Hey, everyone! Mike here with your annual holiday helper gift guide. With our current assortment, Whiskers has just the right gift for everyone on your list. The best thing about buying somebody a little spool full of colorful laces is that it's typically totally unexpected. They're gifts that will surprise and delight. Every year, without fail, we get emails about how the husband/wife/son/brother/mom who is SO hard to shop for loves their new laces. So without further ado, on to our guide, and getting you that perfect unexpected gift. Here's to everyone winning at gift-giving this holiday season!
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I love the holidays. I love getting presents – who doesn’t – but I love to give presents. I learned all about gift giving from my mom. She is one of the best give givers ever (no offense to your moms out there). She really listens throughout the year to what you need and want. Like a CIA Operative, she gleans information to buy thoughtful gifts. It’s an amazing skill. Some of you may freeze up when it comes to gift giving, so I am here to help with the skills I learned from my gift-giving-extraordinaire mom. Let's get started!
The Hubby
Speaking from decades of experience, guys are simple. In terms of fashion, most guys love to be shown what to wear. Getting him shoelaces is the perfect detail that adds a little flair without it being too much – and we have plenty of options. There are three laces I would recommend, based on what he wears most regularly. If he wears dress shoes to work, I would look at the Garnet/Gold/Black Braided Dress Lace. You can also pair this up with the Garnet/Black/Gold Striped Sock for a winning combo. If sneakers are more his thing, check out the Navy/Light Blue Flat Ticked Sneaker Lace with the Solid Navy Sock. If he's a boot guy, there is a great Red & Black Boot Lace that looks amazing in all boots. You can also look at color combinations of his favorite college or pro teams here.
Happy Wife, Happy Life
For the married folk out there, this is hands down the most important person this holiday season. She does so much and she will see a pair of laces as a thoughtful, creative gift. If you don’t know her favorite color, you should (and can figure out without asking). Go into her closet and see what colors are most popular – try to think what colors she wears the most often. For the laces, I would focus on her sneakers. She probably has a pair of running shoes or a white leather sneaker. For the running shoes, you could have some fun with the Neon Pink & Red Flat Ticked or the Lavender & Electric Green Flat Ticked. 45 inches is length you want for both of these sneaker styles. For a white leather sneaker, look at the All Pro Laces. These are tried and true athletic laces that comes in 41 colors. A couple of my favorites for the wife would be the Pink/Light Blue Flat Tick, Purple All-Pro, and the Turquoise All Pro. Again, the 45” length should treat you just right.
The Young Buck
If one of your challenges is a boy in the middle school to college age group, we have you covered. Its all about sneakers, sneakers, sneakers right now. First step would be to look at his school colors or favorite sports team colors. For instance, if you have a Chicago Bulls fan get him the Red/Black Ticked Lace with a pair of our Solid White Socks. You can never go wrong with the All Pro laces in a basic solid like the Royal Blue All Pro or Navy All Pro. The biggest intelligence you need is to find out their favorite sports team and and take it from there. The guys love white crew socks so our solid white socks will pair with any lace color and makes it a great combo.
#YoungBoss
If you have a middle school to college aged girl-stylish person on your list, we've got you covered. Chances are, they're wearing a pair of Nike Air Force 1s or Nike Blazers in solid white. This is great for you, because those are the perfect shoes for a pair of laces. Muted solids have been on trend for this demographic, so you can’t go wrong with the Tangerine All Pro, the Mint Green All Pro, and the Lavender All Pro.
The Pickle Pro
Pickle Ball is on an insane growth trend right now, so this is a great gift for those who are living on the pickle ball court or just picking up the game. We like to be loud and proud here so we would look at the Solid Neon Green Athletic Sneaker, Solid Orange Athletic Sneaker or the Solid Red Athletic Sneaker Laces. Check out our entire Pickleball Collection here.
The Golfer
PGA Tour professionals and caddies, and amateur golfers all over the country are discovering Whiskers and how they can add that next level detail to their golf outfits. For the male golfer, the easiest would be to get the Light Blue & Black Flat Ticked or the Red & Black Flat Ticked Laces. For the female golfer, a usual safe bet is the Pink & Light Blue Flat Ticked or the Lavender & Electric Green Ticked Laces, but as always, feel free to have fun with it! You know the person you're shopping for, so trust your gut and have some fun. You can always get a couple of pairs to have a "safe bet" pair in the mix as well.
Subscriptions
Don’t forget about our all-new Subscription Bundles! You can now have seasonally hand-curated matching socks and laces delivered to your door as often as you need them. Pick your style from Dress, Sneaker, and Golf, and stay in style all year long with our freshest and easiest bundles yet!
I hope this helps you navigate your gift giving adventure! From the entire team here at Whiskers (and my mom), we wish you and yours a wonderful and happy holiday season.
Mike Gossett,
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Whiskers Laces
]]>Oh, the “Spring Forward” part of daylight savings time. Some people love it, but I am NOT one of them. That one hour just wrecks me for a few days after the change. But what I do love is that the spring season is just around the corner. Living in Colorado, this has been a cold and snowy winter for me, and I am looking forward to the warmer weather and the style changes that I can incorporate into my wardrobe.
There is a nice subtle wave happening in fashion right now that feels exciting. We have been on the “athleisure” train for a while now where clothes became really comfortable and relaxed, giving sweatpants their time in the spotlight during the bold new work-from-home era. Thankfully, sweats aren’t going away, but there is a new style wave rolling in, which I’ll call “Casual Dress” for our purposes.
Brands and people everywhere want to look nice and dress up again, but don’t want to sacrifice comfort or take on the outdated styles that have plagued formal wear for decades. Chinos have always been in style, but now they’re becoming baggier, yet tailored. Comfort with an evolved and modern style. I am really digging what the Alex Mill brand is doing right now. Their styles feel fresh but familiar – evolving in just the right way.
So what about the laces? I am still a big proponent of the “devil is in the details” way of thinking: the belt, the watch, and most importantly, the shoelaces. The lace is the last detail to really personalize your outfit and make a subtle statement. Matching your laces to your shirt or making them a small pop of accent color can really be the icing on the cake for the perfectly unique and “you” outfit. Throw a pair of Navy & White Striped Dress Laces in a pair of blue Oxfords to match. Lace up a pair of Purple & White Ticked Dress Laces to pop against the neutrals in an outfit heavy in black and gray. Throw a pair of Olive Green All Pro Laces in a pair of white leather sneakers.
Spring your style forward this Spring Forward and shake up how you approach your daily style. It’s a new season of life, embrace the vibrancy! Embrace the change! That’s what I’ve been telling myself in the mirror since this time change, anyways…
Lace on,
Mike Gossett,
Co-founder, Chief Product Officer
Whiskers Laces
]]>Garnet, AKA burgundy, is a nice mix between red and purple. Garnet is often associated with power and fame, taking on a more sophisticated look. Think “I’m Ron Burgundy?”, and channel your inner leather-bound book-owning, mahogany-smelling, “kind of a big deal” attitude with some garnet in your wardrobe. One step up from Tiger Wood’s iconic red, garnet is the shade of red that dominates all others. If you’re looking to totally own the day, lace up some garnet and step into the day with some confidence.
Another great aspect of the garnet color is its sheer versatility of it, and the ability to work it into almost any outfit. Because of its darker tone, garnet goes well with a multitude of colors, especially earth tones and mid tones. From your basic blues to khaki and olive green, garnet can work its way into any color scheme. It looks just as good in a pair of oxfords as it does in your favorite boots, and to give it an extra pop of color, toss this color in a pair of white or gray sneakers and behold the power of garnet.
Check out some of our favorite ways to utilize garnet in your wardrobe below, and shop our Color Of The Month Collection here!
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As we exit our caves and re-enter the new and improved workplace, it’s time we re-invent what exactly business casual looks like. And you guessed it – it involves shoelaces. So buckle up, we’ve got your back on dressing up for work while wearing your favorite sneakers – because we are NOT sacrificing the comfort we’ve achieved in the past couple of years.
Here’s the gist of it: you should still look great while maintaining a solid level of your favorite style. If you’re a daily dress shoe-loving person, go for it! More power to you. But even more now than ever, you can still dress for success and be comfortable and casual. For those looking to dress up their sneakers in the workplace, what follows is a quick and easy guide to re-inventing business casual.
