Sperry F/W 2010 Authentic Original RBS Chukkas

If you wanted a boat shoe chukka about five years ago you were shit outta luck.  Outside of Quoddy and a few other small brands, the style was extremely hard to come by.  Thanks to brands at the forefront of the Americana/heritage movement, such as Rogues Gallery and J. Crew, various styles of deck boots soon became as ubiquitous as boat shoes themselves.  Today, the boat shoe chukka is officially mainstream, or at least, mainstream in the small community of menswear enthusiasts (for lack of a better term) that this blog operates in.  For those of us who enjoy boat shoes this is most definitely a good thing.  Boat shoes are traditionally a seasonal shoe best left for S/S, but by adding some height make a pretty good alternative to various other fall footwear.  Sperry has just done up a bunch of new Authentic Original (the finest "mainstream" boat shoe in my opinion) chukkas in suede and red brick for F/W 2010.  I guess this is an affirmation that Sperry is sticking with their new RBS styles that debuted earlier this year.  I like these kicks a lot, especially when pitted against more expensive chukka styles on the market.  And with all the color options available shouldn't tread water with your already established fall footwear.

-L.A.S

Sperry Workboot Boat Shoes

Combining the aesthetics of two classics is nothing new despite how difficult it is to truly create a "new classic" from preexisting ones.  Sperry's new Authentic Original Workboot Chukka isn't really a "new classic" by any stretch of the imagination because it's just a boat shoe chukka which as far as I am concerned is a straight up classic in its own right.  So what do we have here?  Simply put, Sperry AO chukkas now have a version with orange workboot/hiking laces for a little F/W twist.  That's it.  But maybe this is exactly the shoe you're looking for or maybe you're too lazy to change out the laces of the usual AO chukka yourself (that 360 degree lacing system can be a bitch).  All I know is that I like boat shoe chukkas and I like these.

-L.A.S

Attn: More Sperry Authentic Orginal RBS Colorways

As you might expect I totally lost my shit when Sperry's Authentic Original red brick sole styles dropped.  Phrases like "favorite item of all time" were thrown around and while in hindsight that seems a little silly I think we can all agree that these shoes are badass.  In the past I had passed over suede Topsiders based on the simple fact that Authentic Originals were meant for water and  suede uppers defeated that purpose entirely, but once I saw the RBS versions I quickly changed my tune.  It was virtually impossible not to love these - THE classic, original boat shoe with an actually impressive update.  The first batch of colorways were dope and Sperry has released a few more styles to go along with the initial run (if they are still in stock of course).  Surprisingly I think the black number is the coolest, which is something I never though I'd say.  There are also white and brown options to round out this solid selection for sockless S/S jaunting.

-L.A.S

Laceless

I've always loved the classic deck shoe silhouette and if for whatever reason you refuse to buy a pair of Vans Authentics you can always get yourself a pair of Sperry CVO's.  A few years back Sperry released their CVO in a laceless model and you may have come across them in your travels - I know I see them in the mall every now and then.  I've been on the fence about laceless sneaks for quite some time.  On one hand they are a much better alternative to sandals or flip flops, but they can also come off a tad bit contrived when you really start to think about where the hell the laces have ended up.  After thinking about this concept for all of a few minutes this morning I have come to the pre-emptive conclusion that the laceless look works better for an older gentleman for no other reason then older guys pull off the "I really could care less about my shoes because I have a mortgage to pay" style more convicingly (I would imagine that statement is true in most cases anyway).  You can also grab laceless boat shoes, but I think these can look pretty silly with the 360 degree lacing being virtually rendered "useless".  If you've determined that lacelessness is in fact for you Sperry is selling their CVO for $55 in a bunch of classic colors with madras ascents.  I think it's also important to mention that while you could always jack the laces from whatever sneakers you own to accomplish this the Sperry CVOs come with elastic bands that hold down the tounge so you're shoe stays on regadless of refusing to knot up - no blisters, baby.  Another pointless dissertation in the books, maybe, but I refuse to leave any stone unturned.

