Herring Shoes Journal

The Jerry was new to our Premier Collection last year. Developed by our long-term friend and Journal contributor Jerry Tharapos, this is a really beautiful, bespoke boot that deserves a bit of attention. It is the culmination of a great relationship, expert shoemaking, and a two-tone style, so we are quite sentimental about it!

Where to start? A somewhat Dickensian laced boot with six eyelets and two hooks, this Balmoral-style boot it is now very contemporary care of the 205 last the Jerry has been made on to give it a squarer, chiselled toe.

Balmoral boots are akin to an Oxford in boot form, with some distinct features: a closed lacing system, a distinct upper and lower portion of the boot, low heels, a rounded toe, and above the ankle in length. 

The British royal family had their part to play in their existence with Prince Albert originally commissioning them for walking through the Balmoral grounds but also to be worn indoors. Ever a fan of boots, Queen Victoria was quick get in on the act too. 

Our version is two-tone with the vamp, toe cap and heel-counter made from calf leather and the contrasting top and tongue made from suede. We have one in burgundy calf and blue suede, and the other in navy calf and suede. Both look superb.

We also added broguing along the lower and toe-cap seam and on the two-cap too. Every detail has been thought of.

The mastermind behind their design was Jerry, who will not mind us saying, is a rather natty dresser. He is big fan of burgundy leather, period dramas and vintage styles. A self-confessed modern dandy, Jerry looks sharp and likes to blend old and new styles, usually with a bit of tweed thrown in. 

However, it is the skills that goes into making shoes and boots like this that attracted Jerry to Herring in the first place. His namesake was handmade by the wonderful craftsmen at Cheaney in the heartland of shoemaking in Northamptonshire. They are Goodyear-welted which means they can be repaired again and again, if you look after them. This means that if you wear the sole out; you can get it replaced, but not lose the comfort of that you have broken into the upper.

So, if you want a bit of royalty-approved, two-tone, brogue-ish quality footwear in your life then take a look at the Jerry. As their co-creator Jerry would say: “Be dashing…be daring”.