Shoes Of The Week - George Cleverley

These just might be one of the prettiest brogues that I have ever seen. They simply look immaculate and have a very clean-looking feel about them and that is always what drives me towards a shoe. The gimping (shark teeth like design around hole perforations) is very small and does not detract from the design as some brogues do when their gimping is large and overbearing on the eye. And the color -- it's quite unique. They call it beige antique, but to me it brings the memory of those candy square caramel's that I used to love when I was a kid. Whatever it is, it is lovely.... I was also quite shocked when I learned of the price being as low as $850 (you might be thinking that I am crazy calling that low), especially since most British makers of that caliber, retail in the States for no less than $1000. So, to all of the British shoe lovers out there, now is your chance to pick up some handgrade's for under the 1k mark! To all others (including myself), let us admire as it is most likely WAY out of the average man's budget!

Pictures Courtesy Of: Leather Soul

My Shoes #20 - To Boot New York

During my time at Nordstrom, I acquired a lot of To Boot New York shoes and this was one of the first models that I got, and definitely my favorite. It is just such a great summer shoe and it looks good with jeans but can also be dressed up in a casual sort of way. The toe, while it was already darkened from the get-go, was probably the first burnish that I ever actually did and it took me awhile to actually do it, as I had no idea what I was doing but was just so eager to give the shoe some contrast. Thankfully it actually turned up nicely and they have been going strong for quite some time, even with that razor thin sole. Like I said in an earlier post, I have been obsessed with loafers lately and it has definitely been expressed in my outfits as I have set my oxfords aside. While it is such a boring option, I have been longing for a simple black, elegant loafer but have yet to find the right one. Anyway, sorry that it has been awhile since my last personal shoe post, but it is not always easy finding someone to flash pics of me, at least not flattering ones that don't involve the background of my flat!

Today's Favorites - Alfred Sargent

If there is one thing that I lack in the wardrobe, it is monk straps, and I am so sorry to say it because I really, really like them. And as much as I am not a fan of just a boring black shoe, I think that an elegant black monk strap is as about as good as it gets when it comes to all black shoes. Yet, strange enough, I don't own one. I guess that I will have to fix that! But this model here, by Alfred Sargent, is absolutely beautiful! The colors, the patina, the look, the cut, the monk, everything is spot on nice. This traditional British monk strap style is probably my favorite among all of the options that you can create when making a monk strap. And just now thinking about it, it is probably because of it's 'closed' look. Most monks are considered a 'derby' but this one, where the strap's opening is on the side of the shoe, for me that makes it more of a 'balmoral/oxford' than a 'derby.' And because of that, it is more sleek looking, there is more open space on the shoe, not occupied by stitching, straps, openings etc. Having just made a monk strap myself, I am set for a little while, but I will definitely be looking to get a nice black one, hopefully soon!

Pictures Courtesy Of: Leffot