Tod's
Suitsupply beige gurkha pleated shorts | Burberry navy cotton T-shirt | MTM linen striped shirt | Vuarnet Edge 1613 sunglasses | Tod’s navy suede Gommino driving shoes
At the beginning of the 20th century, Filippo Della Valle founded a shoemaking workshop driven by his passion and care for this profession. His making skills soon was extraordinary, and he did elevate it to a new level of excellence. Later, under the leadership of Diego and Andrea Della Valle Tod's became a well-known brand for all people who, as same as Diego and Andrea are searching for the luxury look and unrivalled quality of shoemaking.
It could also be mentioned that these shoes stand for the Italian lifestyle. Only by looking at Tod's loafers or moccasins, it evokes the vision of being in Italy, feeling sea wind, salt in the air, drinking Chianti Classico in a linen shirt near the beach and living in a slower, more delightful way.
If you say that whoever is wearing moccasins is for some reason looking more relaxed, calm with a certain dose of carefreeness, it is twice the truth here.
If we aim our history lesson precisely to their well-known masterpiece, Gommino driving shoes or mocassins if you want, took its name from a 133 rubber point on the sole. Gomma means rubber in Italian, therefore Gommino. They are a combination of the relaxed style seen in New York and elegant European style. Diego Della Valle aimed to create both in one shoe.
Shoes itself are made of buttery soft suede leather. However, you may opt for a classic leather if you prefer plain leather over suede. I find suede summer shoes excellent looking, and they can also go through the rain without any stains.
Most of my summer shoes, respectively mocassins or loafers, are made of suede. However, given the fact that Gommino shoes have most of the sole also made of suede as the rest of the shoe, I'd rather try to avoid any wet surface if possible.
More to say about design, there is hand stitching and two heat-stamped monograms. One is a little "T" on the upper part, and one is complete "Tod's" stamp on the sole. You can also notice metal eyelets, full leather interior and great effort devoted to details.
The feel of the shoes is as you were wearing slippers in your home. My recommendation is to go in with your bare feet to enjoy its exceptional soft finish on your own skin.
And as for possible outfit combination, I think it may handle almost every outfit combination. Of course, if you chose some light linen suit, you will look somewhat Italian than British.
Except for this combination, mocassins are particularly good with shorts, and if you add a t-shirt, polo t-shirt or shirt to them matters not much. Do not tuck it in to dress with extra flair.
Lately, I've been reading somewhere, that polo t-shirt should be worn buttoned up to the neck but not tucked in except you are a golfer as on the course, you should wear tucked in shorts or trousers. While I disagree on the first point for sure, I am a golfer, and I tend to tuck in everything. I guess I finally discovered my excuse as you can rarely see me with some shirt or t-shirt that is not tucked in.
Nevertheless, they go well also with more layers, combine with smart pleated shorts, linen or soft cotton shirt and jacket with a carelessly arranged pocket square to create an exquisite nonchalant look.
If the temperature goes down in the late evening, add knitwear over a shirt and under the jacket, and you will see how great this will work.
Italian casual nature and style are unforgettably connected with driving shoes. (Maybe because it was so good to use them to drive those old Ferrari models.) And I like to see them in town instead of flip-flops which belongs to beach adventures and not to the city centre. Even espadrilles are a better alternative to flip-flops, by the way.
Yours sincerely,
Denis
