Heavy Brogue Boots

While I can't say that I am the biggest fan of heavy country brogue boots,  but I have a reader that is facing a dilemma, in what to buy versus what to spend on a pair of brogue boots. Since, I do not wear them nor know of many makes, I thought that I would do this post finding as many as I could, but also leave it up to all of you for any possible recommendations. I think that the criteria is nothing too far over 350 GBP. So I am looking for all of you to leave comments on things that you have found/own that you might be able to post/recommend in the comments section

The reader is currently debating between the two above, which are Trickers (right) and Cheaney (left) but is not completely sold on either one.

I have always like the idea of a brogue boot but have never got into wearing them. This is most likely due to the heavy nature of them and the fact that I am a 5'9", skinny guy, and wearing these with slim jeans just makes me look like a tool. Not to say that I would not wear the pair by Alden, below, which I find very attractive, but then again, they are not so 'country,' they are more like the city brogue boot, being a little bit more slim looking. Even though the one at the very top (which is by Lodger) is quite chunky, I have also been a fan of it, the look of it that is. We actually sell it at Gieves & Hawkes, but I just don't think that it would suit me very much. Nevertheless, I wished that I would look better in a pair of these, as I think that they would make a fantastic shoe to own for English Autumn through Spring. Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you may leave.










Two Above By: Alden

Two Above: Grenson

Two Above: Alfred Sargent

Boots Above: Mark McNairy

Today's Favorites - Lodger

 

A cap toe with a high-shined cap is always a pleasant thing to see, but when you then add the color green into the mix, it becomes even cooler!! I was just in at Lodger's today and saw some of the new samples that they want to put into production and I was quite impressed. This model here is looking to come in a gray as well as a burgundy, two beautiful options on the color scale. Another exciting model was a wing-cap laced derby boot, that was black but had contrast white stitching. Come to think of it, I just now realized that I had my camera on me and failed to take a picture. What a slacker I am!! Well, I apologize for my absentmindedness but you will have to take my word in regards to the amazingness (I know that this is not a word, but who cares) of the boot. I can't imagine that it wouldn't make it into production, so you will have to be on the look out for it! 

Back to the shoe at hand. You don't see to many green shoes these days but it is always nice when you do. This model here is a great example of having a shoe that can be a different color but not be ostentatious or overly colorful. I really don't see why any businessman could not wear this with a navy suit? It certainly would not scream out, 'look, I am super flashy,' but would on the other hand, in my opinion, say that the gentlemen was a sharp dresser. But hey, baby steps right?? Let's start to see those navy dress shoes on the feet of lots of men before we can start asking for green to be a normal colored shoe.....

Cheap Shoes - Don't Kid Yourself

One of the truest statements I ever heard before was from one of my high school friends who is currently a bed salesmen and tells his customers this: "There are two things that you should never go cheap on. One is your shoes and the other is your bed because if you are not using one you are using the other!" When I actually thought about it, he was dead on and I had never realized that. And now I cannot wait for the day that I can buy a memory foam mattress to have heavenly sleep on. The problem is that most other men don't think like this, but they should. 

(For statements made down below I have added pics of nice shoes vs. cheap shoes just to show how easy it is to tell the difference. That same difference is just as noticeable when they are on your feet!)

Top Of Page Picture Courtesy Of: Leffot

Above Top Row: Left - Cheap Shoe; Right - Gaziano & Girling

Above Bottom Row: Left - Cheap Shoe; Right - Barker Black

I never understood why most men are willing to drop thousands of dollars (or pounds or euros) on a suit but right after go to a shoe department and not want to spend more than 200 dollars. They then look like an oaf because the intelligent eye can see the contrast between a Zegna suit and a China-made Hugo Boss or some Kurt Geiger shoe. Yet, it is always like this and I cannot comprehend why? I want to understand the point in history where it came to be that most men decided that shoes were the part of the wardrobe to go cheap on. You don't know how many times I have heard men say, "I would never spend 400 dollars on a pair of shoes," scoffing as they say it. What's funny is that most of those men were rich and could easily crap 400 dollars. And when I heard this I thought three things: 1. This guy is a cheap bastard, 2. He is a complete idiot and 3. He is sadly naive. 

Above Top Row: Left - Cheap Shoe; Right - J.M. Weston

Above Bottom Row: Left - Cheap Shoe; Right - Lodger

As I have said before there is a health issue at hand when it comes to cheap shoes. Not being properly supported can affect your posture, your spinal alignment and can create feet problems like bone spurs. The only difference between wearing cheap vs. expensive clothes is how you will look. Chances are that if you are one of my regular readers, you don't fall under this category but if you just happen to be visiting for the first time, ask yourself if this sounds like something that you would do. And if so, stop being cheap! People can see and smell it a mile away and it's not attractive to anyone. If you have the money, invest it properly. And believe me when I tell you that a good pair of shoes will be one of the best investments that you will ever make. It may not do so in a monetary gain, but it certainly will in health, looks, and perception of yourself from others as well as from yourself.

You are only kidding yourself when you try to justify that shoes should not be something you spend wisely on.

Shoe Of The Week

Of all of the ways that one could make a wingtip shoe, I truly appreciate this version. It has the feel of a brogue, yet does not have the actual brogueing, which for me, means that the designer actually put some thought into it instead of just saying, 'let's make another full-brogue.' And while it's not that far off, it's enough to appreciate the simplistic final outcome. Yet almost more importantly than being creative with the design, this shoe by Lodger, has a shape to die for! And even more importantly than both of those, is the fact that it is currently on sale!!! So if you happen to love this shoe as I do and might be in the West End neighborhood of London anytime in the near future, pop into Lodger to check it out and the other wonderful shoes that they currently offer on sale.

Today's Favorites - More Saddle Shoes

Shoe Above: Lodger

 

2 Pairs Above: Tricker's

3 Pairs Above: Opening Ceremony

Considering that saddle shoes are probably my all-time favorite style, there will be numerous times where I post them. If they are not your thing, sorry, deal with it! I love seeing saddle shoes that come in combination's that are different from the typical golf-shoe looking saddle that has a white-base with a red, blue, or black saddle. To me, while I would gladly wear and own one those 'standard' saddles, they are just so boring compared to the unique and unconventional options that are sprouting up everywhere for this fall/winter season as well as the upcoming spring/summer 2011 season.

Today's Favorites - Shoes With Multiple Colors/Materials/Leather Types

Shoe Above: Carreducker

Shoe Above: Lodger

Shoe Above: St. Crispins

Shoes Above: Koji Suzuki

Shoe Above: Salvatore Ferragamo

Feast your eyes on these puppies!! Shoes with multiple materials, leather types, and colors are always just a touch more exciting than something so plain Jane!