The beauty of being on Savile Row and working in a store like Gieves & Hawkes is that you get to see and appreciate well-dressed gentleman on a daily basis. And while the majority of shoes I see them wearing are black, every now and then, I get a treat and stumble upon surprises, such as these Clarks shoes from 22 years ago.
Having sold shoes for a few years and many of them being Clarks, I have this vision stamped in my head of what a Clarks shoe should look like. You know, orthopedic looking with a rubber sole and such. So when the gentleman told me that these were Clarks, I just nearly had a heart attack for the bewilderment of knowing that they actually used to make stylish, well-made shoes. That was something I would have never thought, but now that I look at it is something that does not surprise me, as many companies today that have migrated towards mass-produced, mass-market shoes made in China, once used to be well-made shoes built on their own soil, such as Clarks and Johnston & Murphy. But, things change and now we can just appreciate the beauty of relics like these!
Never knew clarks made those kinda shoes. But I agreed with you wish they when back to there old way of making shoes
Hey Justin.
Very British Victorian. Reminds me of that aristocratic aire, similar to the Dutch style that had large buckles in the front (was that a pseudo-monk strap?). I actually like the Wallabee style that Clark has. A more relaxed take on the desert boot…even though I’m really not a huge fan of gum soles.
I LOVE the fringing. Clarks come on bring back these beauties. I’ll have a pair…or maybe I’ll just have to make my own!
Paul – Yea, me neither. I was extremely surprised when he told me. Too bad they have changed so drastically.
Henry V. – I think that it must have actually help to keep him in the shoe. I imagine that there was some sort of elasticity under the kilt tassel bit and that the strap was used to insure that the foot does not slip out. Can’t say that I am a fan of the Wallabee but can say that Clarks did a good job on that, creating something unique and versatile.
The Other One – I think that you should make one for yourself as well as a model for clients to order!
-Justin, “The Shoe Snob”
How do you feel about some of the higher-end Clark’s with welted soles and higher quality leather (http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/keyword-is-crafting+shoe/product-is-20343910)? Worth it? Personally, I ask because I’m between those and a pair of Grenson’s that are �40 more (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/grenson/products/1868.php) and I’m on a tight student’s budget. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!
Anonymous – In all honesty, I am not crazy about them. But I would just go with the Clarks at this point, as I think that they will most likely be in comparable quality to those Grensons.
-Justin, “The Shoe Snob”