Sneak Preview of JShoes AW 11 collection

The inspiration for JShoe's AW11 'Era' collection is the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) of the 50's and 60's when a group of French filmmakers began experimenting with shots away from mainstream cinema techniques. 

Above is the 'Operator', a two tone finish boot with lace hooks on the ankle. This style takes on a more casual approach with softer shapes and a handcrafted feel.

Brogues are softened with the distressed look.

And don't you step on his blues suede shoes!

There is also the 'Portland'- a lace up moccasin style mid calf boot featuring:
a waxed wrinkle leather upper
a natural crepe sole
sheep skin lining
handstitch detailing.




JShoes goes for Heritage colours in their 'Woodland' inspired collection of traditional styles with a modern twist.

 One of the key styles is the 'Overlord'- a leather lace up military style boot featuring a secondary layer around the ankle which is removable. Comes in black/olive, dark brown/olive or truffle/dark brown. 

The AW11 collection will be available soon on www.jshoes.com

Charles Tyrwhitt on the move!

Charles Tyrwhitt, the quality shirtmaker and menswear brand, has moved its flagship store from 92 Jermyn Street to  98-100 Jermyn Street. 

Why bother just moving a few doors away you may ask- well because the new premises are bigger and better. Here the merchandise is spread over two floors and occupies over 4,000 square foot. The store is light and bright due to its corner position allowing daylight to shine through the many floor to ceiling shop windows.

And a sense of space due to the atrium style as you descend to the lower ground floor via the wide quarter turn helical staircase for the smart casual/weekend  wear selection.

But somehow keeps the quintessentially cosy British look through the comfy sofas , leather armchairs, cushions  and dark wood.

Loved the mannequins with their artist’s model style jointed wooden limbs and their cloth covered heads  in various patterns.

Also, good news, they have a promotion on until the end of May where some of their clothing is half price! 

Red & white dogstooth jacket was £310 now £155. 100% cotton, woven in italy with working button 3 cuffs and natural corozo buttons.

Worn here with:
Stone cotton linen canvas trousers were £120 now £59. 68% cotton, 32% linen.

White twill Sea Island quality slim fit shirt was £120 now £59.95. 100% cotton

Navy plain woven tie was £50 now £24.95. 100% silk

Navy quarter handkerchief was £26 now £12.95. 100% silk,
hand rolled hems, discreet Charles Tyrwhitt logo.

Tan Bristol loafers with apron stitch, were £330 now £165. 100% calf leather and made in Northampton, the UK shoe capital. Goodyear welted, leather sole with rubber heel. Fully leather lined.

Mid blue modern jacket was £310 now £155. Again 100% cotton, woven in italy and has working button 3 cuff and natural corozo buttons.

Worn here with:

Soft red single pleat chinos were £80 now £39.95, 100% cotton

Green stripe lightweight Oxford casual shirt was £69 now £29.95. 100% cotton and semi fitted.

Belford navy & pink textured stripe narrow tie was £50 now £24.95. 100% silk

Pink plain handkerchief was £26 now £12.95. 100%silk, hand rolled hems, discreet Charles Tyrwhitt logo.

Light grey Bentley suede summer brogues, were £330 now £165. Made in Northampton, the UK shoe capital. Goodyear welted , leather sole with rubber heel. Fully leather lined.

And if you can't make it to their new store, check out their website: www.ctshirts.co.uk 

Observing the Spectator Shoe

Spectator shoes or Correspondent shoes are full or semi Brogues in 2 contrasting colours. Originally worn by cricketers in the 1800’s and then made famous by the favoured shoes of co-respondents in divorce cases. Later the spectator shoes were worn by yachtsmen and at leisure sporting events, but now more commonly worn by golfers.

Angelo Galasso

Not as popular for everyday wear but Angelo Galasso does a great take on them. His stone washed blue canvas brogues have a blue nappa wing cap and heel.

