Alligator / Crocodile Shoes - Page 36

Here's a pair of croc loafers I'm rocking right now.

That's really great stuff there! I have a ton of 30's thru early 50's (1952 to be exact) of both Banister & stetson and had never seen this before. Totally different lines and prices for Stetsons seemed higher. Your 1955 ads clearly show that they are the same but Banister is more. Many thanks! Very good to learn something new every day.

Jonoft, thanks again! It is very nice to have met someone who has a particular interest in Banister shoes. I've only handled a few pairs and one can't beat "hands-on" experience. I hate asking, but could you take a quick pic of the sole of those Banister gators of yours, along with a pic of box and receipt? It's really great that you have that receipt and I would love to archive the pics along with proof of date.

Either way, thanks again!

I got them without the original box. The receipt was curled up in the toebox of one shoe. I'm afraid I did not keep it, but I'm sure about the year because I'm born in 1956 and I like to tell a story about this to my friends. I've seen other Banister alligator shoes from the -50's being identical to Stetson; same bevelled sole with channeled stitches, same heel and same handwriting inside. But I've also seen alligator shoes from them looking different, but being from the same periode. These Stetsons had a "straight" sole with open stitches and the production numbers were not in handwriting but typed/stamped. I like my Banister shoes very much. I find the shape sleek and slightly modern and not unlike in looks to some of the finest from Edwin Clapp. Their shoes were also made shoes in E. Weymouth, MA.     

        

 

Again, fascinating stuff. I am working on compiling more historical info on US shoemaking in the 50's. Thru the end of the 40's, the transitions are pretty clear, but in the 50's it gets murkier. By the 60's, US shoemaking was pretty well stagnated.

It was interesting to see Stetson use the same shoe for both Banister and its own brand. Also, by the time your shoes were made, the signature Stetson last shapes were obviously pretty much gone.
In the 40's, the differences between the 2 companies was pretty big, style wise.

Stetson:



that pointy toe was a Stetson signature.

Banister:





More mainstream 40's shape, with the more voluptuous toe box, rounded toes and thicker waist.

bally scribes

those look like a LOTTA fun to wear!

I just stumbled on this thread. What a fascinating assortment and range of looks.

As a bit of an aside, it has always amused me how Croc/Gator has been viewed in certain social circles and age groups. The following is not some historical research but simply my own views. My parents and their friends ( WWII generation, conservative ) often referred to slippery characters, car salesman or shady businessmen as "An Alligator show wearing type" (They also said the same thing about "suede shoe wearing type") . Good luck getting a loan at a bank in the 70's wearing croc shoes to meet the loan officer. In the 70's if you wore croc or gator you risked being called "pimp" by everyone at any age (and, you probably were). Then the 80's power look hit with movies like Wall Street and guys were looking for alpha male accessories to pair with their double breasted suits. I began to see more croc/gator tassel loafers and oxfords at regular places like ColeHaan and on entrepreneurs. But by the 90's after croc/gator became endangered it wasn't cool to wear. It would be like wearing seal fur. Now, with farming, etc., no one cares.

I'll take a pair of loafers with large scales in peanut brittle please

F*ck ye. 

CJ Cleverley burgundy crocs

big love.

march 1st and feb 2: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dimitri-Gomez-Bottier/287965061251077

+ 1

Saint Crispins

Fantastic.

They actually look like a pair of alligators....