-L.A.S

Some People Never Wear Anything Else...

...and I can't say I blame 'em.

[Editor's Note: Picture Coutresy of James who never ceases to amaze me with the sheer amount of gems he unearths.]

-L.A.S

Sails On Your Feet

Sperry Topsider continues to evolve their Authentic Original and the newest entry into their storied canon is a canvas model that apparently feels like butter on your feet (so I've been told).  I'm always telling people that when it comes to their staples to snatch up the most classic version if possible, but in this case I am on totally on board with forward thinking (or trend forecasting if you're tryna be a jerk about it).  There's not much to complain about with this canvas boat shoe and, as far as I am concerned, it gets the most crucial aspect correct - the white boat sole.  Sperry offers a ton of shoes that come with a black or brown boat sole and that's all fine and dandy, but...c'mon...when we're talking S/S we're talking white soles. End of story.  With three colorways currently available it should be no problemo matching your shoes to your sails or your mini golf clubs if that's your thing.

-L.A.S

Hands On: Sperry Top-Sider Gold Cup Oxford

 

When I tracked these down a while back I was extremely intrigued if not only for the simple fact I am an unapologetic Sperry Top-Sider fiend.  Having never owned a non-boat shoe offering from the esteemed brand I was curious about their new foray into the business of bucks and if you pay any attention to the sartorial airwaves you'll know that business is a-boomin'.  Sperry Top-Sider evidently saw the post and was nice enough to shoot me a holler and a pair to test drive for the blog.

Bucks have graced the pages of Sart Inc many a time (type "bucks" into the blog search engine if you want proof) because, well, I love them - fresh out of the box or scuffed up and beat to hell it doesn't matter.  You get the idea.  I'm always on the lookout for a great pair and am happy to let you guys know that Sperry Top-Sider has a gem on their hands with this one.

Aesthetically the shoe is on point.  It's got a great redbrick sole and a real quality leather upper.  Most people are familiar with suede bucks, but recently I've been drawn to ones with a smooth and supple upper as a nice change of pace (see: the incredible Steven Alan bucks I mentioned recently).  The Gold Cup oxford also has some interesting details such as a heel groove (not sure of its significance) and stitching on the back the reminiscent of a boat shoe.  I should also mention that the shape of the toe, often the most important aesthetic part of a shoe for me, is exactly what I was hoping for- sleek, yet extremely natural and rounded.  Form aside, it's the function, or in this case the comfort, of the buck that really blew me away.

I don't normally mess with anything from the Gold Cup series because they are usually performance based boat shoes that don't look all that great - it always bummed me out that such comfortable shoes didn't kill it like the bare bones Authentic Originals.  Luckily, this great looking shoe features all the top of the line padding and technical details that has made the Gold Cup series favorites of actual boating enthusiasts the world over.  Deerskin lines the shoe and the "rich leather welt" is of a quality I've never seen on another Sperry Top-Sider model, not to mention the natural leather welt looks amazing contrasted against the white of the upper and the red of the sole.

Overall, the shoe is pretty damn fly and incredibly comfortable to the point where if you have the cojones necessary this could become you new everyday shoe for S/S (lose those socks).  Many thanks to Sperry Top-Sider for not only hooking a brother up, but for putting great shoes on the many boating and non-boating feet alike of the world.  If you want to snipe a pair you can do so here.

-L.A.S

Attn: Sperry Topsider Cloud Logo

I don't think this Cloud Logo limited addition gear has anything to do with the 75th Anniversary Collection, but it is definitely more archival goodness via Sperry.  They are offering two new/old styles, the Captain Oxford and the Camp Moc for $100 and $80 respectively.  I'm digging both styles though I do wish there we some more colorways available.  If you are looking to switch up your boat shoe game this S/S you should head over to Sperry to check them and the other new stuff out for yourself.  I'll personally be sticking with my unflappable Authentic Originals, but if I was flush with monies I'd probably pick up a pair or two considering how affordable they are for limited editions.  Oh yeah, I don't normally get down with graphic t-shirts, but the new Cloud Tee is super-retro-dopeshow.

