The Yuma / Langsford

At 57th and Park. Even in NYC people stare at you when you're taking a picture of your shoe. What I do for my art.

After days of scanning images from Take Ivy - - I may have been slightly influenced.

Lets establish one thing up front. I never was a Florsheim customer. I'm not being a snob here. In fact, I'm showing more of my ignorance than anything else. Florsheim made some great shoes in Chicago. But I always associated the company with a cheap black loafer that had a little chrome square stuck on the outside of the vamp. Called the Riva it was (and still is) a creepy little shoe that must be comfortable as all get out because I can see no other reason for wearing them. By the way, it's Florsheim's best selling shoe. Now you know my prejudice.

Last summer I wrote about the Florsheim Yuma and it's release in Japan here. I found out the Yuma was made in Australia for the Japanese market. That means a EEE width and a $350 price tag. Ouch. Customer Service types in Wisconsin (very nice people) told me the shoe was due in early November. I called the NYC store the Monday after Thanksgiving and was told the Langsford (same as the Yuma but Yuma sounds so much cooler) just arrived. Only normal width. $140. Made in India.

Have you noticed very few shoe stores/departments have anyone who knows how to measure a foot? Nobody pushes on the toe anymore. It's pretty much, "Well, how does that feel, sir?" As long as the shoe isn't sliding off my foot or piercing my high instep in pain I usually reply, "Uh, I guess it's OK." Later I can barely take them off. Much less put them back on. My advice for the Lansford/Yuma customer is this - - Try them on. Wear them at home on your carpet before you commit. Although, they're on sale for $105.

The Langsford has a great look. A beautiful shape with a toe that is perfection. The vamp is high and while I thought the beef-roll would be larger -- the overall look is sleek and clean. I am crazy about the look of the shoe but the leather is corrected grain, the sole reminds me of cheap Indian made Gucci knock offs by Cole Haan and that vamp is murdering my instep. The "cushioned foot bed" in sheepskin is peeling up after only a month and still...

I can't stop looking at them. Kinda like when Walter Crow Horse tells Ray Levoi in Thunderheart, "You're wearing brand-new shoes that are a little too tight in the instep... but man, they look cool, and that's what counts. Am I right?"

Happy New Year

It was a busy Christmas. I'm late on everything hence my fall back to Three Kings Day but more about that later. Old New Castle in Delaware is a favorite place of mine. You're certainly not going to stumble upon it driving up I95. There's not much to do around it - - or in it for that matter. It's a little remote and it's very 18th Century which is why I think it's perfect.

This is where I'm going to retire. Or die trying.

"Take Ivy" Chapter I

I think I'm familiar with scanning now.

I've added some more text in hopes Heavy Tweed Jacket (HTJ) would like to add some translation. He has already provided me with some great insight into the history of the book. While the photographer, Teruyoshi Hayashida is credited on the cover of the book --the book was actually authored by three men. Kensuke Ishizu, Toshiyuki Kurosu and Moto Hasegawa. The late Kensuke Ishizu was the founder of Van Jacket, a Ivy style clothing company and it appears he was the master mind behind the creation of the book. Thank you, Mr. Tweed.

It's no secret that some Japanese are obsessed with the Ivy look. The word "Trad" has it's origins in Japan and I for one think the Japanese have taken care of the style far better than we ever could have hoped. Hardly surprising in a culture where Tradition rules, the Morning Coat is still worn and life is lived and appreciated for small moments. I hope you enjoy this small moment...