Mod to Suedehead

[Reggae Mike]

Had to grab these.

 

[Swampster]

If your musical tastes go early enough and you are able to go far enough from the centre, there is the Eel Pie museum. No idea how good it is but I am staying near it soon so intend having a look.

A nice little museum. It is in Twickenham, a short walk away from the bridge to the island. https://www.eelpiemuseum.co.uk/ I was glad that I went and a nice place to drop into if you are nearby. A skiffle group was doing some kind of video while I was there - not really my scene but still entertaining. Several local people were there who had frequented the Eel Pie club in its heyday - talked with one.
The music club is a big focus of the museum and there are lots of original posters, records etc., but other aspects of the island are covered too. I was given a tour (and a cuppa) by the woman who runs it - it is obviously a labour of love.
Various books on sale - more music focus than general style of the era. If books of that sort are your thing, an independent bookshop in Richmond just over the river also had various books on the local music scene incl. the Yardbirds.

 

[Inkss]

A nice little museum. It is in Twickenham, a short walk away from the bridge to the island. https://www.eelpiemuseum.co.uk/ I was glad that I went and a nice place to drop into if you are nearby. A skiffle group was doing some kind of video while I was there - not really my scene but still entertaining. Several local people were there who had frequented the Eel Pie club in its heyday - talked with one.
The music club is a big focus of the museum and there are lots of original posters, records etc., but other aspects of the island are covered too. I was given a tour (and a cuppa) by the woman who runs it - it is obviously a labour of love.
Various books on sale - more music focus than general style of the era. If books of that sort are your thing, an independent bookshop in Richmond just over the river also had various books on the local music scene incl. the Yardbirds.

Not too far from me. Might give it a go. I used to be in Twickers a bit when the billiard hall was still open. The pub opposite the island on the riverbank near the bridge was quite nice.

 

[Thin White Duke]

Many years ago I bought a pair of ten holer doc martens. They’re in the bottom of the cupboard very rarely worn but I suppose I got them ‘just in case’. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel of the leather, comparing it against my memory of the quality of a pair of three holer shoes I had 1978 which I wore every day on the milk round then every day for school throughout an entire year.

Anyway came across this video which first gets into the convoluted history of Doc Martens and Solovair, then a cut-in-half comparison of the two. I know some people on here get a bonk on for all variations of this kind of boot which I have zero interest in an acquiring any but I was interested in the history and comparison. Looks like solovair is the way to go these days …

 

[Swampster]

Not too far from me. Might give it a go. I used to be in Twickers a bit when the billiard hall was still open. The pub opposite the island on the riverbank near the bridge was quite nice.

One of the locals was a woman who was dancing energetically and non-stop to the skiffle group. Turned out she was in her late 70s and was a regular at the old club. I bet she was quite a star.

 

[Swampster]

The NPS/Solovair factory has an outlet shop which seemed well stocked if anyone is close enough and looking to buy.

 

[Clouseau]

Many years ago I bought a pair of ten holer doc martens. They’re in the bottom of the cupboard very rarely worn but I suppose I got them ‘just in case’. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel of the leather, comparing it against my memory of the quality of a pair of three holer shoes I had 1978 which I wore every day on the milk round then every day for school throughout an entire year.

Anyway came across this video which first gets into the convoluted history of Doc Martens and Solovair, then a cut-in-half comparison of the two. I know some people on here get a bonk on for all variations of this kind of boot which I have zero interest in an acquiring any but I was interested in the history and comparison. Looks like solovair is the way to go these days …

Also had at the same time DM shoes and boots, and yes they were in a supple and quality leather. At the time many companies were making the uppers.
Nowadays I find the small MiE DMs collection/line (classic models) to be as good or even better than Solovair. I’ve red somewhere they were produced for DM by the NPS factory, but I don’t know if it’s true. I have shoes from both brands and prefer the MiE DMs. I agree solovair are quality, but very stiff. A mate bought a pair on my recommendation and actually can’t wear them as they are too stiff and hurt his feet. 😅

 

[Thin White Duke]

I think he says in the video he’s gonna do a comparison between solovairs and MiE Doc Martens in the future.

It’s a bit disconcerting to see so many corners being cut these days with plastic heel cups, poor leather, thin fiber insoles etc. The race to the bottom in search of ever-more cheaper labour and materials is sooner or later going to reach a point where the reputation of a once great quality and renowned brand is going to be completely ****-upon.

I suppose that’s the world we live in these days and it’s certainly not unique to DMs but it’s no less sad for knowing. I like adidas classic trainers and have several pairs, usually bought for the colour and style, not so much their expected longevity. I have enough that they’re rotated a lot so don’t have to suffer a lot of wear and tear but I admit that e.g. Gazelle OGs are made with wafer thin suede and insoles that I very much doubt that this shoe would have achieved such an iconic reputation if they’d been made so fragile in their original releases.

 

[Clouseau]

I think he says in the video he’s gonna do a comparison between solovairs and MiE Doc Martens in the future.

It’s a bit disconcerting to see so many corners being cut these days with plastic heel cups, poor leather, thin fiber insoles etc. The race to the bottom in search of ever-more cheaper labour and materials is sooner or later going to reach a point where the reputation of a once great quality and renowned brand is going to be completely ****-upon.

I suppose that’s the world we live in these days and it’s certainly not unique to DMs but it’s no less sad for knowing. I like adidas classic trainers and have several pairs, usually bought for the colour and style, not so much their expected longevity. I have enough that they’re rotated a lot so don’t have to suffer a lot of wear and tear but I admit that e.g. Gazelle OGs are made with wafer thin suede and insoles that I very much doubt that this shoe would have achieved such an iconic reputation if they’d been made so fragile in their original releases.

This is a sad observation we made in the past. If you want to have the same quality than in the time, you have to buy from the MiE/MiUSA/MiF etc lines and to pay a small fortune. And sometimes the products don’t even have a line still produced in their country of origin : take Levi’s for example. Even LVCs jeans aren’t made in USA now.

Back to DM style shoes, decent ones, all MiE (in my case never with the yellow stitching)

DM 3 eyes/thin sole, Solovair dark navy loafers, Loake smooth.

 

[Botolph]

Still really digging these 5-eye Loakes I picked up in Glasgow on sale this past January. Very similar, but grippier, sole to DM’s, Solovair, etc.
They come in burgundy, black, and maybe a tan color if I recall.
Comfy as all hell out of the box, decent leather, well-made. I defo recommend these(thpugh I can’t recall the model name).

 

[DavidWatts69]

Bought them at Trongate by any chance?

 

[Botolph]

Bought them at Trongate by any chance?

Not sure. ‘Twas a Loake shop on the high street. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Gramps]

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Still really digging these 5-eye Loakes I picked up in Glasgow on sale this past January. Very similar, but grippier, sole to DM’s, Solovair, etc.
They come in burgundy, black, and maybe a tan color if I recall.
Comfy as all hell out of the box, decent leather, well-made. I defo recommend these(thpugh I can’t recall the model name).

Shame you can't remember the model, they look like a great everyday comfortable shoe.

 

[yorkshire pud]

Can anybody recommend a good pair of 60s style Acetate sunglasses for my holidays?

 

[Swampster]

Shame you can't remember the model, they look like a great everyday comfortable shoe.

Possibly a Loake Kilmer