Bass and Florsheim - two painfully mainstream American shoe brands - reinvent themselves this year by moving away from it's ancient, stodgy, mall-staple past and toward a more fashionable direction.
G.H. Bass & Co. was founded in 1876 in Wilton, Maine. The original Bass Weejun was introduced in 1936 and worn by the likes of JFK, Michael Jackson (RIP), and James Dean, elevating the "penny loafer" to iconic heights. The company recently released its latest, and by far its most fashionable, Weejun model: The "Dover." It has a leaner profile, smoother lines, elongated toe box and slimmer heel. The change seems to be just the right touch of modernity and fashion without being too fashion-forward, falling squarely in the category of "classic with a twist." If you don't like deviating too far from the classics but want a more streamlined, updated look, this is a great shoe for you. Über fashion types best stick with Gucci and Prada. Available in Black or Burgundy, $125.
Florsheim was founded in 1892 in Chicago, Illinois, by Milton Florsheim, and is currently based in Glendale, Wisconsin. Teaming with emerging avant-garde designer duo Daniel Silver and Steven Cox of Duckie Brown, the collaborative label is called Florsheim by Duckie Brown. The collection offers tastefully-retro-yet-thoroughly-modern updates on the traditional Florsheim shoe, with injections of bold colors and fashion details. Styles run from saddle shoes, loafers, wingtips (check out the laceless wingtips, below), plain-toe lace-ups, brogues and brogue boots. Prices range from $175 for suede loafers (a version of Florsheim's "Riva" suede loafer, below), $295 for wingtips, $396-$595 for brogues and brogue boots. Most Florsheim shoes retail for about $100 with some styles climbing upwards of $200, so the prices seem fairly reasonable considering these are unique, small-production, fashion-forward designer shoes. The shoes are available starting August 1st at Barneys New York, Odin New York, Scoop Soho, Confederacy in LA, select Nordstrom locations, and where else but... Florsheim stores nationwide.
