Exotic shoes.

[iammatt]

I am thinking of adding a pair of shoes to my wardrobe that is somewhat out of the mainstream. I have been thinking of a pair of linen and leather spectators. What are some favorite exotic shoes. What are your opinions on ostrich, croc et al?

[uppercase]

I believe that if you have a largely classic Neopolitan or Italian wardrobe, that you don't want exotic shoe leathers.

I haven't seen these leathers used in Italy and frankly, with beautifully made and cut coats and suits, I think these leathers would detract from the conservative elegance of classic Italian style.

Serious Italian dressers lean toward the English style shoes - beautifully made, conservative, classic and your clothing style would be best served by focusing on those shoe styles and materials.

[iammatt]

Upper-

That has always been my feeling as well. I find skins to be a bit flashy. This is why I was thinking about a pair of these

What do you think?

[manicturncoat]

I find this shoe very elegant. I too am not a fan of croc and ostrich, in a shoes and belts.

[uppercase]

Those are good looking shoes. No doubt.

I think that they would definitely work in SF but I don't think that they would play in Napoli.

Infact, I was struck by the very conservative style in Naples and Rome and by the preference for subtle , even muted colors.

It seems that the elegant aficionados there distinguish themselves through wonderful craftsmanship, design and quality put together in a harmonious way where no single item speaks too loudly.

The result is altogether outstanding, as you know.

[T4phage]

I personally dislike wingtip specs. The spectator type shoe that I have been thinking of doing is something like this:


Basically, this one with a shorter apron and on a more elegant last:


As for exotics... black sharkskin is wonderful in a loafer...

[dopey]

Upper-
What do you think?

I have the Grenson Masterpiece version of that shoe, made for Paul Stuart. I think they are a beautiful summer weekend suit shoe option.

[DD MacDonald]

[quote="T4phage"]I personally dislike wingtip specs. The spectator type shoe that I have been thinking of doing is something like this:

quote]

How 'bout Green's club shoe? believe that it's called Windsor.

http://thelondonlounge.net/gl/gallery/album14/DSCF0002

(couldn;t get the impage to copy)

DDM

[T4phage]

How 'bout Green's club shoe? believe that it's called Windsor.

http://thelondonlounge.net/gl/gallery/album14/DSCF0002

(couldn;t get the impage to copy)

DDM

I don't particularly like a spectator to be brogued. The Windsor is nice, but I would not do it as a spec.

[JRS]

I agree with what's been said so far. Personally, I find ostrich to be particularly unattractive whether for shoes or belts. I have seen photos of bespoke edward green in alligator, however, and they were quite stunning with their bevelled waist and chiselled toe. They were definitely flashy though.

[JLibourel]

I would agree that most exotics are too flashy for gentlemen of taste. One of the worst is pangolin (scaley anteater). I have never seen a pair of shoes in pangolin, but it is quite commonly used in boots. There are a few exceptions. I would be interested in something in sharkskin for a casual/"country" shoe. I have considerable experience with it in belts and holsters, and it does indeed wear like iron (to use an overworked phrase). I have seen some shoes in iguana that didn't look half-bad. I know that Edward Green offers frogskin as an option. I have a holster in frogskin, and the colors and texture were very subtle and handsome. I don't know whether Green uses the same sort of frogskin, but a pair of shoes in that might be well worth considering (if I were considerably more affluent). Tony Gaziano has stated that all the Green exotics are laminated with kid.

[Concordia]

Frog whole-cuts-- now there's something you don't see every day.

Green also carries Irish Salmon hides. No word on how to polish them, or whether they're actually waterproof.

[uppercase]

Perhaps something along these lines from Altan, Paris:

[iammatt]

I personally dislike wingtip specs. The spectator type shoe that I have been thinking of doing is something like this:


Basically, this one with a shorter apron and on a more elegant last:


As for exotics... black sharkskin is wonderful in a loafer...

Wow T4. Those are awesome. Seeing those makes my qualms about spectator shoes go away. I like those much more than the ones I posted. Thanks for the inspiration.

[ThomasG]

What are your opinions on ostrich, croc et al?

I like and own croc loafers, though for some reason I don't like croc in a lace up shoe.