Fall Quarter: Sperry 7-Eye Boot

-In June I posted about a number of great looking deck boot options. Oddly enough, none of those options were by Sperry. That's because, at that point, Sperry was notably absent from the deck boot game. I don't know how long this 7-Eye boot has been out, but I spotted it while browsing the selection at Need the other day. They're the same price ($140) as the aforementioned Sebago collaboration, not limited edition, and certainly not made to the same quality specifications as Quoddys; but my general rule is, if you can go with Sperry, go with Sperry. They look a little awkward laced so tight, but I like that they're the only deck boots out right now with hooks¹ instead of eyelets at the top. If I end up getting these, I'll surely throw some sort of waterproofing treatment on them to help endure the Northwest winter.
1-I don't know the correct name for these things.  more

School Supplies: The Sperry Upgrade

-First off, check out these new drops from Sperry (above.) They've added some height to the chukka and deemed it the 'chukka mid'. I think it looks good. I also like the grey (what do they call that, crushed leather?) Icy. Okay, that's out of the way.
-My go-to Top-Siders, which I've worn probably 86% of the time since I bought them in 2006, have finally worn a whole in the bottom. Now I can't wear them unless the ground is completely devoid of moisture. So today I began looking for a replacement pair, which was a little harder than I expected. I can't seem to find the exact, dark brown (non-glossy) leather that mine originally were. Perusing the site I found a couple almost suitable alternatives (clockwise from top-left below). The 75th anniversary model has great color and a simple silhouette and I was almost set on them. But then I realized how big the heel is. Look at that thing! It's like twice as high as a regular Top-Sider heel. I don't get down like that. I also like the darker soled Top-Siders better than their white-soled brothers. Next is this buffalo-plaid infused model which was, predictably, on sale. This one is kitschy and trend-biting, which is why I like it, but not enough to buy it. The grey with the dope redbrick sole is icy, but I need a Top-Sider that's toned down enough for near daily use. I also like my go-to shoe to match my go-to belt, so I'm sticking with brown. I think this last one, the authentic original boat shoe in sahara, may be the most suitable replacement to my old favorites. The color is a bit lighter, but I think I can dig that.

-However, the disconcerting thing about this search wasn't that I couldn't find an exact match, it was how much the price of Top-Siders has inflated since they've grown in popularity. My first pair was $40 at Nordstrom, and my second pair (these icy white ones, also 2006) were $60 (which seemed a little nuts at the time.) For awhile I encouraged people to check out boating stores for better, less hipster-raided deals on Top-Siders. I can't seem to find any good looking models for less than $60 anymore, which is kind of a shame for a great everyman shoe.
-Check out these odd Sperry white bucks, these are icy too. I might snag them for spring, depending on how much money I make next quarter. more

School Supplies: Red Wing for J. Crew

-While having a look around the Inventory Magazine site (formerly h(y)r), I came across these Red Wing for J. Crew leather chukka boots. They are fairly similar to the Sperry for J. Crew chukkas, which I really liked but ultimately refrained from purchasing this fall as, unlike my co-editor, I am not a fan of wearing boat shoes year round. These are a bit pricier but will fare much better in the PNW winter weather, and I may end up giving them a second look. more

School Supplies: Band of Outsiders x Barneys No Bunk No Junk

-This announcement has been around a couple places but I thought it was worthy of posting because, frankly, before this I was getting pretty bored by the things coming out of the Band of Outsiders camp (except for the Sperrys, of course). The No Bunk No Junk collection is supposed to encompass a Barneys aesthetic, I'm not sure what that means, but there is a serious lack of black in my wardrobe and Sternberg's crew hit the mark with this trench and leather jacket. The other pieces in the collection looked good too, but I chose things here that I'd actually be interested in snagging for myself. How dope an idea is a black corduroy bow tie? Pretty dope. Oh look, GQ talked to Sternberg about the collaboration. more

Dress Code: High/low Hitchhiker

-This photo was taken right as I returned home from a quick 500 mile hitchhiking trip around my beautiful home state. Deciding what I'd wear to a: maybe be able to survive getting caught on a snowy pass, and b: not look so rugged that I'm unapproachable but not so well kept that people wonder why I'm on the road, was pretty simple.
-Low: The Greatest Coat Ever Made
-High: Rogues Gallery flannel
-Low: Gap henley
-High: Pashmina scarf
-Low: Gas station one-size glove
-High: Naked and Famous jeans
-High: Sperry x Band of Outsiders boots + NIKWAX waterproofing wax for leather
-It will be a little while till I know which photos from the trip are going to be published in print so I can't get any up on our Flickr yet, but as soon as I know I will through some up. more

School Supplies: Rubber Boat Shoes

-The Sperry x Band of Outsiders nuttiness is back in action with these rubber boat shoes. They look good, but are they practical? Comfortable? I dunno, but as a rule I don't say anything negative about Sperry.

