Grenson AW13 & G:Lab

Grenson was founded in 1866 by William Green who produced shoes and boots to order from his home in Rushden Northamptonshire. He opened his first factory in 1874 and Green & Son soon became Grenson.

Tim Little joined the brand in 2005 and helped reinvigorate the heritage name. In 2010 he bought the company for an undisclosed sum and has since driven the business on to be a renowned name among men's footwear.

This season sees the re-launch of favourite designs such as the Archie brougue, Curt derby, Fred and Hadley boots as well as some additions to the collection, which has a contemporary feel with rubberised chunky soles and vivid colourways.

Grenson are currently in situ at the Liberty London store, until the 3rd November, in the men's shoe department where you can experience their personalised shoe service the G-Lab. Here you can personalise a range of details and fittings which will be made for you at the Grenson factory. For more info visit the webiste here or pop in to Liberty where one of their technicians will be able to help.

Photo Source: Men's Reverie

Ways to Wear: Oxfords

At the beginning of last month I was contacted by Samuel Windsor and introduced to their Blog Network, which lists the best menswear blogs on the web, moreover aims to compile all these guides in to handy directory for your delectation.

You've probably come across Sam Windsor on your travels and if not I can only assume it's because you don't work in an office and are not privy to their alleviation of strain on a bank balance dented by the expense of new shoes every 6 months. For a long time these guys have been offering affordable footwear to those who have searched and found. My first experience with the brand was a fair few years ago, possibly 2009, when I invested in a pair of dark brown suede chukka boots to kick start a more classically inspired shoe collection due to my developing tastes. Since then I spread the news to various family members and friends who have since gone on to make their own purchases.

The chukka boots are still going strong, if you're interested, and half my old man's wardrobe is now down to Samuel Windsor. Creatures of habit!

I started conversing with Dan at SW discussing ideas for the blog network and a contribution towards their social media footprint. My first inclination was a guide to making the most of your shoes, focusing on the versatility of certain styles. I then dug deeper and since the influence of the #menswear movement I think most people are aware of brogues and loafers and how they are just as at home at the bottom of a tapered suit trouser leg as they are neath a turned selvedge denim hem. I wanted to turn our attentions to a more overlooked style and I settled on plain oxfords.

Oxford's are typically characterised by eyelets sewn under the vamp (the part of the shoe starting behind the toes extending to the back of the foot) and a cap-toe. This is to say they are not a wholecut or derby. Although brogues are a derivative of this style it is the traditional arrangement, that we recognise as an oxford shoe today, that my collective wisdom is aimed at.

My view is that we mostly see these as a particularly straight-laced shoe for business and very formal dress, however you may be surprised to hear that this shoe was born out of rebellion by students at Oxford university in the 1800's against knee and ankle high boots. The veritable punk of modern footwear!

There's no questioning the simplicity of the cut and pairing a black cap-toe oxford with a clean cut navy or grey suit is a winner every time, but if you want to vary the occasion of these staples why not try introducing some tailored khaki or military green cotton trousers, a plain white t-shirt and bomber or denim jacket. The key to taking these shoes out of their formal setting for me is the trousers, stick to a composition with a crease and tailored aesthetic and you will find them just a suitable for a more casual setting. Steer clear of blazer's and suit jackets up top and take inspiration from 1940's service dress. Below are a few examples I've pick out from the net to show just how versatile these shoes can be:

In retrospect of this guide one lucky reader will become the owner of a classic pair of black oxfords kindly provided by the good people at Samuel Windsor. To be in with a chance all you have to do is subscribe to esteewhyele.blogspot.co.uk via the handy widget at the top right hand margin of the screen and follow @esteewhyele and @samuelwindsor on Twitter. Tweet us #STYLExSW when you're done and you'll be entered in to the draw at the end of the month.

A winner will be picked at random from the entrants on the 30th September and contacted to make arrangements for the delivery of their prize.

Good luck!

Photo Source: TheSartorialist, Tumblr & Tommy Ton via GQ via IQ Menswear

Sebago 'Made in the USA'

A few weeks back, the 19th July to be precise, Michigan based footwear company Sebago had a preview showing of their SS14 collection at the London flagship store on Regent Street.

Unfortunately due to personal commitments I couldn't attend but from what I hear the event went swimmingly, with champagne and oysters laid on for the do.

Sebago are a brand that I have overlooked this summer, not for any particular reason it just happened that way. Probably most notable for their 'boat-shoes' (I've put that term in inverted commas because it needs revision, yet the alternative is deck-shoe which adds 50 years to the perceived age of its wearer. Can we think of a less pretentious name?). The rest of their range had almost passed me by, but thanks to the wonderful world of Instagram I noticed a friend sporting some might fine looking green leather penny loafers which deserved a bit more attention.

I've always loved penny loafers, I love the different era's and stylish traditions they encompass. The preppy/ivy league definition and the mod culture which continue to inspire. Unfortunately because of my diminutive stature and stocky build there was only a very brief period of my life in which I was slim enough to even consider being a mod, and that faded rather rapidly to my dismay. All is not lost mind, and penny loafers are probably the most reliable pair of shoes I own to accompany shorts in summer.

This summer Sebago have introduced a 'Made in the USA' moniker to the production line. This collection is hand sewn in Maine and constructed by one of the oldest tanneries in North America, the Horween leather tanners. Their cow and horse hides are renowned for durability and comfort lasting and hard wear.

For a jazzy turn they've injected some colour and 'hey presto' a fully fledged summer swathe.

 

Herring Shoes: Nothing Fishy About These

Herring are a shoe makers founded in Cheltenham in 1966 by Richard Herring. For over 45 years they have been producing shoes using some of the most respected factories in the country and lasts from makers such as Joseph Cheaney and Alfred Sargent.

Herring offer 3 ranges of mens shoes varying in price point and composition. Among these the 1966 (handmade), Premier & Classic (both Goodyear welted). They also offer a more affordable ranges like the Continental. For a gander at the full roster check out their website here.

Over the last few years the popularity of the brand has steadily grown year on year in large part owed to the #menswear fraternity. As such they have a large social impression and you will find their name mentioned on most menswear blogs, particularly the ones based in Europe.

I've not had any first hand experience with Herring myself (as yet) however I do with Jospeh Cheaney and Alfred Sargent both of which have been nothing but impeccable, so if this is anything to go buy I can only expect a rousing reception.

What did give me cause to celebrate was the fact that Herring sell full Cedar Shoe Trees for £35 which is pretty good going.

Ever the optimist and a champion of the British climate my favourites from their collections are typically winter wear. The Windermere, for example, is beautiful bit of kit.

Although the Wasdale which is almost a low cut companion is just as coveted.

For the summer I'd go with the Grassmere, just because you can wear them with anything and with a Dianite sole you're covered in the event of a wetter day.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable the Carlton in brown suede or hazelnut calf are a great looking penny loafer, and perfect for summer evenings paired with shorts.

For the more refined client or if you're heading to anything posher than a piss up down the pub you may even see fit to invest in something a bit more toe tapping. These Rayleigh are the cream of this particular crop.

Hurrah for Herring.