Flying across the ocean at the end of August last year, I was flipping through the Holts magazines that I had just grabbed the day I was flying out. I brought my laptop with me but was already caught up on all my non-internet UNICEF organizing, so it was inevitable that I turn to my Holts to pass the time. It was a bright-mid day flight to Toronto, so I was in mood to sleep. Therefore, instead of casually flipping through it, I was actually reading the articles, looking at the prices, and contemplating some future purchases.
Going through, I stumbled upon a pair of dress shoes which had first caught my eye a few weeks ago, in the beginning of August, via the Montreal style-twins DSQUARED2. I remember seeing them there in that Holts magazine, and thinking back to my recent post of them, and thinking to myself, it is honestly so unlikely that something you fall in love with on a random ad will actually be sold as RTW, and even more unlikely that it might be available in a Canadian retailer. Life was out to prove me wrong though, because the exact shoes I saw on the runway for the DSQUARED2 Fall/Winter 2008 show, and then in their ad campaign, were staring back at me, on sale exclusively at Holt Renfrew, at a $675 price point.
Unbelievable right? It gets better. School started and I completely forgot about the shoes, considering I wasn’t exactly in a financial situation to throw 7 bills at dress shoes (well not just yet anyway). I walked into Holts in December to do some Christmas shopping, and there, again, were the DSQAURED2 beauties, and in the SALE SECTION nonetheless ($425). No way, this was definitely a sign from God himself. But oh, they didn’t have my size. Obviously, the too-common size 10 is always the very first to sell out. But Edmonton Holts had a size 11. Would I like to order it in and give it a try? HELL YEAH!
They came in, I tried them on, and not only were they too big, but they really weren’t what I expected. Too pointy maybe? Too shiny? Something was off. Whatever, I left it but I didn’t move on with my life, not just yet.
That is until I walked into Zara a few weeks ago and saw the exact same shoe, sans the DSQUARED2 plaque on the heel, at a much more reasonable price point ($125), and offered with the Zara Man label on the heel. Size 10? Of course. Did they fit? Duh. Feel good? No, they felt amazing. I bought them on the spot. And personally, this is one case where “replicating” a runway look into a realway style staple is acceptable. Not only are these shoes comfortable and very, very DSQUARED2 inspired, but they didn’t break the bank, and I happily paid for them via my (now lost) debit card.
Thanks Zara Man. For the suit with the hand-stitched lapels, and for the shoes inspired by the DSQUARED2 runway.
Images: GQ/IYBC.
Source: IYBC.
I just remember thinking, these shoes are it. The epitome of luxury, of style, of masculinity, of sexiness. Croc skin. Patent. Super pointy. Lace-ups. I wanted them so bad, and they came so close to being a wardrobe staple, but common sense prevailed.
