Yesterday's New York Times Business article about the Florsheim shoe company was more than a tale of family ownership finding success in the twenty-first century, but a lesson in global culture as well. No, the article didn't dwell on the differences between different countries' shoe manufacturers. But it provided some handy statistics, including per-capital shoe spending by country, and Florsheim's most popular designs by region.

According to the Times' chart, Americans rank very high in per-capita shoe spending, at $222 per every man, woman and child. Italians, of course, beat us handsomely with $309, but it looks like we're above the EU average. Even fairly wealthy nations like Canada and Kuwait were laggards, spending only $139 and $165 respectively. As my mother pointed out, that's a pair of Manolos only every few years.



Far more fascinating to this stylewatcher is Florsheim's most popular sellers by region. America's popular Cornell style is sleek, modern, and expensive-looking (if somewhat conservative), while Canada's is ugly, outdoorsy, and its café latte color is too light to go well with most outfits.
Europe's Kenmoor wingtip is elegant, old-fashioned, and slim. Australia / New Zealand's sporty Toronto style blended hip-hip and sporty detailing in a youthful shoe that's probably comfortable on the beach. China's fussy brown loafer looks cheap, and the wings on the side lend an Oriental touch. Pretty accurate, no?

Yet another observation in my continuing series about the intersection of global economics and culture. And how Canada sucks.