Caroline Moore – Herring Shoes Journal

Why shoe care really matters

3 November 2021

We get excited when we choose and buy our shoes. We are even more gleeful when they arrive, and we get to wear them. But we get sad when they end up looking scuffed and past their best. This does not have to be how the story goes. All you need is a little shoe care.

Shoe care seems to be a lost art. My grandmother used to regale me with stories of her family leaving all their shoes by the back door every Sunday, ready for my grandfather to clean and polish them. As the breadwinner, it was his one domestic chore of the week, but it was written in stone!

How many of us clean and polish our shoes every week? My hand is so far from being up, it is under the table right now! But it is important, especially during the winter months when wet weather creates mud underfoot, and puddles and rain do their worst along with salt used on the roads in icy or snowy weather.

What does shoe care entail? We have split this helpful advice into ‘Leather care’ and ‘Suede care’.

Leather care

Remove dirt

Before you start, ensure you have inserted shoe trees and removed the laces – you don’t want them in the way and getting covered in cream. The trees will help push out the creases and make it easier for you to get to the leather and produce a solid surface for you to brush and polish. Then you need to remove the dirt as it will not come off on its own. Remove it with a brush making sure you get into the folds and welted areas of the shoe or boot.

Renovate

We advise our customers to use renovator cream, such as the one made by Saphir. This is designed to clean, hydrate and nourish leather before applying the polish or cream. Gently massage the cream into the leather with a soft cotton cloth using small circular movements, then leave it to soak in. After 5 minutes give the shoes a good brush to even out any excess and leave a cleaned surface.

Cream

This step is not mandatory, unless you are skipping the previous renovate step in which case you will need to use a cream. Shoe cream (more specifically, Saphir 1925) has higher pigments of dye so not only will it aide in nourishment it will also help to cover up any scuffs. Apply with a cloth in circular motions, rub in and leave for 5 minutes, then buff off with a brush. You are now ready for the next step.

Polish

The finishing touch to add that layer of protection and give a lovely sheen. Apply Saphir Pate De Luxe using small circular movements with a soft cotton cloth. You do not need too much. A little goes a long way. Once dry use a brush to buff them up to a lovely polish. Brushing is designed to heat up the wax in the cream so it melts using the friction of the bristles to leave a smooth and shiny surface – top science fact for you there! The more friction you create the shinier they will come up so give yourself a mini-workout for the best results. If you wish to go further and create a ‘bull shine’ follow this link to our Youtube channel.

Suede care

As above, ensure you have inserted your shoe trees and removed the laces. Suede care is naturally different to leather, where polish is not going to work. There is a whole host of advice in our blog Brush up on your suede knowledge, but we have collated the care information below for your convenience.

Remove dirt

Brush off any loose dirt. We recommend a crepe or brass suede brush to brush out any dirt or marks. Simply brush against the pile lightly and work your way around the suede to focus on any dirty areas.

Deep clean

Give your suede a deep clean with Saphir Suede Cleaner Omni Nettoyant – mix 50/50 with warm water- to not only cleanse but to bring life back to the suede and to protect it from staining. Use the brush provided and apply it against the pile. Once your suede has darkened, due to being wet, you have put enough on.

Rinse

Rinse the cleaner off 5-10 minutes later with clean warm water. Just dip the brush into the clean water and brush the suede. Try and brush from lots of different angles to get the suede cleaner off.

Dry

Leave your shoes or boots to dry. This takes around 20-30 minutes. Do not rub the suede with a cloth as any loose bits will come off and go onto the suede.

Clearly, you need some tools and products to help achieve what should be a routine job. We have valet boxes to give you a one-stop-shop for all your shoe care needs.

In addition, we can also offer you our shoe care service to help weatherproof your footwear. We use a finely controlled spray-booth to coat the uppers of your shoes in a fine, quick drying mist that uses nano-technology to make them incredibly water-repellent. We can treat your shoes as we pack them during despatch as an extra service.