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A nice leather sneaker now qualifies as business casual, and we couldn’t be happier about it. So when it comes to leather sneakers in the workplace, here’s one simple rule: don’t overcomplicate it. The simpler the better. There are 3 core sneakers you could go for, depending on your work environment and preference. Here they are with my brand/style choices:
White Leather Sneaker: Adidas Stan Smith, Veja V10, On The Roger
Black Leather Sneaker: Cole Haan, Thursday Boot Co., Olukai
Brown Leather Sneaker: Cole Haan, Thursday Boot Co., Olukai, Greats
You’ll notice I listed a few of the brands more than once, and that’s because they make some great styles in multiple colors. Give ‘em a browse and find your favorites to match your style!
All three of the colors above look great with denim or chinos. Pick your denim and chino colors to either nicely contrast the shoes or match them perfectly, and nothing in between. You never want color shades that are just a bit off of one another with your shoes and pants.
Now the fun begins, as you customize and add a pop of color with Whiskers Laces. With our assortment of laces you can keep them as simple details or dial them up with a pop of fun color. It’s all based on where you work, your personality, and what outfits you like to wear. We love how a simple Navy lace can elevate a sneaker or how adding a Tangerine lace gives that punch of color. No wrong choices!
Here are some simple basics that go with multiple outfits, but give that perfect amount of detail:
Here we have the Veja V10 with the Charcoal All Pros, and the Navy/Light Blue Flat Ticked Laces. Both of these colors are clean and simple but add a great bit of detail. They also go with almost everything, so you can plug and play here. I love putting two basic colors together like white and charcoal and seeing how well they elevate each other. So cool.
In the black Great Sneakers we have the Garnet All Pros and the Light Blue/ Black Flat Ticked Laces. Again, both are clean and simple but go with a variety of outfits. The Garnet is rich and stylish, while the light blue adds a very wearable pop of color.
The Dark Brown Cole Haan looks amazing in the Hunter Green All Pros and the Garnet/Light Blue Flat Ticked Laces. I really love the Hunter Green in these shoes. Hunter Green is one of the hottest colors this year, and we’re seeing it everywhere. The Garnet/Light Blue gives the Cole Haans a subtle yet powerful upgrade, and will goe with just about any outfit.
If you are open to making a statement and having some fun, we have a TON of options. I love how the Tangerine All Pros turn the Vejas into a summer shoe. Pair this with a floral print or a white t-shirt and you’re livin’.
The Electric Green Lace in the black Greats is one of my favorites. The punch of color is fun and bright but still very stylish. Greens of any kind are in a resurgence this year, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone here.
“You’re my boy, Blue!!!” Yes, that’s two Will Ferrell references in one blog. I’d say I’m sorry but I’d be lying. For guys rocking these shoes, you literally can never go wrong with blue. Every guy has blue in their wardrobe and it just works. These Neon Blue All Pros give a great color pop and look great while they do it.
I’m going to stop myself here for your sake because I could do this for hours. I might have a problem. But here’s one more thought for the adventurous. Our 48” round Boot Laces also fit in your favorite sneakers. So if you’re up for some experimenting, I highly recommend trying some of these laces in your sneakers (or golf shoes). As you can see, the variety of colors here really goes a long way in any pair of leather sneakers. Find what brings out your personal style and let ‘er rip.
I hope this helps you re-navigate the workplace environment in style and changes your business casual game altogether. Keep it simple and don’t be afraid to try some new colors. We have options to keep your outfits on point all year long. Lace on!
Mike Gossett
Co-founder & Chief Product Officer
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We all have our favorite colors in our closet rotation. For me (and a TON of others), it’s blue. But to keep your style fresh and unique, it’s important to push yourself every now and then; to try new colors, find new ways to match different pieces in your closet and stay with the seasons. I know this can seem a bit daunting, but fear not – I’m here to help.
Basically, all consumer goods companies (think clothing for our purposes) use a few reliable forecasting companies that predict what the next trending colors will look like, spanning a couple of years in advance. That’s why every year when you hit multiple stores, you see almost everything in the same few colors, from furniture to clothes, and even cars. Based on the “must-have” colors for Fall 2022, I’ve curated our September Color Of The Month, which should help you on your way to perfect outfits this fall.
This September’s Color Of The Month is (drumroll please…) Dark Green! The color green represents rebirth and renewal, which let’s be honest, after the past couple of years, I’m sure we can all appreciate. The trending greens right now are deep, dark spruce tones like Olive Green, Hunter Green, Sage Green, and Army Green. I can all but guarantee that you’ll be seeing lots of these colors from your favorite clothing brands in the coming months. I would recommend adding some dark green pieces to your closet, from anything like t-shirts to pants and jackets. Dark green laces are a perfect way to mix it up and compliment these pieces. Even if you want to add in more traditional colors like dark oranges, yellows, dark reds, and khaki, dark green laces are an excellent accent piece when used right. These greens are going to be really hot this year, and are versatile enough to mix into your entire wardrobe.
So here’s your non-mandatory style challenge this fall: try these greens in your outfits and footwear. Send us some pics of how you’re rocking them and maybe someone will get a special shoelace surprise from us :).
Check out some of our favorite Dark Green Lace styles below!
Lace on,
Mike Gossett
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Whiskers Laces
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Launched in 1949, Clark’s modeled their Desert Boot after the boots worn by the British Army in their desert campaign of WW2. It was unique, distinct, and comfortable, with a soft crepe rubber outsole and an unstructured upper made of suede or calfskin. Each wearer’s feet would shape the boot as it was worn.
The Chukka was permanently entrenched in modern-day cool when Steve McQueen wore a pair of the Sanders “Playboy” Chukka in Bullitt and the Thomas Crown Affair movies. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the Chukka is still as hot as it ever was, and works great with a huge variety of styles. You can dress your chukkas up and down. They work just as well with a t-shirt and a pair of jeans as they do with dress pants and a button-down. Their minimal nature doesn’t feel overwhelming in any environment, and although you can rock them in the summer, they are absolutely perfect for the transition into fall and winter. Check out some of my favorite ways to style them with Whiskers below!
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Here we have the Hush Puppies Chukka Boot paired with Whiskers 29” Boot laces. I just love how the laces pop against the green suede. The lace takes this classic boot to the next level.
The next boot came from a new source for me. It’s The Chill Chukka from Johnnie-O. The athletic DNA of this chukka provides a fresh take on an old classic. Add in the Whiskers laces and you have a lethal combination at work or on date night.
Now is a great time to invest in a pair of Chukkas. They are a great addition to your closet, and you will find them to be versatile boots that you can (and will) wear all year round.
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One of the biggest “Aha!” moments of starting this little shoelace company was when I discovered how new a new pair of laces gave my old shoes new life. By swapping out the shoelaces I suddenly had a “new” shoe. It was still the same shoe I loved, but that little pop of color gave it new life. A little magic in those new laces gave my shoes a new look and feel – almost that same feeling I had when I bought them. I then started swapping out the laces based on my total outfit. I matched them to my shirt, or if I was wearing neutrals, I went for a fun extra pop of color. I stopped looking for new shoes and began to enjoy all of the shoes I already had in my closet, exploring every possibility my new laces created with those shoes.
When we look at our planet and how we can treat her better, one of the big factors that drives waste is consumerism. The argument is out there that we are just buying way too much stuff. Sometimes we buy a new pair of shoes just because we are bored, or because we need to freshen up our wardrobe. So instead of buying more shoes, buy some laces. A fresh new pair of colorful shoelaces will bring new energy and look to any shoe in your closet.
It’s a chance to customize your outfit a little more. It's a chance to keep your current herd of shoes in rotation for a while longer. Have a power meeting for work? Wear your Black/White braided laces in your oxfords. The Avalanche are on their way to winning the Stanley Cup? Wear the Garnet/Light Blue flat tick in your sneakers. It takes a minute or two to swap out your laces, but they really do change the look of any shoes and how they can add to your outfit.
