JohnnyCrockett
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
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Having strolled through Paris recently, I am astonished at the prevalence of the JM Weston signature loafer. I see it on men of all ages, in all colors, hides, and conditions (from decrepit to pristine). In no other city I've visited have I seen such a uniformity of shoes. A few pics:
I see black a lot -- usually in better condition -- with everything from suits to jeans. I see dark brown suede a lot (one of my favorites). Usually with jeans or something else casual. Then I see chestnut pebble grain, usually decrepit, usually with tan pants or jeans. Smooth browns (dark or lighter) I don't see as much. I have seen a surprising number of pairs in navy leather and in black suede. I like the navy, can't stand black suede. Then there are the JMW-lookalikes. All very well done. Finsbury, LodinG, Bowen, and Bexley all make them, with Finsbury and LodinG having a slightly different penny cut out from JMW but identical to each other (and both under EUR 200, which is less than 50% the price of the originals). Bowen probably has the best made cheaper-than-JMW knockoff, made by Alfred Sargent, with an identical penny cutout but slightly different stitching on the side of the vamp (where the beefroll would be on other pennies). These are EUR 275. Bowen also has a really nice version in dark brown pebble grain with single Dainite soles. I think these are very practical and I wish JMW made them themselves. Bexley's look the least like the original, are the least attractive, and are the least expensive. Then there's also the JLP Lopez, which is essentially an attempt at one-upmanship on the JMW 180, but a failed one at that IMO. The circular elliptical cutout is just odd.
A few questions: 1. Is there some Parisian code associated with the JMW 180? Does one color signify one thing, and another another thing? 2. I thought these shoes were over in the 1980s..what gives? 3. Is everyone really spending the equivalent of $600+ on loafers? 4. Not a question but an observation -- I saw a bum wearing an ancient pair of JMWs in the metro, and it was the coolest thing ever. The weirdest thing is that I didn't see anyone wearing loafers other than JMWs or JMW lookalikes! Maybe a few pairs of Sebago Beefrolls, but that's it! No English-style loafers, very few tassle loafers, certainly no Alden-looking loafers, no Weejuns. Very odd.