Almost all our shoes are suitable for the treatment and the results are like magic (just look at the video we made after weatherproofing a pair of Herring Purcell). The coating is rated to last three months so just one treatment could see you over the worst of the winter and could save you a ruined pair of shoes. This protection is not a guarantee against your shoes getting ruined by water, but it is a very effective way of minimising water damage.

But don’t think it gets you out of your shoe care routine! You can still maintain your shoes in the same way with polishes etc.

I hope this has given you (and me) a timely reminder to look after your footwear. If you are prepared to spend your money on quality shoes and boots, it is worth investing some time into them too to ensure they last and look great for many years to come.

Herring Shoes

The psychology of shoes

29 October 2021

Ciaran showing how to style the Herring Sloane

I must caveat this blog with the statement that I am not a trained psychologist in any way. However, while I am a tongue-in-cheek footwear blogger, experience tells me that what I have written here rings true.

My psychology of shoes experience began with a pair of very expensive black, patent high heels. When I tried them on in the shop and walked around on their super soft carpet, I thought they were gorgeous. They are gorgeous but real life does not happen on soft carpets and you generally wear shoes for longer than a few minutes. I also thought they would be comfortable because of the price tag.

I wanted these shoes to mark a new era of high heel wearing. I wanted them to make me feel more confident in social and corporate situations. They sure looked good and made me four inches taller, but the reality was that they slipped off my heels, squashed my toes and I could barely walk in them… especially on slippery tiled floors. I was gutted. My should-be go-to mood-boosting shoes were not the dream footwear I thought I had invested in.

To me, the key to the psychology of shoes is how you move in them. I like a quick, long, a little bit jaunty, stride. I could not walk that way in my new shoes. It’s not a heel thing; I’m all good in my other heels. Tottering is just not my style! In contrast, a former client of mine used to wear leather-soled Oxfords that would clip smartly along the corridors as he walked. You could hear him coming; it was like an audio introduction before he entered the room! It was his style and he oozed corporate confidence.

Second is comfort. Pinched toes and rubbing heels will overtake any confidence you may have felt due to the look of a shoe. Blisters can be small, but they hurt like hell and can be a real distraction. To that end, I feel super comfortable and therefore confident in my trainers and my chunky boots.

The psychology of shoes is not just about how the wearer feels but also how people perceive you. Researchers at the University of Kansas found that character assessments based on shoes were surprisingly accurate. Students looked at images of 200 peoples’ shoes and guessed psychological profiles. A more relaxed and laid-back person had worn-in shoes and pristine shoes indicated someone more likely concerned with appearance and, interestingly, prone to attachment anxiety or a fear of abandonment.

Another study found that women in high heels were judged as more attractive than those in flats… and there’s me loving my trainers!

Chris casually and confidently wearing the Herring Stanhope

However, if you feel more confident in your footwear, I believe more people will see you as confident and, potentially, more attractive. I also believe that well-polished, smart shoes say a lot in the office and the boardroom. I recently took a few colleagues to task about their footwear. As salesmen, they needed to look the part and care for their selected shoes or boots to set them apart from their competitors.

But it’s not all about being the most confident guy or gal in the room. Sometimes you want to be seen as a relaxed, off-duty human being. Footwear can signpost this very clearly. A deck shoe, moccasin or trainer should signify downtime while a jewelled court shoe or black patent Oxford shouts party time!

As I said, I am not an expert, but it does get you thinking about how you feel in shoes and how you want others to perceive you. Just because they are at ground level, does not mean they cannot be seen.

A decent pair of well-fitting shoes should make you feel taller even if they do not have any heels. The photos with this blog depict people I know. Admittedly, they are all very tall, but they also come with poise and presence that I feel has been enhanced by their choice of footwear.

Take it from someone who has learned the hard way, the wrong shoe will have the reverse psychological affect. Sure, go for style but make sure you can walk the way you want to and to do not suffer any pain along the away. Then throw your shoulders back and stride (in my case) out into the unknown!

