Can't Kick the Habit

I don't want to get pigeonholed here by just writing about sneakers: there's more for your feet than just Air Forces and Bapstas. Fetishization in the shoe world doesn't end at fluorescent sneakers(though do check out the amazing work of Art Force One at art-force-one.com, a custom sneaker pimp from France who claims to have been on the rave tip since before the 80s were back.).

No, this week I want to say a little about Paul Smith, the UK shop owner-cum-fashion designer who knows a little something about finer footwear for men and women.

Yes, sometimes you have to put on something a little classier, whether for a wedding, wake, or job interview, and from what I understand: euro-style square toes are fucking lame. Military style dress shoes and fat heeled casual shoes create heel draggers and abrupt silhouettes. Shouldn't there be more flight in your foot?

Paul Smith Shoes solve this with a line of slim dress and casual shoes that are goddamn expensive, but made from quality materials that last. Remember the cobbler? Me neither, but apparently shoes are meant to be be well-worn, long-lasting and re-soled, something that seems to have been lost to all but a few.

The stand-out shoe in his '07 line is the Brogue Espadrille Khaki, a traditional brown canvas oxford sneaker stitched to imitate all the scallops and perforations but with a far more casual vibe. The final touch that really makes these things dandy is the braided outer sole and intricate floral pattern sliced elegantly out of the rubber heel. The result is a case of overdecoration that might look difficult to pull off, but actually wears quite handsomely.

For a closer look at Paul Smith's work, try Gravity Pope (2205 W. 4th Ave.), or take a quick glance online at paulsmith.co.uk.