Recently, I purchased a beautiful pair of Ralph Lauren Saddle Oxfords, and the lovely shoes arrived this week. Without question, these may be the most beautiful saddle oxfords I have laid my eyes on, and the largest contributing factor to this beauty is the washed/aged appearance of the suede.
However, regardless of the shoes beauty, there is a more potent question that is to be asked. To tweed, or not to tweed, that is the question? Saddle oxfords in tan and ivory, etc. can only be purchased during the warm weather months. But, have you ever done any research in the annals of the Ivy League history? Students in the hey day of the Ivy period often adorned their saddle oxfords with tweed and gray flannels. And no, I am not talking about the brown/tan editions, but rather, the ivory/tan or the white/black editions. To take it a step further, I have even seen white bucks worn with tweed on many occasions.
Are there other examples of such displays? Yes! Ralph Lauren, GQ, and the movie School Ties are just a handful of examples that have displayed the saddled luster in the cold weather months. So what do you think? Tweed, or not to tweed, that is the question?
13 comments:
That would be "hey day"....and how did they "adorn" their shoes with tweed of flannel?
I'll have to disagree with you here, ol' chum. I can't abide saddle shoes in any shape or form. There's a 1950s 'teenybopper' aspect to them that I'm simply unable to tolerate.
Those shoes are FABULOUS, and you shouldn't worry about what they'll look good with, Richard! Let me tell you, even if you can't find any pictures of Ivy gents wearing such shoes with tweed suits, it's still a very WASPy look. Sure, some people might tell you it isn't WASPy, or that you're doing the WASPy look all wrong, but I say you should just ignore them. That's what I do. You and I, we've got more WASP in our pinkie toes than most of those Ivy Leaguers anyway, so who are they to tell us what's WASPy? I know that I'm a proud WASP of color, and whatever fancy schools those so-called WASPs attended or whatever fancy Upper East Side apartment they have or whatever fancy job they have, I'M the one who really knows what being WASPy is all about. So hold your head high and wear those shoes with some tweed. Let the "real WASPs" say what they will!
Main Line _ REALLY!
LBF - I understand, saddle oxfords are not for everyone. I don't wear them often, but I do pull them out from time to time. I do want to say that you are doing a wonderful job at Admiral Cod. There just isn't much else out there that is interesting, but I always enjoy your site.
Carlton _ Very kind words! Thanks!
1. No white shoes after Labor Day. It is that easy.
2. Emulating the dress of penniless college kids from half a century ago is not exactly a foolproof guide for a modern adult.
2a. White bucks in filthy decrepit condition were worn year-round by Ivy League students at one time. This was a regional/anachronistic novelty.
3. Do you think heavy woolens will look good with white shoes?
3a. Really?
For summer only, white bucks are fine and spectators if you must, but please leave the saddle shoes to Pat Boone and Lumpy Rutherford. They simply are not WASPy...or tweedy.
And you realize that 'Carlton' (Fresh Prince) is a joke, right? Right?
Great looking pair of shoes there, though a bit bright for my personal taste. I have a pair of old Florsheim oxblood w/black saddles that I enjoy wearing occasionally with khakis or charcoal grey pants and a sportcoat during warmer weather. But anyway, be sure to post a photo here whee you give your saddle shoes their inaugural run.
Best Regards,
Ulrich von B.
Who are you calling a joke, Cranky Yankee?
I suppose Momma Yankee named you Cranky the moment you popped out? Huh? Of course "Carlton" is a pseudonym! Just like "Main Line Sportsman," "Laguna Beach Fogey," "Prinz Ulrich von Boffke," and everyone else who posts here. How do you even know that Richard's real name is Richard? It could be Tyrone for all you know.
The point--which apparently you didn't stop to consider--is that black WASPs don't have a lot of black WASPs to look up to. Carlton, though fictional, is one of those figures. So THAT'S why I chose the moniker. And of course Richard (or Tyrone) got the reference!
Thank you, and good evening!
I think "Carlton" is the same blogger who has decided to lead a one man crusade against all of the so-called "blogs of dubious taste" out there. Ignore him.
Thanks for setting me straight, 'Carlton'. Now if I can only figure out what a black WASP is....
Tricky but hardly scandalous. Seems to me they'd work during any season with a pair of khaki chinos or medium-brown cords.
Anybody who worries excessively (as some posting here seem to) about one's socio-sartorial status suffering from the choice of a pair of shoes (!) should be in therapy.
Richard ~ Many thanks for the kind words. For me it's a fun distraction.
I really enjoy your blog and am pleased you've continued to write. You're clearly at the head of the pack.
On a related note I think you're the only one around who remembers my early stories--and there are a lot more where they came from, if you get my meaning.
LBF - Those were some of the most interesting stories I have ever read, and I was always amused by the comments. Again, without question, you are my favorite read on the blogsphere! Keep up the good work!
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