As spring has officially sprung, we decided to take a look ahead to warmer weather and more daylight hours with footwear in mind.
When I think of spring, I think of two elements. No. not sun and rain…suede and loafers.
Suede is generally forgotten about in the colder months, as are loafers. Instead we reach for weather-proof, sturdy leather shoes or boots with soles ready for any inclement condition.
A few rays of sunshine later, and the suede loafers are out. Yes, that’s right, we gloriously combine the two!
Behold the Lecce…this most continental-looking of loafers for those who want to show a bit more flair. This features a leather sole and super-soft suede uppers with leather tassels and comes in three colours.
See also the Matisse and Barcelona II if you have penchant for tassels. If not, then James is your man. This brown handcrafted loafer has been made using the highest quality leather. It is made on the 109 last which has a rounded point to make it very elegant. This shoe has the bespoke look of a much more expensive shoe, accentuated by the apron detailing and fine stitching. Lastly, there is the Charlton. A classic penny loafer made from rich calf leather with a full leather lining. This loafer and many others are also welted, which means they are repairable so they should last you for many years to come with care and attention.
But if you are not ready to roll up your chinos or jeans just yet, you can start inching towards the suede with light-weight boots or brogues. Our Ilford rubber-soled chukkas and Hockley Chelsea boots both come in a sandy, oiled suede to offer a lighter colour alternative.
Shoe-wise, we have Oxfords, monks and brogues in full suede, while we also blend suede and traditional leather to capture the spectator style favoured by traditional sportsmen. The Fencote two-tone brogue remains one of our most popular styles to date.
To find the suede shoe or boot or loafer you are looking for this spring, select the ‘Suede’ filter in the ‘Uppers’ section on the Herring page on our website…and start browsing.