Photo by Robin Broadbent
The Wingtip England
Who Does It Best: Church’s
Every cobbler and his mama make wingtips. church’s are the best, because they combine a little showmanship—perforation, piping, nuance—with classic contours. there is no chance that these shoes will be out of style for a single hour in the next sixty years.
You’re splurging for… Bench-Made
Whether or not a shoe is bench-made—meaning it’s constructed by hand at a workstation by a cobbler—is what separates the pros from the amateurs, the play stuff from the disco shit. The better the hand-stitching, the longer a shoe lasts.
Photo by Robin Broadbent
The Penny Loafer Italy
Who Does It Best: Salvatore Ferragamo
Loafers are the most casual of all dress shoes. So how is it that Ferragamos hold up with five of the dressiest, most luxurious shoes around? Easy. They are perfectly balanced—substantial enough to anchor a suit but also simple enough that you can wear them with shorts.
You’re splurging for… Italian Leather
Shoes, more so than any other item in your closet, take a beating. And Italians know that the better the leather you start with, the better they’ll look every step down the line. Over time, cheap shoes disintegrate, but investment shoes—like wine and Harry Dean Stanton—age.
Photo by Robin Broadbent
The 6 Commandments of Top-Shelf Shoe Care
• Do put cedar shoe trees in your shoes after each wear to soak up sweat and foot stank.
• Do purchase two sets of extra laces when you buy your shoes. ratty laces look sloppy.
• Don’t let snow salt sit on your shoes. wipe your shoes down as soon as you get home.
• Don’t use cheap replacement soles when repairing. that’s like putting used tires on a bentley.
• Don’t store your shoes anywhere near a heater. it dries out their skin.
• Don’t wait too long to resole. Some damage is irreversible.
Article Appeared @http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/the-6-shoes-that-will-last-a-lifetime-215616258.html