What’s your go-to confidence boosting shoe? Let me know in the comments section below.

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The provenance and alchemy of belt-making

8 October 2021

Herring has long associated itself with British craftsmanship by working with the best shoe factories in Northamptonshire to bring our customers quality footwear. The same can be said of many of our other products too. Look no further than Tanner Bates, based in Dartington, Devon.

Tanner Bates founder John Hagger was already entrenched in the leather industry – his father was a leather guilder who followed in the footsteps of a family of glovers – before he trained as a saddlery and bridle-maker in Walsall. John brought his love of leather and traditional expertise to make a range of products, including belts for Herring.

Tanner Bates use oak-bark leather made from Devon cow hide. Oak-bark leather is made by placing the leather into large pits with water and seasoned oak-bark chippings from Lake District coppices.

This part of the process is carried out by J & FJ Baker & Co in Colyton, East Devon, which is believed to be the UK’s only remaining traditional oak bark tannery still in production. No chemicals are used, and the entire tanning process can take up to 18 months.

John said: “I am fascinated at the way we can make leather just from animal skin and tree barks. The transformation is alchemy.”

This makes the leather very hard wearing and flexible. The perfect belt material in fact. This material is then cut, trimmed, stitched, riveted, punched and polished by hand to create a quality product, such as the oak bark belt sold by Herring.

What drives John is provenance and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He relishes in the expertise and familiarity with those he works with. He says he knows the names of everyone involved in making the raw materials for his belts and other leather goods, from the people who make the sand-cast brass buckles in Walsall to the man whose oak trees are used at Baker’s tannery.

Such traditional values do not mean John’s designs are old-fashioned though. A glance through the range available from the Tanner Bates web shop reveals a modern edge has been applied to classic items.

In his own words, he says: “In making my products, this combination of rich, rustic leather, my own traditional making technique and the product’s contemporary purpose is what fuels my creativity. There’s an ironic juxtaposition of tradition and technology.”

And, so concludes our peek behind the name behind one of our products. We are sure you will agree, Tanner Bates are very much aligned to our Herring way of thinking.

Herring Shoes

Back in the clubhouse

24 September 2021

Following a fantastic win on American soil for the European women in the Solheim Cup, we can now also get excited about the delayed Ryder Cup starting today. Meanwhile, amateur golfers were quick to get back to their favourite courses as soon, as social distancing restrictions, were lifted to enjoy some fresh air and a sense of normality.

It made us think about what people wear on the golf course and in the clubhouse. Plus-fours (knickerbockers) and tweed jackets were all the rage back in the 18^th century, although golf fans will remember that the late Payne Stewart had a penchant for plus-fours in the 1990s. Slacks took over in the 1930s as more casual attire became more acceptable. Tailored shorts are now common in the summer months and are usually worn with a collared shirt.

Simply put, there are glorious, traditional standards to uphold. While they are not written into the Royal & Ancient handbook, there are dress code rules that are recognised by most clubs. No shirts untucked, no short shorts, no ankle socks and no denim are common no-nos.

As golf attire usually transfers straight from the 18^th green to the clubhouse, it got us thinking about what you wear on your feet once you have removed your golf shoes. I think the same sense of decorum needs to be applied. My father was a fan of a post-round loafer…after all, the quicker he got his shoes on, the quicker he could order a rewarding pint of bitter!

There is sense in his thinking and loafers or moccasins are perfect for slipping on after four hours out on the course. They are smart and work well with long shorts or chinos. You can whip your socks (short or long) off too to allow your feet to breathe a little. Regular readers of our blog will know we have plenty of loafers to choose from, but for this purpose, I am suggesting the clean and lightweight Enzo or the Maranello moccasins.

