Solatio Boxtops
On a bit of trip down memory lane, I started thinking about the shoes of my youth – and the cool shoes – that I was a bit too young to afford – and had gone right out of fashion by the time I could – were called Solatio Boxtops. In my head these were very much an early 70's shoe… more Suedehead than Skinhead proper – although not confined to suedes, and worn by many a Herbert bovverboy of the day. Probably with a 'wider trouser' (ie big fuck-off flares), implausibly large turnups and a brightly coloured – or white towelling – sock.
I thought I'd have a quick Google and see if anybody else remembered them – or if – and I doubted this – there may be some old deadstock for sale on eBay or somewhere. Much to my suprise, I found out Solatio still exist – or at some point have been reborn – at https://solatio.co.uk/
Now, I may be late to the party here… and everyone may be rolling their eyes going "of course they do – we've ALL been wearing them" – but I don't ever recall seeing them mentioned on this forum. The ones I remember – the Boxtops – are still in production – and as magnificently ugly, while the at the same time as cool as fuck – as I remember them. I also remember the 'crossover' style – a super 70s looking shoe, but never associated them with the Solatio brand. Again, very cool in a "if you've got the balls to carry it off properly" kind of way. They do a very nice brogue too – a lot of brogues are very nice, but just don't look 'skinhead'. These are as skinhead as fuck.
So, a nice (imho) addition to the skinhead footwear options, when you want to wear something smarter than boots, and a bit different to loafers. Nice to see they're still around, and clearly have a market somewhere (I'm guessing the Northern Soul scene is a big part of it).
Thoughts? Would you buy them? Would you wear them?