ADIDAS ORIGINAL PROJECTION VIDEO
Super creative, great kicks. Buy them here, in perhaps the best color ever: “pool.” (more…)
MADE IN MAINE: RANCOURT & CO.
Tucked away amongst massive, long abandoned brick warehouses along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine, sits a small, rather unassuming building humming with activity, and doing big things. Rancourt & Company is a third generation, family owned and operated business who’s commitment to the art of shoe making is genuine and timely – with only a handful of shoe manufacturers remaining in the U.S., word has quickly gotten out to an American menswear industry consumed with all things “Made in the U.S.A.” I recently made the trip north to see the factory, and meet with Kyle Rancourt, the youngest member of the family business. He discussed the companies history, their signature shoe and what it means to be “Made in Maine.”
Rancourt & Company is a family owned American business, tell me briefly about the company and the unique skill set of its workers? My family is in its third continuous generation of shoe making in Maine – with Rancourt & Co. my father and I really had a goal of expanding beyond the contract manufacturing we’d done in the past and creating our own brand that reflected our heritage and the skill set of our craftspeople. The skill set in our factory is really unique because we have the ability to (more…)
NEW BALANCE M390
The M390 is a lightweight, throwback running sneaker from New Balance available in a variety of colors. For June, pick Pacific Blue. $70, available at Urban Outfitters.
LANGDON BROGUES
Finding a good pair of solid brogue shoes for under $300 can be difficult. The “Langdon” by Vintage Shoe Company has the substantial sole and medium width profile that keeps them versatile and tough looking, and less precious dressy. You can wear them with jeans, khakis – basically any type of trouser and the more they break-in, the better they’ll look. “Brogueing” refers to the decorative perforations on the upper. $250, available at Scoop.
CONVERSE PRO LEATHER
Simple, understated and old-school. The “Pro Leather” from Converse by John Varvatos. Features a slightly updated shape for summer in burnished leather for a broken-in look. $170, available at Converse.
THE CLIPPER BY GOLA
For a super chill pair of slip-on summer boat shoes, consider the Clipper by English footwear company Gola. Founded in 1905 in Leicester, Gola is best known for their rugby and soccer trainers, but have recently expanded to include more laid back styles. The Clipper is made with a lightweight canvas upper in bold reflex blue, with leather laces and rope detail on the side. $75, available at Gola. For a shoe with a bit more bite, but still retaining it’s August good looks, try the Quattro: (more…)
VUITTON TEAM LACE-UP
The “Team” lace-up derby from Louis Vuitton is pricey for a casual sneaker, but it’s made with luxe materials you might find on more classic shoes: suede calf leather around the toe with a super comfortable jersey upper. If you have an extra $600 laying around, these could be your go-to summer shoes. Best worn in chic destinations, from Cap Ferrat to Monaco. Available at Louis Vuitton.
CONVERSE BY JOHN VARVATOS
The collaboration between designer John Varvatos and Converse is one of the more natural and successful partnerships in recent memory. In most cases a guest designer will come on board to design one collection and it will be highly scrutinized, with sales results often taking a back seat to the big personalities involved. Converse was a very smart and strategic move by Varvatos and helped put his label on the map after his departure as creative director of Nautica. Whether his decision to become a judge on “Fashion Star” was smart is another question entirely. Perhaps he’s hoping to capture the magic that Michael Kors has experienced through his starring role on “Project Runway.” Respect within the upper echelon of the fashion industry or wider national recognition and thus sales? How often can it be both? (more…)
SPRING TRAIL RUNNERS
Running in the spring can be an adventure, with mud, snow and half frozen puddles around every corner. Embrace it and pick up a pair of hearty and rugged trail runners. I’ve always found the look of a great pair of trail runners to be kind of bad ass, with the extra tread and higher stance giving them a healthy snarl – the pick up truck of your shoe collection. Here are three that might just motivate you to get outside and take in the fresh air. (Keep them by the front door ready to go.) Helly Hansen Trail Cutter 4 in navy, white and fiery red, $90. Nike Air Trail Ridge 2, in baroque brown and court green, $78. Adidas Response Trail 18 in solid green and metallic silver, $95. My pick? Probably the Helly Hansen’s – the color scheme is great, with the Nike’s a very close second.
