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Muffy Aldrich
Muffy Aldrich, Editor of Salt Water New England: The Thing Before Preppy, since 2010. And a 12th Generation New Englander.
- Original Photographs.
- Timeless Clothing.
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Email Muffy at editor@saltwaternewengland.com
I think boat shoes -- or deck shoes as we called them growing up -- should not look shiny and clean. They need to look like they've actually made an appearance on a boat and have a few scars to prove it. Extra points for mysterious, permanent stains..
ReplyDeleteThey are shoes. How can you get points for shoes?
DeleteIs there someone judging your shoes?
DeleteThere is indeed a Shoe Judge whose minions are everywhere upon the earth, reporting to him telepathically in his headquarters on the Planet Ghinooki. The arcane traditional points system has recently received a makeover, a response to declining interest, by incorporating elements of sports that have playoff systems to extend suspense after the regular season. The controversy has been protracted and ugly.
DeleteYes. There are people who judge your shoes. They are the same people who judge your luggage. Beware. They turn up in the most unexpected places.
DeleteSomeone once asked why I was wearing boat shoes when I didn’t own a boat. I told him I wore them for the same reason I wore polo shirts but never played polo and Bermuda shorts when I wasn’t in Bermuda. They’re comfortable and I like the look.
DeleteGood response!
DeleteSame reason I wear a blazer but was not a member of the British Navy in the 1800's.
DeleteMy Blucher Mocs, even if they did take a walk in the woods on Saturday, when they are spiffed up with a goof stiff brush, are well suited for church on Sunday. That is, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I have one pair of Russell’s and one pair of Gokey’s. Both pairs, over the years, have molded perfectly to my feet. They are very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteBoat shoes, that show a life well lived! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThey are simply shows.
DeleteOff topic but... There used to be excellent post giving an overview of Bean Boat and Tote bags which seems to have disappeared--any chance of it being reposted someday?
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm competing, and winning, long-distance sailing races on my 52' Little Harbor sloop (Ted designed personally for me so it's a one-of-one), I prefer a camp moc with a deck sole. It finishes the look, along with pastel shorts, a white polo shirt, polarized sunglasses and 80s-style croakies. Not only is it an ideal footwear choice for competing, and winning, long distance sailing races but also at anchor, along with a locally produced pale ale or G&T. Perhaps someday, when I'm no longer zealous for competing, and winning, long-distance sailing races and spend more time as a landlubber I'll enjoy a Blucher moc, along with khakis and a chamois shirt... but not quite yet. Cheers, friends.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin recently purchased Ted's 53′ Little Harbor "Robin Hood", and lives on it year round. Keeps it in MA in the summer, and SC in the winter. Quite a boat: https://www.lymanmorse.com/sailing_yacht/53-little-harbor-robin-hood/
DeleteBeautiful boat. I hope he/she enjoys it. I'll be sure to look for it when I'm competing in, and winning, long-distance sailing races.
DeleteI wear a pair of Quoddy camp Mocs year round with either khaki’s (& wool socks in the cooler months) or chino shorts. Quoddy Bluchers are my Goldilocks shoes, not too casual and not too formal for the warmer months. (I prefer a Chelsea boot for that purpose in Autumn/Winter)
ReplyDeleteHow do you get the laces to stay tied?
ReplyDeleteMake sure you are making a square knot not a granny knot. Square knot results in the loops going across the top of your foot east west.
DeleteUnless the shoes are laced so tight that they need to be tied and untied with each wearing, an inconspicuous dot of Gorilla Glue in the knot will keep the bow intact.
DeleteUse the same (let’s call it a “loop knot” although without a doubt there is a specific name) knot as you do to tie any shoe. Then take one loop in each hand. Make an “overhand knot.” Do this and you won’t have any further problem. Thank you.
Deletethank you for your suggestions!
