The first thing that should happen to any new pair of shoes is a good polishing and that is what happened to a new pair of airplane shoes the other day. Bespoke brogued slipons from W. S. Foster & Son in chocolate Freudenberg leather, these had been in the works for almost exactly one year along with a set of replacement leather dice cups for a backgammon board. And they will literally be used on airplane trips, the shoes and not the dice cups that is, though only on those flights that arrive before 6PM local time.
Sadly, before they go on many trips they will go back to the maker as they are my first slipons from that maker and about a quarter inch too long. That would be less important if they were elastic sided and had higher sides like a laced shoe but they are low cuts and fit is critical if they are to wear comfortably.
Those are the hands of Jess from A Shine and Co. in the photo, by the way. Say hello for me.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Polishing the Airplane Shoes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
13 comments:
Beautiful shoes, Will. I used to be sceptical about elastic-sided slip-ons, but these look great.
Very nice, Will. What exactly is Freudenberg leather? How does it differ from normal calf leather?
My mistake, Will, I see these are not elastic-sided slip-ons. Still, they look great.
"And they will literally be used on airplane trips... ...though only on those flights that arrive before 6PM local time." [emphasis mine]
God forbid that you should be seen in public wearing brown shoes after six o'clock, Will. Especially in the hallowed halls of that sartorial palace, SFO.
You know, I love your blog, Will - it really is great. But once in a while, you veer sharply into the realm of self-parody - and I end up snorting my tea out of my nose in amusement. Which, incidentally, really hurts.
Please don't become a cartoon. It's okay to break a "rule" once in a while, you know. Wear the darn shoes on evening flights too!
Leonard, that was said tongue in cheek.
On the other hand, Will, I am glad that you keep them to daytime flight arrivals, as your beautiful oxbloods and black shoes are perfect for night arrivals. Tongue in cheek?
By the way, I also have to have my slipons made 1/2 size smaller than my other shoes. One really needs two lasts for that.
Brown is difficult and I'm not in love with these new shoes of yours. I hardly ever wear brown , tan is better
My, don't I feel sheepish! I am relieved that your sartorial sense of perspective remains intact after all, Will. I was worried for a moment there.
If those are going back to Fosters what size are you Will. If they are a quarter of an inch too long is there any hope that your short term loss will be someone else's gain?
Sameer, Freudenberg is the location of a tannery supplying some of the very best shoe leather in the world.
Culverwood, they are bespoke shoes. Foster will just fix them.
Sometimes bespoke shoes have to be remade! To the advantage of other shoe buyers with similar sized feet to the buyer of the original shoe.
I hope they can be adjusted for you sake.
Will -- why would you polish a brand-new pair of shoes prior to wearing them?
To protect them. The most important time to get a shine, for example, is when it's raining.
Post a Comment