Now into September, we must admit that autumn is around the corner and loafers may not be the ideal choice as the weather gets colder. The brogue though fits the bill perfectly. They ooze country style and a robustness that was needed back in Scotland where the game was invented in the 15^th century. To give a nod to the tweed, you could go for our Exmoor style or go for a classic, more elegant Munster.

Somehow though, I cannot see the likes of Rory McIlory, Tommy Fleetwood or Ricky Fowler rocking up in brogues, but then who is going to turn them away from the bar for not sporting the right footwear? Even the top players will need formal ‘street’ shoes. The slightly cringey opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup usually sees the players in suits or jackets and slacks, so check out what they are wearing on their feet. A monk shoe, like the Monkwell or Jacob, would look super smart while Golding derby would also look the part.

Not all clubs are so strict though and some accept a more casual dress code. Not sure they are ready for high-top sneakers just yet – my dad would never approve – but along with aforementioned loafers, you may get away with brown/dark green leather trainers, like the Ensign or the Silverstone II which has brogue detailing. But please do check!

In summary, it seems churlish to make the effort on the course and not continue the sense of formality into the clubhouse. These shoes will be more than adequate for eating out and many work situations. With these transferable attributes, you can be both the king of the clubhouse and boardroom.

Herring Shoes

Winter boots for the Southern Hemisphere

25 August 2021

The few glimpses of sunshine we have had in the UK recently means that it must still be summer…although there is some doubt. While we cheerfully moan about the weather, our friends in the South Hemisphere are currently in their winter with half an eye on spring.

We felt it was only fair to revisit winter boots for the many loyal customers we have overseas below the equator. A big ‘hello’ to you down there. You’ll be glad to know Herring have got some winter corkers up their sleeves (or should that be trouser leg?) for men, and yes, women too!

Ladies first, and I have to say I am excited about these to the point I am almost looking forward to winter. The Stephy brogue boots are my kind of thing. Chunky and super traditional, they are retro country-set with a twist that comes in the form of a beefy heel. These beauties are the result of an exclusive collaboration with Trickers using their super-soft, deeply grained muflone leather that has been dried in drums for softness and texture. Blended with a welted rubber sole, they look awesome! They are repairable too so pleasingly tick the sustainability box and should last you for years, with some care and attention. I suspect they will look better with age too.

If you cannot be bothered with laces, then I am also giddy about the Paula rubber-soled Chelsea boots. Potentially written off as a bit horsey, these Chelsea boots have some biker attitude, again care of their generous rubber sole. As well as looking just that little bit edgy, the rubber sole will be perfect for puddle survival in the winter months. I love these in black.

Both of the above are exclusive to Herring, so it is unlikely you will see them on anyone else’s feet.

Ok chaps, it’s your turn. What can we offer you this winter Down Under? Here are some of the new boots on the block. A bit like the Stephy, the Corsham is a brogue boot with a chunky Goodyear-welted rubber sole. Colour-wise, you can choose between cedar and cherry.

Next up is the Cromer. This one is a little bit special as it is made from cordovan crup, which is tanned carefully over a long period of time and hand-infused with natural oils to give the lustrous almost translucent look that is so prized, along with a long-life resilience that other leathers cannot match. This leather really is remarkable…it has its own built-in anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle solution! The Cromer has a country-style shape with a toe cap in burgundy or tan. In short, they are really handsome boots.

The Melksham is more weathered looking, due to their suede upper, and has a thin rubber sole to help our Southern Hemisphere friends skip into spring. Quite utilitarian looking, these appeal to me in an understated way. I like the eyelets and hook combination, which creates extra ankle height.

Lastly, check out the Mullion II Norwegian two-tone boots. This is a good-looking boot. Rubber heel, high ankle, eyelets and hooks, chunky stitching…rather debonair, if you will. They are country and city combined, so the Mullion II is versatile for winter.

I will come back with some shoe options too, but meanwhile, enjoy this bevvy of boots and remember that spring is just around the corner.