KNOW THIS BRAND: OAK STREET BOOTMAKERS
At last month’s Project Show in New York, one of the biggest stand outs was newcomer Oak Street Bootmakers out of Chicago. Although only a few years old, they’ve created a lasting brand identity that immediately evokes history and heritage. Crafted by hand in a small factory outside of Bangor, Maine, they’ve proven they are in it for the long haul by putting manufacturing first. For Spring, the Navy Camp Boot is an all around workhorse. A lighter (more…)
BENJO’S SHOE & BOOT LACES
Colored laces have been on just about every hipsters well-worn winter boots all season long but now that it’s almost Spring? Benjo’s out of Minneapolis makes a thinner lace that works perfectly for those heavy soled brogues, cap toe black lace ups and white classic sneakers. Adding a bold jolt of color can modernize an otherwise stuffy shoe silhouette and it’s an inexpensive way of changing up your footwear, without actually taking them off your feet. $8 per lace, available at Benjo’s.
THE RANCOURT SHOE FACTORY
This is an interesting and informative short film that shows the inner workings of Rancourt & Company, an American shoe manufacturer based in Lewiston, Maine. It’s a terrific look at a family-owned business with a staff of highly skilled workers who have been creating hand sewn footwear since 1964. Most of the techniques have remained steady over the years, with the exception of the addition of a tuck and a shank in the bottom of the shoe that provides more support.
GRENSON ENGLAND 1886
Grenson is a well respected shoe company founded in England 1886 by William Green. It is often a challenge to balance the rich history and heritage of a storied brand with the need to innovate and stay competitive. I spoke with the owner and creative director, Tim Little.
For the novice buyer, what should one look for when trying to find a well made dress shoe? What are the basics in good shoe construction?
Firstly find one that you like, don’t buy something just on quality. The easy way to tell is the upper leather. Look closely to see if you can see the grain of the leather. If it’s a shiny plastic-looking finish, it’s usually cheaper leather. Ask what the construction is. Many shoes that have stuck on soles have a fake stitch to make them look Goodyear Welted. It sounds obvious but look at the price, most brands work on the same profit margin so if its expensive its because it cost a lot to make. Finally, (more…)
NORSE PROJECTS + DIEMME
For rugged, All-American, mountain style, check out these great looking hiking boots and gloves from the Norse Projects website. Norse Projects “Peter” Fingerless Gloves, $36 & Diemme boots, handmade in Italy, with contrasting white leather Vibram sole, $335.
SOREL CARIBOU BOOT
There is nothing timid or reserved about the rugged Caribou boot from Sorel. While many top boot brands modify their collections to make them city appropriate, Sorel could care less about pavement. Add the Caribou boot to your holiday wish list if you need a workhorse that unabashedly plows forward in ice, sleet and snow. $130, available at Sorel.
THE JIMMY BY NATIVE SHOES
I came across these today on set for a Bonobos shoot and they really stood out amongst a sea of footwear. The Jimmy by Native shoes is a super-lightweight, lace up hunting boot, with a sole similar to what you would find on a pair of Crocs. I wrote about their summer sneakers in a previous post and was excited to see the winter collection. You can pick from 11 color options, but go with black, or brown for the most versatility. $89, available at Native Shoes. Here are some of the colors other options: (more…)
TIMBERLAND MOC BOOT
I’ve been wearing these boots from Timberland for about two weeks now and they are hands down one of the best pairs I’ve ever owned. What makes them different: 1) the whole white sole thing is pretty trendy at the moment but these are off-white, a subtle but important difference as they will fade quicker and keep an overall rugged aesthetic. 2) The shape of the sole is much like (more…)
NIKE AIR VENGEANCE
Continuing today’s obsession with Nike, this is one of their best laid-back sneakers, the Air Vengeance. For a subtle style, look for the Iguana/Black/Sable Green Color. $100.
MARK MCNAIRY LOAFERS
Penny loafers often look stodgy and uptight – think Nard Dog from the Office. It’s the white EVA sole and brown grain leather that make this pair from Mark McNairy modern and wearable on just about any occasion, including a last minute island getaway. $350, available at Mark McNairy. The details: EVA stands for “Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer,” a material used in the shoe manufacturing industry for many years. It provides comfort and flexibility for the shoe wearer and is extremely tough and durable, while also being lightweight.
NEW BALANCE 574′s
Just in time for the weekend. These retro, limited edition New Balance sneakers are perfect for a fall day in the park or heading out with the fellas. Just make sure it’s a Brooklyn laid-back and not Manhattan doorman night. $72, available at New Balance.
