Wildsmith
It’s been a long wait and now my Wildsmith Niven have arrived. I am so excited.
Whilst on holidays in May last year I had the privilege of visiting Herring Shoes in Devon, and got a glimpse of some of the new Wildsmith range. I was very impressed by what was on offer and started to save my pennies, even though I did invest in two pairs of boots at the time.
Herring have just relaunched the Wildsmith brand with some fabulous shoes. The brand was founded by John Wildsmith more than 170 years ago and represents the pinnacle of shoe making. Apparently the brand has quite an auspicious heritage with actors, royalty and various famous world dignitaries being part of the Wildsmith clientele. Browsing the range and names of the shoes will give you a hint of who some of the famous clients of the past have been.
So, back to the Niven wholecut. It comes in black, chestnut and mocha calf. I decided to go with the mocha. The colour is rich and stunning. Whilst black is always beautiful and a must in every man’s wardrobe, the chestnut is also a standout as the colour grabs you and goes well with a more relaxed setting. The mocha on the other hand is a little bit more daring and can be dressed up and be very formal or can fit the bill for a more relaxed and casual look.
The Niven is simply exquisite and clearly takes its cues from its namesake. It has the elegance and simplicity that only a wholecut can offer but with a twist. The last is sleek and modern but maintains classical lines that will make it a gorgeous addition to any ensemble for many years to come.
Now to the twist. The shoe exudes the sophistication that can only be achieved with a wholecut shoe, but that medallion punching on the toe! It is unique and so definitive. It is simply stunning.
As you would expect with a shoe of this class, it is beautifully made with the best leathers and handmade craftsmanship. As with most beautiful things, the beauty is in the detail. If you turn the shoes upside down you will see what I mean. It doesn’t get better than channel stitched welted soles. Like the Wildsmith of old, the new Wildsmith range continues to represent the pinnacle of shoe craftsmanship. And more specifically, a wholecut shoe is made with one piece of leather which means that the leather needs to be perfect and it requires the most highly skilled craftsman to make them.
I do love my Niven wholecut, it is however only one of many wonderful options. Credit to the team at Herring, the Wildsmith range is quite comprehensive and I am certain one, two or even more pairs would be suitable for the most definitive and stylish men.
Now, that the Niven is out of the box, what to wear them with? Yes, I have it! Of course, my flannel grey three piece Prince of Wales check would go fabulously. And I do have several fedora options too but what colour? Clearly, the Niven in mocha is so versatile. So many possibilities. And with all those celebrities and royalty of the past … it looks like I am in good company.
One more thing, as with all things how you look after them is directly related to how long they last and how good they look over time. I make a habit of ensuring that all my shoes are stored with shoe trees, which I believe is a must. In this instance, I couldn’t go past pairing the Niven with the Wildsmith shoe trees. It is an essential investment for such a beautiful shoe and they look pretty good too.
And, by the way, if you are ever travelling in Devon or just near the vicinity, do yourself a favour and visit the guys at Herring Shoes. They are most gracious and would be happy to show you around their showroom. But, if you have a weakness for fine things and great shoes, you will need to be very strong willed not to spend some money. As for me, I am not so strong willed but do have a great shoes collection, thanks to Herring.
So gents, Mr Niven and I are stepping out and signing off … cheers
