The Ne Plus Ultra - Fuzzy Leopard Belgians
Alan Flusser, dressed as himself, wearing the fuzzies.
This is my second time waxing poetic about Belgian Shoes, and believe me, it’s well-deserved. For a deeper dive into these unique shoes and my journey with them, check out my previous post HERE.
To the untrained eye, Belgian Shoes might seem quaint, and almost bizarrely old fashioned. But to those in the know, these shoes are timeless, adored by a diverse group of aficionados, from Upper East Side old money, to blowhard #menswear fanatics alike.
As the wise Yoda once said, ‘Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.’ This rings true for Belgian Shoes. Once you step into this world, there’s no turning back.
Making Good Choices
The conventional wisdom around a foray into Belgian Shoes is to start with something versatile, like a pair in dark brown or black. My own path, however has been far less conventional and I would never take my own advice anyway, (although YOU should). While a practical mens wardrobe might be anchored with essentials like a navy blazer and grey trousers, my eclectic collection tells a different story. But of all the subtle Belgian Shoes I’ve acquired, there’s one pair that’s always stood out – THE FUZZIES.
Here they are: The Belgian Mr. Casuals in Fuzzy Leopard.
Colloquially known as the “Fuzzy Leopards”, these Belgians, with their bold animal print on-hair calf skin (not pony hair as they are sometimes erroneously referenced) have been a long-time fascination of mine. The obsession began long ago on a trip to New York during my college years in the early 2000’s. The Fuzzies, with their unique design, reminiscent of cheetah fur, was a true standout. Love at first site.
The Belgian Shoes boutique in Manhattan is a haven for shoe lovers. With no online store or third-party retailers, it’s the only place where you can explore their extensive range. They offer various skins, suedes, and even modern fabrics. Yet, finding my size has always been a challenge.
With feet that are wide, tall, and flat – an anthropologically oriental trait that I’ve come to embrace – my particular Belgian size, though often stocked, was not always available. My particular foot shape often makes me wonder how much larger my shoe collection might have been otherwise.
“Do you have the Fuzzy Leopards in my size?” I’d frequently ask, only to be met with a curt ‘NO.’
Early on, the Fuzzy Leopards were a special-order rarity. And even after they were “somewhat” regularly stocked, they would never have my size. But then, on one lucky visit several years into my Belgian journey, without even asking the salesperson presented them to me like Cinderella’s glass slipper.
Perhaps obtaining these shoes was a reward for my Belgian Shoes loyalty, akin to being offered a coveted Birkin bag at an Hermes store. Or maybe it was just serendipity. Whatever stars had aligned, it seems that on this particular day, “the wand choose the wizard:”.
So that is how I got them. They were my fourth pair of Belgian shoes, in a collection that now is well into double digits. Shut up.
- M