More importantly, the environmental impact of a new pair of shoelaces (Whiskers in particular) is significantly less than a new pair of shoes – and that significance is important. If you’re someone who intentionally shops sustainably, those are the decisions that matter. Now I’m not saying to stop buying shoes. But with a collection of laces, you can lessen the frequency of buying shoes and get more life out of your current shoes. It's a small act that benefits both the planet and your style. Plus, Whiskers Laces are sustainably made of recycled materials right here in the USA. Let’s lace up and cut back on waste at the same time, Whiskers Fam!
Learn more about shopping sustainably and our sustainability practices here.
Lace On,
Mike Gossett
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Whiskers Laces
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As I stated, the genesis behind Whiskers Laces was solving the problem of cheap laces in shoes that deserve better – shoes we spend good money on, only for their stock laces to fail us, leaving us searching for a better (or even equal) replacement pair. Far too often, shoelaces are made of just cotton. Cotton is tough in a shoelace because it lacks durability, and pure cotton weaves will always loosen eventually, allowing the laces to puff out in areas or fray completely. All of our laces are created using recycled plastic polyester and nylon, with a weave created in the manufacturing process that stays tight and won’t fray easily. Our factory in North Carolina has been manufacturing shoelaces since the early 1900’s, using the same machinery we use today. These machines are the top of the line, and their stellar workforce is dedicated to producing high-quality, American-made products. They have a ton of pride in their factory in their small town, and it shows in every shoelace they make.
Our next major objective with Whiskers Laces was to bring color and FUN to the constantly overlooked and underappreciated shoelace. As you peruse our site, you’ll see we have a color and pattern for just about everyone – and we’re just getting started. This was a bit of a riskier move from the start, but we were pleasantly surprised with the traction and love you all showed, and it was clear that the people were ready to embrace the shoelace, finally. Your input and purchases have a real impact on what you see on our site, what products we get rid of, and what new products we have in the pipeline. We pride ourselves on having colors for every occasion, from tan, black or brown laces, to some of our funky, crazy patterned styles. We strive to provide any pair for anyone and any occasion.
From a color standpoint, our most popular styles always have blue in them. So anything blue is a safe and fun place to start. Garnet, purple, and red are always in the mix too. A couple of “rules” for determining your lace colors are pretty simple. You can go with a pairing color, and match the lace with your shirt or top, or an accent on your shoes. Just got a new blue shirt you want to rock in your next outing? Get a nice pair of blue laces. Another option is to use your laces as the accent piece in your outfit. For example, if you wear a black, gray, or white top/shirt with denim or khaki bottoms, you can pop whatever brighter color in your laces for a really nice color pop and finishing detail. At the end of the day, it’s all about your own personal style. We love that any of our laces can be that detail that gives any outfit that polished, finished look. Whenever I see someone looking sharp without a pair of laces to compliment their outfit, I think it’s a miss that they didn't get that level of detail. It truly goes a long way.
“But Mike, you have 200+ laces on your website. Where do I start?” Great question, hypothetical person. A good place to start is on the homepage, where our laces are divided into categories: Dress Laces, Sneaker Laces, Boot Laces, and Golf Laces. We do this so you can focus on a particular solution for the shoe you’re looking to upgrade. None of these categories are concrete, however. You can easily toss our Boot Laces into a pair of sneakers, Dress Laces into golf shoes, etc. We designed each lace to look and perform best in their respective shoe categories, but we encourage everyone to get weird with it. They’re just shoelaces! Let’s have some fun people. Now, let’s dive into some of these categories.
The round shoelace is the primary lace style for dress shoes and has traditionally been the style of choice. Right now, we only have round Dress Laces, but may introduce some cool flat styles in the future. Next, let’s talk patterns. You can always do the tried-and-true criss-cross lacing pattern, but if you want to take it up a notch and show people you know what you’re doing, the Straight Bar lacing pattern is great in almost any dress shoe. See below for a look at this style, and click here if you want to learn this easy style.
For our Athletic Laces, we chose the athletic oval shape for the more active and durable lace. This lace is great for running, hiking, golf, or any other high movement-oriented activity. We love this style of lace for two specific reasons: they stay tied and hold knots better than most, and the oval design provides relief on the top of the foot when tied tightly. This shape disperses pressure on the foot, providing a cushion while staying tied nicely. If you want to get extra crafty with these, here’s a little video showing how to lace your shoes to prevent any kind of heel slippage.
The flat lace in the modern sneaker is an absolute staple. It looks great and performs very well. We love our new collection of All Pro Laces in any pair of stylish sneakers, and we now have 41 colors on the site in this style. From Air Force 1’s and Stan Smiths to a dressier Cole Haan leather sneaker, this lace just looks great. The weave in our All Pros elevates the look and (not to toot my own horn), I love them in all of my shoes. You simply won’t find this quality of lace in any shoe you buy, and is an all-time best lace for your sneakers. *Toot toot*. Also, with our huge color selection, you can have a ton of fun with the lacing patterns in your sneakers. Here's one of our favorites!
If you need help deciding what color or style of lace to get, you can always hit up the AI stylist on our site, Nigel. Nigel will take you through a series of questions to find a solution to your lace-related problems, and recommend the best laces for any shoe. Our new All Pro Laces aren’t currently in Nigel’s database yet, but we’re working on it! There are just so many… But give Nigel a try here!
]]>Last week, I was scrolling the twittersphere when I saw that Nike had brought back a little-known shoe that I’ve always loved. That shoe is the Nike GTS. A new take on a shoe that debuted in 1993, the GTS is an amazing summer shoe that won’t break the bank. The canvas upper is clean and cooler than its leather counterparts with a simple silhouette and understated branding from Nike. I love the tiny swoosh on the quarter panel and heel. Switching from leather to canvas in summer weather is always a great call, and your feet will thank you for it. The White/Navy is a great switch-up from the classic white leather sneaker. Throw your favorite Whiskers Laces in these revamped classics and you’re ready for anything this summer. To get you inspired for this summer’s style, I’ve put together a few looks to get you started. Just like my favorite “Pork 3 Ways” dish at my favorite spot in San Francisco, I give you my chef’s special: The GTS 3 Ways.
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Our Navy/Light Blue Flat Ticked Laces are a safe, clean-looking bet with the GTS. These laces just give the perfect amount of added detail that make the shoes pop without being too obnoxious.
Down to have a little fun with it? Try the Peach/Fuchsia Flat Ticked Laces with a nice tropical print shirt and hit a pool party in style. This one actually surprised me how good it looked… so I wouldn’t be afraid to get a second fun pair like these for the weekends.
Another great, casual, summertime look is the Light Blue & Flat Ticked Laces. The light blue goes well with the navy accents on the shoe and your shoes just scream casual summer with these threads in there.
To be frank (I’m Mike by the way, not Frank), this shoe takes almost any color really well and looks amazing. Pardon the cheesy dad joke – I can’t help it sometimes. Ok but seriously, I highly recommend any of our Flat Ticked Laces in these shoes, but our wide selection of All Pro Laces are a great bet as well. A little added bonus with this shoe is that not many people are familiar with it, making you seem like a fashion guru when someone inevitably asks “Wow, what shoes are those?” when they notice these fresh kicks and the colorful Whiskers Laces in there. The GTS is like Michael Keaton’s character in The Other Guys: he’s not the star of the movie, but MAN is he great. At $65 for their core colors, this shoe is a great buy that will get you through the summer. Their “premium” version also features a comfort insole in light denim with a hint of red. I really love all of their colorways here. With this shoe, you can’t go wrong this summer – any way you want to wear it.
Lace on!
Mike Gossett
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
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As I mentioned in my first style guide, my name is Mike Gossett, Chief Product Officer and Co-founder of Whiskers, and I’ve been in the footwear industry for 25+ years. I keep my ear to the proverbial shoe ground for new styles, trends, and the hottest new shoes on the block. As a man, however, I will admit a bit of bias on my shoe preferences. One of the many benefits of having a wonderful 20 year old daughter is that she keeps this old guy dialed in on what shoes she just HAS to have next. As much as she keeps me dialed in on the womens’ shoe trends, I knew I needed to recruit her for this style guide to really do it right. So with the help of my very stylish daughter Quinn, we put together 5 shoes that will add something extra special to your closet this summer, and some beautiful new kicks to sport your Whiskers Laces in. Click any of the shoe names below to shop them online.
