Attn: The Red Soul Longwing

Red brick sole mania continues with the latest offering from Hawaiian shoe extraordinaire Leather Soul and Alden. I'm not the biggest fan of choosing the Gant last here, which is a little too "shapely" for an RBS in my opinion, but their is no denying just how unique this collaboration is.  The shoe is a red walnut calfskin, with brass eyelets and a chunky red micorubber sole.  The RBS choice makes perfect sense when you think about all the attention red brick has been getting lately and it's nice to see Leather Soul addressing the concerns about the often quick wearing of a typical red brick sole (this one happens to be pretty diesel).  Available in sizes 6-11D for $450.00, this shoe buff's dream is available now.  I can't even imagine how good these are going to look with some rolled denim or chinos - a straight up "vintage Americana" masterpiece.

-L.A.S

The Indy Shoe

[Pictured: Alden x Leather Soul Indy Shoe available for $350.00.]

Alden's Indy Boots have been one of a few select boots that everyone in the blogosphere seems to love.  Along with Red Wing's Lifestyle Collection and Wolverine's 1000 Mile boots, Alden's Indy boots (nicknamed such having been worn by Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones film series) have been many a stylish guys footwear of choice this past year. 

Boot models being convereted into shoes is nothing new and is something the Japanese have been doing for a while with many of their own heritage favorites (i.e. Red Wing Oxfords), but this is one of the first examples I have seen primarily featured in the domestic marketplace.  My personal feelings on the Indy shoe are mixed.  Granted, it's a much more office friendly version of a time-honored favorite, but what I always loved about the Indy was its refinement as a boot.  By converting it into an oxford, all of it's rugged yet refined charm seems lost.  The Red Wing oxford was successful because it truly was a low-top boot, while this Indy shoe seems to find itself squarely in the shoe category.  My two cents...deposited.

-L.A.S