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09 March 2011

One For The Urban Lumberjacks

It's well known I like to poke my fun at the phenomenon that is the "Urban Lumberjack", but I'll admit that even I am occassionally susceptible to the attractions of  gourmet American workwear. So long as I can avoid the gourmet price tag, of course.
My travels in the chaotic world of thrift shopping today found me in possession of these classic mocc-toed work boots. Made of brown chrome excel leather, sturdy, but stylish like a well made shoe.

Worn, but not much. The leather is soft, but heavy duty. The soles have a cork layer. They had no laces, but that's nothing that can't be remedied for a few dollars. I could tell they were nice, but I couldn't find a brand name on them. Then I realized that the previous owner had put heel inserts in them. As I pulled one out, I sruck thrift shop gold.

The coveted Alden "Indy" boot, complete with "foot balance system", in my size. $2.99. Best price I could find on the internet was $435 at ShoeMart in Connecticut. Can't wait to try 'em out with Wrangler's and a Barbour jacket...and not cut down any trees. Maybe I'll wear them camping some time...maybe.
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39 comments:

  1. L.A.SMarch 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Arguably the best footwear thrifting steal I have ever read about.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    huge amounts of jealousy..

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  3. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    There are times that I'm convinced you don't exist, that you are a figment concocted through an internal argument between my style ID and my thrift-wise super ego.

    This is one of those times.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CryptowolfMarch 9, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Nice find. I suspected from the first picture that these shoes were Aldens.

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  5. Joseph Holmes comedyMarch 9, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Wow, how incredibly annoying!

    are they really crome-exel?
    I'd be surprised to see cromeexel on a pair that old.

    great find

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  6. Young FogeyMarch 9, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Aldens, in your size, for three bucks.

    I hate you.

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. WilliamMarch 9, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Can I go shopping with you sometime?

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  8. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Giuseppe: You're an inspiration! I might have found your lumberjack boot find less believable before this most recent Christmas, when my college-age daughter presented me (in a running shoe box) a pair of thrifted Alden model 563 Color 8 shell cordovans in my size that she purchased at a local thrift for 50% off their usual $4.00 per pair price for shoes. Knowing what you're looking for and where to look occasionally combine with luck and good timing to uncover amazing values most anywhere!

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  9. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Everything I have ever found at a thrift sucks now. Damn.

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  10. MateoMarch 10, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Wowza! I did that once with a pair of Alden full strap loafers. It's the kind of find that keeps you going back to that thrift store for years!

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  11. JKGMarch 10, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    I've been feeling quietly smug for about four days, on a high from scoring a practically mint pair of green-label Cole Haan captoes for $15.

    Will you ban me if I curse you out explicitly?

    ReplyDelete
  12. james at 10enginesMarch 10, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    another hater here... holy cow find. j

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  13. Pigtown*DesignMarch 10, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    good on ya! it's the men's equivalent of me finding two brand new hermes scarves for $2.00 each.

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  14. mistermidwesterMarch 10, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    I knew what they were when I saw the first picture. So. Awesome.

    Boots that should last a lifetime for 4 bucks. What a find.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Greg D.March 10, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    I'm snickering, smiling - ear to ear. I absolutely love how you pull this stuff off.

    Hipsters...take note.

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  16. MikeMarch 10, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    When will this happen to me? Damn great find.

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  17. MasonMarch 10, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    Incredibly envious.

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  18. Jho78March 10, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    You made me curse loudly (at work).

    ReplyDelete
  19. David M.March 10, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Congratulations. And how does a pair of Indy boots find their way to a thrift store...really?

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  20. JBMarch 10, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    you belong in jail for this heist.

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  21. TMarch 10, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Holy CRAP. I could sacrifice a whole truckload of chickens and still wouldn't find that kind of get. Where the hell do you get your luck, Giu?

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    I live in the Syracuse area and not only do thrift shops around here not have anywhere near this quality of good, but they charge way more. eg. A moderately worn pair of Timberlands for $20.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    I could cry from jealousy right now.

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  24. ThadMarch 10, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Ridiculous find! I commend you on your amazing skills and hopefully, with some luck, be able to find a few more pieces of similar quality!

    Still, I am loving my $1.66 custom tailored suit, especially now that my tailor has finished the alterations on it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gregorius MercatorMarch 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Mother lode, indeed.

    I need to thrift in Boston because the selection here is just dismal by comparison. The problem becomes that the expense of the trip sort of negates any potential savings if I should be lucky enough to strike gold. I think you've pointed out plenty of times that it takes persistence.

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  26. GiuseppeMarch 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I knew I would strike a nerve with this one.

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  27. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    well done. old logo as well. though you could do well ebaying em for $300

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  28. David VMarch 10, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Now go out a thrift a pair of officer "Pinks".

    ReplyDelete
  29. yankee-whisy-papaMarch 10, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I'll give you $6 for them. You could double your money!

    ReplyDelete
  30. BEESTLYproductsMarch 10, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    thrifting karma.

    ReplyDelete
  31. matthewMarch 10, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    you sonofabitch. i love it! knew what they were the second i saw the picture. how do you live with yourself?

    anonymous: i also live in the syracuse area, and can attest to the fact that upstate thrifting is indeed awful!

    ReplyDelete
  32. GordoMarch 10, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    "WINNING!!!"

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnclelooneyMarch 11, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Admittedly a great bargain but I don't understand the appeal. They're made for the label chasers. I'll stick to my 20 year old Red Wings and my 28 year old Sorels.

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  34. GiuseppeMarch 11, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I know what you mean, Looney. But I'll be damned if these aren't the most comforatble things I've ever put on. They are, after all, still a pair of Aldens.

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnclelooneyMarch 11, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Comfort is the key, that and the fact that YOU like them. I admit to envy at your success(like everyone else):) You work hard at it so it ain't just luck. I've started hitting the used clothing stores myself again after reading your blog, so count me as a convert.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Jay B.March 11, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    So happy for you! CONGRATS!

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  37. AnonymousMarch 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Where did you find these?

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  38. KeohaneMarch 13, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    You son of a bitch.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousMarch 13, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    You really think they are the comfortable, Guiseppe? My girlfriend got me a pair for Christmas from NRO and I don't find them very comfortable at all. That said they are great looking and for $2.99 you can't really pass them up.

    ReplyDelete

An Affordable Wardrobe strives for an open discussion of all the topics presented here. All opinions, whether in agreement with the author or not, will be considered for publication. Please present your points in a clear and adult fashion. Negative comments of an overtly crass nature will not be published. Besides dressing like grown ups, let's behave like them as well.