- Joined
- Sep 22, 2007
- Messages
- 9,659
- Reaction score
- 7,366
They arrived a few days ago, and I love them. Perhaps too much. Like our friend Mafoo, I seek simplicity. And if I could only have one shoe, OK one pair (RJ), these would be the ones.
Why? First, because they're versatile: They go well with anything from jeans to suits, perhaps even a tux (certainly better than burgundy shell longwings
). Second, because they're practical: As slip ons, they're easy on/off. Perfect for when you're late at the beginning of the day or tired at its end, which I usually am. With their Dainite soles, they're stable on wet surfaces, uneven pavement, bicycle/motorcycle commutes, or mad dashes to the train (Huntsman?). The little round lugs give me just enough grip for when my nephew starts a spontaneous game of football on the grass or when I decide to walk up an unpaved hill. I'm sure they'll be my first choice for travel: gliding through security, easy off at takeoff, easy on when landing, coping w/ unpredictable weather, trekking across different types of ground w/ luggage, etc. Third, because they're beautiful: I have and like full brogues, half-brogues, various shades of brown and burgundy, suede and shell. But there's something elegant about a plain pair of black calfskin slip ons.
So much for the design. Why this manufacturer? A few years ago, on eBay, I bought a pair of black suede slip-ons made by Alfred Sargent. They were NOS from a now-defunct NYC shoe store, Tootsi Plohound. Solidly constructed and fit like a dream. So comfortable. They've been my favorite shoes for the past few years, even compared to Alden oxfords, Rider Boots, EGs for RL, C&Js, pre-Prada Churches, vintage Florsheims, Gucci loafers, and similar slip ons by Nettleton, Sanders, and Bally. So when I heard that Alfred Sargent had a new MTO program, I decided to order my dream shoe:
Below, w/ similar pairs:
From l to r: vintage Nettletons, the Alfred Sargents, Sanders, and the older, suede Sargents. I won't be needing the Sanders, so I'll give them to my brother. The Nettletons I'll keep out of respect for their history and probably to use w/ formal wear. They have nice channeled leather soles. And I've grown to love the cracking.
A shot from below, showing the mini lugs of the always controversial Dainite sole:
They're on AS's 99 last, size 9 EX (UK). Just for comparison, here they are next to Nettletons (10.5 C US), Aldens on the Hampton last (10 B/D US) and Sanders (9 FX UK).
Now, lest one think I only like black, I've ordered a pair of brown balmoral boots from AS. Hopefully they'll arrive in time for Christmas!
Why? First, because they're versatile: They go well with anything from jeans to suits, perhaps even a tux (certainly better than burgundy shell longwings
So much for the design. Why this manufacturer? A few years ago, on eBay, I bought a pair of black suede slip-ons made by Alfred Sargent. They were NOS from a now-defunct NYC shoe store, Tootsi Plohound. Solidly constructed and fit like a dream. So comfortable. They've been my favorite shoes for the past few years, even compared to Alden oxfords, Rider Boots, EGs for RL, C&Js, pre-Prada Churches, vintage Florsheims, Gucci loafers, and similar slip ons by Nettleton, Sanders, and Bally. So when I heard that Alfred Sargent had a new MTO program, I decided to order my dream shoe:
Below, w/ similar pairs:
From l to r: vintage Nettletons, the Alfred Sargents, Sanders, and the older, suede Sargents. I won't be needing the Sanders, so I'll give them to my brother. The Nettletons I'll keep out of respect for their history and probably to use w/ formal wear. They have nice channeled leather soles. And I've grown to love the cracking.
A shot from below, showing the mini lugs of the always controversial Dainite sole:
