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United States12607 Posts
every time spring weather rolls around I find myself a bit lost as to casual footwear. warmer weather makes f/w boots out of the question, and my trusty brown oxfords do not seem very right for tromping around the city on a hot, sunny day (even worn without socks, they don't scream spring/summer). white canvas sneakers and suede bucks are great s/s shoes, but both options are more casual than I like to dress on a daily basis.
in thinking about spring shoes I keep remembering photos from the classic book Take Ivy that show American students in the mid-60s wearing penny loafers with almost everything. I've never been a huge fan of the penny loafer's silhouette, but they are a really versatile shoe — easy to pull off barefoot with shorts (super casual) or with, say, navy blue socks, pressed trousers, and a jacket and tie (pretty formal). the images from Take Ivy that have been stuck in my head, though, are the ones showing kids wearing pennies with white socks:
![[image loading]](http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1iuagqiBk1qzn8hio1_500.png)
to me this looks very comfortable and cool. and in 2012 wearing white socks is just pedestrian enough to put some distance between yourself and the penny loafer's unfortunate association with overeducated pricks.
so I decided that I'd try a pair of pennies this spring and summer. beefroll, because they're more American and more casual. Bass Weejuns are the American staple (and likely the single most common clothing item in Take Ivy), but I've heard their quality has fallen off steeply over the decades — rubber soles, cheaper leather. (Note: I still think Weejuns are a good option because they look the part and are so damn inexpensive.) Oak Street Bootmakers' beefroll is gorgeous but, mostly because of the lighter sole and stitching, too casual to be versatile enough to justify me spending $300 right now.
I settled on the AE Kenwood (in Burgundy), which is on sale for $195 here.
still unsure how effectively I can fight the penny loafer's modern-day rep as an old man shoe. hopefully the combo of aggressive sock colors, wearing them barefoot, never polishing, and pants with no break will do the trick. maybe I'll report back with results.
your thoughts on pennies / spring/summer footwear this year?
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Is there ever a reason to buy sunglasses that expensive? Find some cheap ones that suit you and you like. Your bound to smash them anyway.
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From what I know they can be very unhealthy for the eye, since they darken your sight and thus stop your eyes from naturally blinking but don't actually filter the sunlight, so the unfiltered light goes into your eye...
Something like that, I'm no expert obviously.
From personal experience I have to say that cheap sunglasses just suck all around. I got a pair of 10€ from amazon for my car because I drive right against the sun when I come from work and they don't do shit, even with those on I can barely see anything.
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@JWD, I know people that pull off pennies quite well, but I am not brave enough to invest the money to try to do so myself. I am 24, and I just feel "older" when I put them on. They dont look so bad, but I dont feel like they are "me". Due to not being comfortable in them myself, I dont own any.
I tend to stick to walnut oxfords, suede bucks, sebago/sperry boat shoes, and canvas shoes in the spring/summer. I find these to be a bit more "youthful". In reality, its definitely a look that young guys can still pull off, but I think you would need to wear some colour to accent other areas of your attire, so that the shoes arent the main focus. Its definintely easier to pull off than a tassle loafer 
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On March 29 2012 00:22 FliedLice wrote:
From what I know they can be very unhealthy for the eye, since they darken your sight and thus stop your eyes from naturally blinking but don't actually filter the sunlight, so the unfiltered light goes into your eye...
Something like that, I'm no expert obviously.
From personal experience I have to say that cheap sunglasses just suck all around. I got a pair of 10€ from amazon for my car because I drive right against the sun when I come from work and they don't do shit, even with those on I can barely see anything.
Well the ones I buy have UV tags etc. so that you can at least determine wether they are worth buying. for about 5 dollars and they serve their purpose. I just think that throwing a lot of money away at sunglasses that are very prone to plainly breaking is kinda dangerous!  But if your a brand type of guy, go for it.
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Yeah I'd you treat your stuff like crap then maybe they are not worth it. My sunglasses are on thier third season and just have one minor scratch. Polarized lens are what's good for your eyes, they can be had for $20 or less. Raybans are certainly paying partly for the name but they are nicer then $20 dollar glasses then lens don't scratch as easy, the frame has a nicer weight to it (most knock offs are really light). Also I have found if you have an item you think is expensive you are more likely to take care of it. I am not saying $100 sunglasses are for everyone but isnt redicalous to buy them either.
@jwd I have a pair of penny loafers. Like you I had been toying with the idea for awhile before I pulled the tigger. I got a cheap pair from lands end canvas to try them out before I went for a high quality pair think I paid like $50. I like them, I have never gone with the white sock look, I actually don't even own white socks. I know that's the look in take ivy but personally I dont like it. I wear them casually for the most part sockless and shorts. I have worn them with pants sockless a few times and a few times with socks. When I wear them with socks I always go for something youthful to avoid feeling like an old man. Bright red or bright green solids or some sort of outgoing pattern.
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United States12607 Posts
On March 29 2012 00:25 Focuspants wrote:@JWD, I know people that pull off pennies quite well, but I am not brave enough to invest the money to try to do so myself. I am 24, and I just feel "older" when I put them on. They dont look so bad, but I dont feel like they are "me". Due to not being comfortable in them myself, I dont own any. I tend to stick to walnut oxfords, suede bucks, sebago/sperry boat shoes, and canvas shoes in the spring/summer. I find these to be a bit more "youthful". In reality, its definitely a look that young guys can still pull off, but I think you would need to wear some colour to accent other areas of your attire, so that the shoes arent the main focus. Its definintely easier to pull off than a tassle loafer
yeah, I'm 24 too, and have many of your thoughts. my regular s/s shoe rotation is the same as yours, except I never wear boat shoes. those I don't feel comfortable wearing around, because I grew up in the Midwest and know basically nothing about sailing.
tassel loafers I don't think I'll ever wear, yeah the old man association is much stronger than with pennies, and, even more than that, I just don't believe in clothing with ornamental frills like tassels.
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On March 29 2012 02:31 JWD wrote:Show nested quote +On March 29 2012 00:25 Focuspants wrote:@JWD, I know people that pull off pennies quite well, but I am not brave enough to invest the money to try to do so myself. I am 24, and I just feel "older" when I put them on. They dont look so bad, but I dont feel like they are "me". Due to not being comfortable in them myself, I dont own any. I tend to stick to walnut oxfords, suede bucks, sebago/sperry boat shoes, and canvas shoes in the spring/summer. I find these to be a bit more "youthful". In reality, its definitely a look that young guys can still pull off, but I think you would need to wear some colour to accent other areas of your attire, so that the shoes arent the main focus. Its definintely easier to pull off than a tassle loafer yeah, I'm 24 too, and have many of your thoughts. my regular s/s shoe rotation is the same as yours, except I never wear boat shoes. those I don't feel comfortable wearing around, because I grew up in the Midwest and know basically nothing about sailing. tassel loafers I don't think I'll ever wear, yeah the old man association is much stronger than with pennies, and, even more than that, I just don't believe in clothing with ornamental frills like tassels.
It would probably just take some getting used to. I got a tweed SC this winter, and after having thought they were totally "old-manish" I realized you can really give it some youthful flare, and it was my favourite winter piece. Its a Charcoal/Light grey Harris Tweed with some red and green mini accents in it (as in super super subtle, almost unnoticable) and I had it tailored super trim, and it paired really nicely with a bit of colour. I got the most compliments when I wore that over anything else I wore this winter.
I am thinking of maybe getting a pair of AE Kenwoods myself, as a couple people I frequently talk to on Dappered Threads have them, and their WIWT posts have made them look nice when paired with some really bright socks.
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On March 29 2012 00:16 Advocado wrote:
Is there ever a reason to buy sunglasses that expensive? Find some cheap ones that suit you and you like. Your bound to smash them anyway.
In the EU there's a branding called "CE". This guarantees good UV-protection. According to Stefan Löfgren, Eye Doctor at S:t Eriks eye hospital in Stockholm, there is no correlation between proctection and cost beyond the CE-branding.
Source: http://www.dn.se/livsstil/trend/billiga-brillor-skyddar-ocksa
The article also notes that you should avoid sunglasses that turn the light blue.
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Cant you guys afford longer pants? Save up some of your lunch money and buy yourself a pair that fits. If youre in college and still wearing same pants your grandma bought you for christmas in 9th grade your priorities are messed up.
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On March 29 2012 07:06 ecstatica wrote:
Cant you guys afford longer pants? Save up some of your lunch money and buy yourself a pair that fits. If youre in college and still wearing same pants your grandma bought you for christmas in 9th grade your priorities are messed up.
What?
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On March 28 2012 04:56 JWD wrote:
still unsure how effectively I can fight the penny loafer's modern-day rep as an old man shoe. hopefully the combo of aggressive sock colors, wearing them barefoot, never polishing, and pants with no break will do the trick. maybe I'll report back with results.
your thoughts on pennies / spring/summer footwear this year?
Suede penny loafers, problem solved
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will be enjoying clarks DBs, a pair of raw jeans, and basic tees this spring/summer. all i need, really.
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@JWD
How do your ae's operate without socks on hot days, that just seems like a good way to muck up a good pair of shoes to me.
I mean, foot-sweat on shoes is pretty awful stench.
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On March 29 2012 07:06 ecstatica wrote:
Cant you guys afford longer pants? Save up some of your lunch money and buy yourself a pair that fits. If youre in college and still wearing same pants your grandma bought you for christmas in 9th grade your priorities are messed up.
Lol @ this joke.
Loafs sans socks is pretty hip. I'd do the above minus the white. Sperry Top-Sider's are always fly during the spring/summer as well.
![[image loading]](http://brownflipflops.typepad.com/.a/6a011570daf0d9970c013481063c85970c-800wi)
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@ Anyone wearing Loafers. I wear Quoddy loafers all the time with bright socks or no socks. You want to make sure the length of your pants is just right: A slight break or no break for a preppy-ier look. I wear them with literally everyting. Honestly, loafers are timeless. Wear them knowing that you are wearing one of the most timeless and classic looks in American fashion: with the confidence that you look great. Avoid tassels (they scream laywer or Ivy League) and always keep them well oiled and clean--they will last you a decade.
IDK why but a good pair of loafers won't stink unless you let them get too full of foot-jam. I've worn loafers for months with no socks and they just smell like warm leather (which makes me want scotch and a cigar).
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On March 29 2012 07:44 homeless_guy wrote:
@ Anyone wearing Loafers. I wear Quoddy loafers all the time with bright socks or no socks. You want to make sure the length of your pants is just right: A slight break or no break for a preppy-ier look. I wear them with literally everyting. Honestly, loafers are timeless. Wear them knowing that you are wearing one of the most timeless and classic looks in American fashion: with the confidence that you look great. Avoid tassels (they scream laywer or Ivy League) and always keep them well oiled and clean--they will last you a decade.
IDK why but a good pair of loafers won't stink unless you let them get too full of foot-jam. I've worn loafers for months with no socks and they just smell like warm leather (which makes me want scotch and a cigar).
Fully leather shoes (which good loafers will be) just don't hold stink like synthetics like sperrys. Just one of the many wonderful proprieties of leather
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Do you guys ever buy full suits (blazer, shirt, tie, pants) ? What are some of the things that I should consider before buying them?
Thinking of buying one for a party.
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I own 6 full suits. Im not sure if you mean something that comes with a tie and shirt, which seems odd to me, or buying a suit, then buying a shirt and tie to match it. I will assume the latter, and give you this advice.
Your first suit should likely be a wool navy suit. It is the most versatile. It can be worn for a myriad of events, can be dressed up and down a bit, and matches with most colours. After that I would say charcoal gray is the next staple, and the next most versatile. After that, light gray would be the next logical choice, then the sky is the limit. I went in that order, and added on a grey/white pinstripe suit, a navy with pastel purple/teal stripes, and a navy cotton suit for the spring/summer.
As for shirts and ties, start with basics, and build out from there. Start with a white, and solid blue, then you can add some pin stripes, some gingham, and some colour. Its cheaper to buy colourful ties to mix it up, than to buy a bunch of extremely colourful or patterned shirts that may only match with 1 of your suits.
Keep it simple at the start, and build out from there.
As for what to look for, fit is the most important part by far. The shoulders are the most important part. You want shoulders that fit. Alterations like sleeve length, or taking in the waist are cheap and easy, but fixing ill fitting shoulders is costly at best, or impossible at worst. If you give me some more detail as to what you plan on using it for, I can give you a more detailed response.
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Zurich15358 Posts
On March 29 2012 14:30 Advocado wrote:
Do you guys ever buy full suits (blazer, shirt, tie, pants) ? What are some of the things that I should consider before buying them?
Thinking of buying one for a party.
Well I don't think many people buy everything together.
What kind of party? When it comes to types of suits, if Denmark is anything like Germany skip the navy, especially for a party. Go for light grey and/or charcoal.
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EPT
