So So Gay
An abandoned tube station, posh canapés, and the new navy suede desert boot. Everything you’d expect to encounter on a blustery Monday afternoon then.
We have to admit, before their recent press day, Clarks’ most notable achievement to our minds was their durable, good value school shoes we used to run around in after algebra lessons.
They were lace-up, and black (although Clarks would probably refer to them as ‘scuffed charcoal’ or ‘midnight blue’).
Our expectations, then, were at a decided low when we tramped past the pouty, ponytailed girls with clipboards into the slightly daunting former tube station to view their new Autumn/Winter collection. Which might be why we were pleasantly surprised.
Most notable was the heavy emphasis on the desert boot. You know, those round-toed, usually suede lace-up creations, often adorning trendy teenagers, or swarthy, bearded men on the tube reading Hamlet. Pairing them with turned-up red jeans seems to be the craze-du-jour. Our favourite of the numerous varieties was the quietly cool navy cream Harris Tweed;
We feel like it would be suitable to wear them while waving a union jack at a passing Rolls Royce, or maybe hanging out delicates on a breezy Sunday.
We also liked the not-quite-desert boot Wallabee Rocky, subtle colours and an eye-catching shape making it suitably stylish wintery wear;
We indulged ourselves perusing the women’s shoes, because some of them were just too good to pass up – like these brilliantly innovative, suitably ridiculous Illusive Step sports shoes which ROLL UP INTO A LITTLE BALL. Look, we’ve even got a picture to prove it;
So, our opinion on the collection as a whole, is that it offers footwear that’s good value and, while not exactly something Marc Jacobs would march down Bond Street in, it’s all quite visually pleasing. So, if it ever stops raining, don your red turn-up jeans and toddle down town to your friendly neighborhood Clarks for some ravishing retail foot therapy.
