1901's For Your 911

I'm not sure about you, but I cooled off on boat shoes once my grandma started wearing Sperry Topsiders.  Just kidding.  But seriously, has anyone else been looking for boat shoe alternatives?  Or, non-sneaker options for casual S/S footwear?  If you answered "yes" to either of those questions then you probably want to keep reading.  If you answered "no", let me congratulate you on having Wi-Fi on your yacht before you close your screen.  Okay, moving on.  I don't do too much driving these days (unfortunately, as Shawn said, I also "don't do too much bloggin"), but that didn't stop me from trying to track down a new pair of driving mocs as one of those S/S alternates I mentioned above.  I'll be the first to admit that making the argument against city dwellers wearing driving mocs is warranted.  Basically, most driving shoes cannot handle everyday wear.  Those little rubber nubs that grace the sole wear out quick if you're main mode of transportation is of the bipedal nature.  So, said argument is warranted, but also thin because driving shoes, especially a suede moc toe version, look damn good and anyone should be able to wear them if they see fit.  Where does that leave us?  For most of us, that eliminates Tod's because they are too expensive of an option for those who don't drive and don't drive something that gets you laid.  Minnetonka charges beater prices, but they still have those damn nubs, so price per wear is a little iffy.  Somewhere in between these two options happens to be Nordstrom's in house 1901 driving loafer.  These suede beauties actually have a full layer of rubber between the the upper and the rubber nubs, which translates to a longer shoe life.  I recently grabbed a pair and have been really happy with them.  They are the perfect errand shoe and require not a single sock investment.  Sand suede was my ticket, but there are a bunch of options for my more adventurous readers.  They run true to size (assuming you are ditching socks) and have a more aggressive toe shape that recalls European brands four times as expensive.

-L.A.S

1901

As familiar as I am with Nordstom's in house 1901 brand (I'm not gonna front like that place wasn't my fashion Mecca for a while back in the day) I am kinda surprised I haven't posted on it sooner.  While the 1901 garments leave a whole lot to be desired in terms of fit and style, the shoes are pretty on point.  It's nothing crazy, just a few classic styles for under $100.  As far as S/S goes they have a few of the cornerstones to a footwear game done right - a buck, saddle and driver.  For the guy on a fairly strict budget the 1901 stuff is actually a pretty good deal.  It also seems fitting I talk about this now because apparently these guys drew the biggest crown at Coachella or so I hear.

-L.A.S