40 Years Of Docksides

I am an unabashedly devote member of Team Sperry no if's, and's or but's.  That's not to say that I don't give credit where credit is due and Sebago is a great brand in its own right.  In celebrating 40 years of their classic Dockside boatshoe Sebago has released an exclusive 40th anniversary colorway for all you prepstars out there.  The shoe is a 3-tone boatshoe with red, white and blue brass eyelets and while it's nothing unlike the various GHT boat shoes we've seen in the past from both Sebago and Sperry it's still a good looking summer knockabout.  This may be something reserved for the hardcore Sebago heads who have rocked with the brand for those 40 years, but like I said earlier - give credit where credit is due.

-L.A.S

Know When To Say When Pt. III

So Vane and Sebago get hammered, hooked up and I'll be damned if they didn't produce one hell of an ugly baby.  It's a shame too considering just how awesome this collaboration could have been - we're talking some of the most classic, cheap shoes that are pretty much perfect this time of year getting a slight tune up.  "Future Heritage", which is what they are calling the collaboration, is a term that conjures up both intrigue and fear in many people since such a phrase references both the concept of "reimagining" and "messing with what's proven".  This ultimately puts a ton of pressure on the brand(s) in terms of which way they take things and in this case I am inclined to feel the latter.

My problem isn't with the more "traditional" boat shoe models (though I wouldn't ever think of buying them for myself ) because I can see them working out for all the Kanye and Pharrell wannabees.  They are clean shoes that I'm sure will top off some denim quite nicely for the average streetwear dude - ain't no harm in giving those kids boat shoes they can get stoked on.  What I cannot even remotely fathom are the abominations seen below.  Everything about them is totally wrong and in the process destroys the heritage concept both brands set out to represent with the collaboration in the first place.  Discounting the patent leather all together these shoes bastardize multiple styles in a strange trying way to hard Frankenstein-ian manner.  Throwing a beef roll penny loafer strap on a lace up deck chukka is just plain ridiculous - not even counting the blatant lack of functionality, it just looks awkward as shit.   So yeah, I can't get down with this collaboration at all regardless of how much I like the two brands involved.  In aiming for the stars, and out doing all the other collaborations on the market, Vane and Sebago missed the mark...by a mile.  Save your money and buy yourself a pair of original Docksides - and skip the patent leather.  If this is the future of heritage I'm washing my hands clean and damn do I feel dirty.

-L.A.S 

Billykirk x Sebago

The newest collaboration to hit the airwaves is between boat shoe giant Sebago and the leather aficionados of Billykirk.  Unlike typical deck boots these are some serious workboots with a straight diesel boat sole and I think they look mighty fine especially if you're the kind of guy who refuses to wear anything but boots even in the summertime.  From the Sebago website:

"In their quest for creating refined and evolved work gear, the brothers, Chris and Kirk from Billykirk have teamed up with iconic shoe manufacturer, Sebago, to develop their doc-workers Fairhaven oxford and boot collaboration. The result will be hitting limited retailers in June, 2010."

-L.A.S

Dress Like A Bastian Model

While Bastian's clothes might be a little or a lot out of your price range the footwear he styles his models in are often low-priced standards that all guys should have in their closets.  Piggybacking off of Valet's quick breakdown on a few of the footwear choices in the Gant by Michael Bastian showcase I went ahead and compiled some for you.  The following footwear was seen in both the aforementioned Gant collection and Michael's namesake line.

[Editor's Note: I am going to refrain from highlighting any of the upper crust footwear (i.e. Stubbs & Wootton) to keep this post in the gutter as much as possible.  Also, if you want some shitkicking, head smashing Doc Martens head here.]

Adidas Samba...$59.95

Adidas Superstar 2...$69.95

Unidentified Adidas running shoes...?
[Editor's Note: I had trouble tracking down this exact shoe in this exact colorway, but the Adidas Dragon is pretty damn close.]

L.L. Bean Blucher Moccasin...$69.00

[Editor's Note: There were a bunch of suede versions in the show that I have never seen before so hopefully those will be on sale soon because they were fresh to death.]

