favourites #1: the best pair of shoes

Welcome to clipboard, a weekly newsletter by Reilly Hodson about clothes, culture and Tāmaki Makaurau. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter and listen to soundboard, the soundtrack to clipboard, on Apple Music.

my favourite shoes

As regular readers of this newsletter will have gathered by now, my approach to purchasing new things involves a ton of research, searching for items which are functional, cool and good value for money. This issue marks the beginning of my favourites series, where I tell you about my favourite things in a number of categories. I’ve always loved favourites YouTube videos, like Lizzy Hadfield’s Testing Basics series, and this is my version (in writing, because I’m no good at filming myself). In the coming weeks we’ll explore my favourite candles, blank t-shirts and socks, and I’m going to start with shoes.

These are my Dr Martens 1460 Mono derbies. Essentially, they’re low-cut Docs without the yellow stitching and a slightly different shaped toe. They are the best shoe I own, hands down. Putting on a pair of these elevates any look, to make one seem that little bit more put together. They aren’t a secret, but I honestly believe that everyone should have a pair of these shoes, and you can, because they’re relatively easy to find, and they last for ages.

New York media elite type and professional good-taste-haver Chris Black describes them as a great alternative to their more expensive Prada lookalikes, and I sort of agree, but I think what is most important is that these are a good looking shoe which can be paired with any number of looks and still be brilliant. I’ve worn mine with jeans, shorts, work pants, and even a suit, and they look great every time. The key with these shoes is that they ride the thin line between the very “youth culture” look of Docs and grown up footwear, without being too much on either side to be too corny or fussy. They might not be the most comfortable shoe, but they’re worth, in my opinion, a couple of weeks of blisters for looking that good.

If you already have a pair, I’d love to see the way you wear them, send me a pic on Instagram, and if you don’t, support local and pick them up from Pat Menzies or Area 51.

clips

• Wellington leatherwear brand Yu Mei just launched Club Yu Mei, which is half influencer marketing campaign (I love the hat), half brand blog, and I have to say, the content is Good. This interview with Benee might be the first one I’ve read that I felt like I actually learned something from. Their handbags are also very lovely, though wildly expensive.

• The Cut’s new podcast hosted by Avery Trufelman is excellent, and last week’s episode on sexting is a must listen for any single people or long distance relationship havers, men in particular. It’s a great listen even if, like me, you’re not really a participant in the subject matter, and speaks to deeper questions about the ways people of different genders are taught to perceive sex and sexiness.

• This piece interviewing the candidates for the Auckland Central electorate about their shopping habits is extremely interesting stuff. While clipboard is decisively Chlöe-hive, I don’t advocate choosing your vote based on who has the best taste in shops and dining. That said, Emma Mellow’s coffee order being a decaf long black is an extremely suspect fact.

• Shannon Matthew Vanya has released his debut EP, which is self-titled. It is a very good listen, extremely vibey stuff with a unique vocal and great production.

• The new media company Renaissance is not limited to New Zealand. Writers formerly of Deadspin, a great sports-and-other-stuff website which was ruined by bad corporate ownership, have started Defector, which you should read if you’re interested in sports or smart people talking about culture.

• Phoebe Bridgers’ Oval Office themed Tiny Desk Concert is brilliant, though potentially ruined (or vastly improved) by a bunch of fan submitted screams at the end.

• Sohla El-Waylly was one of the figureheads of the blow up at Bon Appetit’s video outlet, so I’m very happy to see her back on YouTube being (presumably) properly compensated for her brilliant kitchen and food insights, this time about the dishes that define her life.

• An actually Good Read about slow fashion from excellent menswear blog Die Workwear.

• clipboard reader Isaac recommended I listen to the new instrumental version of Kaytranada’s BUBBA, I did and I really enjoyed it. Great background music for getting real work done.

• The brilliant team behind La Peche, Bar Celeste and Star Superette have started 6 Bottles, a monthly wine subscription that gives you 6 bottles (duh) of excellent natural wine to drink at home. A must for the wine snobs among us, and probably a brilliant gift for the snob in your life.

• Rose Matafeo’s brilliant special ‘Horndog’ is available on Neon now. I saw this show twice live and can attest that it is every bit as brilliant as people have said, and I can’t wait to see the filmed version.

That’s all for this week, a slightly shorter one this time around because this week got away from me a little bit, back to normal programming next week. As always, you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you want to hear from me more often, and email me tips, thoughts or anything you want. If you enjoy clipboard, share it with your closest, coolest friends. I’ll see you next week.