Bodiley's Launch The London Collection

As a business that exports 80% of its English made shoes overseas, Bodiley's have just launched their ‘London Collection’ to showcase the provenance and quality of British fashion.

Westminster - Dark Brown calf Balmoral boot. Price £360

http://www.bodileys.com/westminster-dark-brown-calf-balmoral-boot.html

In creating the London Collection, Bodiley's enlisted the help of the highly regarded John Garner who has over 50 years experience in the shoe trade and recently retired from Edward Green.

Portman  - Chestnut calf Oxford shoe Price £345

http://www.bodileys.com/portman-chestnut-calf.html

 This new collection is classic, elegant and versatile – the perfect shoe wardrobe for every gentleman.

Ebury -  Mocca burnished calf Penny Loafers. Price £295

http://www.bodileys.com/london-collection-ebury-mocca-burnished-calf.html

 All the shoes are made in Northamptonshire, the historical capital of cobblery and are handcrafted using the traditional good year welted construction.

Brompton - Chocolate suede Tassel Loafer. Price £290

http://www.bodileys.com/london-collection-brompton-tassel-loafer-1813.html

The lasts have been chosen for utmost comfort and style, the finest materials used, each pair taking up to 8 weeks to manufacture.

Markham - Antique Chestnut burnished calf Monk Shoe price £345

http://www.bodileys.com/markham-antique-chestnut-calf.html

Get your tassles and pennies out for your Loafers

We've seen the plain loafer now it's time to get your tassles and pennies out!
Firstly the tantalising Tassle Loafer
Tassle loafers were originally considered a more casual shoe but are often seen now paired with sports coats,

Angelo Galasso

The tassles were originally to tie the shoe but now just for decoration. Angelo Galasso’s 2 tone tassle loafer blends smoothly from tan to the brown around the toes and definitely doesn't look casual. Price £480

Angelo Galasso's stand alone store is at 8-10 Hans Road London. Tel: 0207 584 3978

Bodileys Morcott tassle loafer

Bodileys of Northampton have just started making their own range of shoes, one of which is the Morcott, a tassle loafer in a chocolate brown suede with contrasting leather tassles This range is so new that the price hasn’t been confirmed but will start from £275 upwards depending on style and type. Details should be on their website soon. www.shoesnorthampton.co.uk

And now for the penny pinching Penny Loafer
In 1934, a bootmaker called Bass started to produce the loafer with a strip of leather across the front of the shoe with a diamond shape cut out. Instead of calling them loafers, he chose to name them weejuns (after the Norwegians who first started making lafer style shoes) . However they are best known as Penny loafers when Ivy League students started to wear them and began to insert a cent or penny into the diamond shaped slit for decoration. (or maybe they didn’t want to ruin the line of their trousers with loose change)

Herrings Luca Penny Loafer

Herring shoes have a penny loafer style shoe called Luca in their Graduate Collection and costs £99.95. It comes in burgundy or black polish and brown suede. The sole has a rubber insert and vibram rubber heel for durability and grip.
www.herringshoes.co.uk

Quiet and understated - The Monk Shoe

This is the next most formal shoe after the Oxford and it is a heavenly shoe for men with wider feet whose top priority is comfort. The shoe is closed by a buckle or strap instead of lacing. 

As you may have guessed this shoe has its origins with the style of shoes monks used to wear – originally made of cloth with a soft fabric run around to bind the shoe.

Crockett & Jones Monkton shoe

From Northampton, the shoe capital of the UK, is Crockett and Jones. Here we have their classic plain one buckle monk shoe called the Monkton, in chestnut burnished calf at £305.00 They don’t have a wide distribution in the UK other than their own London and Birmingham retail stores, and don’t sell online. But you can visit their website for the stores addresses: www.crockettandjones.co.uk

Bodileys Lyndon shoe

Bodileys of Northampton have just started making their own range of shoes, one of which is the double buckle monk shoe called Lyndon. This range is so new that the price hasn’t been confirmed but will start from £275 upwards depending on style and type. Details should be on their website soon. www.shoesnorthampton.co.uk

You'll be keeping your head bowed just to admire your monk shoes.