Saddle Shoes, in style or not?

[Jonathan]

And who in the USA still makes them here?

[chasea]

Just about everybody makes them. And, yes, they are in style. But it takes a certain... what the French call "I don't know what" to pull them off. Looks best on the urban dandy. Definitely hard to dress down. The black/white ones are probably too hard for any mere mortal to pull off. Try the brown/brown or black/brown. Or, since its spring, go for a bit of color.

[dashDustin]

But it takes a certain je ne sais pas to pull them off.

wish i had the opportunity to wear saddle shoes.

[chasea]

No


Yes


Maybe?


Yes

[chasea]

Yes


No


Yes


Yes


Yes

[Brandon White]

I'm down. Been seekin' out a pair to wear with shorts too. I think I'd like a black and grey suede too.

[dashDustin]

Yes

Those look like FootJoy Classics.

[Ben]

The answer to this question depends heavily on where you live. If you answered "South of the Mason-Dixon," the answer is and always will be "yes." Same goes for seersucker. I've had a pair of saddle shoes (either brown and white or blue and cream) continuously since about Jr. High and will probably have a pair until I die.

Now, the real question is whether you can pull off straight white bucks without looking like Spaulding Smails' kid. Look deep into your soul for the answer to this question.

[Jeremy S]

Saddles are always in style. It's up to you if you can pull them off. I prefer non-white saddles, with my ideal pair being the black and #8 shell on double leather soles sold by Alden sporadically.

As far as made-in-USA, I've seen them from Alden and Allen Edmonds. Rumor has it Walk-Over will be doing made in usa bucks and saddles again. Unfortunately all the MUSA options are pricey for what's a largely disposable shoe if you're going red-brick-sole style. I think Mark McNairy's joint is making some in england, too.

Toe profile is tough too. A lot of the chinese-made classic brands like Bass have these terrible bulbous toes that look worse as your foot gets bigger.

[Nierman]

They will be in style in KC this coming Saturday for the Tweed Run. I picked up a pair of well-worn burgundy/black Allen Edmonds at a local retirement village thrift store for $2. I wish I knew where these shoes have trod. Hopefully the spirit of the deceased that owned them will get to ride a bicycle one more time.

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[Jeremy S]

Allen Edmonds will rebuild those for you for like $125

[Nierman]

Good to know - thanks! I'll refrain from mounting cleats to the bottom then...

[Sasha]

Anyone see this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/fashion/21SHOES.html

[boundgear]

I hope so cuz they are on my list of purchases.

but if I want them, they are probably out of fashion already.

[robin3mj]

I've been known to sport a cream and black pair.

People tell me I get away with certain things others won't try- all it takes is a little dose of confidence.

[Jonathan]

Anyone see this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/fashion/21SHOES.html

That's cool. I have a pair of Shell Cordovan McNeils back at AE getting recrafted and a pair of cap toes will go next.

[chasea]

Digging the color of these. Iffy on the shape. But they're cheap.
NeedSupply.com / Bass / Buchanon

[Jeremy S]

I'm feeling these:
Johnston & Murphy Brennan Saddle Gray Nubuck/Burgundy Pull-Up - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways

I'm loathe to buy shitty chinese joints, but it beats another pair of Vans in my closet.

[King Of Dirk]

Classics are always in style, even if those who think themselves the arbiters of cool aren't stylish enough to know it.

Also, wear what you dig.

[tele]

Will these count as saddle shoes, maybe not, my dapper Fluevogs