Thursday, May 22, 2014

Good Friends and Classic Shoes: Always "en Brogue"

A classic pair of shoes, like good friends, will stand the test of time.  I've had these black patent and linen brogues since 1996 (the linen jacket is that old, too).  I still remember the first day I wore them - February 22, 1996.  I remember because it was my first day of work as a law clerk for the state supreme court agency responsible for investigating allegations of lawyer misconduct and unethical behavior.  I also remember because I arrived just as my new colleagues were gathering to celebrate the birthday of my fellow law clerk, who went on to become a dear friend despite teasing me mercilessly about my obsessive matching (I think he'd known me all of about two weeks when he realized I carried different umbrellas depending on my ensemble for the day).
We've now been friends for more than 18 years.  It 's hard to believe so much time has passed, and that these shoes have held up so well!  I wish the company that sold them (Clifford & Wills) was still around and making them in more color combinations.  It's fitting that I pulled them out of "Red's Shoe Archives" last week, because I'll spend some quality time with my old friend this weekend - he and his wife (I introduced them so I take credit for their great marriage and 4 beautiful children) have been our near-constant Indy 500 companions for the last 15 years.  We only get to see them a few times a year now, and he swears I pull a picture of him out of the attic only when he visits.  The truth is, however, that he gave me a really nice 8 x 10 picture frame for Christmas a couple of years after we met, and put a goofy, black & white glossy head shot of himself in it as a joke.  I thought it was so funny, I never removed it, and it's been on display everywhere I've lived since.

Like these brogues, our friendship is timeless, and when we do manage to get together, it's as if no time has passed at all.  Good shoes and good friends - worth the investment!
This druzy necklace from Nordstrom is the only new"ish" piece of this ensemble.  It's very versatile - I've worn it with both business suits and an evening gown.
Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

3 comments:

  1. I so agree with you: good shoes and good friends, worth the investment. I thought you might have bought those brogues this year or last year. You were very ahead of time / fashion.
    Looking wonderful. (So nice to meet somebody who has this obsessive need of matching haha.)
    Great necklace too.
    Greetje
    PS I found your blog through Sheila's Shoe Shine, which in return I found through Bella, The Citizen Rosebud.

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    1. Hi Greetje. We must have similar taste since you stopped in through Bella! I can't wait to check out your "fearless" blog! Thank you for stopping in, and for the compliment. I do love when older styles I love look fresh and new again - makes me glad I keep things :)

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