When the Prime Minister initiated lockdown at the end of March, millions of workers packed up their laptops and headed home while others accepted furlough leave as they simply could not carry out their jobs anymore.
Among the latter were the shoe factory workers in Northamptonshire. Tricker’s, for example, which continued making shoes through both the World Wars, has had to close for the first time in its 191-year history to respect social distancing regulations and to protect the health of its staff and others. While these traditional factories are unable to manufacture shoes at the moment, we still have plenty of stock to ensure their cashflow does not entirely dry up.
We have long championed British-made shoes and the quality and craftsmanship that goes into them. We use some of these Northamptonshire factories ourselves to make our own Herring shoes and boots while stocking and selling their brands too. Think Loake, Church’s, Cheaney, Barker and so on.
This is why we felt compelled to send out a rallying cry
during lockdown to support these traditional British businesses and their
workers. Buying British feels more important than ever right now.
We stock all these British brands and more in our warehouse in Kingsbridge, which is being carefully attended to by our lonesome but safe warehouse manager Tony!
Warehouse manager Tony
Meanwhile, our customer services staff are working from home but remain available to answer your queries. These guys know their shoes and understand the nuances of all these British brands.
Shopping may seem a frivolous pastime these days but if it
helps ease your conscience, you really will be supporting some very treasured
British businesses during these tough times.
With the much-anticipated new James Bond film, No Time To Die, about to reach our silver screens, sales of shoes worn by the MI6 agent are likely to soar. James Bond is an interesting character to emulate, as one minute he will be base jumping to catch a villain before heading into the office in a sharp suit and then changing into black tie to schmooze with his latest love interest. This means there are plenty of shoe changes for the wardrobe department to manage. Let’s break it down.
Action scenes:
Daniel Craig’s version of the most famous 00 agent is a fan of the chukka boot. You can spot these in the No Time To Die trailer, as he hits the accelerator to spin his long-suffering Aston Martin to shoot at the pursuers circling him. The wardrobe department opted for a brown moccasin-toe version of the chukka for No Time To Die. You can get a slightly more contemporary look with a square, chiselled toe in our Heath style. For something a little more rough and ready, we can offer you the Canterbury in three colours if brown is not your thing. This style also has a rubber sole. James Bond loves a rubber sole. The man needs the grip!
Bond favours a super-sleek Derby when his feet are more firmly on the ground. Again, he prefers a rubber sole in case he is called into action. A Derby, also known as a Blucher or Gibson, is defined by the way the lacing and eyelets close the shoe. The closing panels are sewn on top of the vamp giving the shoe a more solid appearance and more room for the higher instep than a classic Oxford.
The Derby is often confused with the Oxford, as some versions can look similar atfirst glance. However, where the Oxford is considered formal, the Derby is a more versatile choice of footwear that can be dressed up and down. Perfect for the shaken-not-stirred lifestyle of our action hero.
Herring stocks some truly rugged Derby shoes but we feel James Bond would be happier in our Carroll style – but only when running and jumping is not required as these have leather soles. The Epping has a half-leather half-rubber sole while the Franco is all rubber. Naturally, they all come in black!
For the evening, Barker has polished or high-shine Derbys – see the Newbury and the Rutherford – while Loake offer Neo. In keeping with the essential Britishness of Bond, all three are made in the UK.
While I am excited for the new film, there was some decent footwear in the films and Bonds of yesteryear. The double monk boot, for instance, featured in Skyfall. Pierce Brosnan’s Bond was a fan of the brogue while Roger Moore wore penny loafers in his three 1980s films. Ian Fleming did specify what his leading man wore in his books. In Moonraker, he described Bond’s footwear as “well-polished black moccasin shoes” AKA the loafer. They were a key look for all the early Bonds be they tasselled, horse-bit or Venetian. Timothy Dalton even treated us to slip-on dress shoes in The Living Daylights.
The first Bond, and for many the main man, Sean Connery sported many different styles from espadrilles to a two-tone dress shoe that resembled a bowling shoe in You Only Live Twice. Frankly, he could have worn a feathered mule and pulled it off!
For more recent times though, Daniel Craig’s Bond is all about the chukka boot teamed with chinos and a short-sleeved linen or cotton shirt, and the Derby worn with a well-cut suit. Compare Connery to Craig and the clothes have not changed so much – both Bonds wore their clothes with ease – but the shoes have moved on.
