And what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt! That's why it's sweet to have a passion for something. Something legal and emotionally satisfying. Something like, oh, I don't know,...shoes. Clogs in particular. Something that allows you to start each day's trip to the coal mine with an adventure on your feet. 'Cause without those wooden goodies (or whatever your passion has as the object of its desire), a typical workday can be a bleak experience.
Happily I have some moderately encouraging news to report in the world of clog styled footwear for men. I just stumbled across a handful of styles from Opening Ceremony that deliver what we delight in when it comes to wooden materials. And the fact that these shoes came on the market back in January and I didn't notice them 'til the end of April is attributable to the fact that they were not billed as clogs, but as loafers and oxfords. Wood soled they are, though. And apart from the fact that you'd probably need an executive's salary to justify dropping any coin on these shoes, they do represent a step in the right direction. Behold the Luc line from Opening Ceremony.
Meantime, budget considerations ruled the day for my friend Bob who was recently debating which direction to go for his maiden voyage into the world of clogs. You may recall he was just looking for a pair of easy-to-slip-on shoes for walking his greyhound. And after suggesting a number of styles to him, he scoured the internet and found himself a deal on a nubuck style from Cape Clogs. Well done, my friend! Welcome to the world of wooden goodness. This pair listed on UniformsMallUSA.com.
And finally, a few fashion photos of men in clogs culled from the web by regular reader Bill Cooley. Unfortunately, Mr. C. can't recall where he found them so I can't provide proper credit or a URL to let you read and discover more. But the images certainly provide a fitting conclusion to this Guy Day Friday.
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[On my feet as I blog: an all day in the home studio day today. So I took it easy with my olive green Kharma clogs from Sanita to keep me company.]
Wowza! Those are incredible loafers and oxfords. Fantastic.
Also: The model photos? Sexy.
Posted by: Tea | 04/29/2011 at 07:04 AM
Do those Opening Ceremonies have enough curve to the soles to work with closed back shoes? Since I only wear closed backs, my experience is that I walk out of them if the soles are too flat...
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 04/29/2011 at 10:58 AM
I was wondering the same thing. I guess if you're able to spend $400.00 on a pair, you don't have to do much walking. You can probably pay to have people bring something to you.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 04/29/2011 at 11:03 AM
Interesting, these Lucs remind of the shoes that were around during WWII when leather was in short supply. Rather than make traditional style clogs they basically slapped a wood sole on in place of leather. I don't think they would be that great to walk in, it's a rigid sole but doesn't provide the rocker motion needed.
It's always interesting seeing clogs that historically were worn by peasants and working class folks because they couldn't afford leather shoes, plus clogs lasted longer and were good footwear for some jobs.
Now you got designer brands selling clogs that cost more than a laptop.
Posted by: TB | 04/29/2011 at 01:13 PM
You know, I was wondering about that Luc design, too. Did anyone ever make a prototype and wear it before they sent it off to be mass produced?
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 04/29/2011 at 01:20 PM
Plus they have a "grippy" heel counter—if you look at Mark Casperson's closed backs (and we know he KNOWS his clogs!), the leather that wraps the heel is wide open with no inward curve of the leather to grip at the achilles—this way, as the foot bends at the ball while rolling forward, and the clog of course does not bend, the heel lifts out of the shoe a bit, then rocks right back down. Looks like with the Lucs, one will be stomping on the heels like we all used to do when turning our Sperries into mules!
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 04/29/2011 at 05:38 PM
Either that or growing a handsome pair of blisters. As I've been known to do with shoes that were too small in younger days before I learned my lesson.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 04/29/2011 at 05:46 PM
I could see the lucs being used in casual business where you would have to stand and socialized. It is a step in the right direction and I applouad them.
If you need a male model I will apply. Please use shoes as bait.
Posted by: Evan | 05/02/2011 at 10:41 PM