Navy Shell Corovans and Redux: Navy Blue Weejuns and the Ford Pinto

I wasn't kidding when I said many months ago that I would find someone to make Navy Blue Shell Cordovan loafers for me. Probably as close to cordovan nirvana as I can imagine. Intriguing in any case but only nirvana caliber shodding based on the relationship that I had with my N.B. Bass Weejuns in college. They were the shit. Shut up.

Here's the confirmatory email regarding the navy shells. I can only imagine the depth of lustre that these shoes are gonna have.

From: ______5r@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 3:17 PM
To: ADG
Subject: Re: Navy Cordovan Loafers

Thanks D_____ -


I appreciate the call.  No worries, I have 7 Navy Blue Super (big shells) and a #1 available, so enough for 5-6 pair.


Look forward to meeting you and fitting you up.  Here are some other sample loafers we can do that do not fit like socks-on-a-rooster.


Once I see you I can take care of the order....lots of options.


Let me know your schedule when you can -

Navy Blue Weejuns and the Ford Pinto....

Just kidding about the Pinto though I think they did offer it in a light and a mid blue.

There have been a lot of posts lately about Bass Weejuns. One commenter on a blog provided erudition on the demise of G.H. Bass that was thesis worthy. I enjoyed reading it but it did touch a sentimental chord. I remember the Bass catalogue when I was in undergrad. The options were pretty cool. Tan pebble grain, navy blue, black and of course the standard color. They also offered a tassel version in black or standard. There was even a two eyelet lace up. Beef roll … I didn’t like it then and don’t now. Too clunky looking for me.

I eventually graduated to Alden loafers after I made enough dough to afford them. However, I’ve always managed to hold on to my Weejuns from college. Here are my navy blue ones. Yes, they are a bit dodgy looking but keep in mind that they are 30 years old. They’ve been beer soaked a zillion times…fully immersed in the Atlantic ocean on more than one occasion…landed in the bottom of a chlorinated pool at least once-with me attached. They’ve spent the night in various dorm rooms…tip toeing out on the south end of my headache the next morning. I’m sure they’ve heard my mom say repeatedly… “I just don’t know what’s going to become of you. If you’d spend half the time on your studies that you spend at those fraternity parties…”



I might have worn them to my little brother’s baptism.