What’s Dappered Threads? It’s our forum. Launched in 2011, Threads has become a not too big, not too small, just-right-sized forum that doesn’t put up with snobbery. All thanks to the users and hardworking mods. Once a month, one of the mods from Threads provides us with a highlight package of the last few weeks.
Best Friday Challenge – Wings and Squares
Wingtips and Pocket Squares. Perfs and peekin’ out of pockets. Dappered readers were encouraged to show off their favorite wingtips and pocket squares for this Friday challenge. Shockfinder earned the victory with an impressive combination including a khaki Stafford cotton suit, Izod OCBD, Seiko 5 with Nato strap, Florsheim Highlands, and a homemade pocket square. Check out the rest of the wingtip/square combos over here.
Best “Rebellious” Thread – I Meant To Do That!
Rules are meant to be broken, right? Dappered readers discuss various “style rules” that they simply choose not to follow. From ties without jackets, to white athletic socks, to an honest appreciation of flip flops: “I wear flip flops with long pants when it’s warm outside. Jeans, chinos, colored denim, etc. I like them, they are comfortable, and my feet don’t sweat nearly as much in them. Come at me with those pitchforks!” Check out this thread and see what other “style rules” are being thrown to the wind.
Best Thrift Find – Nudie Jeans Slim Fit Denim
User jrue recently scored his 3rd pair of Nudie Grim Tim jeans in NYC.
Best Advice on Ivy and Prep (& other fashion movements)
There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired. -Vic
Most Entertaining Yet Valuable Thread – Tucking Shirts and Black Magic
Ever wonder how Actors keep their shirts tucked in during action scenes? Following some mild humor, one Dappered reader decided to take a chance on “magnet tucks” and has reported early success.
Trendiest Thread – Are Birkenstocks Back?
A few style publications recently have hyped Birkenstocks as a “new” trend in mens fashion but Dappered readers aren’t biting. Is there any credence to this trend or are these publications grasping at straws?
Many thanks to moderator tdig for assembling this month’s Best of Threads. Want more? Head on over to Threads and take a spin around. Top Photo: Ethan K.
I don’t care if Birkenstock’s are out of “style.” On a “dog days of summer” kind of day, I’m likely to wear them. They also have a cork foot bed so who doesn’t love that?
I honestly don’t understand the hatred towards them. I never wore them when they were popular, and I’m not going to wear them now, but they’re just sandals. Thick leather strapped, well made sandals. Aesthetically, it’s not like they’re neon crocs or anything.
I just lump them in with men’s sandals, which I am not at all on board with as a general matter. That said, I agree that they aren’t the worst looking example of the form. They aren’t Tevas, for crying out loud.
Birks don’t exist narrow enough to fit my feet… so for the last few years I just about live in these between May and September: https://www.pipersandals.com/
…super comfy, made out of Horween leather from tracings so they fit properly, and unique. Price has gone up twenty bucks in the last two years but still well worth it.
Pretty much my feeling exactly. That said, if someone wants to wear tevas… more power to em’. I tried to wear sneakers white water rafting once, because I just don’t own any sandals. Next time I go, I’m buying sandals.
In my mind, Birkenstocks always had that hippie stigma attached to it. While it isn’t for me, I don’t judge or harangue others for wearing them either.
You may also want to give some of those minimalist running shoes a try – similar idea to the FiveFingers (for which there’s a “paddling” version) but without the goofy looking toes. I picked up a pair for when I’m travelling and don’t want to take up valuable suitcase space with a pair of big bulky running shoes, and while I haven’t tried them for canoeing or anything yet, I expect they’d work well.
For example:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/30843M/82580/Mens/Barefoot-Run-Vapor-Glove?dimensions=0
My wife bought me a pair of birkenstocks on a whim, and They compliment my summer outfits more then any sockless loafer or oxford could. casuals. of course.
How the heck did I miss the challenge? My friend told me I should be posting this pic to Dappered after wearing it to a wedding rehearsal dinner last week. At least I can say that had I not started reading Dappered a year ago, I probably would have never be bold enough to wear this. Thanks Dappered!
Only reason I own hiking sandals…and I wear them once a year…whitewater rafting. Going in 3 days on the mighty Colorado River. Hope I’m around to read Dappered on Monday.
As far as men’s sandals go (and opinions on those are obviously divided), I’ve got nothing against Birkenstocks. Since I only ever wear sandals in or around the lake, though, I wouldn’t ever have any need for a leather sandal like Birks. For my needs, water-sports sandals (Chacos, Tevas) are more functional.
Keep your feet downstream!
I own birkenstocks and tevas… why i am admitting this on here, I have no idea.
How about some Birkenstock clogs? Anyone? I can’t be the only one that has a pair reserved for use as “winter sandals.” Also, they make perfect “i’m old and don’t care today” attire when running errands on the weekend. An “I’d rather be on the couch watching tv but my wife asked me to pick up a gallon of milk instead” sort of look. Anti-fashion, if you will.
I think they are hideous and lame personally and I’m on board with men’s sandals on a limited basis, specifically rainbow sandals. But, I grew up and live in Southern California so I think that is the root of it. Most sandals look horrific in my opinion.
Water shoes for rafting! They sell cheap versions at most rafting stores – they’re lace up trainers, but just mesh on the sides and a footbed that doesn’t absorb water.
Birkenstocks – for my generation anyway – are a representation of both 90’s pseudo-hippies and 90’s sock-and-sandal geeks. Truth is, I will always associate those two things when I hear “birks”. Sandals have their time and place, but never any Birks for me. To me they’ll always be the crocs of the 90’s.
All of your situations could be solved with slip-on Converse. And then you’d look *cooler* while not caring.
This.
I should’ve chimed in on the “I meant to do that!” thread regarding my love for my (relatively conservative brown leather) sports sandals that I picked up at REI for a song. I only wear them when support and breathability are important and there’s little chance that appearances will matter, but I relish each chance to slip them on.
How’s the durability? I’m intrigued.
Mine still look new, but for the impressions made by my feet and very minor sole wear from pounding pavement a few times a week.
He’ll install a new leather strap if needed for just the $6 shipping to get it back to you (“If One Strap Breaks, Send Both Sandals That Way The Strap Colors Will Match”); if a resole is ever needed, it’s sixty bucks including postage.
https://www.pipersandals.com/resole.htm
Digging the pants and jacket. What brand are they?
Thanks! Most everything is Banana Republic.
Pants: BR Modern slim fit cotton dress pants (Search the site with “932543”), Jacket: BR 49% Cotton/50% linen tailored fit from last year
Shirt: BR Tailored slim fit
Tie Square: Tie Bar
Shoes: BR Wing tip (awful quality)
Belt (not shown): Trafalgar from Nordstrom…only one I could find to match shoes
Glasses: My one true splurge…Barton Perreira, but yes you can get the exact same look from Warby Parker.
Oh, and for anyone who enjoys being able to take iPhone (and maybe Android) selfies without their arm in the picture…the app is called TimerCam. From the pic above, you’d ALMOST think I wasn’t alone in a hotel room pathetically taking selfies.
To be fair opening ceremony just did a teva collaboration and they are FANTASTIC.
I thought you were joking, but then I googled it. Egads.
I kind of like them, minus the removable gladiator strap thing.