Men! Shoes! Sample size 9 only – if that’s not your size, head down to the Alife retail location in Gastown and check out everything else they’ve got in store.
I enjoyed a preview of the Converse SS 10/11 collection today, in addition to seeing the current winter collection which is now in stores. Went beyond the scope of Chuck Taylors and was moved by my appreciation for some of the men’s boots they’ve designed for this holiday season.
Top favourite was the Converse x Woolrich Storm Boot collab:
The inside lining distinctly reminds me of old vintage sleeping bags that my grandparents used to own, the inner fleece decorated with scenes of camping, hunting, and other outdoorsy adventures. The nostalgia that boot evoked was enough to earn it the #1 spot on my must-have list – not to mention the durability, double layer enclosure, and bad-ass ruggedness:
Next up is a similar boot, also styled for men but which I would be happy to push as a unisex staple. Picture with leggings or a skinny jean, an oversized comfy sweater, topped with an industrious military jacket:
Trudge through city, snow or forest in these boots without a hitch. Perfect for Vancouver’s endless tirade of winter rain.
You might guess that my next favourite is…you got it…another men’s style. This one is the Boat Shoe from the Jack Purcell collection. Moccasin inspired, in a beautiful soft leather:
And lastly, my other favourite element of the line was the new slim version of the original Chuck Taylor All Star shoe – same basic design, but the sole is about half the size. Subtle difference when you’re looking from eye-level down, but makes for a much cleaner, streamlined design. Look for these in all the classic styles – I especially liked the versions in leather:
It was really interesting to see how, after over 100 years in business, they’ve cycled through old trends/inspirations (next Spring you might pick up a throwback to Beverly Hills: 90210, and Easter hued pastels), silhouettes, colourways and fabrics to stay current. I walked in wondering how a shoe that’s known and loved for being so recognizable can find ways to remain fresh with each coming season, and they’ve done it by toying with simple design elements and great styling.
I bought myself a fine pair of Fluevog Oriente sandals yesterday, and have received a load of compliments. Cork bottom, designed in Vancouver and made in Italy, and seemingly durable enough for the hot streets and beaches of summer. I had been thinking about investing in a pair of Birkenstocks, but these sandals are the perfect marriage between style and function.
Also swung by (212) and scored a boyfriend tee and a fantastic summer sweater from their bargain bin – it’s important to treat yourself on your birthday! There are loads of great deals to be had in Gastown right now – One/Two of a Few had some really pretty dresses, and a sizeable sale rack to boot.
The annual Army & Navy shoe sale is back again beginning April 22nd and running through May 3.
Now, you’re probably wondering what time the doors open so you can crash the gates and get all the best deals – but not so fast. If you want to save some of your time, and sanity, it pays to be aware of a few things:
- Army & Navy always has good deals on shoes. It’s kind of their thing, being Canada’s original discount store and all.
- Most of the shoes you’ll find at the sale are not actually discounted from what Army & Navy would normally sell them for. They’re discounted from what other retailers might sell them for. If you go to A&N two weeks after the sale, you’ll see that the same shoes are still the same price.
- Boxes of shoes are brought out on a continual basis – so the selection on the sales floor is totally unpredictable. Availability of styles and sizes could be completely different from hour to hour.
- The sale is an absolute shit-show. If you manage to elbow your way through the masses after spying an amazing looking shoe across the floor (because that’s where most of them will be piled up), you’ll be lucky if you manage to find that shoe’s partner. And once you’ve selected the shoes you want to buy, be prepared to stand in line for another 30 minutes to pay.
You might try visiting A&N a couple of days prior to the 22nd, knowing that most of the shoes on sale are priced between $20-40. You might just find some shoes within that price range before the ’sale’ even starts, and save yourself the hassle. Unless you’re incredibly brave and have a lot of time on your hands, my personal suggestion would be to go on Tuesday, April 28th in the morning (avoid the lunch hours). Avoid the initial sale panic which will last through the weekend, and give the staff a day to recover and re-stock.
All warnings aside, I did get a few pairs of shoes last year that I still wear often, so I will definitely be heading back to see what’s available this year!
Yes, that says 100,000 pairs of shoes. That’s a heck of a lotta shoes, and they’re cheap as hell at Army & Navy beginning April 16 at 8am for their annual shoe sale. With brands like Steve Madden, Zara, Bebe, Panke, Oscar and more, there will be tons of selection and they’ll be putting out new items every day throughout the sale, which lasts until April 27th. Most pairs run between $20-40.
Army & Navy is one of those gems that carries a few hidden treasures; you can score good quality shoes marked down to extremely low prices…but often they’re just cheap cheapies that have me repeating the “no pain no gain” lie 3 metres outside of my apartment in an effort to stifle the blisters, which is hardly worth it. I would recommend getting there early and getting your hands on the good stuff to avoid suffering the latter fate.
I have my eyes on a pair of Bebe heels and Seychelles heels, so we’ll see what’s in stock tomorrow. View the flyer here.
**Update: What to expect…
Sorry fellas, but skinnier ties and shrinking lapels just aren’t going to cut it if you want to play the sustainable fashion game. It’s a bit like riding a bike to work just one day a week…you’re headed in the right direction, but that inch of saved fabric isn’t getting you nearly as far as the bicycle is. While menswear is often behind when it comes to new trends and developments – such as the availability of organic and ethical fabrics and materials – there are a few companies we’ve had our eye on that aren’t sacrificing style for sustainability.
Denim is the easiest place to start greening your wardrobe; even some of the biggest denim producers are incorporating organic cotton within major styles, such as Levi’s Eco. Check out Sling & Stones [above] and Finn Creations for purely organic, fairly traded denim in a variety of styles for men. Babygod creates ethical menswear, Loomstate offers casual organic for men and women, Splendid Always serves up pesticide-free cotton tees, while Earnest Sewn & Repetto teamed up to create Greencaste eco-friendly shoes.
If you still can’t find organic or fairly traded materials transformed into a style that suits your taste, at least the option to eliminate synthetics from your wardrobe is a fair beginning. Men’s fashion will catch up to the green movement that is well underway in womenswear eventually. Until then, we guess you can keep the skinny tie.
For The Men’s Book, published in Manchester UK by Ampers& Media Group
