Treasured Items: Number (N)ine Monkstrap Creepers

Style Salvage had asked me to contribute to their "Treasured Items" series of posts on the blog, in which I shared my devotion to my Number (N)ine monkstrap creepers. The post had come up a few days ago, and I thought I'd share it with you, my dear readers.

It would render me practically footless if I lost these Number (N)ine monkstrap shoes that I had purchased at the store's closing sale in New York two years ago. The silhouette is of a classic slim monkstrap shoe, but with punk-rock creeper detailing, tough and extremely walkable hard rubber soles by Continental, rendered in ever-wearable dark beige suede. Their era- and style-ambiguity make the shoes as great a base for dark and conceptual Belgian pieces as they would with full-on Americana, and the high vamp provides ample coverage that allows me to wear them even on the deadest day of winter.

I've worn them so much so that the lines are going squiggly and the weave goes gaping open. There is a faint white stain on the left shoe (toothpaste fell; I was brushing in a hurry) that suggests perhaps a bird might have gone to the bathroom on my shoes, but I think I'll keep it on there.

Number (N)ine is now defunct, and though the designer Takahiro Miyashita still brings his artisanal romance to his new line The Soloist, nothing would compare to the dark, theatrical exuberance that was Number (N)ine. In honor of the brilliant designer, I've affixed medal of sorts on one of the shoes: a vintage shoe clip from Kings County Salvage in Williamsburg. I could only hope that the intense brilliance of the rhinestones against the battered, seemingly bird-defiled creepers would be something Miyashita-san would find at the very least, agreeable.

The Eccentric and the Geriatric + The Summer Boots

A couple of new blogs that have peaked my interest these past few days are going to be added to my link list.  One leaning towards the offbeat and another featuring the interesting fashions of the elderly, both reminding us that there is fashion inspiration to be found beyond the streets of the major cities during fashion week.  

Mister Mort is a street style site with an eye for the eccentric.  He gravitates towards striking, fascinating characters that march to their own beat.  

Much like this gentleman in a kaftan, turban and pearls.  Yes, pearls!  Four strands of pearls draped casually around his neck in twos make for an interesting accessory which he carries off in a manner more enigmatic than swishy.  

Artist Terence Koh in a beautifully draped deconstructed suit.  Notice the asymmetrical shirt.  The gold in his sunglasses and shoes (Dries?) richly contrast against the gray of his suit.

A man in a hat which seems to be a cross between the late 90's travesty called the fisherman's cap and the boater hat that the blogosphere has been buzzing about for a while.  

Speaking of accessories, Mister Mort shows exquisite brogues in the most perfect shades of gray and green.

Homeless-looking dude wearing the tartan plaid hunting coat and oxblood leather boots the fashion crowd is just crazy over at the moment.

Remember the days when people actually got dressed up to work, when a gentleman would not leave home on a weekday without putting on a suit and a complementary hat?  News flash: some of the people from that time are still walking the streets, and are still dressing up for the stroll.  Advanced Style puts the spotlight solely on the impeccably dressed oldies but goodies.

This gentleman sports "Gazelle" eyeglasses by Cazal, which he admits have become his trademark through the years.  

Very Raf Simons for Linda Farrow Vintage, don't you think?  (Photo from Seven New York)

I'd wear everything this fine gentleman is wearing:

The tartan plaid wool coat is amazing, something I could definitely see myself wearing a lot if I lived in a cooler climate.  The camouflage tote is LL Bean and I've got one already.  

His Rugby by Ralph Lauren color-blocked cardigan is a bold choice, but it does suit him well.  And his round spectacles!  Oh everything is perfection.

I debuted my beige suede boots by The Kooples today and dubbed them as my ideal summer boots.  They are the perfect complement to my summer palette of gauzy whites, blacks, and washed denims.

Jeans by Cheap Monday, The Kooples beige suede Santiags

The substantial heels can feel a bit wobbly to walk in at first, but there's something about cowboy boots that make you walk with a little more gaucho swagger.

A trio of pendants today: a signet ring, pliers and a key.