V-10, BY VEJA
This clean white sneaker is a must-have in your closet. They go with everything – especially denim – and look so clean and crisp. These are the perfect fresh upgrade to those old Stan Smiths that need a new shiny white replacement. These are great with shorts or jeans and are perfect for summertime adventures. Veja is a small French brand that is just nailing the clean sneaker look. The V-10 is a court-inspired shoe with real, sustainable, Uruguayan leather. Recycled ingredients are used in both the midsole and the insole for a super environmentally friendly shoe. Here at Whiskers, that is of utmost importance to us, and with our laces in a pair of Vejas, you can feel great about your literal environmental footprint. Shown here with Whiskers 54” Electric Green All Pro® Laces.
237, BY NEW BALANCE
Retro running is trending hard right now, and this is a new take on an old classic. Inspired by the 70’s, this modern take of a classic runner is the pinnacle of New Balance’s women’s shoe offering. Coming to you in a simple nylon and suede upper with an oversized N, the classic wedge midsole, and a rubber herringbone outsole, this classic look makes a powerful statement. When you want to shape it up a little and mix it up from white leather, the 237 has you covered with its wonderful silhouette for the summer. We paired this Gray/Lavender 237 with our Tangerine All Pro® Laces and we absolutely love this combo. So fresh and so fun.
GHOST 14, BY BROOKS
With the “14” denotation after Ghost, you know this isn’t a new one. What you have here is a tried and true running shoe that never disappoints. Where you’re walking, running, or hiking, this shoe is nothing short of amazing. The fit is perfect, the cushioning is remarkable and the feel is superb. The Brooks team in Seattle is leading the pack when it comes to running shoes, so if you need a pair of runners that are just as comfortable in a dead sprint as they are walking around, give the Ghost 14’s a shot. Our Garnet & Light Blue Flat Ticked Sneaker Laces look amazing in the simple gray Ghosts. It is so fun to see what a simple pair of laces can do to a simple shoe.
CLOUDNOVA, BY ON
Another great shoe by the Swedish brand, On. If you need an all-purpose shoe to work out in, walk the dog in, or just to feel awesome in, the Cloudnova is for you. The Cloudtec has amazing underfoot comfort and the upper hugs your foot perfectly. It was love at first sight for me (and Quinn) with these shoes, and with these in your closet, it may be hard for any other shoe to make the rotation. Shown here with an extra pop of color from our Peach & Fuchsia Flat Ticked Sneaker Laces.
BLISSFEEL, BY LULULEMON
By now, I’m sure you’re aware that Lululemon has been rocking the apparel game for years. Their premium design and attention to detail has created a seriously loyal following. It was just a matter of time before they got into the footwear game, and in March of 2022, they did not disappoint with the Blissfeel. It sold out online on its very first day, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, most companies just take a popular men’s shoe and put women’s colors on it. In the shoe industry, we called this the “shrink it and pink it” move, which totally ignores the needs of a woman’s foot. But Lulu did not go this route. They analyzed women’s feet and came up with a lasting design that meets the needs of a woman’s foot. They have obsessed over the details in the performance of every aspect. This debut is certainly something worth checking out. We wanted to keep their wonderful blue feel going so we paired the Light Blue & Black Flat Ticked Sneaker Laces with their Waterdrop colorway. So fresh, so clean.
(Don't worry ladies, Mike's Women's Shoe Style Guide is coming soon.)
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After decades in the footwear industry, I’ve become very picky when it comes to shoes. Not all shoes are made equal, and some trends come and go much quicker than others. I’ve learned to keep an eye out for the real-deal design trends that are here to stay (for a bit at least), and shoes of this sort come from the biggest of brands to the smallest shoe operations out there. With this in mind, I have put together 5 shoes that I think you should look at buying this spring. There are 5 different categories represented here, so if you are looking to totally revamp that closet of yours, I’ve got you covered. Some are from today’s more well-known brands, as well as great new looks from some cool smaller brands with a hold on the market. These shoes look good, feel good, and – most importantly – look even better with a pair of Whiskers in them. Click any of the shoe titles to shop directly for each pair.
White leather shoes are a staple in the modern closet. They can go from work to the weekend with ease. The Roger is the first court shoe from ON and I have to say, they nailed it. Co-created with Roger Federer, this is a clean contemporary shoe that you can wear anywhere. Simple lines, but nice details that separate this shoe from the pack. Using ON’s CloudTec technology for cushioning, this shoe is lightweight and comfortable and made out of vegan leather. They look great with chinos, jeans, or shorts. The color shown here looks fantastic with our Hunter Green Flat 54” Laces. This dark green color is popping up everywhere in 2022.
CLAE is a great brand out of Los Angeles that has been producing some great street style shoes for over 2 decades. Retro running is big right now, and we love the Joshua with its clean lines and simple retro nods to the 70s. Made with recycled and vegan materials, this style will elevate any look and keep that green conscience clean. They work perfectly with jeans, chinos, or shorts. We updated this pair with our Teal & Purple 45” Flat Ticked Lace and we love it.
CROSSOVER LONGWING, BY WOLF & SHEPHERD
If you are looking for a fresh new pair of dress shoes, I highly recommend you try these. A lot of companies have tried to create the perfect blend of athletic shoe and dress shoe, and Wolf & Shepherd is one of the few, if not the only, to get it absolutely right. These feel like no other dress shoe, and rather more closely resemble your favorite running shoe. These are by far my favorite shoes in my closet. Made in Portugal using Italian Leather, these will take your style quotient to a whole new level. So fresh and modern, and feel absolutely great. You could walk all day in these and your feet would thank you (trust me, I’ve tested these out A LOT). This is a gamechanger for dress shoes, literally. Steve Nash wears these on the sidelines as he coaches the Brooklyn Nets. Shown here with our best-selling style, the Blue, Light Blue & Navy 33” Dress Laces.
These are yet another great pair of shoes by the Swedish brand, ON. If you need an all-purpose shoe to work out, walk the dog, and look & feel awesome in, the Cloudnova is for you. The Cloudtec has amazing underfoot comfort and the upper hugs your foot. For me, it was love at first sight with these. With these in your rotation, it’ll be hard for your other shoes to make the rotation (except the Longwings of course). We love our Red & Black 45” Flat Ticked Laces in these.
Hailing from Northern Italy, this six-generation cobbler knows what they are doing. The chukka is a must-have in your closet. Perfect for work or date night, this boot takes you there in comfort. The 100% natural rubber soles and soft Italian Leather suede make this a great boot that will never go out of style. So channel your inner Steve McQueen and rock these evergreen boots year-round. We definitely recommend our Camo 29” Chukka Boot Laces in these for a subtle, yet epic upgrade.
]]>Recently, one story in particular got us super excited, and we wanted to share it with you all. Meet Lisa Sorrell, a bespoke boot maker out of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Lisa makes handmade, leather cowboy boots and cowboy boot shoes (more on that below), and each boot and shoe is its own work of art. She is a true artist and craftswoman in her space. She reached out recently to show off how she's using Whiskers Laces as the final touch to her new cowboy boot shoe pieces (see images below). Instantly, we knew we had to meet her and learn more. Enjoy our convo and her story below, as well as the amazing pieces of shoe art that she's decided to adorn with our laces! Whiskers on, Lisa!
Whiskers: We're such a fan of your work and just getting weird/funky/creative with shoes in general. How long does it take to make a pair of your bespoke shoes?
Lisa Sorrell: It takes two to three weeks of working time to make a pair of shoes; however, a few years ago I started a separate business that sells leather, tools, and supplies to bespoke boot and shoe makers like myself. This means that I’m not free to work full-time in my leather studio anymore. Also, as with any bespoke boot or shoe maker, I have a waiting list of clients/orders. It may take me two to three months to do the two to three weeks worth of work required to create a pair of shoes, and my waiting time is typically around 18 months.
Whiskers: That's no surprise, given the detail and craftsmanship you can see in each pair of shoes you create. How long have you been making shoes?
