How many men are willing to admit they wore platform shoes in the 70’s?
Driving Moccasins – a chip off the old block
Driving mocs, driving shoes or drivers, are updated interpretations of the original moccasins worn by Native Indian tribes of North America.
The history of moccasins show there were two primary variations – a hard sole worn by plains Indians featuring layers of bison leather to protect the wearer from the harsh conditions of the desert and prairie, and the soft sole consisting of one layer of tanned leather and worn mostly by the eastern tribes as the soft, needle covered forests did not require as much protection to the wearer. Moccasins became popular with the early settlers and eventually found there way to Europe where they became a casual fashion item.
In recent years there has been a resurgence of popularity of moccasins in the form of driving mocs. These casual shoes are hand sewn in the manner of traditional Indian moccasins but have knobby rubber soles that provide protection and traction and prevent the leather from wearing off the heel as the driver braces the heel of the shoe on the floor board of the car to accelerate or change gears. The original “driving moccasin” was developed by the Drive Car company of Italy in 1906 and became instantly popular with race car drivers and sports car enthusiasts. They have since become a very popular shoe – particularly in the summer – many worn without socks – and come in a variety of colors and hides. The David Spencer drivers are made of tanned leather and feature different design elements. The Buffalo Jackson driver is unique in that the leather is genuine bison from the North American plains.
The David Spencer and Buffalo Jackson drivers are hand-sewn on the last. The uppers are soaked in water and positioned on the last. The plug and vamp are hand- sewn together while sill wet. The shoe is dried and in the process the leather fibers retain the permanent shape of the last. Stitches on the moccasin are pulled tightly for the detailing.
Forever Preppy – A History of the Saddle Oxford
The History of the Saddle Oxford.
As best we can determine, the “saddle oxford” or “saddle shoe” was first introduced by the Spalding Company in 1906. The original version was used for women’s gym classes. 
It had soft white leather and a black leather mid panel (shaped somewhat like a horse’s saddle). It also had a matching black leather stripe that ran down the back of the shoe. The originals were made with white leather soles. The contrasting saddle itself was decorative and sporty but also was engineered to provide support for the arch and instep. Soon the shoe was being built with a red rubber sole for greater cushion and comfort and being used for a variety of sports and activities such as cheerleading, tennis and golf. When the Lindy Hop/Jitterbug craze came into popularity it became the shoe of choice for dancers and soon crossed over to the boys and worn with chino’s, denim and dress clothing.
Modern versions can be hard to find but with some searching can come in every possible material and color combination and might again become the shoe of choice for the well-dressed “preppy”
Final Clearance Sale Today
FINAL CLEARANCE SALE TODAY
Save $100 and more during our clearance sale of mens and ladies loafers, driving moccasins and oxfords.
Reg. $145 – $160
MENS $59.00
LADIES $49.00
What do we mean when we say “hand-sewn”?
Our casual loafers are all Genuine Hand-sewn “on the last.” The uppers are soaked in water and positioned on the last. The plug and vamp are hand- sewn together while sill wet. The shoe is dried and in the process the leather fibers retain the permanent shape of the last. Stitches on the moccasin are pulled tightly for the detailing.
This is the same process used by most top-tier hand-sewn brands….and you can enjoy your David Spencer Casuals with the knowledge your shoes will serve you well for years and be a great value.
Because they have a full rubber sole I consider the Verona and Milano street shoes. They have an updated last with a lower profile and a low profile sole. It is not flat like most drivers are. There is an inside wedge that functions the same way an outside heel does. This means they provide all day comfort while flat drivers do not.
Flat shoes like most drivers and sneakers like Converse are just not that comfortable. Feet get tired and uncomfortable wearing them. We get regular comments our Bit (Key West is the same) is the most comfortable shoe they own. People seek it out for that reason alone
While we have several drivers ours are different. Look at the Bit and Key West. They have a small heel. Inside there is an added layer of foam from the instep back to the heel. The combination results in comfort. Consumers appreciate this. I really think the consumer thinks of the Bit and Key West as a casual life style street shoe for daily wear not a driver
it’s more than a shoe shine……
Shoe care tips from David Spencer Casual Footwear
Over the long run your shoes will look better and wear better if they are treated with natural compounds. If you want your shoes to maintain natural leather appearance it is best to use a clear cream or neutral polish. One shoe cream we like is DYO leather balm. We have used it over the years and find that it’s natural waxes are best to preserve the original look of the leather. If you need to touch up a scratch then try to match the color of the leather with the shoe cream you select. Here’s a shoe cream rather than a shoe wax. Do not use one of those sponge daubers that apply a high shine. They contain silicones. Once applied you cannot apply other polishes or preservatives because They cannot be absorbed.
Compounds with silicones Are commonly used to make shoes waterproof. They do have a downside. They penetrate the leather, fill up the pores in the leather and make it less breathable. They are rather permanent and make future applications of waxes and creams not effective because the leather cannot absorb them. The best way to waterproof chooses to use natural waxes. A good brand of natural shoe products is Nikwax. The ingredients are natural. they have a cleaning compound, Nubuck suede waterproofing and fabric and leather waterproofing products.
A good way to clean nubuck, suede and sometimes fabric is to use the ultra fine sanding blocks that you can find in hardware stores. These are great for taking black smudges off of your white or light colored nubuck shoes.
Keep checking with us to learn about new products we have evaluated. Let us have your ideas on products and techniques that you like.
by Claude Trotter
David Spencer Casual Footwear 