Category Archives: Shoes

Things for Spring

Thorocraft

Thorocraft

So the dog days of winter are upon us and it’s time to not only start thinking spring but start shopping for spring.

Superdry

Superdry

So I too must follow suit and check out what’s in the stores to my liking.

Robert Graham

Robert Graham

And of course I found tons of things but all Dandi’s are on a budget of some kind so I did have to pull back and make smart choices.

Cole Haan

Cole Haan

Always take into account what you already have in your closet that you are excited to give a fresh look to for the new season.

J. Lindeberg

J. Lindeberg

And don’t forget to take into account any new activities that you want to start up or have over the winter.  Like these white shorts for me, since over the winter I took up tennis again.  These will be great to hit the courts in.

Ben Sherman

Ben Sherman

And so many of us are somehow still showing up at the gym since our New Year’s resolutions.  If you are feeling the need for a little incentive try buying yourself a new groovy bag to put your things in, that should keep you going for at least another month.

Kenneth Cole

And though I truly have no more room in my closet for new shoes, they are a must.  If your budget will not allow for a lot of new things, I always find a great new pair of shoes will draw the eye off of the clothes you may be recycling from last year and make everything fresher.

Socks

Sometimes all we need is a little pick me up to accentuate our wardrobe but don’t know quite what it is.  Well if you can’t use another bow-tie or pocket square you can never go wrong with another pair of colorful, conversation starting socks.

PB

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In Step

Salvatore

ferragamo.com

‘Tis the season when wedding bells ring, flowers are made into corsages and boutonniere‘s, and the blood pressure of many a lesbian bride and groom rises in anticipation of the most beautiful day of their lives together.  Now when it comes to that special day there are a lot of factors to take into account for the groom.

lanvin.com

lanvin.com

Certainly the groom Dandi should go forth and get a well-fitted suit, if in the budget perhaps even one tailored uniquely to them.  But as I’ve pointed out often in my blog many a time.  I like shoes, a lot.  So it stands to reason that I believe when you are getting dressed up, whether it be for the one time (hopefully!) special event of your wedding or some other more formal occasion

christianlouboutin.com

christianlouboutin.com

…one should start with their shoes.

louisvuitton.com

louisvuitton.com

I have noticed that a good pair of shoes can make you feel like a million bucks.  I think it’s mainly because it’s one of the few things that we can see constantly on our own person, unless we spend a lot of time passing a mirror for quick admiring glances.

paulsmith.com

paulsmith.com

That said, of course fit, matching your loved one in a complementary versus matchy- matchy way (unless you like that sort of thing) should be utmost in mind,

luoisvuitton.com

louisvuitton.com

but a proper pair of shoes will take you a very long way.  Now as you’ve noticed with this last picture of fancy shoes I’ve put up it’s not as formal as the rest.   If dressing like you’re a cast member of Downton Abbey isn’t your style then definitely have fun with your footwear choice.  (It may be the only say you have in the matter. :)

Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue - vtamour.com

Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue – vtamour.com

Not wearing a traditional black tux?  Then black shoes are probably not going to be your thing either unless you are working with grays or blues.

pedroshoes.com

pedroshoes.com

And even then don’t be afraid to have fun (but do avoid looking like you are on your way to the prom.  Remember there will be pictures permanently reminding you of your choices.)

rafsimons.com

rafsimons.com

Not a formal kind of Dandi?  That’s okay too (of course it is!)  Even if you’ve been rangled into a tux you can still pull off some personality by adding an elegant kick to the mix instead of a patent shoe (which I assure you will increase your will to dance in the wee hours of the night.)

PB

 


A State of the Republic

Spring time is just around the corner but for some of us (and strangely this Austinite is included this time) winter and her cold, wet, windy days are still chilling our bones and inspiring our layering prowess full force.

image

One of my favorite places to shop, because I know I can always find something I love, and their menswear fits my body without alterations (which is fantastic)  is Banana Republic (not big on the name, but what can you do). One of the other reasons I like to shop here  is because they really try to do new things and bring new ideas and design to what really is a preppy aesthetic and their sales staff is very helpful, even with a Dandi picking out clothes for herself on the men’s side.

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As we fade out of winter into spring there are  some very good looks here, and when I was in our local store doing a little shopping myself here are some of my favorites.

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PB


It’s getting Haute in here!

Tees

…yeah I did…but I had too.  How could I  not title a post like that when I’m about to  talk about the latest in a growing plethora of butch, genderqueer, fashion start-ups, this one with the name of HauteButch!

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The offerings and designs are what is being called by the fashion world “urban”…I call them butch style.

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I do so love the design of this coat (model on the left), and I hope to see more of this kind of design for this line, fitted, fashion forward and edgy.

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These kicks are hot.  More please!

Shoes

 

HauteButch is for the fierce butch female.  The line is affordable and they promise quality clothing with a design range from blazers to (my favorite of course) preppy pastel polos and shoes (something not as prevalent in the latest incarnation of queer owned style houses.)

The HauteButch moto – they are the “go to destination for all things butch.”  K. Michelle is the brainchild and Karen Roberts, co-founder and director.  They say of their brand that HauteButch is about  bridging the gap for their customers “between their selves, styles, lifestyles, and values.”

Check them out today!

Oh, and while you’re at it, 2013 is upon us and they have a hot new calendar that is a must have for butch’s and fem’s alike.

Nik-calendar-pic-with-watermark1-222x172

HauteButch

Got style questions? I’ve got answers – just ask me in the comment section below!

PB


Dr. Martens

When I was but a wee Dandi I used to own just about every style of Dr. Martens they made, from shoes to boots.  They had a considerable amount of styles but not like thy have today (and they leaned much heavier in those days on the theme of black).

