For the Men: Rugged Boots - All MADE IN THE USA!!!

All of these boots will last forever and look better with each year of wear. These leathers will age nicely and of course get more comfortable each year! Many are industrial grade and have steel toes. How cool is it to know you can get an awesome product right here in the USA?

Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boots $160

I stumbled across these reading a serious men's thread, lamenting the losses of old, durable friend, and trying to find the perfect replacements. Some of them went with the Katahdin, some went with Frye's Arkansas or Red Wing's Iron Ranger Boot.

Made by the Chippewa Factory in Carthage, Missouri, these boots feature a classic Munson last and premium Goodyear® welted construction with a Vibram sole.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=katahdin-iron-works-engineer-boots&categoryId=49464&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1

Frye Arkansas Boot in Smoke $175

So, unfortunately Frye doesn't make all of their shoes in the U.S. A customer service representative informed me that some styles like the Harness boot are made at the factories in Texas or Arkansas, but that others, like this shoe are made in Mexico! Other styles could even be made in Spain, or China!! Find out before you buy.....

Shoe width Medium 1" Heel 5" Shaft, Lace Up Cork Impregnated Rubber Sole Good Year Welt

http://www.shoeparlor.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=87005_SMOKE!FRY

Field & Forest $120

Barnyard acid resisting leather, cork sole with rubber Vibram heel, removable cushion insert.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/footwear/men-s-footwear/work-boots-shoes/field-n-forest-men-s-8-inch-farm-boot

HOWEVER, these shoelaces are incredibly wrong, so make sure you buy some regular ones like these:

http://www.shoelacesexpress.com/waxeddress.asp

Chippewa Crazy Horse Steel Toe $105

Goodyear Leather Welt Construction, Leather Lined Vamp, Texon Insole, Vibram Nitrile Yellow Plug Outside, Steel Toe ANSI 75 Rated

http://www.bootbarn.com/itemview/men/bootsshoes/motorcycle/shortbikerstyles/2387?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=feeds&utm_content=Chippewa%20Men's%207%22%20Bay%20Crazy%20Horse%20Steel%20Toe%20Engineer%20Motorcycle%20Boots&utm_campaign=googlebase

Red Wing Iron Ranger $270

This one is made in Red Wing, Minnesota, but ask before you buy...they have three factories in the US: Minnesota, Kentucky, and Missouri, but somtimes they contract in China.

True goodyear welt sole, Red Wing double stitch construction, New classic rugged lace boot, Red Wing signature grade leathers.

http://www.onlyredwing.com/product.php?id=30

Don't forget your leather care...I prefer Granger's Nikwax Tube Cream and Brush-on fabric waterproofing because they don't change the color of your leather. If you don't care, or WANT a deep color, go for Sno Seal or Obenauf's leather care products. You can find the Granger products at www.lonelyplanet.com.

Some people like to use mink oil, and some say mink oil breaks down the fibers in the leather. The truth? Beats me...

Happy New Year,

Sanguine

Making my formal introduction into society - trailing my platoons of lace

For the women AND men who love the understated, quality - fight over it when you're dead merchandise, will find treasures here. My highest priority is to identify timeless designs, clothing, footwear, etc. Things my grandma could have worn to the dinner about town or at home, something my grandfather would have worn on his farm coming in from the barn, sitting down in his favorite chair drinking a steaming tea. I feel non-hippster men's street style is overlooked 90% of the time. I intend to continue researching men's merchandise! Dan, my best friend has inspired that search and I have grown to love in particular, men's footwear.

Buying quality products is a wonderful way to preserve our earth as we consume less pairs of shoes for example (take those babies to the cobbler to be re-soled!). I want to buy things I can't make myself (at least right now!) and I want them to LAST. I also need them to be made close by to avoid senseless energy waste importing shoes from a foreign country. To start supporting this idea I've decided to focus this blog on products made in the USA.

My personal style I like to call: tattered proportions. My friends just shake their heads and grin when I show like a tattered raggedy anne. Another style that particular interests me and that I'm excited to wear as I grow older is the flowing, draping 20s-inspired grace of older women's garments (sans 20s cloche hats - ack!) But let me emphasize one more time that whenever I buy, I ask myself...how long will these last? How well will it withstand washings? How much will I need to wash it in the first place? (wool, etc). Is this leather full grain...how long before a hole might appear? Sensible, practical, USA (if not local!) style.

I hope you appreciate these finds. Love, Sanguine