We have already waxed lyrical on Peaky Blinder style boots and shoes, but this style is even more gritty. GQ magazine billed heavy-duty black boots as “the biggest news for AW19”. We may be coming to the tail-end of this season, but the warmer months are a little way off yet!
Seen on the catwalks for Brioni, Emporio Armani, Versace, Tiger of Sweden, Dior, Dunhill, Paul Smith and Hermès, the general theme was black and chunky. That does not mean you need a hefty outfit to complement them. In fact, the chunkier you go on your feet, the slimmer the rest of your apparel should be.
If you are a dedicated follower of fashion, then don your bovver boots with a slim black suit, an over-sized trench coat and a Harry Potter-esque scarf. For those of you who like to take a pinch of high fashion and blend it with your usual wardrobe, the thick black boot can easily nestle in there.
Aside from being fashionable, heavy-duty boots are fit for purpose. They are ready and rugged enough for anything.
The most rugged of them all is our Herring Churchstow. These are just like the tall boots that stomped down the catwalks. It has a lightweight commando pattern sole and contrast Norwegian stitching into the upper, along with a Goodyear stitch into the sole. This double stitching is rare in modern factories and is a testament to the handcraft used at the Carlos Santos factory where these are made exclusively for us.
For a chunky Chelsea with attitude, try the Sywell. Footwear from our collaboration with the Solovair company, this has an edgy pointed toe and a chunky sole. You can find our more on our Solovair range in our recent blog here. Meanwhile, the Tregony offers a lace-up option – again with a rugged rubber sole.
Lastly, we’re keen on the Stockholm. This boot has a bike-cum-builder vibe. It looks tough on the outside but hides a natural warm lining that will serve you well during the final winter months. Let your jeans or combats scrunch up on top of these (rather than over). These boots are too good to hide.
Other brands also have a chucky boot or two. See Barker’s Sully, Loake’s laced rubber-soled brogue boots and Tricker’s Henry rubber-soled brogue boots. If you want to get into a bit of bovver in 2020, Herring can help – just with the boots though!
With the clocks going back in the UK, the darker nights are with us, the temperature has dropped, the wind has picked up and the rain is falling. In short, winter has arrived in the northern hemisphere.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! While winter signals the end of wearing shorts, sockless espadrilles or deck shoes, and polo shirts, the advent of the colder months give you an excuse to roll out the accessories.
Let’s start at the top. Can I suggest a cap as your headwear seasonal starter? At Herring, we can offer you a couple of tweed numbers: the Brooklyn baseball cap (in green and blue) and the Herring Dale flat cap (in green and charcoal). The cap is adjustable to fit all head sizes while our flat cap, hand made for us by the traditional craftsmen at Olney headwear in Luton, comes in a range of sizes to accommodate a small, medium, large or extra-large head.
To the neck now. Scarves not only add colour (if you choose) to any outfit but are pretty decent at keeping their wearer a little warmer. Whether you are walking, watching a rugby game, getting to and from work, a scarf can be equally smart and casual.
Our solid scarf does what it says on the tin: a lambswool scarf in a range of solid colours from the classic grey, black and rainforest to the more daring scarlet and cyan.
Solid scarf
For a more 1960s or wild-on-the-moor or cold-night-in-the-desert look, we have our wool Ombre Glen Check Scarf. I like this. This scarf is slightly more edgy yet retaining a gentlemanly status.
But we still have tweed for those who need it! In fact, our Herring Rupert is double-sided so you can worship the tweed on one side or go for the solid colour on the other. Choices, choices!
We cannot wax lyrical about scarves though without dipping into the cashmere. We stock them in red, dark camel and scarlet to suit your taste.
For a toasty body, we have been selling our Botticelli Jacket as a pre-winter smart-casual warmer. Created by Filippo Matera in his workshop, this jacket draws inspiration from the industrial past of Northern Italy. All the materials are sourced and processed locally enabling them to have a touch of softness that you cannot get from mass produced clothing. This jacket has 10% off now too, so you could get yourself a deal.