 -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

Sperry Gold Cup Oxfords

[Pictured: Sperry Topsider Gold Cup Oxford available for $150.00.]

If you follow Sart Inc on Twitter you know that Angelo and I have been discussing a mysterious pair of Sperry "bucks" since they debuted in an advertisement in this month's issue of GQ.  Well after a little research that consisted of browsing the Sperry website for all of 2 minutes I think I found 'em.  Complete with a red brick sole, and an interesting heel detail (if someone can enlighten me that would be great), these leather and suede numbers look just as tasty as they did on page 11 even if the price is a little steep. 

 

-L.A.S

Debate: Sperry Seamate vs. Bahama

Maybe someone can shed some light on this for me.  Sperry's Seamate reissue is part of their 75th Anniversary Collection and is a great looking shoe, but seems vaguely familiar.  Most boat shoe enthusiasts will recognize this model from its almost identical appearance to the Sperry Bahama, one of the brand's standards.  Upon further inspection a few minor differences do jump out like the Seamate's not so level 360 degree lacing, some sole styling and it's old school logos.  I'm all for digging into the archives and releasing exclusive makeups, but for $25 more I can't say for sure the Seamate is worth it.  I mean, look at these. They are virtually the exact same shoe.  Is this a case of "overpriced vintage"?  Is this irresponsible on Sperry's part (pulling a fast one on the consumer)? Do you even care?

Seamate

vs.

Bahama

 

-L.A.S

Sperry x Band Of Outsiders Reconstructed Penny Boat Shoe

This collaborative penny boat shoe seems like a nice way to put the period at the end of the sentence that was the two previous posts.  Lots of you seemed to really dig the penny boat shoe too so I figured I might as well throw this one up.  For those of you not bold enough to rock the red version there is also a gray model and for a $200 shoe on sale for $75 I think this is a great bargain.  Past "reconstructed" models have the shoe tongue inside out, which I think is silly, but for whatever reason this model does without that frivolous detail (possible misnomer on the website).  This is a pretty good alternative to shelling out multiple bills on some newer Sperry x Band Of Outsider kicks and the colored suede against the white sole and penny design make for a fresh boat shoe.

  

-L.A.S

Lusting After: Sperry Authentic Original RBS

Sperry seem to have their ear to the pulse of the blogosphere. They just continue to pull out all the stops as we begin gearing up for warmer days.  The 75th Anniversary collection was a hit, their collaborations with Band Of Outsiders are always on point, the new penny boat shoes look great and now they have a red brick sole take on their Authentic Original.  This particular style by Sperry is probably my favorite item of all time (apologies to the Bean boot) and this red brick sole version is a welcomed addition to an already stellar cannon.  Buy all four colorways at the not so unsettling price of $100 a pop online now.

 

 

 

-L.A.S

Salmon Sneaks

[Pictured: J. Crew x Sperry Topsider CVO sneaker available for $75.00.]

The idea of Nantucket red anything didn't really enter my mind until college.  All the southern gents and frat dogs seemed to rock it so well that it didn't take long before I was sold.  Some guys look at Nantucket red and see pink, but as far as I am concerned their is not a better shade of any color (sans white which isn't a "color" anyway) when it comes to S/S wears.  Case in point are these new Sperry sneaks available at J. Crew.  All the new S/S gear is starting to roll out and these shoes (also available in a "birch" colorway) are part of Sperry's 75th anniversary collection.  The rest of the kicks are so-so in my opinion, but this pair is a stalwart.  I've been thinking a lot about "salmon sneaks" (thanks in part to this post by ADG, one of the best dressed gents on the information superhighway), but had a little trouble finding the right pair.  These classic canvas joints are just what I am looking for and will go real well paired up with some seersucker shorts, a white crewneck tee and some shades.  Everyone in the blogoshere has been all over clean white sneaks for a while, and while I endorse this move as well, it never hurts to add something a little different to break things up.  When looking for summer sneaks I'm either going the JFK route or 80's skate rat route. These fall squarely into the former.