Over the years Dr. Marten has become less Punk and Goth (not, of course, forgetting these fans) but they have become a lot more inclusive and give even their most dye-hard customers a chance to continue to wear them when they need to “get dressed up”.

Fall is here and you don’t have to convince me twive to seek out an excuse to buy new boots.

Not in the market for a boot-boot? How about these hushpuppy-esk boots?  They are a collaboration between the Dr. and Stussey.  A great variation on a theme for sure.

Oh, and don’t think for one minute that Dr. Marten is just about your feet.  Check out these fabulous bags from their S/S 2012 collection.  I love when a brand expands and does it right!

 

Photos courtesy of:

theshoebuff.com

hypemuch.com

freshlyeducatedmen.com

definitetouch.com

 

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Maison Martin Margiela

Hot off the Paris runway the collection for 2012/2013 by Maison Martin Margiela is splendid.

There are looks for Dandi.   What I love about the look above is that we are all so used to seeing this grouping and silhouette in camel but here it is in hues of pink, fabulous.

How daring and modern is this? Another fabulous diversion in an almost Pea coat silhouette, not to mention the absurdly shiny ‘look at me’ pants that only a brave Dandi might want to venture out in.

This look has all the classic pieces but the shirt is a bit blousy, perhaps not the favorite choice of a typical Dandi ( and I do hope that’s not real fur!)  Love the splashes of turquoise.

Vroom, vroooom.  An interesting and stylish take on the sexy and aluring motorcycle uniform.  It almost looks like a cropped formal jacket on top of a Ducati (and love the boots)

 

Photos courtesy of:

style.com,

nowfashion.com,

aizakbuyondo.com

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Diemme

When I was younger I used to wear my favorite pair of hiking boots everywhere with just about everything.  I loved those boots.  They went with jeans, chinos, even dress pants…even a dress.  They were comfortable and surprisingly not to hot even on the hottest of days.

Diemme was founded in 1992 by two Italian brothers, Marco and Dennis.  This great collection comes from Montebelluna, a thriving and respected shoe industry creating great shoes since 1870.

If you are not a big fan of boots or not big on them in the summer months they have a great collection of sneakers for Dandi’s who can’t get enough stuffed in their closets.

Diemme’s designs are all about high-end materials and the use of their local artisanal talent.

They were initially created for trekking, hunting &  climbing.  The craftsmanship is the same but now they have added a fashion element that is hard to ignore.

 

Photos courtesy of:

chcmshop.com,

trashness.com,

styleengine.com,

highsnobiety.com,

1paulfurlong.blogspot.com

 

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GSUS Sindustries

I’ve got to say I love the name.  Clearly a very irreverent Dutch bunch.  And stylish to top it off.  GSUS Sindustries started off in a skate shop in Arnhem, The Netherlands back in the early 1990′s.

(Love these blue shoes!) This casual line launched in the United States and in the Caribbean this spring which makes it a great line to get a hold of a wear for the season.  You will definitely be the first on your block.

(www.g-sus.com)

These are some great dapper Dandi casual duds.  They will still give you that sharp presentation but let you relax a little bit.

But as you can see above, don’t get too relaxed, we have our expectations! (I absolutely love the red shoes and red accent brought in by the belt…I hate to say it but I will…it adds a great “pop” of color!)

Photos courtesy of:

designerdenimjeansfashion.com,

nyc-fashion.com,

whattoweartoday.com

Links:

http://thesoulmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/sam-sarpong-and-gsus-sindustries/


Shoes For Spring

My favorite place to shop for shoes bar none is DSW.  Not only do they tend to have the widest selection of shoes but they always have my size and also good prices.  Oh yeah, and they send you a discount coupon in the mail almost every month!!!

I went this last week to see what they had to spice up your Dandi wardrobe as we move into the heart of Spring.

Wear with linen pants or nice shorts. Make sure you get your nails manicured!
It’s beach time! I love an excuse to add to my flip-flop collection.
Wear these fabulous leather kicks with jeans, khaki’s even with a suit.
A price alternative to the leather sneakers that will do the same job just as Dandily!
Bucks are a must have in any Dandi’s wardrobe. This is a pair of soft-sided bucks that will give you the edge on style.

Spring Shopping – J Crew

I love seeing what all of the stores have coming in for spring to lift my spirits out of the winter blah’s.  Though I have to admit here in ATX there hasn’t really been a winter, mostly a lot of rain and that is always fun to bring out the colorful Galoshes and rain slickers.

I do think J Crew has a great and basic offering of Dandi clothes and the fit is pretty universal.  They offer the higher ends of regular sizes and I can fit in most everything they make that is in my size, now whether or not it looks the way I want it to is another story, but that is the joy of shopping and trying on things until you find the perfect fit. And that goes for every single human being on the earth, we are not unique in this!

“Stripes and Plaids…oh my!”

As you can see prints are back for this season in reds, blues, greens…all of the basic colorways.

Same with ties.  J Crew sticks with the more conservative designs but this gives you an idea of width trends.  If you’ve got anything wider think about giving it away or putting it to the back of your closet, you won’t need it this season.

Here are some must have shoes for your wardrobe.  As for Wingtips, if you don’t already have a pair consider getting some that have a little color in them for the warmer seasons. Leave the more casual shoes for your Khaki’s and casual Friday‘s.  Soft sided shoes are never a good look with a suit unless you are in a creative business.

And spring always means hats to me.  Straw says spring, time to start transitioning your heavier fabric hats into the closet and pull out or purchase new fresh spring and summer appropriate hats to spice up any wardrobe including a suit for the office!

 

 

 

 


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