Lastly, the feet. No, not shoes. We are talking socks. After months of bare feet in slip-on shoes, it’s time to give you feet a treat with either our thick cotton Cuthbert Sock or the Donegal Wool Sock. The latter is made for walking by a third-generation Irish family firm. Available in a range of colours (and in women’s sizes too), they have a wonderful warmth and softness of wool with a bit of polymer to help it grip your foot. They are chunky and comforting on your feet and are even endorsed by Everest mountaineer Mark Quinn, so they should be more than adequate for a winter walk to the pub!
You see winter isn’t so bad after all. In fact, I quite like the colder months for the scarves alone! If you see anything you like or need advice at all, please do not hesitate to contact our customer services team.
If you are unfamiliar with the Solovair brand, you may be for forgiven for thinking their boots are another famous type of lace-up boot. You would be completely forgiven because Solovair’s manufacturer, NPS Shoes, used to make Dr. Martens boots.
Dr. Martens’ patent owner R. Griggs Group Ltd and NPS both had factories in the hub of shoemaking, Northamptonshire. They collaborated on the Dr. Martens boots until the mid-1990s when Solovair started up as a brand of its own.
Made using traditional Goodyear welt technology (find out more in What is a welt?), these were and still are hardwearing boots with a rebellious edge and beloved by students across the world.
They use the same lasts, leather cutters and machines used to make the original Docs and have a full set of eyelets, thick suspension soles and grey stitching around the top of the sole. They come in a variety of colours, styles and number of eyelets.
Established in 1881, NPS has plenty of pedigree and we only deal with quality shoemakers.
We are now collaborating with the Solovair factory to make us shoes and boots complete with their legendary air cushioned sole to create our new urban-themed range of smart footwear.
Introducing the Wollaston (named after the location of NPS Shoes), this is an Oxford cap shoe on the light and flexible Solovair air-cushioned sole making these incredibly comfortable for all-day wear.
We can also offer a rugged brogue too in the Wellingborough (another nearby Northamptonshire town) and the super-smart Chelsea boot in the Sywell.
Lastly, if your office is not quite ready for the Solovair eight eyelet boot, then we have a stylish solution. The Sharnbrook has six eyelets and is more suitable for the worker who likes rock climbing at the weekend rather than full-time punk rocker (well, you can do what you want at the weekend to be honest!)
Herring Shoes has a long history of working with the Northamptonshire shoe and boot making set. We are delighted to add the NPS traditional skills and the Solovair style to our portfolio.
What are you waiting for? Regress into your student days and quietly rebel!
When you reach into the loft for your suitcase or holdall, do you give yourself a self-satisfied smile of pleasure as you are reunited with your luggage again? Or do you slightly cringe at its battered or outdated appearance?
It’s not until you see beautiful luggage that you may have second thoughts about your own. I am not just talking about the suitcase you may take on a two-week holiday. What about a weekend break or even what you use to carry your laptop to and from work or meetings in?
When you are attending a business meeting or taking a break at a rather lovely venue, it seems a little out of step to turn up with a polyester sports rucksack or holdall. We have some travel pieces that we love here at Herring, so I would like to share them with you:
For the weekend away We have a choice of holdalls. The beauty of the Herring Bovey is that its tan or brandy calf exterior will weather nicely…however vigorous the bag handling process. There is a strap, as well as the two handles, to make it easy to carry and it comes with a luggage tag. Inside you will find two large pockets with Velcro fastening flaps and a large zip pocket. On the bottom, there are some brass studs to prevent the bottom from wearing excessively.
The Clapham has a lightly oiled rough textured leather exterior for a more care-worn look while the Hainualt is simply stunning as it is made from a glove-like buttery leather. It oozes quality from the delicate stitching to the premium fixings. Again, it will age beautifully.
We have fabric holdalls too. We celebrate tweed with our handmade Gidleigh while our leather and canvas bag provides a rugged, stylish and military look that inspired us to name these bags after famous British general, Montgomery.
For larger holdall, I am quite partial to the Houndkirk. No shoulder strap with this one due to its size. It’s a real beauty!
For work Man bags come in many different forms; the briefcase and the backpack lead the way. Our briefcases are not the handheld rigid models of the 1980s. We have drawn our influences from school day leather satchels with shoulder straps that can go across the body or on the shoulder. Most have two pockets on the front too with a handle on top. See the Aldgate, Russell and the Euston for a few examples. For a modern upgrade, you may prefer our Enfield messenger bag.
