Herring Shoes Journal

The nights are drawing in now with the next post-8pm sunset scheduled for next April. That means summer is coming to an end. Sob! That’s not to say there may not be some sunshine-filled days in September, but the last days of August spell the end of the summer holidays, when it’s time to think about going back to school, college and university…and for the workers among us, to head back into the office with earnest.

While schoolchildren are whisked off to join high street queues to get their feet measured for new shoes, us working adults simply return to our shoe cupboard to fish out the formal shoes that may have been replaced by flip-flops, sandals, deck shoes and espadrilles during the holiday season.

You may not need your feet re-measured, but that does not mean you may not need a new pair of shoes. Have you let your everyday office shoes get a bit tatty? Are they looking a little bit down at heel? Or have you simply gone off the style?

Our advice is to embrace the back-to-school feeling in the workplace. Who says you cannot get that little buzz from new shoes or new threads as you head back to the office in September? It’s an ideal chance to face the last third of the year with a renewed sense of purpose, to finish 2024 with aplomb and to change up your style if you feel the need.

We have some new styles that are a twist on traditional models to elevate your office look this autumn. Take the Malborough, as a good example. Just arrived in our warehouse, this is a Derby shoe care of its lacing system, which is great for a slightly wider foot or for feet that tend to swell during the day, but is oh-so sleek thanks to its appealing Z460 last shape.  We have added some discreet punching to the lacings which gives the style some visual interest to contrast with the super-smart plain front and heel.

To my mind, this is a handsome shoe. Perfect for the office, but also for formal occasions. The Malborough also comes with a beautiful in-channel stitched sole and a finger-polished upper, so you are getting a truly bespoke quality shoe, made by our friends at the Carlos Santos factory in Portugal, at a ready-to-wear price. We have them in both black and dark brown calf to suit any outfit.

If you like a traditional Oxford but want to switch it up a bit, why not try a wholecut? This style is considered the king of formal footwear as it is meticulously crafted from a single piece of leather. They are shoes to behold! Our new Chaucer II style has a hand-painted signature blue sole to add pizazz to a large portion of already-obvious panache. There is no doubt that this is a luxurious shoe. Available in black and rosewood calf, these are perfect for work and smart occasions.

Want to spend a little less but still want to upgrade your office style? Consider the Morecombe. A neat semi-brogue, this updated shoe features a unique punching pattern that uses a semi-circle and two horizontal dots rather than a more traditional circle and two vertical dots. This small difference makes it more elegant and visually very sleek.

While these are three new styles, Herring has been selling men’s shoes for nearly 60 years, so we know what styles work in the office and elsewhere. This means we have work shoes to suit all foot shapes and sizes, and our experienced customer service advisors are always happy to give you guidance if needed. With most of our footwear being repairable, a Herring shoe represents a true investment.

Fancy injecting some back-to-school newness into your September wardrobe? Have a browse here today. Equally, if your son’s or sons’ feet have stopped growing, then this could be the time to invest in handmade shoes to see them through another school year, plus interviews and formal occasions. Read my blog ahead of the last school year – all styles are still available: https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/journal/2023/boys-school-shoes-for-2023-2024/