The title of this post is, of course, also the title of Steve Pinker’s new book on writing, but here I construe “style” as “sartorial style”.
Pinker (who’s always impeccably attired) has just finished lecturing on his book at the University of Manchester, and I begged Matthew Cobb, who attended the talk, to determine whether Steve was wearing cowboy boots. It was, said Matthew, hard to discern, as he talked from behind a lecturn, and his nether half wasn’t visible. But then after the talk there was a discussion with participants sitting at a table.
And so, after much importuning on my part, Matthew sent me this picture with the title, “You’re right!” Voilà: Pinka’s legs and feet (right):
Unless I miss my guess, those are Lucchese black caiman boots (see this post). They’re nice, but I keep telling Steve that caiman is a delicate hide, easy to tear, and he should go for either alligator or Nile crocodile.
Cowboy boots: The Official Footwear of Atheism™.
Who’s on the left? Shockingly bad classic academic footwear
… coiffed, too. The tonsorial recapitulates the sartorial.
😀
Wigmakers alert! There’s a niche, but substantial, market for Steven Pinker wigs.
A Pinker wig would be a great improvement for Donald Trump! Let’s crowd fund one.
Does That mean the hide Is from lucca, italy? That’s my parents home town!
Lucchese was started by the sons of a shoemaker from Palermo. The sons sailed to the US and set up shop, Lucchese Boots, in San Antonio Texas in the late 1800s.
I bought a pair back in about 1985 – 1986 or so. They are easily the best pair of boots I have owned, but I am not in Jerry’s league. They are still sitting in my closet and still wearable, though a bit aged. I don’t really know how they are considered by boot-snobs these days, but back when I bought my pair they were considered by most to be the best production boots (as opposed to custom made) available.
Luccheses made in that era, and a bit earlier, are considered some of the finest and well constructed off-the-shelf boots ever made. After that they started going downhill, so now there are three grades, with only the expensive “Lucchese Classics” being near what they used to be. I have a fair number of Luccheses, but they’re all from the 1970s, when they were made in San Antonio. If you’re buying Luccheses now, either look for older eBay versions that have “Lucchese San Antonio” stamped on the inside, or spring for the expensive Lucchese Classic line. Stay away from all others.
Thanks for the info.
It would be pretty cool if Italy had caimans, though!
Matthew must’ve felt like a creeper when he snapped that shot!
Absolutely! I told Jerry it felt pervy peering at his feet, but I was instructed to continue until I had the evidence!
🙂 I knew it!
Is that a Sinfest reference? In the cartoon, Creepers are spybots kind of like centipedes that can do upskirt videos. They are a recent appearance and were the first thing I thought of when I saw the photo.
Because the style transferred from writing to wearing, this might be an example of how to tell the real from the drug store variety cowboy. When dressing up with the boots I believe the real cowboy must stick with a string tie. However, it could apply to the function as well.
Are these made from farm-raised caimans, alligators, and crocodiles? : (
Yes, all gator and croc hides that are used in the U.S. are from farm-raised animals.
What boots do cowboys wear in the snow?
I own no cowboy boots, because that’s how my mama raised me. However, I do own two pairs of Chuck Taylors–and I can’t wait to get one of the “new” ones. I just love them. I wear them in the snow, I wear them yachting,
I wear them as I type this.
Yes, I think Chuck Taylors should be Official Footwear too. Because, you know, Chuck Taylors.
Mine are black leather hightops.
I don’t know. Unfortunately Chuck Taylors are also the favorite footwear of Glenn Beck.
Well, that rules THOSE out!
To be thus shod would be shoddy.
If so, then, as an E. Tennessee old-timer might put it, it would be best “to git shed of hit.”
What “cool” factor, or “cache” or “panache” or “relevance” does the Bruno Magli (sp.?) brand have nowadays? Still well-soled for catching up with aircraft, I gather?
I have two pairs of biker boots (the kind with rings at both sides). This kind of boots are my everyday footwear for over 15 years now.
Most atheists I know don’t wear boots though. Only one besides me springs to my mind.
For casual street riding I haven’t found anything that can beat Redwing boots. And they are also good for everyday.
Wow.
Rick Perry signed a statement a while back making cowboy boots the official footwear of Texas in honor of their role “in the mythic romance of the Lone Star State”.
But he had to stop wearing them because they were bad for his back.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10947389/Cowboy-boots-No-thanks-theyre-bad-for-my-back-says-Texas-governor.html
Glad to see atheists are borrowing a symbol here saying it’s not just for Texans any more.
(Now if we could only have some Hollywood movies that acknowledged the prevalence of African cowboys in the late 19th century.)
Eel skin for me. The less ornamentation on the shaft the better. Wish I could get the shaft also eel skin, short of custom-made.
What’s the current approved footwear in the private corporate tyranny executive suite? Can a CEO get by with wearing western boots? No doubt the suits lower down the food chain aren’t allowed to.
I am certainly not one to deny the eminence of Herr Pinka as concerns his position with matters neuro-cognitive and as a brogan aficionado. But I must humbly, yet firmly offer a significantly different conclusion from that of “cowboy boots: the official footwear of atheism.” Though cowboy boots will certainly enjoy a well-earned privileged position in the discussion, cowboy boots are associated, especially in the United States, with regions which are quite religious, if not evangelical. Indeed, the clearly superior choice for The Official Footwear of Atheism are Doc Marten’s combat boots. They immediately communicate toughness and willingness to go into battle–and to best the frothing faithful, without question. (I ask you, is there any boot on our quaint little marble which more readily says “I never metaphysic I couldn’t crush?” Nay, I say.) They can hold a stunning shine, just as cowboy boots can, but they are far more accessible across many groups and many types of individuals. And with the word “Doc” in their title, I dare say no other Atheistic Podiatric Accessory is more obviously infused with the spirit of science than these classic boots. Dear friends, even in light of the Pinkerian preference for cornerkickers, I urge Atheists everywhere of all compositions to walk a mile in my boots, and then to experience the irresistible force of Faithless Martenalia!
” . . . they are far more accessible.”
Does that mean that they are “cooler,” or easier to “understand”? And, ergo,
more “relevant”? 😉
Beat me to the suggestion. It has to be SMs.
Sorry, autocorrect beat me. It has to be DMs.
Glenn Beck? Sigh. Who’s next–Trump? Carson?
Forgive me, for I have sinned. Goodbye, Chucks. Maybe I’ll try Crocs.