Again, the backpack does not need to be polyester! Our Balham complements the Clapham. (Of course it does!) while the Gulliver can be purchased separately or bought as part of set with its wheeled case counterpart for the perfect work-away-from-home combination. Petrolheads will love our Heritage Racing Bag in black, red, blue or racing green leather.
This lovely lot will make you stand out for all the right reasons when you travel. A decent bag or case is a pleasure to own and to know you have stored in the loft or the cupboard for whenever you need it…like a faithful friend that never lets you down.
Excuse the pun, but the BBC’s latest series of Peaky Blinders has caught our attention, not just for its gritty drama, but for its celebration of 1920s and 1930s rugged footwear.
We are talking boots…real boots…man boots.
On screen, these boots are tough but teamed with suits and long overcoats to turn these men with working class roots into kings of the street. As despite being wealthy, they do not want to be confused with their English gentlemen counterparts. Although, there are glimpses of this footwear fashion among the cast of the film adaption of Downton Abbey too where the titled gentry and their servants seem a world away from the streets of Birmingham.
We are referring to solid, stylish, Oxford lace-ups in black or brown leather. And the good news is that the longer you wear them the more gangster they will look!
Herring’s Shelby – Tommy Shelby would be proud – is a good example of a 19th century heritage design. It looks rugged but in fact has a leather upper and sole for a very comfortable fit.
Even more tough-looking is the Churchstow. This boot finishes higher up the ankle and has a lightweight commando pattern rubber sole. These boots could get you out of a bit of bother!
The Filton also fits the bill. A leather chukka-style boot, it looks the business and is comfortable underfoot.
However, we do not expect you to don a flat cap and wear a cropped pair of trousers or three-piece tweed suit to get you ready for gangland life, as we believe these boots – and some shoes – have a respectable place in more genteel society too.
The Flynn is an up-to-date boot style with a more chiselled toe and is lighter on the feet.
While the Leconfield is a tough-looking long winged Derby shoe to give the boots a run for their money. The Dickens provides a longed-toed, navy alternative.
Meanwhile, the Peaky-style has been embellished with an adoption of semi-brogue and tweed detail. See our Limerick or Matlock boots, or even our semi-brogue, suede Reading II shoes for more relaxed days. Even the Peaky Blinders take a rest sometimes, don’t they?
As long-term lovers of boots, the Herring team is delighted to see these no-nonsense models forging ahead this season. Will they influence your style this autumn? Waistcoats and pocket watches are entirely optional, of course.
With August behind us, the start of September always has a new term feel about it…even if you are not at school anymore! Many of our European customers will have taken the whole of August off, so it really is a return to work after a long break for them.
The holidays are an opportunity to think about our careers away from the workplace, to reflect on what has been achieved so far, to plan long and short-term goals, to evaluate how others perceive you, etc. You may even decide to smarten up your work attire or, indeed, relax it. You might just fancy a new pair of shoes.
We think September is a great time to consider your office apparel and, as usual, we have a little advice.
To refresh your smart shoes or to step it up a gear, you cannot go wrong with black Oxfords. This is the quintessential work shoe. This most elegant of men’s shoes with a closed lace system and no space between two quarters that host the eyelets, Oxfords are suitable for both the boardroom and formal occasions. In other words, they look great with a suit.
Our Churchill IIs are a best-seller. This is a quality handmade shoe that shouts British-ness! The Churchill II has a squarer toe while Charles II is a little more rounded. From our Classic range, the Lambeth semi Oxford style is less of an outlay, comes in two widths and can also come with a rubber sole for extra comfort. Other rubber soled options include the Fazeley while the Edgeware sole is half rubber and half leather.
We cannot forget our Knightsbridge either, which had an upgrade very recently and is our longest selling shoe to date.
Many of these shoes are welted and can be repaired, so the investment in one of these Oxford styles will pay you dividend in quality and comfort over a 10-year period.
Where workplaces embrace a more casual look, we have some options for you too. Exuding the same quality as Oxfords, but not as formal, is the brogue. Our Premier range includes the Balfour, a semi-brogue with an extremely elegant long-wing with a swan-neck stitch and Edward II in mahogany for a change from black. The Reading II is a cost-conscious suede option while the Carnaby is brilliantly versatile for those after-office drinks.
