Show us the shoes/boots you'd wear with your dress pinks!

[PADDY]

I'm not a big Timberland fan, but these old ones that are lined with glove leather just seem to have that old beat-up vintage feel to them. I reckon if Indiana could get them he would grab them! but...it would be his 'last crusade' if he tried! grrrr!!!

Look great with the old flying suit, but also stand well with the K-1 pinks (trousers).

[PADDY]

That leather over the past decade has had chunks out of it, so many things the elements can throw at it and seems to shrug it's leather shoulders and take it in its stride.

Not the sort of footwear Imelda Marcos would have in her wardrobe...thank goodness!!! .

[PADDY]

What is it about the English and saddle leather that just seems to reek of 'class' and ageless 'style' guys..?

These are nealy 20-years-old and just get better and better. Look great with my USAAF uniform, and the brogue pattern just adds a bit of style to the military feel of things.

Made by LOAKES, alot cheaper than the likes of Churches..et al...but hand crafted and look the biz!!

Look as good with slacks as with your cavalry twills, for both the town and country gent..!

So what do you think..?

[PADDY]

If you study old photos of flight crew during WWII, you will notice that there was some personal preference and discretion used when choosing the footwear.

Anything from the standard issue rubber and leather ankle length, zipped US flight boot, to the 1936 pattern sheepskin shin length RAF flying boot with the strap to the front.

But I am aware of some US fighter pilots, and notably TEXANS (what is it about Texans who felt that when Texas decided to declare war on the Axis forces, that it was helping the USA out!! , Holly, you can help me here!)...But some Texans wore their high length cowboy boots. In fact when one of them service with the RAF Eagle Squadron, on meeting HRH. King George VI, he asked permission to not only wear his cowboy boots, but also to have a title on his shoulder (which other countries serving with the RAF had, ie: France; Poland; Czechs...etc) which would say "TEXAS!"

But as long as footwear scraped in, within the prescribed regulations, then it was often worn.

This pic shows my footwear with an original 8th AAF flight suit (which was common wear during the conflict in the E.T.O (European Theatre of Operations) and the Far East (although due to the heat, it was often a cotton version, this one is wool). Can still pick them up on Ebay.

[The Wingnut]

I've a pair of '36 pattern RAF boots that go well with just about any AAF ensemble. Not the best for dancing, though, so I switch to a beat up pair of Navy-issue Corfam Aviation Browns. These are the low-quarter, plain toe oxfords that are still issued for on-base wear with Navy khaki uniforms. Why they can't be worn off-base, I have no idea.

I do have a pair of near-mint brown combat boots that have yet to even be broken in...in fact, I'm unsure of their current location, probably buried in my steamer trunk, down at the bottom. They saw duty on the History channel in some sort of documentary, when I got them, there was nary a scuff on the soles. I took care of that problem pretty quickly. A few more dubbings with mink oil should darken and soften them up properly.

I really need a digital camera.

[Retro Grouch]

Those Texans are a squirrely bunch. LOL

The following quote is from a friend who died in Iraq this year. It might give a little insight to the Texas persona.

While in South America fighting drug dealers for the U.S. military, Master Sgt. Kelly L. Hornbeck flew a Texas flag over his camp.

When asked by a friend why the banner was chosen, Hornbeck replied: "When those guerrillas attack, I want them to know there's a Texan here.

Tom