Lisa: I’ve been a cowboy boot maker for over 25 years now, but I’ve only been making shoes for around three years. During World War Two, leather was scarce and expensive and cowboy boots were in demand, so boot makers began making them shorter to save leather. Really short boots are called PeeWees, and they became popular during this period. One boot company, Olsen Stelzer, took this even farther and began making dress shoes on a cowboy boot last, with pointier cowboy boot toes and higher cowboy boot heels. I took my inspiration from those vintage shoes and even designed a new last model specifically for the shoes that I make.
Fender Tweed Fabric Shoes for a musician and DJ
Whiskers: That is so interesting – what a creative way to adapt to a material shortage. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Lisa: I have always loved and been inspired by vintage cowboy boots, specifically the cowboy boots from the 1940s. When I make cowboy boots I often recreate or tweak vintage designs. Once I began making shoes I continued that theme of looking to vintage boots for design inspiration.
We gave Michelle some ideas, a big box of shoestrings, and let her run wild with our laces and her creativity. The end result was the AMAZING piece you see above, made from a variety of Whiskers Laces to create a vibrant, colorful palette that Michelle says represents her people and her upbringing in Jamaica. Michelle and her art – this piece in particular – represent the endless strive for unique self-expression that we encourage in all of you with our shoelaces, the constant goal to live #KnotOrdinary.
In the video below, we sit down with Michelle in our first podcast-style interview to discuss more about her story, her art, and her process as she created this bespoke 3D piece out of Whiskers Laces. Check it out!
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THE METAL AGLET
The metal aglet is our most premium aglet for a couple of reasons: durability and style. They last a long time and provide a clean, premium look to any dress shoe. We currently only produce our dress laces with metal aglets on them, and we often get asked “Why don’t all of your other laces have metal aglets?” Great question, hypothetical human. We actually have a very sound reason for this. One of the variables we deal with in the shoelace industry is that the size of the eyelet, or shoe hole, varies greatly depending on the style of the shoe and brand. So bear with me as I explain the science here (for clarification purposes, aglet = the capped tip of the shoelace, eyelet = shoe hole).
First, the bigger the diameter of the shoelace, the bigger the diameter of the aglet. On the small end, our dress laces are about 4mm wide with a 3mm metal aglet. When the laces are cut, the end is condensed into the round shape for the aglet. If we do that same exercise with the sneaker laces, the 6mm diameter lace becomes a 4mm metal aglet. And here is where the challenge lies. On average, we find that most shoes (dress, boots, sneakers) easily accept a 3mm aglet through the eyelet across all styles and brands. As you get bigger aglets, we start to see them not fitting into the eyelets of most shoes. Metal aglets are considerably thicker than the wrapped aglets, so we become really limited on what shoes will accept a metal aglet in those other shoe categories. Still with me? Ok good. Now let’s talk wrapped aglets.
THE WRAPPED AGLET
I know what you’re thinking: why not just make the laces skinnier, hence making the aglets thinner? A skinny 4 mm lace just wouldn’t look right in sneakers. Too much empty space. They look half-naked, and no one wants to see that. Same with boots. In order to provide the lace styles in the widths that look the most pleasing in their respective shoes, we have to use the wrapped plastic aglet to accommodate the shoe holes. If you’ve paid attention to our products over the years, hopefully you’ve seen that we don’t sacrifice quality for anything. We work with our suppliers to use the thickest, most durable and high quality plastic wrap that we can find for our wrapped aglets.
So here’s the gist: in order to make the laces in the sizes that look and feel the best in every type of shoe, we have to vary which aglets come on the end of our shoestrings. For our metal aglet superfans out there, we’re working on some more creative solutions so you can add our metal aglets to any pair of laces if you so desire.
On a more cereal note: Earth Day is an ever-important holiday that reminds us every year to take care of this fragile planet we call home. But more than that, it should be a day that motivates each of us to create goals for ourselves on how we’ll live a more sustainable existence in the years to come.
Recently we were doing just that – taking inventory of our sustainability and setting goals – and we got turned on to a really amazing business that we’d like to share with you all. Their name is Ethicli, and they’re a browser plug-in that allows you to see data-driven ethical scores of companies as you shop online – all in real-time. From everything like environmental impact, to social impact, to animal rights relations, each company is given a score based on their ethical practices, helping you to make ethical and sustainable choices as you shop for everything online. Everything you purchase has some impact on this planet, the question is, how much? With Ethicli, you can make your shopping choices based on that impact and sleep better at night knowing Ol’ Mother Nature approves of your shopping (legal note: Ethicli is not actually endorsed by Mother Nature since she is a mythical being).
Since our founding, we’ve strived to carry our values as people into what we do as a business, putting ethics and sustainability first in every decision. Everything we make, from the little things to our main offerings, is all made from recycled and sustainable products. Our spools come from an old American sustainable birch farm in Maine, all polyester in our laces and socks comes from recycled plastic bottles, and all of our boxes are made from recycled cardboard – please recycle them! Check out our Spool Recycling Program to learn how you can trade your unused spools for cash credit on our site. Pretty cool, right? As good as it feels to get to this sustainable place with our product, there’s always room for improvement.
We’re not going to lie, when we found Ethicli, it felt pretty freakin’ cool to see that our score is a 9.3/10! But hey, that means there’s 0.7 left for improvement there – and we’re sure-as-shoe-shine going to set some new goals and see if we can get that coveted 10 spot.
So have a happy and nature-loving Earth Day Whiskers fam, and if you’re looking for an easy place to start helping you shop more sustainably, check out our friends at Ethicli. They’re doing something truly amazing. Lace on!
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Whether you can’t justify paying for overpriced dress shoes because you’re scarred from 2020 or you have a pair of worn out shoes at home you’d like to revamp… this post is for you.
You may be spring cleaning and getting rid of old odd and ends around the house. We on the other hand welcome everyone’s leftovers. Turning someone else’s disregarded shoes in your favorite pair in the closet is our specialty. It’s simple, cheap, and best of all, nice on the old gal Mother Nature.
First thing first, find a secondhand shop (the weirder the better) near you or go digging through your closet. Now find some stinky, old shoes. Well maybe not stinky, because we’re not totally sure how to help you with that yet... but find some good, worn-out looking ones that need some love. After you’ve picked a perfect candidate, let’s shine them up. There are many companies that sell great shoe shining kits and polishes, but we decided to go to our local Walmart and grab the Kiwi Leather Care Kit that had all the essentials for just under $12. We cleaned off the shoes with a damp paper towel, shined them with some polish, and brushed off any excess. The shoes already look completely transformed, but they’re missing the most important part… Whiskers. Take a nice deep dive into that ever-growing collection we know you have at home, and lace ‘em up with your favorite pair! We went with our Limited Edition Lavender & Mint Braided Dress Laces, but any Whiskers are guaranteed to look great!
In our own personal and humble opinion, the shoes look phenomenal and the laces add that perfect pop, making them even more unique. 2021 is the year of fresh starts and second chances, so do your shoes a favor and let them join the fun. Lace on!
Check out our first vlog-venture to our local secondhand shop and transforming a $5.99 pair of shoes into a pair of good-as-new, shiny kicks!
Hey There,
Mike here – I run product at Whiskers HQ. And by that, I mean I come up with the things you fill your shoe holes with… I know, I’m a pretty big deal. We are so excited for 2021, and Whiskers has some big plans to bring you more new laces for more of your shoes. We were hoping to bring a lot of new products in 2020, but things changed (AKA everything changed for literally everyone). However, we were able to give you a glimpse of some new products at the end of 2020 and the response was amazing. So THANK YOU all for that, that positive feedback really helped lessen the stress bomb that was 2020.
WHAT WE DID IN 2020
The first new products we launched were our new lines of sneaker laces. We were frothing at the bit to launch something really cool here since we all live in sneakers, especially after office life was shut down. Unfortunately, our production facility was no exception to that and had to scale back workers to only 20% of full capacity. COVID really hit our supply chain hard, causing our most-anticipated launches to be pushed back. In November we were able to launch an Athletic Sneaker lace in 10 colors. This is what we call a flat oval lace, and is perfect for running shoes. We were only able to launch in solid colors, but the response was amazing. This is a great performance lace. It’s comfortable and stays tied during running, walking, or spontaneous burpees. We plan to do much more around a performance running lace in terms of features, benefits as well as color and design.
