American alligator belly boots with fancy top stitching; maker unknown—label reads “Made especially for The Thieves Market, Los Angeles, California.”
Moar footwear
December 12, 2012 • 5:05 am
Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
I’m sure all young alligators dream of ending up this way.
Thanks for the snark. I presume you don’t wear leather either, because cows wind up as belts and shoes?
Some people do do exactly that, for exactly that reason. They’re normally vegans as well. Been there, done that, worn that non-leather tee shirt and eaten that nut cutlet.FWIW, it is possible to get non-animal-based leather-alike materials which have similar (to leather) texture and particularly permeability to vapour. The materials are (unsteadily) improving and the costs are going down, but they’re generally more expensive than cheap leather.
I’ve considered, on several occasions, getting made-to-measure shoes of such a fabric, but I’ve never really been able to justify the cost of made-to-measure shoes, regardless of the material. And I’m fairly respectful of quality footwear, coming from “boot ‘n’ shoe country” and with a couple of professional cobblers in the family.
Hmmm, the company names I remember seem to have gone bust. But that’s pretty normal for the shoe trade anyway – razor-thin margins and low volumes for quality goods. There are definitely still people in the business though.
I think there are large excesses of alligators these days in the US anyway. Probably these were farmed.
No, they dream of being swallowed alive by one of their parents …
Hey Lisbeth,
It was in no small part, alligator farmers, who legally sold meat and hides, that helped the conservation effort to save the animal from extinction in the 60s. It’s BECAUSE of boots like these that there are healthy populations of alligators in North America.
To say nothing of the innocent Blue-Bellied Denims.
The alligator looks great. Jerry, how many pairs of boots are in your collection? And are you actively looking to add to it, or do you pick up a new pair only when you happen on one you like?
I like the way the belly plates make natural creases on the insides of the feet. Very nice!
There was a report in “the literature” recently about how the skin of alligators (or another crocodilian, I didn’t memorise the details) cracks in ovo to outline the scales. The cracks are stochastic (random), which leads to asymmetry on the animal.
I’ve never had to get close enough to a crocodilian to examine this myself. I don’t particularly want to get that close.
Love your boots!!!!! Awesome would be to wear a hat in alligator skin to these precious boots.
I’d never wear those boots, attractive as they are they’re just not me, but a hat sounds awesome.
Mike.
Imelda Coyne!
Very nice!
Those wide belly scalles look like they have pretty deep furrows between them. Do they ever pinch?
R. M. Williams in Australia make the best boots in the world. I may be biased, I have about 12 pairs. Black, tan, gardening, work, interview/Sunday best pairs.
Yes, I think they look very impressive.
Very spiffy! Good taste in footwear
The only creatures who need alligator skin are alligators. No I don’t wear leather, I use cloth purses, and am vegan but I love you anyway.
Not a fan of boots with pointy toes, I’m more of a square toe fan myself, but those are very nice color.
I only have one current pair of boots in that genre, and they are for riding my motorcycle when I don’t want to have to change footwear to walk around at work. (I have other motorcycle specific boots, but they are much too uncomfortable to walk in for any period of time.)
Love boots.
Nice!
Do they sell size 13?
If you are ever in El Paso, TX, there are four Lucchese factory stores. I like the one on the east side next to the Starr Western Store on I-10 near Exit 32. I wear a 13D and they had more than forty pair on display. I found four pair I wanted and bought one, but I live nearby and can return. They are a bit expensive retail ($300 to 400), but about half price in the store. Just look at them carefully in case the ones you want are a second.
Don´t try to ride on a Western saddle with these boots. They have the wrong heels for Western riding boots. The heels need to be longer for those saddles because the boot is thrust ¨home.¨These low heels would get caught in the stirrup.