For an even more relaxed style, a suede loafer like the Exeter is still super smart while we think the Goodwood leather trainer is the ultimate dress-down Friday footwear.
The styles we have suggested are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of choice. Whatever your preference or style, we can help you look sharp for the rest of 2019 and way beyond.
Summer is here and the holiday season is upon us. For us at Herring Shoes, that means the Devon town where we are based will swell with tourists while the population of nearby Salcombe multiplies 10-fold.
Herring Barcelona II loafer in Navy. Shot in Thurlestone, Devon.
Wherever you spend your holiday, it is an opportunity to stow away your work shoes for a week or so and relax into a more casual style.
For those of you that like a smarter shoe, we have a decent choice available for you.
We have worked with both British and Italian craftsmen to produce a full choice of loafers. These can be worn with chinos, jeans or shorts and are made from leather or suede in several colours.
Similarly, the deck shoe can be worn with all the above too. It has long shaken off the shackles of needing an accompanying boat or even a beachside or riverside location to be relevant. Although we expect to see a fair few on feet in Devon this summer!
Herring Fowey in Tan. Photo taken at Hope Cove, Devon.
And, if you struggle to let go of your boots in the warmer months, we reckon you can get away with a light-coloured desert boot at this time of year.
Herring has upped its game further still with a collection of casual footwear, epitomised by the Strike II sneaker. This is a new range that comes in both suede and leather with a red-heel detail, retro laces and red eyelets. We are fond of the stone colour, but they also come in navy, chocolate and Cognac.
Meanwhile, the Boxer II is a baseball style shoe. This high-top, in a mix of calf and suede with blue laces, is a cool shoe in whatever colour you go for: cognac, navy or both!
To really kick back though, how can you go wrong with an espadrille?
Herring Sanremo in biscuit suede. Photo taken off a running mooring, Kingsbridge.
Originally, peasant footwear from Spain or the Occitainia region of France, they usually have a cotton or canvas upper with a flexible sole made of esparto rope. They must be the ultimate holiday shoe.
In typical Herring style, we have applied our classic know-how to produce a suede design in biscuit or navy with a flexible rubber sole and heel. Our espadrilles are more hard-wearing and will last you longer than the traditionally made shoes.
As our MD Jason says: “If a gentleman is forced to abandon his welted footwear due to the heat, then this is the shoe to wear for a stroll along the promenade!”
So, with your footwear sorted, what else can Herring help you with? Our range of Naked Clothing includes beautiful polo shirts (currently in the sale) that exude quality. If you want to travel in style, we have some stunning luggage available too, such as the Heritage Racing range. Petrol-heads will love them! Or, you could go for our new Gulliver range, which includes a backpack and a wheeled case in conker-coloured calf leather.
Whatever you chose, whatever you wear…enjoy your summer!
Herring Strike II and Cotswold weekender bag. Photo taken at Thurlestone, Devon
What goes around, comes around and the same can be said of sneakers.
We’re not talking about your typical sports shoe used to pound the pavements or to run around a squash court, but the relaxed alternative to a more traditional work shoe.
Herring have long stocked a rubber-soled brogue in the shape of the Silverstone II. We also carry the Thruxton II boot and the Goodwood trainer, but a sneaker is a casual step further.
Originating from the plimsoll style, still reluctantly pulled on by primary school children, sneakers evolved into canvas Keds and tennis shoes worn on deck by the British Navy. Then along came Converse with a shoe that was suitable for basketball.
Known as sneakers because their rubber soles mean they are so quiet, you could sneak up on someone, they subsequently evolved into shoes for other sports. With brands like Adidas, Puma and Nike weighing in, I think this is where we have seen the divide come between sports shoes or trainers and sneakers.
The science behind a modern-day sports shoe is big business, while a sneaker is not required to run fast, it does need to be comfortable whether they are high-top, low-top or slip-on. For Herring though, they need to have a certain sense of style that is synonymous with the brand.
Herring Strike II
It may not be science, but Herring invests the same craftmanship in their sneakers as we would our brogues. We treat them like a traditional welted shoe but apply a rubber sole. In fact as the name suggests, our suede Opito rubber-soled brogues, are exactly that – a brogue with a rubber sole. Genius!
Meanwhile, the Targa is more of a classic trainer style with some formal elements to make it something of a crossover between a formal and a casual shoe. With styles in all leather or a blend of fabric and leather, they all feature a flexible lightweight rubber sole making them perfect for casual workwear or weekend duties.
