Herring Shoes Journal

The end of the summer holidays can feel like back-to-school for work too, and the changing season can spell a switch-up for your office style. Equally, you may have been labouring through the summer in your suit and just fancy a new pair of shoes to reward yourself for surviving the hotter months!

Whatever the excuse, and we do not think you have to have one, we have got some ideas for formal footwear that is smart enough for the office but stylish enough to take you to the bar after work too.

The Milton
First up, something a little different and perfect for the suit-wearers that like boots. This is a seriously sharp-looking, stunning jodhpur-style boot that can be worn in so many ways, but we like to team the Milton with a suit. The buckle and strap are largely hidden away under your trouser leg, but as soon as you cross your legs and your ankle is exposed, it gives your contemporaries a clue about the kind of man they are dealing with! 

The Milton has a Goodyear-welted leather sole, so is designed to be repaired when needed. It is also hand-patinated individually in the Carlos Santos factory to produce its stunning finish. This boot will look great in the bar after work too.

The Dunkeld
The semi-brogue is a true classic and a style of shoe we are known for. A gentleman needs a pair of semi-brogues or two in his wardrobe as they are so versatile. In the office, at a wedding, down the pub, at the rugby club and so on, a semi-brogue can be dressed up or dressed down to suit any occasion with the intricate detailing unique to the semi-brogue making a subtle statement about your style.

But when we set about designing the Dunkeld, we wanted to create something that would celebrate classic elegance but would have a twist. Available in a classic black and rosewood calf, the twist is in the elastication. It is a superbly hidden feature that is tucked under a fan of delicate leather panels that does away with laces for people that find them fiddly or just prefer the convenience of a slip-on shoe. However, the Dunkeld still looks like a traditional lace-up shoe with the inclusion of clever faux-leather laces.

The Sloane
The Sloane is more traditional…in fact, we think it is impeccable. It even features an exclusive dark-blue sole made specifically for us. It has elegant lines, superb detailing and the all-important Goodyear-welting to provide the best shoe construction and will help you meet your personal sustainability goals. The exceptional character of this shoe is credit to the craftsmen that created it. The Sloane definitely ticks the office-wear box but will make a statement in the bar after-hours that you mean business. We have this gorgeous shoe in both black and brown calf.

The Carnaby
We have saved the most traditional until last with our go-to chestnut brogue. The Carnaby is a full wingtip brogue, made on the elegant 386 last and is great example of meticulous English shoemaking. These brogues are made from the finest calf leather with a Goodyear-welted leather sole.

These chestnut brogues can add a lighter note to grey or navy suiting. Alternatively, they make an ideal pairing with a blue blazer and chinos, depending on your office-wear rules. These will look great with jeans at the weekend too, so are a great investment.

With all these styles, you will ooze style at your desk, in meetings and anywhere else your work-day life takes you…and then again after hours too.