[welldressedfellow]

Does anyone else think BB should start making their opera pumps in calfskin as opposed to patent leather?

 

[Terpoxon]

https://www.shiptonandheneage.co.uk/erol.html

Shipton and Heneage does one in black suede. Realistically, not that many people would even consider wearing opera pumps and most who would tend to be purists, and probably would prefer them in patent. But, other companies do make them. From the pictures I've seen of them, they just seem wrong to me, like patent leather bluchers.

 

[welldressedfellow]

https://www.shiptonandheneage.co.uk/erol.html

Shipton and Heneage does one in black suede. Realistically, not that many people would even consider wearing opera pumps and most who would tend to be purists, and probably would prefer them in patent. But, other companies do make them. From the pictures I've seen of them, they just seem wrong to me, like patent leather bluchers.

I had been under the impression that proper opera pumps were calf.

 

[Penang Lawyer]

I have been wearing "Opera Pumps" for over 50 years. Although they did make calfskin I always liked the patent leather. The BB ones seems to have a thinner sole and the AE some what thicker. The thinner ones are better for dancing.

 

[TMMKC]

I neither like patent leather or the thought of wearing bows on my feet....but that's just me.

That told, I am always on the hunt for a more formal "pump" in calf (sans the bow). Shipton makes suede models with and without bows.

 

[Penang Lawyer]

I neither like patent leather or the thought of wearing bows on my feet....but that's just me.

That told, I am always on the hunt for a more formal "pump" in calf (sans the bow). Shipton makes suede models with and without bows.

It takes guts to wear bows. But having lived in NYC most men think nothing of wearing bows.

 

[welldressedfellow]

As I have found out,BB is going to begin making them in claf sometime this year.

 

[Sator]

Realistically, not that many people would even consider wearing opera pumps and most who would tend to be purists, and probably would prefer them in patent.

1+

Dress shoes from the 1915 Brooks Brothers catalogue:

Let's hope that Brooks sticks to tradition and offers their pumps only in patent leather. After all, what next? They might even start to offer black sack suits. The horrors!

 

[welldressedfellow]

1+

Dress shoes from the 1915 Brooks Brothers catalogue:

Let's hope that Brooks sticks to tradition and offers their pumps only in patent leather. After all, what next? They might even start to offer black sack suits. The horrors!

Well,I may be mistaken but to my knowledge,patent leather is traditionally frowned upon for white tie.

 

[Sator]

Well,I may be mistaken but to my knowledge,patent leather is traditionally frowned upon for white tie.

Do you have a reference you can cite? I would be interested if you do, because all of mine say that you should wear patent leather. British, American and even German traditional sources are all unanimous on this:

The London journal Fashion was regarded as the most authoritative of its kind at the time.

The American Blue Book of Etiquette: a Guide to Conduct and Dress on All Occasions by Charles Harcourt, Philadelphia, 1905 also states that for evening dress: "The shoes are of patent leather, and the socks plain black silk".

 

[welldressedfellow]

Do you have a reference you can cite? I would be interested if you do, because all of mine say that you should wear patent leather. British, American and even German traditional sources are all unanimous on this:

The London journal Fashion was regarded as the most authoritative of its kind at the time.

The American Blue Book of Etiquette: a Guide to Conduct and Dress on All Occasions by Charles Harcourt, Philadelphia, 1905 also states that for evening dress: "The shoes are of patent leather, and the socks plain black silk".

I tip my hat to you sir,I stand corrected.

 

[welldressedfellow]

Do you have a reference you can cite? I would be interested if you do, because all of mine say that you should wear patent leather. British, American and even German traditional sources are all unanimous on this:

The London journal Fashion was regarded as the most authoritative of its kind at the time.

The American Blue Book of Etiquette: a Guide to Conduct and Dress on All Occasions by Charles Harcourt, Philadelphia, 1905 also states that for evening dress: "The shoes are of patent leather, and the socks plain black silk".

I hope my reply did not come across as sarcastic,I apologize if it did.I must admit,before joining AAAC,much of what I knew about evening dress came from Wikipedia.

 

[Scoundrel]

Does anyone else think BB should start making their opera pumps in calfskin as opposed to patent leather?

No, that's a silly, contemporary take on something classic.

FWIW, I've seen velvet, or velveteen, I'm not sure, opera pumps

 

[Sartre]

If you are inclined against patent leather you might take a look at these from Paul Stuart.

https://www.paulstuart.com/product_...35&MainCatId=14&HEADERMENUID=1&SUBPRODCATID=0

 

[TMMKC]

If you are inclined against patent leather you might take a look at these from Paul Stuart.

https://www.paulstuart.com/product_...35&MainCatId=14&HEADERMENUID=1&SUBPRODCATID=0

Perfect...absolutely perfect. Thanks for the heads-up.