Paul Newman is known for starring in cinematic blockbusters Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid And color of moneyBut these days he is equally remembered as a man who helped define classic American style. Thus, photos of Newman looking effortlessly cool in everything from racing jumpsuits to tuxes to sweats have been moodboard staples for decades, helping shape countless wardrobes and the aesthetics of beloved menswear brands from Ralph Lauren to Buck Mason. And that’s to say nothing of his status as the most important watch influencer of all time. For anyone looking for an authentic taste of Newman’s style that doesn’t cost $17 million, however, Vogel’s new Paul Newman Roper Boot can be yours for a comparatively reasonable $2,500.
Introduced this week, the Riding Boot is a limited-edition silhouette modeled after the shoes the brand created for Newman in the 1980s and handmade in the United States. A relative of the cowboy boot and engineer boot, the romper’s durability, simplicity, and versatility earned it a place as part of Newman’s regular uniform. Thus, Vogel’s Paul Newman Roper Boot offers a great complement to a Canadian tuxedo or navy deck jacket, not to mention an irrefutable connection to Newman’s classic American style heritage.
Courtesy of Vogel
For those unfamiliar with the legendary bootmaker, Vogel was founded in New York City in 1879 by German-trained shoemaker Aegidius Vogel. From his atelier on Wall Street, Vogel became famous for his riding boots, a reputation that continues nearly 150 years later. These days, Vogel maintains the distinction of being one of America’s oldest footwear brands, but more importantly, it is one of the few remaining shoemakers that does things the old-fashioned way, making each pair from a custom last, and creating the patterns, making the lasts, welding, sewing, finishing, and polishing them by hand.
“Vogel is committed to something that is becoming increasingly rare: the preservation of American craftsmanship,” explains Craig Arthur von Schroeder, Vogel’s creative director. “Our philosophy values innovation, artistry and human skill. Customers are not simply buying shoes; they are participating in the continuity of a living craft tradition that has been in existence since 1879.”
Courtesy of Vogel
Courtesy of Vogel