L.L. Bean Camp Moccasin...$69.00

 

 

 

L.L. Bean Moc-Toe Boot...$119.00

Sebago Classic...$130.00

Puma Sky High...$67.46

Military Surplus Boots...$59.00 (or cheaper at any surplus store)

-L.A.S

S/S Footwear Primer: Low

Starting tonight and concluding tomorrow I will be presenting (ego check) my S/S footwear primer for anyone out there who is looking for a little advice on what knockabouts to purchase for the upcoming season.  My plan is to start with a guide detailing my "low" picks for those not trying to drop a lot of coin and finish up with all the ritzy stuff.  Ultimately this blog reaches a wide range of people and I just want to make sure everyone is covered.  I realize some of you have already seen a lot of this stuff so read on accordingly.  Also, lots of these shoes (probably all of them actually) have gotten some face time on Sart Inc in the past, but I thought it would be helpful to bring them all together in one convenient location. Oh yeah, I don't do sandals in case you were wondering why I didn't offer them a seat at the cool kids table.  Throw away all your socks and enjoy.  Without further ado I present to you Sartorially Inclined's S/S Footwear Primer: Low...

The Sneaker: 
Vans Authentic...$42.00

I know what you're thinking and the answer is: No, you're not too old to wear Vans.  Warm weather sneakers should be one part canvas, one part classic and no one fits the bill better than Vans.  The Authentic is the epitome of iconic and understated.  You can get them in a variety of colors though I am going to recommend you take the natural route.  Don't worry if you don't skate as the Authentic is a lifestyle shoe first and foremost.  If you like to relax and drink outdoors on the weekend you're all good.

The Boat Shoe:
Sperry Authentic Original...$75.00

 

Why you would buy your boat shoes from anyone else is beyond me.  Everything I've ever needed to say about the Authentic Original (especially in the above colorway) I've already said.

The Buck:
Bass Brockton...$64.00

 

Go with white and don't be afraid to get them messy.  And when they get scuffed as all hell you'll be real happy that you spent under seventy bones.  The Bass Brockton has a great toe box and sole, but be aware that these ship out in May.

The Moccassin:

L.L. Bean Blucher...$69.00 

 

When I first started writing this blog (my fourth day in the blogosphere to be exact) I tried to bring these "back". Turns out they weren't only back, but they were the absolute shit. Nobody told me.  I'll never make the same mistake again.

The Loafer:

Sebago Classic...$130.00

You know you want to look like you just stepped out of "Take Ivy" and there is no better starting point than a great loafer.  Everyone's jocking Bass these days so why not grab Sebago's classic beef roll penny?  A bunch of colors (even the elusive navy), and the option for either a finished or unfinished sole seal the deal.

The Saddle:
Bass Burlington...$89.00

 

Whether you want a serious two tone or to keep it in the same color family, Bass has you covered.  And, like any great S/S shoe, they all come complete with a red brick sole.  Count it now and when they ship out in March (someone at Bass needs to get a handle on seasonal demand).

The Boot:

L.L. Bean Boot Rubber Moc...$59.00 

I realize these aren't "boots" in the traditional sense, but it does rain in spring and you need to be prepared.  Do I really need to explain this pick? Yeah, didn't think so.

-L.A.S

Debate: G.H. Bass & Company for J. Crew vs. Sebago

These debate posts seem well-received so...let's get it on!  Beef-roll penny loafers are a warm weather staple and along with J. Crew's new addition from G.H. Bass & Co., Sebago has just released their own interpretation (Christian at Ivy Style with the assist) .  I'm particularly curious about this specific match-up because it brings to light the whole "how much would you pay for domestic manufacturing" argument.

In one corner we have the G.H. Bass made in the USA loafer available for $280 and in the other a similar Sebago interpretation for $130.  Aside from everyone weighing in on what obviously looks better (i.e. Sebago's shoe coming in a bunch of colorways), anyone care to rationalize the $150 domestic manufacturing markup? Have at it kids.

G.H. Bass & Company Classic Gordon Weejuns

vs.

Sebago Classic Beef-Roll Penny Moc

-L.A.S

[Editor's note: Mr. Schenck of Mister Crew alerted me to a pair of RL made in the USA beef-roll penny's for $150. These seem like the best option of the bunch.]