanese are the only ones who are aware of and appreciate this brand.

Ah, sorry - I meant the difference that can be seen in a photo, not in quality.