Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.  Yesterday I glorified that Italian man in Florence for his stellar ensemble complete with the Weejun loafers.   I claimed that kids across the country would soon be raiding granddad’s closet like a masked Jesse James to get their hands on some original Bass pennies… and this morning I learn about this:

Mark McNairy collaborates with Bass

American fashion designer Mark McNairy who’s most well known for his creative direction at the traditional blue blood clothing company J. Press, has teamed up with Bass on this line of Weejun loafers.  J. Press is the quintessential east coast brand and has been dressing presidents, businessmen, and socialites since Teddy Roosevelt was carrying his big stick.  Founded in 1902, the J. Press style has come to be termed “Ivy League” and it caters to the waspy and proud, deliberately keeping its stuffy shop locations in  New Haven; Cambridge, Mass.; New York; and Washington.

The J.Press Look

Characterized by staples like plaid blazers and fluffy cream v-neck sweaters, the fits, fabrics, and suggested tailoring (an almost demanded 1 3/4″ break in the pant leg hem) have stayed virtually unchanged since the early days.  However, Mark’s design perspective for the J.Press line has taken the brand out of the way-too-stuffy category and placed it in the acceptable and kitschy area.  So, it’s no surprise that he was approached by Bass to put together this new line of Weejun loafers just as the craze is about to tip [says me].  The collection, due out in Fall 2010, includes the classic tassled styles and alligator (which could hurt at $3675), but it also shows some serious flair and departure for the normally subdued McNairy.  A lack of adherence to Ivy League guidelines agrees with him as he drops styles in royal blue suede with oversized white leather tassles… and classic construction pieces made out of a uneven toned,  stamped leather.

Royal Suede and Stamped Leather

While I still think this trend is about to tip along more standard, classic style lines (for both men and women by the way), a glimpse at this collaboration shows me where Weejuns will go in the next few years.  We will undoubtedly see a crossover and expansion in colors, materials, and structure, much like the Sperry top-siders development… and I can assure you that grandpa doesn’t have those kinds of shoes stashed away in his closet.