Herring Targa in navy calf and fabric
The Boxer II is a nod to the baseball style of a shoe endorsed by Chuck Taylor almost a century ago. A high-top in a mix of calf and suede with blue laces, we think this is a cool shoe in whatever colour your go for: cognac, navy or both! While the more classic style is evident in the Strike II, but is still smart enough if your office has a more relaxed dress code policy.
As regular readers of our blog will know, Herring does specialise in more formal shoes like Oxfords, brogues, etc, so our sneakers are what we envisage our suit-wearing customers wearing at the weekend.
What are you waiting for? Embrace the weekend; embrace the sneaker!
With Royal Ascot galloping towards us on the social calendar, you will be all too aware that much of the media coverage focuses on the hats, especially on Ladies’ Day. It will come as no surprise that our preview will throw a spotlight on the shoes!
Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valuable race meeting, attracting many of the world’s finest racehorses to compete for millions of pounds in prize money. It is also an opportunity to socialise with family, friends, colleagues and clients adorned in all your finery as befits the occasion.
Described on the Royal Ascot website, as “synonymous with sartorial elegance”, there are levels of attire required to literally suit the enclosure you are heading to. While you are selecting your outfit, we would like to offer our advice on the shoes you may wish to consider for the occasion
The Royal Enclosure is where most of the paparazzi lenses will be pointing due to the royal family members and celebrities who frequent this area. There is a strict dress code. Gentleman must wear black or grey mourning dress, including a waistcoat and tie, a black or grey top hat, and black shoes worn with socks.
The traditional shoe choice would be a black Oxford, but may we suggest a sartorial upgrade? Introducing the Herring Balfour. This is an extremely elegant, long-wing, semi-brogue with a swan-neck stitch. The crisp lines of the brogue pattern are deliberately not gimped to leave a sleek and clean appearance. This shape is one of our most popular lasts giving a very elegant and bespoke appearance without compromising the fit.
Handmade from start to finish in the home of shoemaking Northamptonshire, you could not get a more English shoe…perfect for a Royal Enclosure outing!
Aside from the Royal Enclosure, the Queen Anne Enclosure requires a full-length suit with a collared shirt and tie. The jackets and trousers should be of matching colour and pattern, while socks must be worn and should cover the ankle. There is no guidance for shoes, aside from the outlawing of trainers, so patrons can be a little more expressive here.
In the Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure, the dress code is a little more relaxed again with jackets and long trousers, collared shirts and ties required or recommended.
So, that got us thinking about our top five footwear recommendations for Royal Ascot 2019. With the Balfour style already in mind for the Royal Enclosure, we have selected a sleek collection of shoes and boots that give a nod to the British brogue while tipping a hat to the fashion this prestigious event is famed for.
Rothwell II: This is a beautiful monk shoe with punch work integral to the upper, as opposed to the more usual brogued leather overlay. The punch work is highlighted by hand to enhance the pattern and define this feature. The 205 last shape is very popular, giving excellent fitting qualities and comfort with a slightly contemporary look from the squarer, chiselled toe.
Carnaby: This full wingtip brogue is made on the elegant 386 last and a great example of expert English shoemaking. These brogues are made from the finest calf leather with a Goodyear welted leather sole. The chestnut colour will add a summery note to a grey suit.
Carroll II: A toe-punch detail emphasises the sleek last shape of this gorgeous, plain-fronted Derby or Gibson. It has been hand-patinated in the Carlos Santos factory to show off a very elegant shape with a chiselled toe box giving a bespoke appearance.
Faringdon: We have added in a boot for people who simply prefer them. This gorgeous example is a two-tone brogue of navy soft suede and fine chestnut calf to create a unique design.
Lewis: A contemporary interpretation of the brogue, sitting on a square-toed last with sharp lines giving it a very distinctive shape. The red laces and red midsole add drama to the shoe and highlights the handmade craft that is used to create it. A brown lace can be included in the box if you request it.
However, all that said, you are most welcome to choose a classic Oxford! Herring has a full range of Oxfords to choose from and our customer service department is happy to give advice when needed.