Herring Shoes

Men’s shoes for a casual wedding

17 August 2021

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.

Herring Shoes

Shoes and boots to wear with lounge suits at weddings

23 July 2021

In the first part of our wedding shoe guide, we covered the formal black shoes and boots you would wear with morning suits and more formal attire. Today, we are going to consider shoes that would be suitable to wear with lounge suits for a formal, yet a little more dressed down, occasion.

Most weddings would fit this bill, where the groom, the ushers and the rest of the male wedding party wear matching or complementary lounge suits. Most will buy something new for the occasion and we would urge you to consider your footwear at the same time.

As we have often alluded to in our blogs about wedding shoes, they not only need to look the part but also need to support you through a tiring day. Grooms, ushers, and guests alike will be on their feet for much of the day whether at the ceremony, posing for photos, drinking bubbles and eating canapes before the wedding breakfast, standing in the receiving line, making speeches or dancing… it’s not your average day at the office.

You need comfort which means getting a pair of shoes that fit you properly. This is where handmade shoes will serve you well. They will mould to the shape of your feet. No slipping at the heel and no pinching at the toe will prevent blisters. I mean, who wants a blister on their wedding day? If you are unsure of your sizing when it comes to choosing a pair of handmade shoes, then our guide here may help or just call our customer services; they are skilled in advising people on the size they need!

But what style and colour to choose? I am going to steer away from black as we have already discussed these in the formal wedding shoe blog. Here are a few ideas to choose from, but there are plenty of styles and brands on the Herring website to choose from, so please feel free to browse away.

Oxford
Due in this month, the Eden Oxford is a truly stunning formal shoe in a dark leaf colour. It has a contemporary shape with a brogue punch to the toe and swan neck broguing to the sides. Handmade by the craftsmen at Cheaney in Northamptonshire, this looks like a bespoke shoe and will make any groom or usher feel like they have paid attention to their footwear.

Brogue
Brogues are popular choice for a wedding in the country, but they can suit a town affair too. Our Henry II brogues in chestnut calf ooze quality. Also made in Northamptonshire by Alfred Sargent, they have a beautiful, burnished finish. The Carnaby brogue is a great alternative brogue too.

Spectator
These are still brogues essentially, but the two-tone element pops them into the spectator category. Again made by Cheaney, the Henley is a lightweight shoe with dark leaf calf bearing the broguing detail with the rest of the main body of the shoe made out of beige canvas. We have a Henley II as well, which has less broguing on the toe. Both of these shoes shout “summer wedding”!

For a navy suit alternative, the Farnham combines chestnut calf and navy suede. If you want to lose the brogue look, the Farnborough is a striking option with the navy suede across the vamp this time. Again, super-smart shoes that your mother and mother-in-law, oh, and your wife-to-be, will approve of!

Derby
These differ from Oxfords because the closing panels that host the eyelets and laces are sewn on top of the vamp. This gives the wearer a little bit of extra room if they have larger feet or a higher instep. That does not mean they are any less elegant. Take the Golding, as an example, or the Epping. I like the Burlington too for a lighter shade of brown.

Monk
Lastly, for shoes, I would suggest the single, double or, even triple, monks. The double buckle Shakespeare is uber classy and elegant, and come up a treat when you polish them. The Dahl has three buckles, which is very unusual so makes them extra special. For a single, try the Byron.

Boots
My husband wore boots to our wedding, and I assume many other do too. Elegance is key for a wedding. I love the Thatcher brogue Chelsea boots in burgundy or the Laverton II two-tone boots. You could also try the Orwell, which is a monk boot, or the limited edition and rather exquisite, Jordan.

The above is a romp through the more refined styles of the Herring collection that I think would work well with a lounge suit for a wedding. If you spot a style that you think would work well too, why don’t you comment below or post a photo on our social media channels in all your finery? We would love to see you!

Next up, we will discuss shoe styles for a casual wedding.

