Elastic Sided Shoes

[Guest]

Does this type shoe have any particular merits?

Is it comfortable or elegant or have some provenance?

Oddly, I am drawn to it, in suede perhaps, and wonder when and where to wear such a shoe.

[Guest]

I understand that this is a George Cleverley specialty. It's available in RTW at Cleverley and other English shoe outposts.

I believe that the model was introduced by Peal. The Peal line (sold exclusively at Brooks Bros. and made by Crockett & Jones and Alfred Sargent) has had this shoe in brown and black calf and brown suede. I have all of them.

When Flusser rolled-out his shoe collection (made by Green) he featured this shoe. His variation has leather covering the elastic side gussets.

It's an elegant shoe that can be worn for both business and sportswear.

[Guest]

I've only recently been tempted, and that is a function of airport security not aesthetics.

IMO, the designs that embrace the elastic "Cambridge" device tend to look a little off somehow-- very Tom Snyder/1970s. It's a hard prejudice to shake.

My own preference would be for something with false laces, not too much decoration on the toe (semi-brogue or punch-cap, not wing-tip) and elastic only on the inside. That way, it has a fighting chance of looking like a normal shoe. Not the ideologically pure solution, but it is about the only way I could live with it.

Concordia

[Guest]

Elastic sided boots are known as "paddock boots" among the equestrian set. Their merit is the ability to be slipped on and off. Although I'm not a jeans wearer, a pair of well lasted paddock boots look good with jeans and other informal dress. I'm not a boots-and-suits guy but I know people who are and "paddock boots" look just fine on them with good country suits. Going to a football game, standing on the side lines of your daighter's gradeschool field-hockey game? Paddock boots can be dead stylish.

For city wear, they are unquestionably a country import and one shoud be careful about their deployment. This is not to say that they should not be deployed.

DDM

[Guest]

I have one pair - by coincidence I am wearing them today - and as another poster wrote they are ideal for wearing a suit through airport security. Generally, I find that they feel more at home for lunch at the club than they are in a boardroom.

Will

[Guest]

These shoes are quirky and are attractive for that reason. Almost like a monk, but more so.

The Flusser suede shoes are good looking and if made by E. Green, well, all the better.

I assume that they're priced like EGs as well....?

http://www.alanflussercustom.com/customshoes.html


http://www.gjcleverley.co.uk/readymadeshoes.php

[Guest]

I have the EG Kibworth (http://64.224.242.183/ge/Kibworth.jpg) which I had mto with very little broguing. As others have said they work well for travelling through airports and I'd add also for visits to Japanese homes.

Tattersall

[Guest]

Here we go:
http://centipede.web.fc2.com/ja/amesbury08.html

[Guest]

I didn't know that EG made elastic side shoes.

I guess there's no need to look any further though I suppose a suede model would have to special ordered.

Indeed, the leather-covered elastic is more attractive than having the elastic exposed.

Would you recommend brogueing with such a shoe or better, a smoother finish?

Also, would the 888 last be too, too and would another last be more appropriate, say the rounded toe, 202?

[Guest]

I like the broguing. RLPL has a model made by EG on the dreaded 89 last. I think this type of shoe would look great on both the 888 and the 82.

[Guest]

My Kibworths are on the 888 in Edwardian. I opted not to have the brogueing that sweeps up the area where one would expect laces. I did keep the semi punched captoe. I think it's a smart look - overdone, the shoe would look too funky. EG also has a version without the cap-toe that looks good but I can't remember the name.

Tattersall

[Guest]

Elastic sided shoes are extremely comfortable and elegant, in my experience. But then bespoke Cleverleys should be.

TVD

[Guest]

Cleverley also sells elastic sided shoes as RTW although I believe that the elastic is not covered by leather as done by other makers.

I prefer the look of the leather covered elastic shown in Flussers site.

But again, this shoe is very quirky looking and IMO and maybe just one step too far; perhaps a nice, brogued suede lace up, or monk strap , would be more sound and versatile while still providing some interest.