Don't Underestimate Thorocraft, Footwear Newbie

It's rare for paralysis of our finicky palates to set in, rendering us dumbfounded, mouths agape and judgment-free. But as difficult as silence is, wearable casual distressed oxfords are even harder to come by. New York City based neophyte, Thorocraft, ever so slightly pulled its curtain back to reveal come of its Spring 2010 collection.

Thorocraft, under the direction of Alex James, does a service to distressed oxfords and boots, coupling pre-worn, lackluster facades with red-brown autumn leaf and Christmas charcoal hues on subtle (and not so subtle interwoven checkered) streamlined oxfords and Red-Robin-Hood-esque boots. Coming in as an underdog -- in a dog eat dog world, let's not forget -- Thorocraft promises a tasteful must-have.

- Franics Bea