Posted on 03/11/2026 9:50:30 AM PDT by Twotone
Not satisfied with being commander-in-chief, Donald Trump has become the White House’s very own shoe salesman.
The US president has been buying his favourite shoes for his staff so frequently that they have become the unofficial White House uniform.
One female White House official told the Wall Street Journal: “All the boys have them. It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”
Mr Trump has fallen in love with Florsheim, a brand that sells some pairs for as little as $49.90 (£37.27) – a far cry from his expensive Brioni suits.
The president has been buying the shoes for agency heads and members of Congress. He often speaks about how “incredible” they are.
Such is Mr Trump’s devotion to the brand, that he guesses people’s shoe size in front of them, puts in the order, and a week later it turns up, sometimes with the president’s signature on the box.
That includes one unnamed cabinet secretary who had to stop wearing his Louis Vuittons and put on a pair of Florsheims instead.
Among those who have a pair of Trump-approved Florsheims are JD Vance, the vice-president, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, and Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary.
Mr Trump’s friends, Fox News personality Sean Hannity and Senator Lindsey Graham, also have a pair each.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
The Army Air Corps/Air Force wore brown shoes as part of the uniform. The “Brown Shoe Days” ended in the early 1950s.
Well, dfwgator, they do “make it” in the US Navy. There is
“brown shoe” and “black shoe” Navy. ICYDK—
Brown=Naval Aviators
Black= Everybody else, Officers and ranks, unless Combat
dress which is usually tactical, matched to the garment
In the ME this is “sand/dust” khaki.
In the US Navy it has been this way since WWI, when even “Dress Whites” uniform included white shoes (as opposed to jackA@@ lawyers with “white shoe” firms to match the pinstripe summer suits- in the South anyway! Heh.)
Here it is, history wise:
https://coronado365magazine.substack.com/p/how-naval-aviators-got-their-brown
Separately, throughout life been warned about “Florsheim” types— being usually associated with Revenue “management”, from the early days of fibbies all wearing boater hats. Seriously. Avoid Florsheimers. The shoes are just “meh”, and no longer wingtips. Cole-Haan at 160/pair vs. the overpriced Bruno Magli (which brown Oxford dress I think Hegseth wears, badly maintained/polished brown).
Affordable at $50 a pair does not speak to the lasts for these off the rack, which are not comfortable. Cole-Haans with Vibram absorbent soles— much more comfortable.
Guess we can tell what generation are here on posts— The WWII generation kept shoe shine kits in the boy’s closets and Dad insisted on them keeping polished. Athletic shoes for athletics. Hunting for hunting, fishing/fishing etc.
Fond memories, and lots (boxes of) partially used Kiwi paste original large sizes as well as neetsfoot oil and silicone,
as well as edge dressing (Like the Old Guard at Arlington).
Hanovers were phenomenally well made. Tearing memory of Dad and uncles exclusively wearing them. Made 100% in the USA. Quality. Thank you for posting.
Got any still in the box original New Balance, when made in the USA. Truly great running shoes. Now.. last maybe 2 years if that and chineeeee velly much glued.
East Berlin story. Very interesting.
How soon will 47 be hawking the on TV with his watch?
Florsheims? I upgraded to Allen Edmonds decades ago. But, for the past 20 years, it’s been nothing but hiking boots and sneakers. I wear dress shoes a few times a year.
I remember 1975, new job in Seattle, dress for success.
I paid $100 each for two pair of Florsheim Imperial Wingtips at Nordstroms. I wore those shoes out.
Now $265...below the rate of inflation.
While in the Army, I wore combat boots as an 18 year old until I retired 30 years later. Still wear them most days. It took me 30 years to figure out I liked them. Can’t seem to break the habit.
Beats OP bama and Biden buying “PIZZA” for his little staff parties from Planet Pizza.
Florsheims have been around forever!
My Hubby wore them.....
“I sold shoes for JC Penny as a teen.”
Me: Thom McAn
Oh I remember and my wedding shoes were Dream Steps..such good times and good merchandise. My wedding dress cost 54 bucks including veil........I had to put it on lay-away. Still have the dress.....wish I would have preserved it but alas I didn’t. 60 years and counting..thank you Lord.....;)
“How dare you say that to my face?”
“I’d say it behind your back, but my car’s only got a half a tank of gas!”
This article is the alternative to the Babylon Bee.....Funny to see how many suckers actually believed it......LOL!
“dress.....wish I would have preserved it but alas I didn’t. 60 years and counting..thank you Lord.....;)”
At 75 there were a lot of things I wish I had kept.
Approaching 80 I am starting to wonder what to do with some of the things I did keep.
Cold War. It's okay - we had orange juice and anti-histamines.
I posted you because of the Frank Zappa song.

"Movin' to Montana soon..."
What the...! Who let that happen? Those were my go-to sneakers.
Do you know of any American-made brand that equals the quality NB used to have? I'll settle for any not sweat-shopped using underage neo-slaves.
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