Just to rub it in a little, here's a pair of Tricker's I picked up for my other half on our visit to their factory - she looks real good in them. This is a 'Deadstock' model (which means they don't make this style anymore) The upper is in a punched tan calf leather, with a classic wooden sole & heel. It's not often you see a woman in a pair of tan leather brogue ankle boots.....a shame really.
On a recent visit to Northampton to see my mum I stopped by the Tricker's factory & picked up these boots, made from a grey calf leather with a black non slip sole. They are a sample model made by Tricker's for a Japanese client. Japan apparently is the most popular market for grey leather shoes. Anyway I left in awe after walking through the factory, which has been there making shoes for over a 100 years. Old machinery, old school men & women cutting, hammering & stitching leather into the perfect products for companies such as Nom De Guerre, Margaret Howell, Ted Baker to name a few.......... as well as for their own brand.
This is a personal post for a new reader named John D. from Northampton, England who wrote us an email yesterday after he and a colleague surfed their way to our blog while at work, and while the UK's economy continued to drift ever closer to the rocky shores of recession. It is also holds a rather delayed thank you to our friend Karen who has made a dream come true. Much like the linguistic lottery that is a Google search, today's tenuous and common threads will be, Northampton, footie and footwear. So read on if you wish to get mired in the minutiae and frivolity of my personal correspondence.
Although we get a fair number of people coming through Nova Clutch by purpose or by chance, we don't seem to get a lot of comments. Therefore when someone does take the time out of their busy, or not so busy work schedule to write us, we feel somewhat obliged to answer. Without further ado, here is an ever so brief follow up to John D's questions.
Q: Who is the talent and how do you keep the blog looking so crisp?
A: Nova Clutch was founded by Natasha, Sweetu and myself as a natural extension of those parts of our lives that we hold to be important and meaningful. We have since asked a number of like-minded people such as Melissa and Therese to join us. Although I can't fully account for the crispness, I have a feeling it's because we use lard instead of vegetable shorting. Or perhaps that's why it's light and flakey.
Q: Why don't you have a section on the beautiful game, are you sure you are a true Brit?
A: Like you, Sweetu hails from Northampton, but supports Manchester United. As you pointed out, there is not a lot to cheer about in Northampton these days. Natasha grew up in Birmingham, but thankfully she is devoid of that particular accent and a need to support Villa or City. In fact, she does't really fancy the game or even a pint, therefore I often question her "Englishness" as well. Although I am American, I have been a Liverpool supporter since I was a kid. I also have a soft spot in my heart for Crystal Palace. I am one of the few people within my circle who can actually remember the day when they fielded a side to be reckon with (78/79). No disrespect to the skills of Dougie Freeman. As for Liverpool, I was young, impressionable and loved The Beatles. What can I say? What better way is there to pick your team when everyone else around you is playing and watching American football, baseball and basketball?
I hope this answers your immediate questions John. Also, please take a look at the only other football related posts that have made it through Natasha's watchful editorial eye. Boots. Match.
Dear Karen, thank you for getting me the Church's from your hometown. Do you know our new friend John D? No? Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't say thank you earlier. Since I have shown myself to be an ungrateful friend, I thought a public apology would help in set things right. I love them, they fit, they are a dream come true. I hope that someday, when they are well worn in, they can burn with me on my funeral pyre. Perhaps my deathbed post can be about how wonderful there were, and how well their quality construction and distinctive style served me throughout the years. Maybe a little something about the handcrafted workmanship, the considered and beautiful detailing. Perhaps a quip about the smell of "new" that wafted from the "keeper" box as I looked upon these classic beauties. Or maybe a cleverly-crafted line about the stiffness of the leather soles and uppers that would eventually take to the shape of my foot and particulars of my stride to become something of a first-rate second skin. Something to think about, something to be remembered. Thank you.
For the rest of you that have made your way through this self-indulgent post; well done, you have shown yourselves to be more patient and dedicated to this blog than I could ever be.
Quoddy Trail Moccasin Company is a family run business that was established in Maine in the early 1900's. They still use the same shoe making techniques that they did back in the day & each process is executed by hand using the finest most durable leather - this results in a really special shoe with lovely hand made feel - if you order directly from them there is a 4-6 week lead time as each pair is made to order.
Quoddy rightfully has been picked up by quite a few traditional & independent retailers in the UK, Japan & the USA, whilst also making shoes under the guise of various menswear labels.
I purchased this pair of Quoddy boat shoes from O'Connells clothing - a family owned traditional womens & menswear retailer, established in 1959 & based in Buffallo, New York. Although the shoes have a slightly hand made look, the construction is solid, with padding & arch support on the footbed & a crisp white non slip sole that contrasts nicely against the leather.
In a moment of desperation for relaxation, brainless activity and the remote possibility for unplanned enjoyment, Natasha and I headed out late Sunday morning for a walk across the Manhattan Bridge to that seldom explored island across the East River. After a obtaining some nourishment and a caffeine boost at Brown, we headed nowhere and everywhere with our ultimate destination being Stefan's place to catch up on the last two Tivo'ed LOST episodes. All along, and not shared with Natasha, I was on a vision quest for some new spring footwear. A beautiful pair of trainer shoes for $345 was tempting, but out of the question considering that I would be submitting our taxes on Monday. A small shop in Chinatown offering Paul Smith rip-offs just didn't seem right considering the $125 price tag for some less and considered craftsmanship. Even a trip to Bloomingdales SoHo basement for a pee and a quick look at their footwear offering found that it was all too easy to walk away from a Joey Bagofdonuts looking white Stan Smiths from Adidas and a pair of Asics Tiger white three-quarters that were so detailed and right that I felt the designers of the 1958 Ford Edsel finally had their second go.