Herring Shoes

Formal shoes for a long awaited wedding day

20 July 2021

We have written multiple guides on wedding shoes for men (men’s shoes for a casual wedding, wedding shoes guide, shoes and boots suitable for wearing with lounge suits) but we think the topic is worth re-visiting as we have now reached so called ‘Freedom Day’, when restrictions have been lifted, and couples can have the day they have been waiting for. I know one couple who have postponed their wedding three times and I am sure there are others who have done the same.

If you have been holding on, it’s probably because you want all your friends and family to be there for the ‘big do’, so we are going to kick off our series of wedding shoe guides for men with a look at the more formal shoes.

Usually, I would head straight for the black Oxfords, but I am going to offer up something just as elegant and formal, but a little bit different. The wholecut – you can find out more in our recent blog ‘The art of the wholecut’ – is a beautiful thing. Carefully constructed from a single piece of leather, they are both eye-catching and classic. They also ooze craftsmanship. Just look at them! Our Chaucer wholecut can be leather or rubber soled, so you can decide how much comfort you need. This may depend on how much dancing you intend to do!

Like the Chaucer wholecut, the classic black Oxford gives the dark trousers of a morning suit the sleek look most grooms, ushers and guests are seeking. You cannot go wrong with this shoe. It will serve you well for multiple occasions and for work. Every man needs a pair of black Oxfords. Our bestseller is the Churchill II, but if you prefer a more rounded toe, the Charles II is a good option too. For a more continental shape, I would suggest the Nelson.

As most Herring connoisseurs already know, we also stock shoes from a range of respected UK manufacturers: Barker, Cheaney, Church’s, Loake and Tricker’s – so we have a full range of black Oxfords for you to choose from.

For a formal wedding, black brogues, semi-brogues or even quarter-brogues are also a good option. The Calne is a new addition to our collection and it has a really elegant shape accentuated by the long-wing brogue detailing. The Napoleon brogues are sharp too and look more formal due to the lack of toe punch and their longer toe. You could also consider the Belgravia with its leather sole, insole and lining. Again, our other manufacturers have their own varieties. I like the square toe and detail of Loake’s Kruger brogues.

Lastly, if you prefer boots, the Herring Flynn is a black Oxford in a boot style. No need for black socks for these, but they will still give you the super-smart you are looking for with a chiselled toe to elongate the look of dark trousers.

The second part of this wedding shoe series will focus on the more casual wedding where lounge suits are the suggested dress code. Until then, if you are getting married this year and you have been patiently waiting for your big day, then we would like to wish you all the best.

Herring Shoes

Summer is here

14 July 2021

Summer holiday shoes to celebrate the warmer weather

It looks like summer is finally here and we are celebrating it! It has been a tough 15 months, so we want to seek out the positives in life and summer must be one of them. We may not be able to travel far and wide but the traffic around Kingsbridge, where Herring Shoes’ headquarters is based, would suggest that people are finding fun in the UK this year.

So, what will you be wearing on your feet? We’re not all made for flip-flops, so we are happy to offer you a few alternatives.

For the beach
Deck shoes are a perennial winner. Referred to as boat shoes by GQ magazine, they are sturdy enough to walk in comfortably, but easy to kick off when you want to feel the sand between your toes. I also think they look a bit better when they are weather-beaten and dusty.

This year, we can offer you deck shoes from Sperry. A certain Paul S Sperry was inspired to cut small grooves into a rubber sole to increase grip when he was on deck. These shoes used to be made in canvas, but leather has become the go-to. To really float your boat, I would suggest the white leather and navy trim of the Bahama IIs or the faded ombre blue twill of the Striper II. They shout ‘summer’!

Meanwhile, Herring has their usual array of fine deck shoes on offer too. The Rock looks like it sounds with a sturdy cleated rubber sole. The Padstow is more genteel but still has a smart leather finish, while the Fowey looks like it was made for mucking about in boats with a 360˚ tie to ensure they do not fall off in the high seas! They even have a white sole too.

