Gordon Rush makes a surprisingly sophisticated pair of shoes

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It’s no secret that Southern Californians love their flip-flops. They are the ubiquitous footwear that the rest of the country tends to associate us with. Well, we’re not just about a casual rubber sandal and shoe designer Gordon Rush can prove it.

Rush is based in what you could call the flip-flop capital of the country — San Diego, yet his aesthetic is anything but beach bum. In fact, he makes really nice, classic men’s dress shoes that are all manufactured in Italy and could stand up to a pair of Gucci loafers any day.

I was struck by this great pair of military-inspired boots that sell for $555. Not bad considering most leather boots like this go for closer to $1,000. I love the versatile brown color and the fact that they are a nice mix of sleek and chunky. And to my surprise they are from a local company that turns out a nice collection of leather shoes, belts and travel bags.

This is no surf shop shoe line. Gordon Rush sells at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Our weather permits flip-flops the majority of the year, but I’ll take some swanky boots any day.

-- Melissa Magsaysay