The boat shoe. The expression was relatively new to me until I saw a pair, and then I exclaimed “Oh right! Deck shoes!” for that is what they were originally known as, back in tha dark ages (well just a few years back actually!) They were also known as “Topsiders”

They are typically canvas or leather with non-marking rubber soles designed for use on a boat. Or a barge, or a ship… even a cruise ship, although plimsoles were more de rigeur on the Cunard and White Star Liners.  A pattern is cut into the soles to provide grip on a wet deck; the leather construction, along with application of oil, is designed to repel water. When used by deck hands, they were originally functional, and more like boots than shoes. Then someone had the wizard idea to make them fashionable- shades of how Levi jeans and the 1860 Gold rush were revisited and made fashionable post WW2.

Modern boat shoes were (re)invented in 1935 by Paul Sperry after noticing his dog’s ability to run easily over ice without slipping. Using a knife, he cut what is known as siping into his shoes’ soles, inspiring a shoe perfect for casual boating and harbour-wear. A company called Sperry Top-Sider took up the idea and that firm are still a popular brand of boat shoe today, among many others, such a Sebago, Superdry,  Vans, Timberland, etc. The stitching on traditional boat shoes lends them a high amount of durability. Boat shoes are traditionally worn without socks, or at least with ankle or heel socks, invisibly.

I once wore my deck shoes to play deck quoits on the Liner SS France (showing my age again!) and then used them again on the polished hardwood disco floor where they proved a bit of a pain as they gripped the floor too well and didn’t allow my trademarke sliding shoe-shuffle!

There are many fine pairs of shoes, such as these: Men’s Superdry Riva boat shoe. Classic boatshoe design featuring contrast lacing, stitching and sole, suede upper and cork insole. Heel logo tab. Around £70

They also come in a wide range of colours, such as these here-

although the basic stitching and design remain faithful to the original concept. Unlikely that you are going to get 36 hole Dr Marten steel-capped deck shoes!

I thought that most people know of the different type of jeans on the market, but last week I had a visit from some friends from a rural part of East Europe who only knew that jeans were blue and made by Levis. This, then, is for them, and any others who want to remind themselves of the main styles of jeans which you can buy. The pictures here are from a variety of jeansmiths, including Superdry, French Connection, Diesel and G-Star, but almost all manufacturers of jeans cover all these styles. You pays your money, you makes your choice, so enjoy the search!

Jeans are of course a wardrobe staple that everyone, boys, girls, men, women and even toddlers and grandfolks should have. However getting the right pair to supplement your looks can be a risky affair. You want people to look at you and go “Oh” not “Ho”! The right pair of jeans can enhance your body, and the wrong pair- well I’m sure you’ve seen them on people.

Here they are:

Skinny Jeans:  I think there are also different degrees of ‘skinny’. Some are super-skinny, while others are not so skinny.  Some are also really stretchy, while others aren’t. It all depends on what you really want. But they are all tight-fitting and leg/bum hugging.

Straight jeans.Your plain cut jeans.

Bootcut jeans. made for you to wear with boots, and therefore not so tight around the calf that you wouldn’t be able to get them on.

Flared jeans. These originated in my hippy-dippy days of flower power, and see a revival from time to time:

There are other sub-genres of course: You could also try wide leg jeans, super flare jeans, low rise jeans, high waist jeans, & baggy jeans. Getting the right wash, and fabric is also important. And do you want them washed-out, stone-washed, snowed or distressed? Some can be really uncomfortable, so it is important to invest in the right pair so they can serve you for a long long time. Or as long as you think they are fashionable… when you think they are no longer to be strutted along the High Street, or at a West-End Club, then they’ll still do you a treat for cleaning the Porsche or the Citroen C1, doing the borders in the garden, or to off-load onto your younger sister. As if she would have them!!