Looking for a pair of brogues...

[Brian K]

Wow...and thanks to those links, RSV, I've finally found the exact black lace boots that I've been searching for to wear with my Army dress uniforms...the patent leather "George" boots made by Sanders! Now, for $231 plus shipping plus duties, I can own a pair...but alas, I don't envision being able to make that investment any time soon!

I'm glad you've finally found these, Jeff. I remember you posting about looking for boots like those previously. I have always been curious, though, about the military using patent leather for dress shoes. I know the shine is always a high gloss and relatively easy to maintain, but it has always looked plastic to me. They also have always made me think of children's or women's shoes.

I have owned regular leather shoes that I, or a shoe shine stand, can get a near mirror finish on and I like the look better because it actually looks like leather. I haven't owned a pair of "plastic" shoes since I had a pair of perfectly hideous (in retrospect ) pair of maroon and black platform saddle shoes when I was 16 and I don't expect I'll ever own a pair again unless I have to in the unlikely event I have to buy some for some sort of uniform.

I'm genuinely happy for you because I know you would really like them and they fit the dress regs, but can you enlighten me as to why the military switched from more normal leather to that with a patent finish?

Regards,

Brian

[thescot]

. . .I haven't owned a pair of "plastic" shoes since I had a pair of perfectly hideous (in retrospect ) pair of maroon and black platform saddle shoes when I was 16 and I don't expect I'll ever own a pair again unless I have to in the unlikely event I have to buy some for some sort of uniform.

. . .

Don't believe I'd a told that, brother.

Notice I have not mentioned the tan and brown cap toe palstics I owned back in the early 70s.

Hey, I was young and dumb, and I thought they were cool. Come to think of it, they were kind of cool back then. But that was in another country, and besides the wench ins dead. (10 points to anyone who can spot the allusion without Googling!)

[Brian K]

Don't believe I'd a told that, brother.

Notice I have not mentioned the tan and brown cap toe palstics I owned back in the early 70s.

Hey, I was young and dumb, and I thought they were cool. Come to think of it, they were kind of cool back then. But that was in another country, and besides the wench ins dead. (10 points to anyone who can spot the allusion without Googling!)

LOL, Brother. I was 16 in 1973 and a lot of people were wearing them back then. Whether we should have is another question altogether . I'm not proud of all my wardrobe choices back then, but I fit in with the crowd. Today I am much less worried about "fitting in." One of the best things about being in my second half-century is that I have finally learned that the opinions of others are just that - opinions - and 98% of them just don't matter!

Regards,

Brian