We were also able to produce a limited supply of premium sneaker laces that we launched in November for casual sneakers. It’s a Tuscan Cotton Glazed Lace, and once you see these in person, you really appreciate them. The glazing on the laces gives them a super-premium look and feel, and they look great in a pair of Cole Haan sneakers, Stan Smiths, Air Force 1s, and any nice everyday sneaker you want to throw them in. These won’t last forever so grab a pair now before they’re gone!
One of the first products we were hoping to launch in early 2020 was a new Boot Lace. We know you all have been asking for this for a while and trust me, it was frustrating for both of us. But the good news is, that despite all of the COVID setbacks, we were finally able to launch 4 colors of the new boot lace this past December. We took into consideration feedback from you all when making these new boot laces. That’s why this new collection is a little thicker than the previous one and is a perfect fit for a Chukka or a mid dress boot in 29” and 48” lengths, respectively. The colors are reminiscent of the first collection and we’re extremely stoked at how well they came out. The new diameter looks and feels great and the colors really pop in any pair of boots. We also just launched another 4 new Boot Lace colors, check them out in our Boot Collection!
Our last new introduction in 2020 was the all-purpose sock, AKA the Jacques Sock – the sock of all trades. Ever since we launched our first 30 laces in 2017, we have been talking about expanding into socks. We wanted to do socks that you can match directly to our laces so your whole leg-fit is “on point” as the young folks say these days. We didn’t want to just do any sock though. We found a way to make socks in North Carolina using sustainable materials to make high-quality socks that are made to last. Our goal with this sock is to give you all a sock that would work great in dress shoes and then transition into any other activity you were doing. Mission accomplished. They’re breathable, snug, and stay up on your calf in style. Not to mention, the designs and color look awesome and when you pair them up with our laces they look perfect– because that’s how they were made to be worn. Boom.
WHAT WE’RE DOING IN 2021
So what does 2021 look like? As we slowly emerge (hopefully) from COVID, we are hoping we can continue to excite and delight. Imagine the day we all come out of our work from home hibernation… what a glorious dream. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to have fun with color and dress up a little more when I actually have people to interact with again (my cats don’t count). We have done a couple of consumer surveys and some of the key takeaways from the responses from you all is that we can take more chances on color. And if you haven’t seen it by now, we listen to our peeps. So in 2021, you’ll start to see us have even more fun with color. We will still have the basics, but we’ll be bringing you the unexpected and you’ll see some things on laces you haven’t seen before.
One particular collection we have big plans for is sneakers. Sneakers have become more and more acceptable in a work environment and they’re invariably a part of our everyday style. We all need more options here: a chance to customize our outfits and show off our personal style in our everyday shoes. We can’t wait to bring to life the concepts we have on our plan.
A lot of this hinges on our factory and protocols, but we are confident that as we all return to some semblance of normalcy, we will start to see our production abilities ramp up. So besides life in general hopefully becoming normal again, you can look forward to some really fun and new things from us in 2021. In the short term, look forward to a new sneaker lace launching in the next month or so as well as a new consumer survey coming your way. We absolutely love these surveys, as they provide great insight into what you love and what you want more of. So please know that I read through every result and take your feedback seriously! You are all such a valuable part of what we do, and you continue to inspire our products every single day. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe, and hopefully a somewhat normal 2021 (that’s good these days).
Keep on lacin’!
Mike Gossett
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Whiskers Laces
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Golf shoes come in all shapes and sizes and are progressively getting more modern and athletic every year. In order to accommodate the full gamut of golf shoes, we wanted to give you all as many options as possible to perfectly fit your shoe holes on the course. Here’s what you need to know:
Think your classic Footjoys and more traditional style golf shoes here. Stylistically, they more closely resemble dress shoes than the more modern golf shoes. These laces are all in the Classic Round shape and are shorter than the Athletic laces, in 33” for men and 30” for women*. These shoes typically have 4-5 eyelets, requiring shorter laces to keep those bunny ears and tag ends from floppin’ around on the course.
Think your Nikes, Pumas, modern New Balances, Adidas, and any of the new golf shoes that resemble athletic and running shoes here. These shoes usually have 5-6 eyelets and are a bit sleeker than traditional golf shoes. We make our Athletic laces in two shapes: Athletic Oval and Athletic Flat. They all come in lengths of 45” for men’s and 37” for women’s*, and the lace shape is purely for preference and personal style. The Ovals more closely match the laces in modern running shoes, which typically all have that oval shape to them. The Flats are just what they sound like, thin flat laces that resemble what most of the modern golf shoes have in them. They both perform equally well on the course and the distinction is purely for what you’re feeling in terms of style.
To make a long story short here’s a quick tip when shopping our Golf Collection: Classics are for more dress/traditional shoes, while Athletic are for your more sneaker-leaning golf shoes. We hope this helps, and if you have any further questions while shopping, please email us at hello@whiskerslaces.com! We’re always here to help you fill your boring shoe holes (well, at least during normal business hours... we have to let Julia have some kind of life).
*As a rule of thumb, all of the golf laces we sell for women’s shoes come a few inches shorter than the men’s lengths. This is to match the size of women’s shoes compared to your average men’s shoes. The distance between eyelets gets smaller as shoes get smaller, so the laces should be smaller to better fit them. If you’re shopping for kid’s shoes, those women’s sizes might fit a bit better (there’s no difference in pattern, just the length of the laces).
]]>In our first year, Indiana became one of our top 5 selling states in the country thanks to the David Talbott Collection alone. We can’t understate how valuable this was for our progression as a brand and our offering. Thanks to David, we were able to prove our product outside the confines of the digital world, and take the step into retail spaces across the country. To this day he remains an awesome friend of the brand and one of our top retail locations, period.
Check out his story below. We’ve said it before, but THANK YOU for everything, David!
Whiskers: Introduce yourself!
David: My name is David Rabideau and my wife Lisa and I are the owners of The David Talbott Collection, a men’s haberdashery and clothing boutique located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Whiskers: Tell us a little bit about your business.
David: We opened in 2015 in a downtown mini-mall focusing on small business start-ups.
Operating there for three years our business grew, regressed, grew again, and evolved. In 2018 we took a huge gamble and opened our own brick and mortar location in the same part of downtown and have never looked back.
Free from the limitations of being part of a collective we were able to expand our merchandise lines and experiment with products not normally found in retail malls.
Looking back at the men’s specialty boutiques of the 1950’s and 60’s one thing became clear. Quality and unique products from innovative vendors must be found and become synonymous with your store to have success in any challenging retail environment.
Whiskers: You were our very first retailer… how’d you find us??
David: One day I was looking at our shoe selection and realized that even with the most successful and high-end footwear companies the laces were bland and poor quality. I wanted to address that detail and come up with something better, but where?
Then I found Whiskers Laces website and I found my solution.
The quality, attention to detail, fashion colors, patterns, and the amazing aglets made me want them as part of the uniqueness I was trying to find for my business.
Not to mention the amazing box presentation and wooden spools.
I was sold!
I contacted Whiskers Laces about a wholesale account and hit a wall! Operating as a growing online business, Whiskers Laces was focused on developing that and not really looking to take on wholesale customers at that time.
I began a regular pattern of e-mailing Kyle Groth, CEO of Whiskers Laces and pushing for the opportunity to sell and promote what I thought was an amazing product. I was completely transparent with him about being a small business and may not purchase a lot of product but we would represent them well and be a positive advocate for their brand.
Whiskers: What was your customers’ response to our products in your store?
David: Customers loved the product and even the most skeptical could be convinced to try a pair and in most cases they returned and bought more. I actually put a few pairs on shoes to give the customers a visual and that also greatly helps.
We pair them with Happy Socks for a multiple sale and the customers love the combination. Our sales have grown in both categories due this suggestion.
Whiskers: Anything else to add before we wrap this up?
David: The willingness of Whiskers Laces to make us a business partner has opened doors for other vendor opportunities and helped us further grow our business. I am very grateful to Kyle and the Whiskers Laces team for bringing us on board. In the last three years a number of retailers have been added to Whiskers Laces customer base and I like to think we played a small part in that.
P.S. - By the way, my personal favorites are any style in black and pink and black and white! They are also our best sellers! Imagine that!