If you search the internet for ‘wedding shoe guide for men’, Pinterest offers a collection that includes some rather fetching white patent styles…. If that’s your thing, then go for it, but you will not find any white patent Oxfords among the range of styles offered by Herring Shoes. We can, however, offer some alternatives to the classic black lace-up.
Not that there is anything wrong with a classic black Oxford. It is a super-smart shoe that will never offend, will go with most styles and colour of morning suits, and will complement the sleek looked created by dark trousers. However, many grooms, ushers and male guests now opt for a less formal suit, which means your choice of shoe is entirely down to what you like and, crucially, what you feel comfortable in.
Herring Lewis
Weddings generally require a lot of standing around and usually some dancing. Pinched toes or rubbing heels are a distraction we can all do without, so make sure you consider your comfort when choosing your wedding-ready shoes. Remember, if your feet are slightly wider, Herring offers two widths to ensure you get the fit that’s right for you.
Enough about comfort. Let’s get down to style.
Herring Churchill II
We have already decided Oxfords are a safe choice. Our Churchill IIs are one of our best sellers, but there is even room for an alternative look with an Oxford. Herring can get you dancing with a mix of patent leather and suede in the aptly titled Jive Oxfords, or the Aston Oxfords and Waltz II formal shoes are both all patent. We have Oxfords in brown suede, in navy leather or with a brogue rosette on the toe, so you can truly personalise how you want to look on your big day.
But if you’re not into Oxfords, the brogue offers a traditional alternative. Again, it is an iconic shoe style that works well for a countryside wedding or beneath a kilt! Our Henry II brogues remain among our bestsellers as they truly encapsulate that classic style while our brandy-coloured Lewis brogues have a city edge with their square toe and the Thatcher brogue Chelsea boots suit a man that likes to be, well, suited and booted!
Many men opt for a boot as their preferred footwear for all occasions and Chelsea boots are always popular. However, these Orwell boots could provide an attractive alternative with their double monk-style buckles. If they are good enough for James Bond, surely, they are good enough for a wedding! Or if you are wearing a navy suit, the Stirrup in navy and tan leather could be just the job.
Herring Orwell
Not all weddings are formal with more people heading to reliably sunnier climes where jackets, let alone ties, are not required and tailored shorts or chinos meet the dress code. This is where a loafer will fit the bill nicely. Smart, yet relaxed, with plenty of personality, our recent spring guide will give you the full low-down on loafers. However, we do not think you can go wrong with our Ibstock loafers for suede or the Riviera for a leather weave.
If you are the groom, it is probably best to get your wife or partner to-be to give their pre-approval, while ushers should probably consort with the groom too to avoid shoe clash or, worse, the ushers upstaging the groom!
In homage to slow fashion, we would also advise you to consider what you will use your shoes for after the big day. A Herring shoe is an investment that will last you for many years to come, so unless you wish to be the office’s answer to Fred Astaire in your patent black Oxfords, you may wish to choose a style that may be more suited to everyday life.
Herring Jive
Lastly, and to summarise, here are our top 10 wedding shoes for men:
It isn’t strictly necessary for you to take your socks off when you pop on a pair of deck shoes as our quick romp through the deck shoe’s potted history will reveal.
The deck shoe was invented by American Paul A Sperry in 1935 when he noticed his dog’s ability to run easily over ice without slipping. He proceeded to cut thin slits into the rubber soles of his shoes and so inspired the perfect shoe for boating and the Sperry Top-Sider brand.
Known as boat shoes over the pond, the deck shoe has transcended its boating use becoming a slip-on casual footwear favourite for both men and women from the 1970s onwards, especially in coastal areas of Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Argentina and China.
From the 1980s, the deck shoe has been popular at various times with secondary school and college students…with and without socks!
These days, deck shoes are often seen beneath skinny or straight-legged turned up jeans, chinos or tailored shorts, an open-neck buttoned shirt with rolled-up sleeves or plain t-shirt for men. While women, with the Duchess of Cambridge leading the way, favour the skinny jean look.
The style has remained largely unchanged with a moccasin-style moc-toe construction and leather laces. Some still have the traditional white, non-marking soles, while dark, non-marking soles are popular too.
Once regarded as a status symbol due to their association with boats, deck shoes are the epitome of smart casual attire and summer comfort. The Herring range is lightweight, cushioned and made with supple leathers from a fabulous family-owned factory in Portugal that has been making them for many years.