-L.A.S

A Penny For Your Boat Shoes

[Pictured: Quoddy Trail Boat Penny Loafer available for $195.00.]

When I posted on O'Connell's Clothing at the beginning of the month some folks went pretty nuts for the Quoddy Trail Boat Penny Loafer. The shoe (seen above) is a combination of two perfect warm weather shoes, the penny loafer and the boat shoe.  A pair of these could easily been worn sockless every single day when the weather is nice and you would still be the most stylish dude at the Jersey Shore (since the competition is so fierce).  No one is going to deny how great this shoes is, but the price tag is a little bit of a turn off.  Now I realize Quoddy's reputation speaks for itself and that these boat loafs are handmade in the U.S.A., but they still may be a little too rich for such a casual kick, not to mention I'm a little worried that wearing them sockless 24/7 in the spring and summer will absolutely destroy them.  For a cheap alternative try Sperry's just released (for the first time? re-release?) "Authentic Original Loafer Penny".  It's not the exact same shoe (360 degree lacing) and definitly not as nice, but at $75 clams it's much cheaper and you wont feel bad when you lose one after a drunken bonfire in the dunes. 

-L.A.S

Stumbled Across: Nautical Find

[Pictured: Dope Culture Royalty Embroidered Rugby Tee available for $32.00.]

I randomly found this tee at a streetwear site and while it's a little steep at $32 it's definitely awesome.  Not only does it have really wide nautical horizontal stripes, but an anchor emblem to boot!  If there was ever a tee tailored made for your Sperry Bahamas (I am so getting those in case you were wondering. I mean, c'mon, "waxy finish"...sold) this is it.  Talk about some super serious S/S wear.  I'd rock this down at LBI or Lake Norman all day, er' day.  Fo' sho'. God, I'm white.

-L.A.S

Knot So Fast

[Pictured: Fresh new Eastland Bluchers, fresh new Eastland knots.]

Autumn Docking

Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that boat shoes are my go to footwear. They look great (classic style, lines) and are comfortable as anything you can wear on your feet. With autumn around the corner it's time to ditch those boat shoes...or is it? Enter the boat shoe chukka/boot. These hybrid kicks combine all the styling (and utility) you love and a more cold weather design. With an added upper it is now okay to wear socks, a big "no-no" when wearing traditional boat shoes. This chukka design has been around for a little while, but is just recently getting the treatment from most all boat shoe designers/companies. I am pretty high on the boat shoe chukka and have been trying to get a pair for a while with the big choices being color and material. I have searched high and low for some of the best options in this style and have put them together. They are arranged from cheapest to most expensive along with some comments from myself.

I present to you Sartorially Inclined's Fall Boat/Dock Chukka Primer:

1. Topman Black Ankle Height Boat Shoe...approx. $91 (also available in white)

Black is going to be a big theme this fall and these boat shoes piggyback the trend. For those not in the know, Topman is a British brand thus all prices are in pounds and shipping can be hefty.





2. Sperry Authentic Original Chukka...$110


Nothing beats the original right? Here we have Sperry's offering in two Fall ready colors. I particularly like the one with flannel accents as it screams colder weather wear instead of Hamptons and sailboats.










3. Original Sperry Topsider Chukka for J. Crew...$125

Similar to #2, but with the J. Crew seal of approval which translates to chambray lining and a more unique color scheme. The key difference here is the neutral sole as oppose to the white sole found in #2. This may seem minor but is a major element since white soles are typically found on summer shoes and not fall shoes.

4. Men's Chukka by Band of Outsiders...$240


For all our big spenders and trend setters we have the Band of Outsiders and Sperry collaboration. These boat shoe boots are brand new for Fall and continue the history of Band of Outsiders taking everything you thought you knew about Sperrys and absolutely destroying it (in a good way). I def. cant afford these or pull them off, but since this blog isn't ALL about me, they get a shout out. Anything Band of Outsiders touches sells out quick so act soon if you want to get your hands on what are undoubtedly the most coveted kicks of the bunch.

-L.A.S