MTO Dreams

I've been secretly socking away some money for some Made-to-Order Shoes. So far, I've got about $600 saved up. I'm thinking about splurging on some boots or some monk straps. Whatever I do, I'll definitely make it a fun shoe. Hell, I might even go for some button boots.

Now onward ho! Shoes today are greatly limited in design and materials. This is probably due to the market in mens fine shoes being usurped by sneakers and cheaper alternatives. One can only get an idea of this by reading and studying ads from the past. As an avid thrift shopper and yard sale aficionado I can tell you that even regular people could afford to purchase fine leather shoes. Why, the market was flush with a surplus of makers and the entire environment supported it. Sneakers were utilitarian and only for sport thusly, the propers shoes due to saturation and demand could be offered and low as well as astounding price points. Another side effect was that, just like today, the various makes could be creative and market different styles and fashions.

You don't believe me do you, take a look at the following:

Too many to describe. Just know that they would look proper even today. I'm really digging the straight tip oxford in the corner.

This appears to be spectators with 2 different kinds of materials. It appears to be suede, calf skin, and white leather. The materials contrast highly and look sharper for it.

A casual design with some perforations. Botegga Venetta still designs shoes like this every S/S.

A spectator monk hybrid next to a spectator with some perforated leather panels.

Photo Credit: All are Esquire and found all over the internets...

Summer is Spectator Shoes Time

Summer time and spectator shoes go hand in hand. The contrast of the dark and light colored material make a great combination in the bright sun. For dandies, spectator shoes fit a very nice area on the sartorial continuum, right between dandy and formal. Bonus points must be given for the comfort factor, come on, who can turn down a pair with perforated suede on the sides. The perforations increase the air-flow in the show giving the wearer especially cool feet.

2 years ago Bottega Venetta made a pair that were superb. A friend of mine had them and I was always trying to get him to pass them on to me.

***Side story ignore if you don't want a story***Well, one day we go clubbing and end up in a bar, as usual. So, this older gentleman in an ascot notices us and keeps moving closer. Now, we didn't realize it until he was two bar stools away from us. At this point my friend says something to me about it and I just shrug it off. Then the gentleman gets up and says, "Young man those are some mighty fine shoes your wearing. Are those the new Bottega Venetta blah blah blah."

As he is talking my friend turns to me and mouths, "why is he still looking down." Then he proceeds to boldly hit on my friend in front of everyone including the women we where flirting with a few stools away from us. My friend immediately jumps out of his stool and with lightning like speed removes his shoes, sock-less mind you. Then he calmly says, "you wanted them there yours; but you have to take the gay old guy too." I couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous he was behaving but, when I came around I came to my senses and checked to see that our friend wasn't offended. He wasn't and was laughing much louder and harder than I was. To conclude, I finally got the shoes.

Back to the topic at hand; most will find the black and white spectators too similar to the golf designs. At least, I do. So, stay away from them and go for a brown and white, a tan and black, or any other combination you can find. Now days they even make them ready-to-wear in monochromatic colors, for example, a brown leather and brown suede, half brogue. Here are some examples:

Personally I like mine in a loafer or slip-on model in a cream and light brown. Why? Well, with chinos, a polo shirt, and a sport coat on it looks dashing. To finish off my look, I opt for bright obnoxious socks. Orange hosiery anyone? For an example of how to pull this off check out this Apparel Arts scan:

Photo Credit: MensFlair.com blog and Dandyism.net