White Bucks

The classic summer shoes are the brown or black and white spectator and the white buck. The buck, which comes in tan for wear in cooler weather, is either an oxford or a blucher made from unlined buckskin or reversed calf. The real thing has red rubber heels and soles (mine were purchased from Church's before the disastrous Prada acquisition but since they closed the San Francisco store and took the web site down I have no idea if they are still available).

Now there are other white shoes made with white leather uppers but they are not white bucks. Frankly, most of them should be avoided in my opinion unless they are intended for jogging or the basketball court. This includes those ubiquitous golf shoes made with white leather. We can help improve the taste of the manufacturers' offerings by just saying no.

White bucks are virtually obligatory with seersucker suits. They also pair well with cream or gray flannels, and linen trousers. Or, go sockless and wear them with shorts. But wear them.