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Field Notes: Stream of Consciousness

-Everyone knows I love Sperrys and I've been thinking about acquiring a new pair, so I was pumped to see this SS/10 preview. Those suede greys look dope. Hey, speaking of new Sperrys.

-Check out these chukka boots from the next installment of Band of Outsiders for Sperry. I've talked a lot about my Band x Sperry boots in the past and now I really want these. Hey, speaking of my boots, I'll get to wear them tomorrow because it's supposed to rain and I have to go walk in the woods for 8 hours taking pictures for a nature photography workshop.

-So here's a bit a nature photography, more of which you can find on our Flickr. There will probably be a ton more photos of trees and leaves and other really cool naturey stuff after tomorrow's field trip.

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School Supplies: Sperry x Modern Amusement

-I've noted my unequivocal love for Sperry a number of times, and more casually, I've dropped a couple lines about my appreciation for Modern Amusement. For a long time in high school I wasn't really pumped on slip-ons, but I was already a huge Sperry fan when I saw bought these in 2006. They're showing a good amount of wear but I still like them for the simple task of hopping on my skateboard and cruising to class on a sunny day. I got them for $75 at Nordstrom, and in the three years that I've owned them, I've never seen anyone else with the same pair. All in all, a great buy with a couple years left to enjoy. 

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School Supplies: Boot Dilemma

-I posted a couple weeks ago about my search for the perfect boot. This past week two significant things happened, the first being that I watched the video (below) of the completely nutty 88 Keys explaining his Polo obsession. In the video 88 made me aware of the Polo Ranger Boot (below right,) about which I had no prior knowledge. I thought them to be the perfect boot for me, so I got on eBay and found some and began bidding. I lost the auction at the very last second even though I went up to $210 (I told myself I wouldn't go higher than $200.) 

-The next thing that happened, the day after I lost the auction for the Ranger, was that there was a Band of Outsiders sale on Gilt. The sale had the B of O for Sperry boots I blogged about a couple of times. I decided to pull the trigger and buy them since I'd missed out on the Rangers. The B of O boots were only $140 after shipping (down from the $385 original price,) so I felt pretty good about the purchase. But then the seller of the Rangers emailed me saying that the person who had won the auction bailed and I could have the Rangers. Fuck. I couldn't afford to buy two pairs, even though I like the Ranger better. I'm still feeling alright though, I have a feeling the B of O x Sperry will hold up better to weather and they were significantly cheaper. We will see. 

-To help yourself (and me!) get more good deals in the future, sign up for a Gilt account by following this link.  

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Winter Quarter: Boot Quest

-I've managed to live in one of the rainiest parts of the country for three years now without even owning a waterproof hooded jacket or waterproof shoes of any kind. But this winter the deluge of the century has descended upon us and I want some boots. I have Clarks, but they soak through. And I wear my Top-Siders like boots, I'm finally tired of having wet feet at school. I am on a quest to find perfect boots. I'm interested in a boot that rides the line between workwear and fashion. Above are some that I like, but most are in the $300-400 range and I don't think I can justify spending more than $200. 

-Above: 

-Blackbird Boot, handmade, local, expensive.

-Hunter Wellingtons from J.Crew, simple rubber, classic. 

-Band of Outsiders for Sperry, two of my all-time favorite brands.

-Red Wing from J.Crew.

-More fashion-y but still worn-looking boots from MARSéll.

-Sperry Top-Sider Chukkas, I'll probably actually get these, $120.

-I also like these, though I think they've sold out. I'm also looking at Quoddy, for a hella Native American feel. Click image to see it in greater detail. 

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Dress Code

You’ve already heard enough about Vampire Weekend. With the hype machine in full effect, the (apparently) buzzworthy Ivy Leaguers recently became the first band to shoot a Spin magazine cover without ever releasing an album. That, coupled with the fact that Spin is always eager to champion the young and talentless, made us a bit wary. That is, until we realized that their Caribbean by way of Cape Cod pop is actually pretty good. In addition, we fully support their devotion to the Sperry Top-Sider, the unofficial official shoe of CA. It’s time that the Top-Sider gained a substantial following outside of the yacht club, as it’s damn classy and, as one of our editors has proven, can stand up to the Northwest winters as well as anything L.L. Bean will ever make. Look for more on Sperry in the near future, and check out Vampire Weekend here. more