Swedish Hasbeens x

ss11_3sI was aware of fashion from a very early age …rolling down my hated knee socks in primary school in longing of cute ankle ones – and lusting over those nearly not there socks with the pom-pom at the back? Sigh.  And there was the utter object of my desire..navy blue clogs.  I’d watch those lucky girls nonchalantly flick them off to do cartwheels on the grass..before sliding them back on and jauntily walking off with that bone dry rhythm. I knew it was wrong to be fiddling with a buckle.

Time has made a difference..and I just got me some new summer shoes…CLOGS! A long held desire has been appeased and a wrong has finally been righted..Do you know the brand Swedish Hasbeens? They have a lovely story..(although it has given me visions of Anita lighting up a four-legged beast from the desert)..

The story
Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970’s. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs.One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70’s) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighboring village and brought them to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita’s wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens.Our ambition is to continue to release more incoherent and fun shoes and stuff inspired by Hasbeens that once ruled the planet.The Hasbeens toffels, bags and belts are based on original 70’s models and are made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather since it’s the most beautiful and the highest quality at the same time as it’s environmentally friendly.They are still handmade with respect for people and the environment in the old traditional way, and in small factories that have made shoes for decades. Our production methods and material are kind to nature and people. Happy toffels make happy people.

The designs are delicious…

inspire9_s inspire3_s inspire8_sinspire10_s 333_t_bar_sandal_cognac_webb-b409202b.jpg.thumb_339x254 A clunky shoe that’s elegant..want this one.440_new_green_webb-b38c7b0a.jpg.thumb_339x254 Love this colour – they also do in canary yellow!440_heart_sandal_webb-8be9341d.jpg.thumb_339x254 832_black_nature_webb-e57f6eb4-bdfa1685.jpg.thumb_339x254 470_black_webb-238ea507.jpg.thumb_339x254Want these. And some more retro style ads from their website:

ss11_1s ss11_2sI went for simplicity and a lower heel – I’ve never worn Hasbeens before and I suspect a wooden sole takes a bit of getting used to, also I was ordering off the internet…and truth be told –  I’m not too good on really high heels and I want these as regular day shoes..the colour is divine…not white, but a soft, buttermilk.. they’ll go with everything..

IMG_1950But if they suit…and they become my best-ever-summer-shoe-purchase-since-the-arrival-of-flatforms..guess where they’ve opened their first UK shop? Only in Hanbury street in Spitalfields…I hear a siren call..

Laters, Kate x

P.S. Tip from Anna, the half-Swedish girl who knows..to wear them in (the leather is good n strong) start wearing them in the house with extra thick socks!

20 comments

  3. floramargaret

    Congratulations! My birthday is in 2 days and I was JUST thinking in car the on my way to work that clogs would make a great birthday gift again this year. Last year (at my request) my husband bought the red version of the sandal clogs (featured in the photo just below the one with the green suitcase). I love them and their “bone dry rhythm,” and get compliments every time I wear them. Must alert the children to direct their father away from the heart-shaped pendants and toward the Hasbeens…

  4. purplepincushion

    I love my Hasbeens!! I splurged and bought myself the military boots. Best. Purchase. Ever!! Totally worth every penny and I am saving for another pair, hopefully one of the fun retro shoes 🙂

    • MasonBentley

      Really good to hear..they caught my eye on the website. Did they take a while to wear in? Having never worn a wooden sole I’m quite curious..having said that, can’t help but feel a wooden sole is perfect for summer and additional fluids..ho hum x

      • purplepincushion

        I haven’t actually been able to wear them as much as I would like since I got them in the fall and we have had a horribly long messy winter. The first couple of times I wore them they were pretty stiff and it did take a little to get used to the wooden soles, but the leather is softening up quite nicely and I love the soles the more I wear them. The thing you have to get used to is that the sole has no flex at all, but they are very comfortable.

      • MasonBentley

        Wore mine for the frist time yesterday..took a little getting used to..but, oh my! That sound! Wore them on virgin winter skin, first time no socks..and did the school run and back. I was impressed.

  5. The Style Trenches

    When I look at the shoes on their own, I’m not a fan. But styled, like have been in the vintage posters and they are too cute! The right outfit can really change the appearance of a fashion item.

  8. Melody

    Goodness, Spitalfields truly is calling you back. GRATEFUL for the shoutout for lovely practical heels. Hmm, wonder how long they would take to get to Germany? Maybe a road trip might be in order too. For shoes.

  10. thelinencat

    Ah lovely Hasbeens! I like my flats, but I find the ‘super high’ easier to wear (they feel less flat footed to walk in), just a thought if you struggle with the lower ones. They are all lovely though!

    • MasonBentley

      I have been very pleasantly surprised..I think the wooden sole works a bit like the old scoll shoes..they almost mould to your feet? Am one happy girl! xxx