Red Wing for J.Crew Rugged Chukka

J. Crew have recently release their latest effort in collaboration with Red Wing Shoes. These are probably my favorite result of the American relationship and I can seem them selling very well – so don't wait if you want a pair. The use of of the waxed canvas looks really nice and feels good. It showed up in  Red Wing's SS10 Lifestyle collection, but the J. Crew team actually helped re-work the cut and details of this shoe slightly. The pattern around the eyelets is a bit different to accommodate the canvas and still have the same strength. Also the suede tongue piece looks quite nice. I'm not usually one for two or three tone combinations but this is looking very tasteful and an easy wearing shoe.

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Red Wing Beckman Moc Toe

I may have blogged these boots a while back, but they are finally available and probably my favorite Red Wing model available stateside. I've been working at bringing Red Wing into the Stockroom but it just doesn't look like it's happening. These were on the order I placed. The chestnut coloured moc toe Beckman is the most refined boot in the lifestyle collection and when it comes to Red Wing, it has to have a moc toe for me. I love the clean white stitching and leather sole with added tracking. The boot overall looks beautiful sitting there on it's own, but even better with a couple of feet in them. I feel if you need to go with just one boot through the winter, it would be between these and the Alden Indy. – Available at Blackbird, $290

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Ronnie Fieg x Red Wing Navy 875

The continuing series of Red Wing collaborations with Ronnie Fieg have recently resulted in my favorite model yet. The "Ashy Navy" 875 6" model has been done in a really nice treated navy this fall. I've seen some navy suede versions that people have customized, or the low top version by South 2 West 8 but this muted nubuck leather has a very appealing look. It's a little more subtle and I feel I could wear it with a little more ease. The collaboration resulted in some 877 8” models which also came out quite well, but it's the navy for me. They release at David Z this Thursday for $250. There are a number of great boot companies out there but I find I am always drawn to Red Wing products. I've owned a few pairs and if I hadn't just acquired some, these would be high on my list. Images from Highsnobiety

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LOOK | Back to Fall

Usually when I get an item or two I wear the hell out of them for a few weeks in a row. When I feel like a certain sweater and shirt combination feel right or a particular pant and shoe come together well, I don't hesitate to wear them a couple of times in a week. Lately the EG work shirt and S.N.S Herning Naval sweater have been that combination. September and October are some of the nicest months of the year and I often like to go with a little urban camouflage to match the leaves falling around town. So the Workaday cords in tan and the J. Press socks in a dark olive green paired with the Filson wool hat definitely make me feel at home. To top off the outfit the Duluth for Inventory Items Utility Pack is perfect for this casual look and for carrying anything I'll need through the day.

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Perfect: Red Wing Oxford

I'm not quite sure why I held off posting these shoes, but here they are - Red Wing Oxfords. The US company stopped making them in around 2000 due to lack of sales and interest. I caught wind of their return in a Free & Easy a few months back and have been hassling Red Wing since to make some for the Shop. With no luck, they are telling me they won't be available stateside until FW10. So I was a little surprised to see them pop up in the Rugged Museum last week, to say the least. I got back on my emails with no luck I have sort of given up getting a run made up before next fall. The low cut boot is just what I want this fall so I'm not sure I'm going to be able to wait since they have my size in two great colors just sitting there. Now my debate is whether to wait until I visit the store in November or just bite the bullet and order a pair tomorrow. The low cut boot has the perfect choice of sole, great shape around the ankle an is really a great bit of classic shoe design.

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Look | Something for Fall

I never really know what sparks these outfits but today I'm sure it was the SNS Herning Gang Cardigan. It's the perfect layering piece with the right cut, the right buttons and this amazing color really grabbed my attention. Chambray had to be it's best pair in my mind, followed by the Junya x Baracuta G4. With the use of these different single color items, I decided it would be best to stick with the theme as I went with the burgundy Workaday cords and the olive Porter x Monocle tote. The JS Homestead socks are of course hot on my mind from yesterday and the perfect low cut oxford boots finish off the look. Although I only own a couple of these items, it is a pretty good example of the sort of thing I would wear all fall long. The oxfords and cardigan are high on my list of items right now, while I'm waiting for the slightly modified version of the Porter x Monocle tote with longer handles which I will be receiving in November.

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Red Wing Black Chome Leather

Red Wing boots have become a house hold name in menswear the past two years for those on the outskirts of civilization as well as for those in the heart of it. The classic 875 has been the most publicized and purchased model, with other round toes, chukkas and boat shoes following suit. It has been quite hard to locate any of the models in black leather, at least north of the border. I have always loved black boots the most myself, and I would love to have a pair of either of these Red Wings in black. I think the color and change in leather makes for a much different feel, while the models remain the same. Despite what some people say about their comfort level, I find them to be quite nice on the foot, and I would be happy to put these models in black to the test. Available at United Arrows.

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Ebay Find: Vintage LL Bean x Chippewa Work Boots

I was just surfing on eBay pretty hard looking at anything and everything vintage when I came across these beauties. A pair of LL Bean work boots from the 60's made by Chippewa boot company. Most people already have their boot game worked out but for the winter but there's always room in the closet for another. These have been broken in to near perfection and are looking great. I love the cherry red toes that fades into the tan upper. Similar to Red Wing's Iron Rangers they have that slimmer profile compared to other boots, a good thing in my opinion. Wear them with any pants cuffed, stacked, tucked in, whatever; these boots will work well with pretty much anything. Sorry if I blew up your spot, if not, the auction ends tomorrow night.  

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