DeleteAt the risk of... boat shoes worn on boats shouldn't be worn everywhere else, and white soles on everyday shoes aren't great. Boat shoes are swell in wet climates because they have excellent traction, slip on and off easily, dry out quickly, good at the beach too. So, I basically think darker soles on boat shoes are okay, in part because they are honest. These are not boat shoes for boating. Kinda like gardening in Ariats, maybe.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone want to wear boat shoes unless they were on a boat or on the way to get on a boat ?
DeleteAgreed. It's like wearing a fisherman's vest to the club.
DeleteYou won’t fail to find me at the 42sq mile managed for Brook trout ten lakes and ponds North Country club, wearing a vest.
DeleteWomen are crazy about a man who wears an honest shoe.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I realize, fully, that my welcome to this blog died a slow, demeaning death in May at the hands of retired English teachers clinging to their precious punctuation and spelling conventions, I must comment here. None of these models matter. There is one and only one perfect, pure slip on casual shoe for the True Prep: LL Bean Rubber Moccasin, circa 1971, with the smooth, not chain-tred, sole. During my time in New Haven, an upperclassman named Westy (short for Westmoreland, his first name) wore these ruby slippers 24/7, with shorts, khakis, corduroys, even his 'tails when singing with the Wiff's. They were exquisite and their effect on the young True Prep visitors from Wheaton, Pine Manor and Wheelock was predictably intoxicating. I found a pair in a friend's closet in Rochester in 1980 and borrowed them. Today, they rest in a vintage Bean shoe box, never to see the light of day or the ruin of rain. I have made private arrangements to be buried with them. They are that important.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s the best shoe to wear to run a pizza shop?
DeleteAnything with non-slip soles. The flour (molino scoppettuolo preferably) finds its way to the floor and is very slippery).
DeleteBeat-up Gucci loafers, with aftermarket rubber grips attached to the soles.
DeleteRight. And in poorer countries a pizzaiolo might wear sandals with soles fashioned from old tire treads. Given the long long time people hang on to cars in some places, footwear made with such material may claim to have covered enough mileage for a trip to the moon, but only one way.
DeleteDon't be silly Cirquitor. You'll always be welcome as.you're a good sport!
ReplyDeleteLeather Sperry Topsiders on land or sea. No socks.
ReplyDeleteBoat shoes can also be worn in the air! So you're pretty covered. Although, for outer-space travel, I prefer... er, I think I have to ask Muffy. Maybe get some Corn black hole boards, a McCaffrey space-walking stick, some Mystic Do-Knot-Go-To-Outerspace-wear...
DeleteWore boat shoes exclusively as a younger man. Tried Bean bluchers in my 30s and found them more put together. Now at 65 the extra support and structure they provide are indispensable. Still have boat shoes but wear only on weekends. And either way, one eventually discovers that the comfort of socks beats looking cool. No matter how I enjoyed that look as a frat boy. JDV
ReplyDeleteThe definitive casual shoe for me, the shoe before prep, was a Sperry, but not just any Sperry. It was the Kudu. The soles were a pale tan and much thicker than the Topsider soles, and the dark, heavily oiled leather laughed off salt water. It was at its best somewhere like the SORC or the Victoria to Maui but was also very comfy around town. I cannot believe Sperry has never had the good sense to bring it back.
ReplyDeleteI learned to sail from my dad on a 24' raised-cabin sloop in deep salt water, and wore his deck shoes of choice, Sperry CVOs. When I was older and bought a pair of Topsiders, Dad said "Pretty fancy, I hope they work!". They did well of course, just not quite as comfortable as the CVOs! Today I prefer SeaVees in this tradition.
ReplyDeleteBeans new Blucher Moc II seems to be improved by the elimination of the removable sock liner. My new pair came yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSperry Billfish..........
ReplyDeleteI wear the bean bluchers and sperry gold cup boat shoes. I prefer the boat shoes with natural latex siped soles to the white soles, though.
ReplyDelete