We Invented Casual

To tell the story of how Hush Puppies became an American Classic, we have to go back 52 years.

The time is a post war America. Families are multiplying at a rapid rate and moving to the suburbs.The Krause family, a footwear manufacturer in Rockford, Michigan had developed a new process in the tanning of their suede's. These shoes were introduced to the industry at the National Shoe Fair in Chicago in October 1957.

In the spring of 1958, a company salesman by the name of Jim Muir, is traveling the country with these remarkable shoes. He finds himself dinning at a friends home in Tennessee. One of the items of food being served is a uniquely Southern dish of fried corn dough called “Hush Puppies”. He was told that when the hounds bark, they are commonly fed this dish, hence, “Hush Puppies”. The salesman thought this a very appropriate name for the companies new line of oxfords as we commonly call ones aching feet “barking dogs”. “Keep your dogs quiet by giving them Hush Puppies”-

By mid-1959 the company had produced its first million pairs of shoes and by 1963 one-in-ten adults in the United States owned a pair of Hush Puppies. Hush Puppies became more popular than ever when an early 90’s campaign reintroduced the shoe for the trendy market. Now there were sandals, loafers, sneakers, and even boots to add to the comfort collection. Nothing was as cool and casual as the colorful Hush Puppies, and feet were never so soothed. 52 years later, Hush Puppies continues to provide comfortable footwear for the entire family.

For a bit of the old school Hush Puppies nostalgia, try the Fermatas (available online and at participating Hush Puppies retailers next week). I love my purple suede loafers and my mother is a huge fan of her red patent Fermatas.
Gentleman will have to wait until August for the release of the 1958 collection of vintage HP styles.


Happy Spring Shoe Shopping,

~V