David C Rabideau
Owner
David Talbott Collection
]]>To us, moving production to the US also meant moving all of our sourcing and processes here as well. As a bunch of self-proclaimed tree-huggers, we wanted to find a sustainable new way to source our wooden spools right here in America – and we found it. We’re beyond excited that now, all of our spools are made from US birch wood, from sustainable birch farms in Maine, USA.
We’ll get into the process a bit here because we think it’s pretty cool. Once our supplier in Maine gets our batch of birch together (say that five times fast), they put it into a machine called a lathe. This is where it gets interesting if you’re into history and US manufacturing. Lathe machines were created over 100 years ago for the creation of spools, until basically being phased out by the invention of plastic and the newer machines that used it. Ironically, these rugged beasts of machinery actually outperform newer spool-making machines by creating a 20-30% faster output. Lathe machines were a big part of the once-flourishing US textile industry. Dozens of small towns all over New England, especially Maine, are where the hub of this production happened in the US, outputting items like spools and bobbins, feeding the vast textile mills of New England.
Now, there’s only a few textile factories and mills like that scattered across the U.S., one of them being our new production facility. Here, they use American-made machinery, like the lathe (they’re well maintained we promise), to make American-made products like Whiskers Laces and the spools that hold them.
So to make a long story short, if you’re a patriotic tree hugger like us, every time you unspool your new laces, feel free to give them a tiny little hug. It’s basically the same thing.
We love the wonderful people who decide to fill their boring shoe holes with our laces. In some small way, we know you’re like us. You like to add a little spice of weird in your life, because well, being normal is boring. And that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
]]>Every once in awhile, we like to check in with some of our biggest fans. Here’s a little convo with one of our most avid Whiskers lovers, Clark B. He’s a high school teacher from Colorado with some serious shoe game. He had dozens of pairs of Whiskers before he even knew that one of his students was our Chief Product Officer’s daughter. Check out the full convo below, with some awesome (and adorable) shots of his collection.
Whiskers: So why Whiskers?
Clark B: I’ve been through all the different wardrobe upgrades. Socks, tie bars and pocket squares. It was a natural progression. But unlike other accessories, Whiskers has the ability to make old shoes feel new every time you switch up the laces. (And a good polish and shine.)
Whiskers: How do you wear them?
Clark B: Formal to casual, it doesn’t really matter. I put some purple laces in my black cap toes for a black-tie event to match my wife’s dress, but I also have green laces I wear with my boots on school spirit days. Dress pants, chinos, or jeans. Cap toes, wingtips, derby’s, or boots. They work all around. Hoping to see some boat shoe laces soon. My Sperry’s need an upgrade.
Whiskers: How often do you switch them out?
Clark B: Switching depends. I have a few laces that I’ve found I love so much in a certain shoe I never switch them. Others I might switch every wear When I’m coaching I get a little superstitious and might keep wearing a winning pair. My oldest son Quinton likes to be my fashion advisor. I’ll pick out my shirt and pants and he gets to pick the jacket, ties, socks, and laces. He does remarkably good for an 8-year-old.
Whiskers: How have Whiskers changed the way you dress?
Clark B: Not to brag, but I’ve always been a pretty good dresser, except for a few years in college. But Whiskers have added a new dimension. I can match things up for extra class, or go a little wild to make a statement. They’ve given me an additional way to show school spirit or support a cause. And they’ve brought life back to old shoes. Being on my feet all day, breaking in new shoes would be too painful. So even though I have shoes older than my students, you can’t tell.
Whiskers: Favorite pair?
Clark B: I love them all and it really depends on the shoe and outfit, but the Blue & Pink Striped are probably my go-to. I can make them work with just about everything and they just look great.
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We recently made some changes to our production process and partners, and we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to start doing our part in becoming a more sustainable business that can have a positive impact on the environment around us.
Our new production partners in North Carolina developed a clever and effective solution to this problem we want to contribute to solving. Our dress and golf laces are made of a polyester/nylon weave. Let’s get scientific real quick: polyester is a synthetic polymer, with a lot of the same stuff that goes into normal plastic goods. With polyester in everything from the t-shirt you’re wearing right now to industrial conveyor belts, polyester is the third-most produced plastic material made on planet earth.
So here’s where our solution comes in: since polyester is made of most of the same stuff that a plastic water bottle is made of, technically, you could make polyester out of recycled plastic bottles. So we did. And now, every lace that ends up on our spools is preventing plastic from reaching our oceans and landfills – plastic water bottles to be more specific. These plastic bottles make up a huge portion of the pollutants in the ocean and repurposing them is an important step towards a cleaner ocean.
So, turtle lovers rejoice! From now on, every time you fill your boring shoe holes, you can feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that those tasty little threads are taking plastic out of the ocean – one shoe hole at a time – with polyester made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Right here in the U.S. of A.
Look for more info on our new production process and sustainability efforts to come! We’re pretty freakin’ proud of it. Oh, and please recycle our lace boxes when you’re done with them! We’ve all got to do our part to make a difference.
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By power tools, we mean just one power tool: a drill. All you’ll need is a wooden board (6 ½ in. x 2 ¼ in. x 1 ⅛ in.), five ¼ in. dowels, a Fiver Box, your drill, a ¼ in. drill bit, and some (but not required) skills. This at-home project should take you no more than an hour, and you’ll have the perfect little display/storage piece for your collection of Whiskers Laces. Check out the final result below, and keep on scrolling for the plan sheet and a how-to video. Whiskers on.
The board to fit inside your Fiver Box is 2 ¼ W x 6 1/2” L. Middle of the board is 1 1/8” thick.
Mark a hole at these marks ¾ in., 2 in., 3 ¼ in., 4 ½ in., and 5 ¾ in. down the horizontal centerline of the board (1 ⅛ in.)
Use ¼ in. drill bit to drill holes at each of the marks you just made, and insert your five ¼ in. dowels in each hole. Place the board inside your Fiver Box and BOOM. You have yourself the coolest decoration in your closet.
Plan sheet for constructing the storage base:
If you want to check out the video of us making one at home, click the video link below:
]]>Pastels are a staple in the spring. Since the 18th century, pastel colors have represented the transition from the grays and whites of winter to the blooms of springtime. They’re not quite those bright colors of summer, as life starts to reappear in a soft, gentle way. OK, this is starting to sound like a toilet paper commercial. Topical though, right?
The pink, yellow, blue, purple, and greens in these dress shoelaces make for the perfect combination for someone who’s ready for a new season. Plus, with words like “lilac” and “lavender” in their names, you know they’re the real deal. With your lace game at these PEAK spring levels, you’ll send the easter bunny scurrying back into his shame den until next year.
We could all use a little something new right now. A breath of fresh air, a light at the end of the tunnel, and a little bit of that energy nestled tightly around our feet. So go on ahead, put a little spring in your step with these PAAS-inspired pastel spring shoestrings. If you can say that five times fast we’ll give you a 3-pack for free. Not really… but maybe. Only if you send us a video and we can post it ;).
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If you wear laces that are any color other than brown or black, you’ll notice one thing: they eventually get filthy. And when you’re rocking some colored and patterned Whiskers, that’s a YUGE no-no. Since you’re probably not leaving the house with your Whiskers on too often these days, now is the perfect time to clean those suckers. So get those cleaning paws ready, it’s scrubbin’ time (disclaimer: no scrubbing required).
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
A sink
A medium sized bowl
Dish soap or laundry detergent
One or more pairs of Whiskers
STEP-BY-STEP (or you know, just watch the video below)
Step 1: Unlace those filthy (or just slightly worn) laces from your shoes
Step 2: Pour some warm water into a bowl
Step 3: Squirt some soap (dish soap or laundry detergent works best) in the bowl
Step 4: Mix the water and soap the same way you mix your daily 4PM cocktail
Step 5: Throw your laces in the bowl and go make that cocktail you can’t stop thinking about since step 4
Sep 6: Take 10-15 minutes enjoying your drink, or watching the dirt melt off your laces, whichever you prefer… just let ‘em soak.
Step 7: Take the laces out of the bowl, and rinse them off with cold water.
Step 8: Hang those bad boys to air dry – preferably somewhere that your dogs/cats/trained parrots can’t attack them.
Boom. Your laces are all clean and ready for their next public excursion… whenever that may be.