We also stock deck shoes from Sebago, Loake and Barker to give you a full array of options.

For relaxing
I think the Murlo II tops the bill here. Billed as luxurious driving moccasins, these rubber, dimple-soled loafers would work equally well as slippers or an alternative to sandals when relaxing in the sun wearing shorts, chinos or jeans.

And as a shoe for relaxing with your family and friends, would you take the opportunity to be bold with your colour choice? Herring has included a turquoise version amid the usual navy, chocolate and cognac. I mean…why not? This has to be the summer to be bolder than ever!

For dining
We all love the Cannes loafer this year. They are made in the UK, so they are perfect for a UK summer holiday…but are named after a glamorous French location! They combine the crepe sole of desert boots with a gorgeous suede upper in sand, tobacco and navy. These are seriously nice.

The leather-soled Ibstock and Finsbury, with a rubber sole, are also good smart options. Or have a look at the new Tonel. They are unlined and made from high-quality suede, so they are super supple and very comfortable to wear without socks.

Barkers’ William loafers and Loake’s Nicholson loafers are also good choices.

You will hear more from me on shoes for summer, but I wanted to get you started with the suggestions above. Until next time…just enjoy the warmer weather.

Herring Shoes

How will you be wearing your sporting colours this summer?

6 July 2021

Summer means sport and this year sees a bumper number of tournaments with the Euros, delayed from 2020, in full flow and the Olympics just two-and-a-half weeks away.

Apologies in advance if you are not an England fan. I will make this brief. For those of you that are, you will know that we play Denmark in the semi-final tomorrow night at Wembley. Unless you are lucky enough to have a ticket, you will no doubt be watching at home, on screens in gardens or in the pub. Even lacklustre football fans cannot help turning half an eye to the television when it gets to this stage. Why? Because sport makes us feel good.

The out-pouring of national pride and enthusiasm in supporting and celebrating the endeavours of our countrymen and women is uplifting. Australians will re-member the joy of 2000 Olympic Games and the British were full of pride in 2012. I’m sure, despite the delay and strained circumstances of this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese will get swept up in the euphoria of the event too, along with all the other the nations who send competitors.

Meanwhile, rugby fans will know that the British & Irish Lions have begun playing in South Africa – another once in every four years occasion – and the home nations have undertaken a series of international matches too.

The fact these three competitions have collided in one summer is due to COVID, which although frustrating last year, is rather wonderful for the sports fan in 2021. Meanwhile, Wimbledon and cricket is a constant in the summer with the addition of a new tournament this year called The Hundred. The Tour de France is wending its way through, well, France, The Open features at Royal St George’s in two weekends’ time and the Paralympics start at the end of August. It’s just brilliant!

So how will you be flying your colours and turning out for these events? This is where this blog came from after I saw a group of young men on their way to the pub to watch the football…all wearing pristine white trainers or sneakers. We can help with that!

In fact, our Sebastian sneaker has a choice of red, white or navy suede at the topof the heel, so can you choose how you display your national loyalty. These colours work for many countries across the world too!

If you prefer a trainer, than the Voyager in navy and white could be a good option or the Goodwood in white calf is a super smart classic too.

If you happen to get tickets to Wimbledon or the cricket, then a two-tone spectator must be the way to go. Named after the rowing regatta, the Henley would be perfect or the Henley II for a lighter shade or the Farnham for a bit of navy suede.

Light-weight brogues could also work, such as the Carnaby or Longford, and loafers will see you through all of the occasions above. I would suggest the Cannes or Ibstock for summer suede.

After 15 months of worry and waiting, it feels good to be able to celebrate something again and to be with family and friends. Sport brings people together in a truly unique way. If you are still home working and do not have any excuse to buy new shoes for the office, then why not treat yourself to a new pair of shoes to enjoy a truly packed summer of super sport…whoever you support.