Showing posts with label Wallabee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wallabee. Show all posts

Monday, April 19, 2010

Patrik And The Wallows

Nope, not some lame Brit pop band, but a designer giving shine to quite possibly my favorite shoes of all time.  If you've hit up Patrik Ervell's new, much hyped website you've most surely seen his use of Clarks Wallabees to anchor some of his looks.  He's been pushing these classics hard since his S/S 2010 show and I couldn't agree with the guy more.  If you're looking for that perfect pair of shoes to pair with chinos, shorts, socks, no socks, etc. look no further my friends.


-L.A.S

Thursday, January 28, 2010

A Woman In Wallabees...



...is a magical thing. For all my female readers, I recommend getting a pair. That is all.

-L.A.S

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Wallabee Round Up

[Crap weather has me indoors, upset and bored...]



[Pictured: A young JFK Jr. waspin' out in his Wallys.]

Back in September Clark's Wallabees had a deserved moment in the spotlight.  James highlighted them over at Seceret Forts, which Valet in turn put up, and Patrik Ervell used them as the shoes for his S/S '10 show.  Any reasonable person hopefully realized that spotlight or not that these Clark's Originals were kicks you wanted to have on your radar.  I love the Clark's Originals and all of them have been staples in my wardrobe at some point or another.  Fast-forward to two months later, and Wally's seem to be popping up all over the place again.



[Pictured: atmos x Clarks. Picture courtesy of Hypebeast.]

On Thursday Hypebeast reported on the new atmos x Clarks buffalo check Wallabees.  These are pretty aggressive especially considering how the Wallabee is already made for colder months.  The standard suede colors that are typically offered look great and this new collaboration should serve as a reminder to a lot of people that when it comes to the classics, "less is always more".

Moving on, J. Crew has been rolling out their holiday selections (I talked about their fantastic new sun-washed flannel already) and it appears as if everything has finally made it's way to the website.  J. Crew has always done a great job with its footwear, offering collaborations and exclusives that span the spectrum from Sperry to Red Wing.  Some time in the fall they began offering Clarks Wallabees in a bunch of the standard colors, and while it's nothing but what has been offered by Clarks, themselves, it is an endorsement nonetheless.  Just hear how the website gushes about the shoe: "We absolutely love its wear-with-everything versatility and timeless look, which is why we were more than happy to add it to our roster of cherished classics."  I find this extremely ironic since it wasn't too long ago that J. Crew was selling its own horrid Wallabee knock-of, known as the Sydney.  At the end of the day at least J. Crew is finally selling the real thing.



[Pictured: Barbour x Clarks.  Picture Courtesy of Selectism.]

Finally, and most interestingly of all, Selectism presented this gem today.  Yes, that's right, a Barbour x Clarks Wallabee that will most likely never see the light of day.  I'd trade in all my Clarks for this in a heartbeat, but that's probably a moot point.  I wish I had more information on the origin of this for both me and you, but alas all we have are three tantalizing pics of what can be best described as the Clarks unicorn. 

So there you have it, another push for you to get up off your ass and get a pair (or stay on your ass and hit the online store).  Get the boot version and wear them straight through to summer or if you have the low tops don't even bother taking them off.  If you already have a pair, but they need a little assistance, Valet talked about getting them resoled a little while back as well. Buying Clarks is a vote for perpetual style.  That's a vote well cast. 'Nuf said.

-L.A.S

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Open Love Letter: Clarks




[Pictured: Sartorially Inclined's current collection of Clarks Originals. Not pictured are my laceless Desert Treks which are quarantined back in NJ]

My love affair with Clarks Shoes began in 2005 when I purchased my first pair of Desert Treks. I had no idea the brand even existed until my freshman year of college at Wake Forest University. Every single southern kid was rocking Clarks Wallabees and I wanted to get in on the trend, but decided to branch out a little and for a while I was the only kid on campus with Desert Treks. Since that defining moment I've purchase 3 pairs of desert boots (1 pair was a gift for my father) and a pair of Wallabees. No other brand of shoes, outside of Sperry Topsider, will come more highly recommended by yours truly. I love all of the Clark's Originals for their classic/timeless style and versatility. Every one of these shoes could be worn with a suit to your cousin's wedding or with chinos/denim out to the bar on Friday night. I am going to do a run down on all three of the major styles of Clark's Originals and talk a little about each and why I love them so much.

[All pictures courtesy of clarks.com]

The Desert Boot

My current favorite out of the bunch and many in the fashion world share my sentiments. Dessert Boot style shoes have been popping up all over the place since their re-entry into the public consciousness around a year, or so, ago. The Dessert Boot has been a staple for close to 60 years and has been favored by guys like George Harrison(look at the shoes all the way to the left) and Steve McQueen. I have yet to find anything these boots don't go well with and no matter the season my Desert Boots always find their way into my wardrobe rotation. Yes, even with shorts (sans socks). My favorite colorway is the one posted above...I love the sand suede with the crepe sole. Not many shoes can offer everything encompassed within the Desert Boot. It possess a refined ruggedness that can be as informal or formal as you choose.

The Wallabee


If you've seen my profile picture you know I love me some Wallys. It is rare you find a pair of shoes endorsed by guys ranging from Ghostface Killah to JFK Jr. The Wallabee is a tad less formal than the Desert Boot, but just as versatile and clutch. It is another all season shoe, with a great weight/bulk to it. The "chuncky-ness" of the Wallabee instead of being cumbersome adds an almost endearing quality to the shoe. In fact, I find the boxy and geometric shape of the shoe very refreshing considering today's obsession with streamlined silhouettes. Lacing them loosely or not at all can add such a great nonchalance to any outfit. A favorite of southern frat boys, the Wallabee is just at home in Nantucket or NYC. My Wallabees are the boot version, but I am currently enamored with the original model seen above. They look great in suede and are just as dashing in leather...no matter what kind you gravitate towards they will most definitely end up being the most comfortable shoes you own.

The Desert Trek

The shoe that sparked this whirlwind romance 4 years ago rounds out this foray into the Clarks Originals. Considering the popularity of the Desert Boot and Wallabee the Trek is your best way to get into the Clarks action without overplaying your hand, though recent face time at the Gilded Age Spring 2010 presentation may change that. These center-seam shoes take ques from moccasin design and deliver an understated, relaxed look...and with only two eyelets for laces the Trek delivers a slip-on appearance when wearing pants. I recommend the brown leather ones seen above, and while the suede Trek's are just as nice I believe the leather lends itself much more to the center-seam design.

So go buy a pair, or two, or three and wear them with everything. You'll look great, stand out and your neglected sneakers will probably cry a few tears. All of the Clarks Originals are reasonably priced (Desert Boot = $95, Wallabee = $120, Desert Trek = $100) and can be found at Clarks/Zappos online store. Take my word (and JFK's and McQueen's) for it and add any one of these to your collection and it wont be long before you add another, and another, and another...

-L.A.S