]]>Do both of those apply to you? We thought so. Now let’s get masked up.
Perhaps one of the biggest adjustments right now is making sure you’re equipped to go safely in public at all times, and the first must-have is a mask. With legitimate medical masks in short supply (and better used by healthcare workers), making your own is becoming increasingly necessary.
Elastic production is being seriously overwhelmed by the current need for medical masks, and hospitals are having to get just as creative as the rest of us. As it turns out, our shoelaces make the perfect stylish and secure force behind a homemade mask. In fact, we recently donated over 3,000 pairs of our laces to hospitals in need for this exact purpose. If you have any spare shoelaces you’d like us to donate, please email hello@whiskerslaces.com and we’ll get them to hospitals that could use them. Those boring brown laces you replaced with Whiskers will work perfectly :).
Check out the video below to learn how to make your own mask in just 7 easy steps, using a piece of cloth and a pair of shoelaces. Stay safe people!
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Green hasn’t always been the color of life, funky tasting beer, and seasonal renewal. One particular shade of green (not used in this combo) was thought to be responsible for the death of Napoleon, before they knew making colors with heavy amounts of arsenic was a bad thing. “Sage” is typically used to refer to a profoundly wise person with good judgment. So if you need to look smart and immediately instill trust in others, these babies have got you covered (unless you’re a stinky lying liar).
We LOVE this combo. It brings a nice splash of green into your wardrobe in an understated and stylish way and looks absolutely bonkers on a pair of brown or black shoes. The Sage Green combined with the tonal Dark Green pop accents extremely well with just about anything. You can’t go wrong with this stylish & seasonal new release.
Sage Green & Dark Green Braided Laces - the color combo fit for an emperor, minus the arsenic.
]]>Need another reason to love purple? Women dig purple on men. In a recent survey on what colors were most attractive and appealing to women, purple won by a snail-slide. Women were found to be more likely to accept dates from guys wearing purple than any other color. And ladies, if you’re looking for a gift that you’ll both enjoy, these purple passion shoe strings are a no-brainer.
So how do you wear purple? Glad you asked, rhetorical self. Purple goes with way more than you think, kind of like parmesan cheese or sriracha. Because of where it lands on the spectrum, purple compliments blues, grays, and browns very well. So pretty much 90% of your closet (not counting the 80’s jumpsuit you wear ironically twice a year). We love the way purple shoe laces pop on a pair of shoes. It’s like looking Chris Hemsworth directly in the eyes or staring into the sun. Just so much… wow. Throw these laces on some brown or black shoes paired with a navy blazer and some khakis, and you’ll be the belle of the ball.
Long story short, if you want to add a little spice of power and passion to your day, lace up with some premium purple laces. It’s the perfect pop of color to assert your dominance, but in the least creepy way possible. Snail on.
]]>It’s simple: five days in a workweek, one pair of laces for every day. Your coworkers judge you for wearing the same shirt two days in a row...don’t make the same mistake with your laces. Each Fiver offers a unique style to add to any and every wardrobe you could concoct.
Recently, we added Golf Fivers to the team to keep your shoelace game on point when you step on the course. For the guy with a closet full of golf shirts, match your laces with your lucky birdie shirt and assert dominance on the next 18. And yes, we do have Red & Black Golf Laces to channel your early 2000’s Tiger.
If you’re looking to give these packs of goodness as gifts, you can’t go wrong. From the guy who has everything to the guy who is impossible to shop for, these Fivers are the perfect gift for any person in your life with feet.
Dip those toes in the water. See how it feels. You put thought into the shoes you wear; they deserve laces that do them justice. For the guy who wants to look good but isn’t ready for brighter shoelaces. The Starter Pack’s has you covered with Solid Brown, Solid Black, and more neutral color combos that pair with any everyday outfit. The Solid Blue dress lace goes with any of the dozen blue/navy shirts and pants in that closet of yours. Once the “Nice laces!” compliments start flowing and your feet confidence builds, take that next step to the more colorful styles. Come on in, the water’s fine.
Stuck in the 40-hour workweek grind? Find yourself counting the hours until Friday at 5 PM when you can break out of that work attire, throw on your Friday fit, and slam some happy hour beers? We can’t fix all of that, but we’re here to help. Add a little spice of that Friday feelin’ to your every day with this pack of five dress laces curated to be the perfect addition to any work outfit. They’re just loud enough to make a statement, but not so loud they'll get you fired (no promises).
We’ve got all your workday basics covered in here: your navy, your garnets, your black, your khakis, and we even threw some pink ticks in there if you’re feeling especially wild on any given day. Make every day Friday for your feet with this Fiver of absolute winning shoelaces.
Based on some extensive testing, we’ve discovered unequivocally that people LOVE some blue. In light of these findings, we decided to name this Fiver after the second blue-est things around, right behind the Blue Man Group. Introducing the Smurfs.
This Fiver has some of our favorite blue’d up laces, mixed together in one perfect pack of smurfness. We’ve got the Blue & White Ticked for the more conservative smurf, as well as the Blue & Light Blue Striped and the Light Blue & White Striped for the stripey smurf in all of us. Finally, the Red, White & Blue Braided and the Blue, Light Blue & Yellow Braided are perfect for all the super salacious smurfs out there (say that five times fast). In short, this Fiver will smurf up your shoes with a smurfload of blues. Someone call Dr. Seuss.
Bill Lumbergh may be a micromanager with a non-confrontational approach, but the man’s got style. Suspenders with a belt? You bet. You can’t buy that kind of confidence. Or can you? With this Fiver Box that pays tribute to the king of TPS reports. The Lumberghs are all about that quiet confidence and attention to detail. Did you not get the memo?
The Celeste, Red & Navy shoelace comes together to make a strong statement without being too aggressive. The Purple & White Ticked lace looks great in either brown or black dress shoes for a day in the office. Maroon & Gold Ticked is just plain classy. When you want to subtly punch it up and steal Milton’s red stapler, bust out the Navy & Red braided. And if you’ve got a big meeting with the Bobs, thread up those Brown & Tan braided laces. M’kay? Greeaaaat.
These iconic striped shoelaces are the bomb. That’s the fact, Jack! Inspired by an absolute 80’s classic, Stripes, these regiment tie laces add the perfect amount of unusual to your everyday uniform. These bold, yet wearable laces will complement any wardrobe Monday through Friday. Mix these color combos up with any color shoes and turn heads in the office as the newest style icon… at least for the first week.
We like to think young Danny Noonan would be all over these Golf Athletic laces as he’s taking Judge Smails to the cleaners on the back 9.
These easy wearing colors all have a nice pop that will stand out on the course. From the classic Sunday leader Red & Black power combo to the Celeste & Navy blues, these combos will step up your shoelace game all the way to the 19th hole. Let’s be honest, it’s all about the stories at the clubhouse bar afterward. “How about a Fresca?”
Spaulding, get dressed; you’re playing golf. For the golfer who prefers a more classic style, the Spaulding Fiver will make you regular pals with Judge Smails. These classic round laces come in the usual suspects of colors on the course: Blues, Navy’s, Orange, Garnet & Pink. These finishing details will add a little splash of fun to your round, but not too much. If these color combos are too much for you, the world needs ditch diggers too.
]]>New Whiskers owners often ask us how to properly integrate laces into their wardrobes. Here are our favorite ways to get started with Whiskers.
Remember when there was the "cool sock guy" in the office? The adventurous fashion-forward soul who was willing to test boundaries, unafraid to stand out and display his personality.
Unfortunately, his time is over. Everybody is now the "cool sock guy" with strong "sock game". That doesn't mean socks are a thing of the past, it just means you need a little something extra to stand out and lead the way into the future. Whiskers are the perfect complement to practically any footwear ensemble. Because our laces come in so many colors and patterns, it's easy to match them with your favorite socks.
The choice is yours. Either you can be #72 in the office with "sock game" or you can be the first with "lace game".
The simplest way to wear Whiskers is to let the laces do the talking. You don't always have to match your laces with another piece; they can add that pop of color to your outfit all by themselves.
Pairing Whiskers with accent items above the waist, like your shirt, tie, pocket square, etc. effortlessly ties your whole look together. These subtle accents liven up your color palette and will make you stand out from any crowd.
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