2016 RCS SPRING FOOTWEAR ROUNDUP

Spring is about re-birth, as seen by all the blooming flowers and leavings starting to show themselves on the trees.  It’s a great time of year.  We pack up our winter coats and sweaters in exchange for warmer weather gear.  Hopefully you’ll clean and polish your boots before you let them hibernate through the Summer and early Fall.  This is going to leave some room in your closet for Spring footwear. Here is the RCS view of what your footwear lineup should look like…we left no stone unturned:

From Top Left:

1. Barcalona Drivers from Cobbler Union:  Spring footwear begins with a good pair of drivers.  You’ll find yourself wearing these quite a bit ‘dressed up’ with a pair of lighter Levi’s and a sport coat, but as the season moves along, these will break in, and look better and better.  Don’t be afraid to give these a quick polish to keep them in the lineup.  The drivers will become your most versatile shoes this spring.
2. Mashburn X Tretorn Nylite Tennis Shoes:  I’m on year two of my pair, and I absolutely love them.  They have become a replacement for flip flops; I wear them to the beach, to the pool, and I throw them on when I’m in a hurry.  They are extremely bright white when you pull them out of the box, but a good weekend of wear will get them right in the zone.  What’s even better?  You can throw them in the washing machine to clean them up (just don’t dry them).
3. Alden X J. Crew Pebbled Tassel Loafers:  These will become your workhorse dress shoes in the spring.  The brown leather is a rich breath of fresh air from the darker browns and blacks that you’ve been sporting all winter.  I wear these with mid- to light-grey trousers (sans socks and a 2″ cuff of course) for a more mature look, and will wear these with alt-colored khakis and jeans to dress up the outfit.  Just keep them shined.
4. New Balance 574 Premium Cruisin’ Running Shoes:  You have to have a pair of running shoes during Spring, if only for walking the dog.  I like to have a pair that I can wear when traveling or on long shopping days with the Mrs.  Walking around Scott’s Antique Market for 6-7 hours will make my dogs bark.  These are the running shoes you wear with Stand Ups.  I’d recommend getting a lighter pair for the warmer months, as a dark pair will make you look a little bottom heavy.
5. Res Ipsa Linen Loafers:  I like to think of these as your ‘afternoon cappuccino’ loafers.  These (or any from their Linen collection) with a good pair of khakis, a white dress shirt, a casual blazer, and a great pair of sunglasses.  Very ‘Talented Mr. Ripley’.  Don’t be intimidated by these loafers- once you start wearing them, you’ll start a collection.  Wearing them takes some confidence, but that’ll be easy to muster after all your lady-friends load you up with compliments.
6. Salvadore Ferragamo Gancio Bit Loafers:  If the above loafers are afternoon coffee, then these are the Magnum P.I. Ferrari. These are the big guns.  The deal closers.  They go fast.  They don’t need socks, but they need shoe trees.  They deserve it.  While Ferragamos can be a little on the fashion-forward side, these are timeless.  Bit loafers will never go out of style.
7. Soludos Washed Canvas Smoking Slippers:  The ‘I’m on vacation and these are the only shoes I brought’ option.  They essentially go with everything, and are very comfortable.  Soludos makes some pretty wild patterns, but these washed canvas options (also available in blue and red) are the way to go.  You’ll get a lot more wear out of them.  These are just like flip flops.  Wear them accordingly.
8. Rancourt Boothbay Loafers:  How great is this pistachio shade of green?   And in a camp moc?  Rancourt is about as good as it gets, and these are an example of their intuitive style.  Really, green loafers, you ask?  Heck yes!  These are a great example of stepping out of the normal comfort zone.  Let these be the xx of the outfit, and pair them with a navy polo and khaki shorts…and a Smathers & Branson belt.  You’ll be the coolest guy in the room.