Herring Shoes Journal

The Autumn Internationals are upon us, along with the Women’s Rugby World Cup final this weekend and the Six Nations just around the corner in 2023…in short, we are well into the rugby season. A former press officer for two professional rugby teams and a long-term fan, I have been to a fair few games in my time and a standout quality of internationals in particular is tweed!

Originally made in Scotland to keep people warm as they worked outside, tweed is super sturdy and thick enough to keep people warm even in the most inclement conditions. It also offered a blend of colours that made a change from the black and grey fabrics of the day.

As tweed began to be shipped to England and Ireland, it was adopted by upper-class gents for outdoor and sporting activities. While tweed is still used by hunters and gatherers, it is also sported by spectators watching from the stands due to its warming attributes…along with a few wax jackets of course!

I reckon Herring could fit out a rugby supporter from head to toe for the season! But let’s start with the toes, as that’s our speciality. And what do you know…we have tweed footwear to offer you!

Our bestseller, Exmoor, just shouts the West car park at Twickenham! It has all the country feel of a chestnut calf brogue boot with the added flair of Moorland green tweed. It’s a definite favourite among the staff at Herring, but not just for a rural environment as they are just great boots for all occasions! On a practical note, these are rubber soled to keep the rain out. We also do a shoe version called the Dartmoor and have a matching belt too should you really want to tweed it up!

If tweed boots are not your thing, then we have plenty of other country-set boots to whet your appetite. The Coniston is made from burgundy calf and plum suede or the Crosthwaite is the walnut and brown version. Both are super masculine, albeit rather gorgeous too!

For warmth, we have the warmed-lined Peebles rubber-soled boots with a grained calf and suede in burgundy or almond. 

For a full leather brogue boot, we can offer you the Ambleside, the Buxton or the Corsham.

We really do like a brogue boot! All the above will look great with a pair of jeans for a match day or how about moleskin jeans for extra warmth?

Our clothing partner Peregrine has got your torso sorted. A merino wool sweater, such as the Annan crew jumper, will fit nicely under their Bexley wax jacket. No tweed jackets at Herring, I’m afraid! We do have a choice of tartan and cashmere or lambswool scarves though to complete the look. The Rupert matches Exmoor boots.

That’s a great outfit right there for watching rugby this season whether at a national stadium, a Premiership ground or at your local club. Send us a photo of you in your garb on a match day. We always like to see our products in situ.