Tucker Carlson's Green Suede Chukkas: "It's Possible I Had a Fever"

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Comedy writer Bonnie Datt once bought a chainmail vest "for clubbing"—a purchase she later came to lament, once she realized that chainmail isn't particularly slimming. Inspired by this, she now spends her spare time asking famous people to dish about purchases which they initially loved—but ended up regretting, for Buyer's Remorse.

When it comes to fashion, political types often strive to blend in and not draw attention to their sartorial choices. So we always appreciated it when conservative commentator, author, former Dancing With The Stars contestant and co-founder of the political news site, The Daily Caller, Tucker Carlson sported his snazzy bowties.

Unfortunately, Carlson's bowtie-wearing days are long gone, but we suspected that the always quotable pundit might have a memorable Buyer's Remorse story for us. And sure enough, he does...

Racked: So Tucker, can you think of a purchase you initially thought was a great idea, but ended up regretting?

Tucker Carlson: I almost never buy anything—at this moment I'm wearing a shirt I got in 1989—and when I do it's almost always to replace something that has worn out with an exact replica. But occasionally I'm forced to go to the store for something completely new.

The last time it happened was several years ago in LA, when I was invited to a costume party. I found everything I needed at the Beverly Center, and on my way out, saw a pair of green suede chukkas that seemed to fit the costume. They were ugly as hell, but for some reason I decided they were kind of cool. It's possible I had a fever. In any case, it wasn't until a week later when I was flying back to Washington that I came to my senses. A security guard guy at LAX took one look at the shoes and said something about the Jolly Green Giant. Instantly, the fever broke and I threw them away. But it was close. I almost brought them home.

I have no memory of the costume, or for that matter of the party. Only the horrible shoes. Blessedly, there is no picture.
· The Daily Caller [Official Site]
· All Buyer's Remorse Posts [Racked]