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Introducing the James Dean by White’s Boots
We are proud to present this all new exclusive style made in collaboration with the family of James Dean.
It’s hard to put a finger on what seems to make time stand still for certain individuals who’ve walked among us. Often, it would appear the recipe is a mix of vibrant charismatic talent, coupled with an enigmatic pursuit grasping at the threshold of meaning and feeling, culminating in a meteoric rise that’s met with abrupt, untimely tragedy. Gone too soon.
Is it strange that so many names we know who fall into this eternity of remembrance also seem to have been so aptly equipped to deliver a message for their generation in their time and place? Furthermore, that theirs was delivered with such a concentrated purity, it continues to speak to generation after generation, finding new footholds among fresh minds.
Among these temporal immortals, James Dean stands a figurehead, ruminating coyly among the shadows with unassuming grace.
It was with great respect, and an equal sense of responsibility, that White’s Boots accepted the invitation from James Dean’s family to build a special boot in honor of Jim’s legacy.
James Dean’s first cousin Marcus Winslow Jr. is still holding down the family farm in Fairmount, Indiana, where he and Jim shared much of their formative years together, working the farm, attending the local schools, and learning to ride motorcycles along the Crossroads of America.
Memories of Jim’s youth can still be found around the farm, while many of his personal belongings have been preserved at the James Dean Museum, set up by the good people of Fairmount. Of the notable treasures Jim left us with, some of his favorite items, as we’ve been told, were his boots.
Surrounding ourselves in the time capsule of photographs, letters, interviews, film, and ephemera, it became apparent that James Dean was a very intentional fellow, thoughtfully pursuing his craft and craftsmanship with an appreciation for hard-working hands and a patience planted in him by his rural roots.
Product Details
The James Dean by White's Boots takes inspiration from two silhouettes Jimmy made his own — the riding boots he wore constantly off-set, and the Engineer boot immortalized by Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause. Together, they form the foundation of a pull-on style that honors both icons in a single boot.
Built on our historic 55 Arch-Ease® Last with White's signature Handsewn Stitchdown Construction, and made entirely by hand in Spokane, Washington — hand-lasted, hand-bottomed, and met with skilled craftsmanship at every stage — this isn't a replica. It's a tribute. One we hope James himself would have been proud to pull on.
Features
- Made by hand in the USA
- Exclusive James Dean Stamp
- Fully Rebuildable and Resoleable
- Fully customizable sizing
- Limited to 500 pairs
Specifications
- Handsewn Stitchdown Construction
- Built on the 55 Arch-Ease™ Last
- 12” Full Grain Upper
- Matte Nickel Shaft Buckle
- Lowered Logger Heel
- Single Row Sole Stitching
- Vegetable Tanned Leather Outsole
Material
Black Washed Chromexcel (6-7oz) from Horween Tannery - Washed Chromexcel starts with the same vegetable re-tanned, hot stuffed base as standard Chromexcel, then goes through an additional washing process. Heat and tumbling give it a distinctive natural grain and a quieter, more matte finish — character built right into the leather before you ever slip your boots on.
Sizing & Fit
Finding your perfect fit is one of the most important parts of owning a pair of White's. Our 55 Last is offered in an exceptional range of lengths and widths — because a boot this well-made deserves to fit just as precisely as it's built. Follow our fitting instructions below and we'll help you dial in a fit that feels fully tailored to your foot. Most customers find they size a half size down from their standard shoe size, so take a few minutes with the measurements — it's worth it.
Nothing fits and feels quite like a handsewn boot, so when it came to this James Dean design, there was no debate! Outfitted with roll-top trimming, single row welt stitching, a lowered logger heel, and a natural vegetable “oak” tanned outsole, the boot finds a balance between Western influence and the early engineer styles of the 30s and 40s, much like the styles Dean wore on and off screen. And finally, every pair is adorned with a custom woven label and stamped with the signature of James Dean.
Expect a comfortable break-in with all the performance expected from a handsewn boot in premium leather. The James Dean Boot carries all the same trademarks of White’s Handsewn Construction, fully resoleable and rebuildable.
Built by hand to last a lifetime.
We are incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to combine a humble dose of White’s Boots long legacy, to the ever-growing legend that James Dean has left in his wake.
As we make these available to the world, we hope they find their way onto the soles of many an adventure and countless good stories. Remember, there is always beauty in the break-in.
And if ol’ Jim can see us now, may he smile down on the many miles his name is set to travel in every pair of these, exclusive, James Dean by White's Boots.
The James Dean Boot is limited to 500 pairs.
James Dean™ is a trademark of James Dean, Inc.