These Boots Were Made For...Boats

Fancy Footwork

The coolest pair of shoes ever made are Clarks Wallabees. Here's why: they are the only thing in common between the Wu-Tang Clan and my grandfather. It shows you what's so great - so postmodern - about hip-hop culture: it takes one thing that belongs in one context and makes it work in such a different one. If the Wu-Tang Clan showed up at my grandfather's house, he'd probably be scared. But then he'd think, "Hey, I've got those shoes." Wallabees never go out of style - you always need to have a pair lying around. 


Wu-Tang Wallabees, The Ugly Gorgeous Shoes For You.


@Chromeo

I said DUCK!

Kendrick Lamar does Adidas Originals Boots Collection

If a picture says 1000 words, a short video on you tube can save me a couple of hours on photoshop. Look out for Kendrick Lamar, he's meant to be one of the hottest MC's to come out of New York this year. This vid for me has memories of getting the M60 bus across NY to La Guardia with a broken bottle of vodka that was procured from duty free! Oh and Adidas' new Original Boots collection of course!

Enjoy

@SockandSole

Quick Fire Round

Fresh from the internet (Namely Highsnobiety and GQ) come some new releases. Simple yey's or neighs from Sock&Sole. These views are MINE!

 Louboutin - Metal Toe Cap Lace-Ups. Wow! More Rock n Roll that Frankie Coccozza! Yes.

Macdaddy x Loake - Wingtip Brogue. Neigh. Not quite Chuck Bass, why? The soles. Doc. Marten-esque.

 Aldo - Black Loafers, unusual for me to say thins but yes. Somehow they work.

'Are you Steve Jobs, the billionaire owner of Apple Computers?' No? 'Then you got no right to wear New Balance sneakers, ever!' Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Nike Air Max Tweed

Last year, Nike created its Nike Air Zoom in Harris Tweed. In keeping with one of winters finest wares for Holiday 2011, they've created this little beauty...and I'd bet @HelloMrGroom is too excited!

#Awesome!

@SockandSole

American GQ's Donald Glover Presents: 'Preppy'

Note the Sock&Soles used to create these New England Preppy looks and how they can transcend seasons with some extra layering, rolling or accessorising. 

• Socks: Tube Socks for warmth, patterns and bold colours
• Shoes: Loafers, Brogues and Hi-Tops (Nike Blazers)
• Plaid Shirts (swap the Tank for a Gilet for warmth)
• Fairisle patterns (in heavier knits or long sleeves for the Fall)

Preppy...erm YES!

@SockandSole

Dr. Martens Sovereign Collection

Visited Leeds at the weekend and saw that Dr. Martens have their own boutique shops now, and with their patented soles which last forever, (if they break, they're fixed for free for life) they're looking better than ever. Anyway, they've released this little lot - which include an Oxford, a Chukka and a Penny Loafer. But I wouldn't expect to see them on the dance floor at Jilly's Rock World this weekend.

@SockandSole

Supreme x Clarks Originals

'Sup with some Clarks, like that motherf***er' friendly'

Clarks with Supreme of Odd Future fame with a leather or suede boot that could pass as a diet version of a Doc Marten, or a souped up desert boot. Complete with crepe sole.

#takeoffthatboxlogo

@SockandSole

Duck.

It's been raining in Manchester for like three days. I hate wet feet. So I'm paying attention to Duck Boots which have made a successful transition from catwalk to sidewalk. 

Ill let you know what find. So long as my feet are dry.

@SockandSole

Grenson x Barbour

Readers, two of England's most iconic heritage brands. Six iconic shoes for Fall/Winter '11. Barbour and Grenson have created this collection of Brogue, Brogue Boots, and a Military Boot.

#MadeInEngland

@SockandSole

Under the Boardwalk [Empire]

'....down by the sea, yeah, On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be' [The Drifters]
The resounding success of Martin Scorsese's Prohibition era drama series was said, by GQ, to be responsible for a crazy percentage increase in the sales of tie pins. However look a little lower and you'll see that a 1920's gent sported a two-tone brogue with his three piece suit. And they looked well, see for yourself.

They can be procured from Church's, Tricker's and Grenson and for those attempting to incorporate a pair into their wardrobe, I would. Nucky Thompson style.
For those who haven's seen the show, watch it. You won't be disappointed!

@SockandSole

Mean Shoe Game: Ed Westwick

Meet Ed Westwick, of Gossip Girl and Chalet Girl fame. The character he is best known for (Charles 'Chuck' Bass) is a completely different being altogether who may grace the 'Mean Shoe Game' postings in weeks to come, but for now let us concentrate on the non-fictional Westwick.

Take note of his footwear allies.

• The Tasslled Loafer
• The Penny Loafer
• The Trainer 
• The Military Boot

I personally like the non-fictional actors who have style, as opposed to the characters they play, who are styled. Ed Westwick sums this up.

#xoxo

@SockandSole

Take A Hike...

@bazape asked me via twitter message, a question to the tone of 'Are you going to be writing about all this walking shoes that are cropping up in shops and magazines this season?' To which I replied 'I already have!' But for those who may have missed it I will bring you again the Art of The Walking Boot from Sock&Sole's 11 for '11 back in March of this year.

Popular brands here include Red Wing and Wolverine. The difference between the fashion pieces seen here and the functional pieces you can pick up in your local outdoors/camping store is the design, particularly in the soles. I wouldn't trust these on the Pennine Trail just as much I wouldn't trust the Merrell Chameleons on the catwalks at LFW! So there you have it @bazape, #informed!

@SockandSole

'I Got a Mean Shoe Game'

'My feet are still on the ground, I just wear better shoes.' 

Oprah Winfrey 

Happy October, readers! Fall is truly upon us, I know this as on my weekend trip to London, my Clarks Originals Desert Boots looked pretty good as I walked through leaves of a similar colour palette to my boots. I would like to profile a few people from various walks of the life be it popular culture, film, TV, music or even made up characters that express themselves chiefly through a love of shoes. 'Mean Shoe Game' will show them in their best and tell you about their best wares. So who's up first? I have a few ideas... Answers to @SockandSole please!