We see them as perfect for casual strolls in the sunshine, for some serious boating, for a day on the beach or for a cheeky G&T at your local at the weekend. They also suit a multitude of dress-down occasions that require a bit of style.
Herring has a sale running throughout May with 20% off our deck shoe range, including the Salcombe, Padstow, Rock and Fowey styles to offer you plenty of choice. Slip on a pair and start thinking about summer!
Renowned for their pedigree in British quality men’s footwear, Herring Shoes has added a range of stylish workwear to its online store. Designed by Italian Filippo Matera, the Naked Clothing range applies an artisan attitude to shirts and jackets.
In 1995, Matera realised there had been a shift in men’s fashion towards informal wear. Ever since then, he has been using stone-washed cotton jersey, denim and piquet to create fabrics that feel more like luxury materials, such as cashmere, to create classic garments that feel super soft yet maintain a smart appearance.
Herring Shoes managing director Jason Simmonds said: “Naked Clothing is unavailable on the high street and I think the product offers ideal complementary clothing to our quality footwear.
“I see Naked Clothing being adopted by gentlemen who are not required to wear a suit to work but want to combine a professional, smart attire with elegant comfort. However, the range is equally suitable for casual attire.”
Produced at Matera’s factory in Andria, in southern Italy, the Naked Clothing range is now available online from Herring Shoes.
Herring’s Naked Clothing range includes polo and long-sleeve shirts suitable for office and leisure wear. They can be worn with a suit, blazer, jeans or shorts, Herring is also stocking a number of Naked Clothing jackets.
Boots fall into two categories; the rugged and the refined. Although, thankfully, these days, there is a cross-over between the two.
Starting with the rugged. Historically, these types of boots have been worn as long-lasting footwear for workers or the military with Bluchers and Wellingtons leading the way and lending their names to their respective styles.
While in the refined category, cavalier-style riding boots were prevalent in the 17th and 18thcenturies, followed by buttoned and slip-on ankle boots favoured by Queen Victoria; we would now recognise the latter as the Chelsea boot.
For gentlemen, the rugged boot choice works well in winter when we need extra warmth and rubber soles to keep our feet dry and to give us some grip underfoot.
Boots made to withstand harsh weather conditions are based on the Veldtschoen construction method. The 17th century Cape Dutch term means stitch-down or field shoe. The upper leather flares out and is double-stitched onto the midsole to produce sturdy and waterproof boots that retain their form.
Within the rubber-soled boot range, you will find there is a choice of sole. The Commando sole is thick and has deep cleats, but don’t walk into the house with these still on…you will bring all the mud in with you! The Dainite rubber sole is pimpled and gives great grip in all weathers. A Diamante offers a diamond pattern welted version that is more suited to the Chelsea boot.
And Chelsea boots have come a long way. They are not just plain, shiny, black and 1960s-esque anymore. They come in all colours and choice of rubber and leather soles with a touch of brogue thrown in for good measure.
If you still want casual but prefer laces, the Chukka or desert boots could be for you, while if you like laces but lose the will to live by the time you get to the top eyes, there are boots that come with speed-lacings too.
With all the great and good of the menswear fashion scene at the biannual Pitti Uomo fair in Florence, Italy, we are delighted to report Herring Shoes footwear was sported by certain members of the distinguished guest list.
Designer Filippo Matera, menswear consultants Guillame Bo and fashion blogger Nicola Radano have all been seen wearing Herring Shoes while enjoying the oversize suits and colourful hoodies from Pitti’s guest designer Glenn Martens of the Y/Project amid the street-style luxe outerwear, retro logos and gender-neutral accessories that have dominated this year’s fair.
It seems an unlikely scene for the traditional gentlemen’s shoe, but models and guests have been sporting long overcoats, scarves, ankle-skimming or turned-up trousers and even plus-fours, culottes and long tunics with brogues, monk and Derby-style shoes.
Socks are long and on display, so choice of shoe is crucial while tartan is everywhere too – both on the catwalk and in the crowd. Anything goes with tartan it seems!
It’s good to see the traditional shoe still has place among the high-end fashion that influences the high street designs despite the ever-present penchant for sports shoes. A happy harmony seems to exist between the two…and long may they that continue.
For a greater choice of quality British men’s footwear, please see our website where you can filter on style to achieve the look you want you want to achieve.