Angelo Galasso

Whilst his grey suede semi brogues have just their toe caps in a contrasting chestnut brown leather with the AG monogramme perforation. Both £480.00 and can be purchased at his stand alone shop at 8-10 Hans Road London. 0207 584 3978.

Zanacco the Italian eco-luxury brand also has their take on the spectator shoe with the Angelo Brown a vegetable tanned calf 2 toned leather retailing at £390.www.zanacco.com

Zanaccco prides itself on being 100% made in Italy, and being the first eco-luxury shoe brand for men.  The shoes are all handmade by local craftsmen from Vigevano. This is the home town of Jasmine Zanacco who wants to inject life back in to the place which once was known as the shoe capital of Italy. And eco-friendly luxury materials are used such as vegetable tanned leather, water based glue and biodegradable oils.

THE BROGUE – the country shoe with soggy origins..

This hardy shoe has soggy origins. Originating in Scotland and Ireland, it started as heavy untanned leather with perforations which were not for decoration but to allow water to drain from the shoes whilst walking through bogs and other wet lands. Brogueing now is purely decorative. The name derived from Brog which is Gaelic for shoe. It became a country walking and sports shoe when the gentry saw the benefits.
A Brogue can be any style of shoe Oxford, Derby, Monk etc, but it becomes a Brogue due to the decorative perforations and serration along edges of the leather. There are also different types of Brogues:

The Full Brogues or Wingtips- called a wingtip because the style forms a W shape and looks similar to a bird with extended wings. This W shape is perforated and serrated along the edges and usually there are additional decorative perforations in the centre of the toe cap

Loake's full oxford brogue from www.rubbersoles.co.uk

Loake from Northampton is most famous for its Goodyear welted footwear and make the traditional full brogue in the oxford style at a reasonable price of £94.99 sold through www.rubbersole.co.uk . This comes in brown or black and Rubber Sole offer free next day delivery to any UK mainland destination if you order before 4pm.

Grenson's Noble oxford brogue

Another heritage brand from the Northampton shoe capital is Grenson established in 1866 and re-launched in 2006 by new owner and creative director Tim Little “to bring the iconic brogue to a new generation of men”. Here they show that full brogues can range from the fine to the chunky.
For the more understated elegant look Grenson’s Noble oxford type full brogue has tiny punching and the design is kept to a minimum to provide a lighter weight brogue. The price is also of lightweight design, originally £150 but on sale for £120. Calf leather comes in tan (as shown in image), or black. www.grenson.co.uk

Grenson's Archie derby brogue

For the chunkier brogue Grenson have the derby style shoe Archie with its oversized perforations and thick triple leather soles.The only thing not exaggerated about this shoe is the price at a reasonable £180. Comes in honey calf hi shine leather (as shown in image), or tan and black calf smooth leather.

H by Husdon's Rafferty oxford brogue

H by Hudson, the errant younger brother branch of Hudson shoes, throws their full brogues in to the washing machine to create an all over washed look. Don’t try this at home though (especially not with the whites) as Hudson does use a careful process of washing the shoes to transform them in to a vintage look. Their Rafferty shoe is a washed brown vintage look brogue with a hidden elastic section for added comfort and ease of wear. Price £100 in brown or black from www.hudsonshoes.com

J Shoes' Charlie oxford brogues

For another youthful look go for J. Shoes from www.jshoes.com . Their Charlie brogues have the faded look and come in dark grey, peanut, brown and bone colour – the peanut and bone are great shades for the summer months.

Angelo Galasso oxford brogues

Also for the summer months there are the light weight Angelo Galasso white oxford brogues with pale blue trim and AG perforated on the toe cap. – can be purchased at his stand alone shop at 8-10 Hans Road London. 0207 584 3978.

Herring's Disraeli monk brogue

And for the Monk style, go to Herrings own range of footwear made for them by Barkers, Cheaney, Loakes and Sargents on www.herringsshoes.co.uk Here shown in chestnut calf leather , the Disraeli from their Premier Collection also comes in black calf leather. Price £225.00

Nothing soggy about the brogue now!

The other brogue styles to follow in next blog.