Herring Shoes Journal

We have covered formal wedding shoes and boots, and footwear that’s suitable for wearing with lounge suits, now we turn our attention to the casual wedding. We are thinking open-necked shirts, tailored shorts or chinos, linen suits, and maybe a blazer or waistcoat.

It’s a good opportunity to wear easy, breezy clothes that you feel comfortable in but still ooze style…your own style. There isn’t much scope for obvious personality with the uniform of a traditional morning suit; it’s all a bit black, grey and a white shirt. A casual wedding though gives you more opportunity to vary colours and styles. You can go to town on your footwear too.

Before I roll out the obvious choice, I am going to offer you a few alternatives.

The Collins Oxfords have a summer feel to them with their interweave style in tan super-soft suede. They look like a wholecut, as there are no separate panels, so they very smart while offering a cooler – and I mean temperature here – upper, thanks to the weave.

The Marlborough rubber-soled Derby style gives you an opportunity to shake up the colour. The taupe style would look good with a pair of cream chinos while offering the comfort of a lightweight rubber sole. 

For swanky style, have a look at the chestnut Salobrena monk shoes. They are sleek, they are shiny, and they are made from croc-effect leather to give them uber continental flair! I can envisage their wearers on a sunny terrace drinking a few pre-wedding breakfast cocktails or bubbles. 

Ok, I have put it off long enough…a casual wedding is a perfect excuse for a new pair of loafers. I am going to suggest soft suede for a summer do. The Consort blends the weave of the Collins Oxford with a loafer in a tan and walnut suede. The Barcelona II tasselled loafer is smart too while the Cannes offers a navy upper, which is in pleasant contrast to the crepe sole, as does the Ingleby.

To really kick back though, you could opt for the Murlo II and really ramp up the colour with the turquoise option or slip into our biscuit Sanremo suede espadrilles.

You can ditch the socks with all the above suggestions to really embrace the casual nature of the occasion. With any of these choices though, you do not have to ditch the style!

We have waited a long time for weddings to be back on the agenda, so why not treat yourself to some new shoes that will see you through the big day but will also be a welcome addition for a variety of other uses and occasions this summer.