Tired and lacking the caffeine buzz that had powered me earlier in the day, Natasha pushed me on to "one last stop", Opening Ceremony on 35 Howard Street. Having never been impressed with their overpriced selection of Top Shop contraband or the workingman's Red Wings for $225 and up, I was bowled over to find on a lower out of the way shelf these amazing F-Troupe canvas and suede saddle shoe-like trainers for $100. Beautifully designed and proportioned these babies take their cues from traditional saddle and boat shoes, but cut a shape and form that is nothing but modern and owned by F-Troupe. Understated details such as the waxed laces and large weave natural canvas pair will with the white suede and beautifully embossed rubber bottoms. Clean stitching and not a drop of sloppy gluing where the canvas meets the rubber tells me the people at F-Troupe care about the execution as much as the idea. No wonder I took home the last of these Spring 2008 trophies for shopping fortitude and patience.
These Red Wing Loafers are similar in shape to a classic boat shoe & have the same non slip sole, however their simplicity makes them a little more versatile. The Upper is made from a high quality sand colored suede which is stitched together with a thick white thread, the heel part is reinforced for durability & the footbed is cushioned for extra comfort.
I'm looking forward to breaking these in (sockless) once this weather improves.
Popped into Paragon Sports with a friend last week, walked out 30 minutes later with probably the cheapest thing in there; quite a feat when you consider that housed inside must be close to 100,000 different products....These were on sale to boot, originally $45 down to $28..... I'm not much of an impulsive buyer, but it would have been rude not to.
Sperry was established 1935 in New England USA, when Paul Sperry invented the worlds first boat shoe, although it seems that all boat shoe brands try to claim that they were first.
These 'Striper's canvas lace ups are made from a tough white cotton canvas, the tongue & collar are padded for comfort, & the most noticeable/important thing is the non-marking, non slip rubber sole that made the company so famous.
During my high school days our football/soccer team was a blend of two distinct groups of players conveniently separated by railroad tracks. Beyond our weekly matches against formidable testosterone-fueled opponents, an internal battle was being waged. Although on match days we were outfitted in the finest uniforms, alloted a soccer team in an American football dominated school, practice days featured a smattering of clothing choices that were as disparate as the household incomes of my teammates. In our own version of Project Runway, points were awarded in two categories, Ghetto and Status. Ghetto Points were awarded to those of us that re-appropriated basketball shorts, NFL jerseys and air-conditioned t-shirts covered with colorful stripes earned during summer painting jobs. Status Points, also dubbed Jew Points by our yarmulke donned teammates, were awarded through the wearing of Adidas equipment. Shirts of the latest colors and patterns were proudly worn along with matching or coordinating shorts and socks. But it was the shoes that were the real kicker. Shiny black leather adorned with the unmistakable three white stripes, a far cry from the lesser brands sported by the rest of us. Did the shoes make the player, or the player make the shoes?
It is now 26 years on since my last high school match. And much to the chagrin of Natasha's father I have continued to play the beautiful game. However, my game has not been so beautiful of late. It couldn't be that I am getting old, or spending too much time sitting on my ass in front of this computer, right? Therefore it must be the shoes. Of course, the shoes!
When my football buddy (I use the term in jest), Terje said that he was looking for new boots the other day, I became giddy with the prospect of my pitch redemption being a purchase away. We agreed to meet at Paragon Sports to only find a pathetic selection of shoes in a sea of Beckham Galaxy jerseys. Two Footlocker stores and one Sports Authority only proved to me that this nation has all but dismissed the game that the rest of the world can't live a day without. Drained of my giddiness, my last hope was the Adidas store on Broadway and Houston.
Past the running sneakers, and around the baseball cleats I was to soon discover the Holy Grail of football boots. The adiPURE (firm ground version) in classic black with traditional 3-stripes is a purist's wet dream. An ageless beauty, fashioned in kangaroo skin and impeccably detailed with both copper and black stitching by artisans familiar with old-world craftsmanship and the game itself. The cleats are a perfect blend of high-tech molding and high-performance comfort. A short tongue, delicate embossing, sleek piping and a subtle copper rivet round out the detailing on a boot whose beauty surpasses the sum of its parts.
The first test run on a wet and slippery Cadman Plaza carpet afforded me the agility and stability to make a few moves, a few key passes and the occasional goal. A perfect 10 on Status Points, finally.
These Mephisto 'Rainbow' walking shoes have become my daily shoe of choice recently, quietly tip-toeing ahead of my Red Wings. I'll be the first to admit that they are a little odd, chunky, even ugly looking. On a visual level it takes a real discerning eye to appreciate them so you wont find all & sundry wearing them & in terms of comfort they are second to none. A thick chunky sole unit that has some kind of air system running through it, a super quick lacing system so they take only a second to put on & a really high quality camel colored nubuck upper make them hard wearing & looking better with use.
Mephisto was established 1965 in the town of Sarrebourg, France & have since become a global brand in the comfort shoe market, but beware, these are the best looking ones & I advise some caution when browsing their catalogue.....It could give you nightmares!!
These are some shoes by John White, a British shoe maker based just outside of Northampton, UK. I purchased them from a vintage clothing store for next to nothing & then had them re-soled, re-heeled, & buffed (which all cost twice as much as I paid for the shoes) They already had a lot of character to them & the buffing process enhanced this even further.
