Brother Vellies Desert Boots

A pair of fine boots are on my wish list: Brother Vellies are made by just 8 gentlemen in the costal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, the home of the original – original original – desert boot. Inspired by the tribal footwear of the Khoikhoi tribe, velskoen, or "vellies," were made back in the 1600s and adapted by British travellers into the boot we know today.

Made of Kudu hides (an African antelope mandated by the government as means of population control), the leather and suede often bear scars or other "imperfections" because they are taken from wild animals. Hemingway would be charmed.