loafers – Herring Shoes Journal

The Dillon

21 March 2024

The Dillon is one of our best-selling loafers. A perennial favourite, these shoes ooze class whether you team them with a dinner jacket, wear them for work, or step out with a bit of style at the weekend. This super-chic shoe has featured in many of our Journal articles, so we felt it was time it got its own opportunity to shine in our In The Spotlight series.

The Dillon is a classic among the classics! Made from beautiful black calf leather with a Blake-stitched leather sole, it is the silver-coloured snaffle-trim that elevates its status from the basic loafer.

If you like the horsebit loafer style from the house of Gucci, then this style will work for you. It shouts class…in a very polite way, of course!

The Dillon also sports an almond toe shape, which is a narrow elongated toe area to create a sleeker look that works well with dark trousers; hence why there are so popular as a black tie choice or with a dark suit for the office.

In line with the wedding season and autumn/winter 2024 tailored suit style, the Dillon is the perfect accompaniment, but they can also smarten up a more casual outfit. It’s a great a party shoe too!

While aesthetically charming, they are also eminently easy to wear. You can slip them on and off like a house shoe but as discussed above, that does not mean they are shabby. Far from it! The Dillon is a suave footwear choice.

In the spotlight

The Barcelona

7 March 2024

With spring in the air, we wanted to give you the lowdown on one of our most enduring styles that has recently had a revamp. The Barcelona is one of our best-selling loafers. Here’s a little reminder of why they are so beloved.

There is no doubt about it, the Barcelona is a classic loafer. It’s a slip-on shoe with a low-slung profile (to expose the ankle), a stitched apron, and a slight heel. However, this is not your run-of-the-mill penny loafer! This features 360˚ lacing, as a nod to the traditional deck or boat shoe, adorned with a stylish tassel.

But when did the tassel first feature? The tasselled loafer was a popular choice among the preppy crowd of US Ivy League students in the post-Second World War era, with stars of the silver screen, such as Dean Martin and Fred Astaire also becoming fans.

The tassel saw a resurgence in the 1980s when, let’s face it, every trend was jumped on in glorious fashion. Businessmen started wearing them to the office while teenage girls wore them to school. Any style was fair game in the 80s!

It’s an enduring look though with the tasselled loafer never far from the catwalk, the boardroom or as a casual accompaniment to shorts, chinos or jeans for men, and the same plus skirts and dresses for women.

So, we know the Barcelona style is still very much in vogue but how has our 2024 version changed from previous iterations?

We have tweaked the last to be slightly less elongated and with more toe spring – the fit is the same though
We have added more leather options, including a polished style, which is very popular right now
The tongue has a lower profile
It’s slightly lighter overall in terms of weight

More importantly, does it match up to its iconic roots? We think so! Whether you choose the polished black or burgundy, brown calf, or brown suede style, this is a handsome shoe that you will never regret investing in.

Herring Shoes, Shoe style guide

Lovely women’s footwear for festive gatherings

6 December 2022

This time last year, the pandemic was still at large, and Christmas parties were hurriedly cancelled before festive frocks were returned to stores as the latest variant took hold. Now that life is generally back to normal, businesses, families and friends have been booking Christmas parties and gatherings with confidence, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme.

Herring Knightsbridge Oxfords and Herring Charlie loafers

It is the first Christmas in a while that most of us will feel confident enough to go out and celebrate, so do it in style! Re-order versions of those outfits you sent back a year ago and enjoy getting dressed up again. And why not make the effort for every festive occasion you are invited to? Christmas jumpers aside (not a huge fan), it is an opportunity to add some sparkle, some fizz, some elegance, some theatre…just something extra to mark the holiday season.

I suggest you embrace every after-work drink, dinner invite, pub outing, mince pie munching, post-wintry walk drinks with a bit of flair….and that includes your shoes!

Ladies, while tottering around in heels is all very well, if you are going to go to every festive gathering, you may be grateful for some comfort. Our Charlie suede tasselled loafers could be your saviours here. Our lovely model Sapphire has styled them beautifully with a wonderfully winter white outfit.

I am also fond of the Miranda loafers too. I would team them with a shorter skirt or ankle grazing trousers or jeans with bare ankles, confident that I could dance the night away and run for the last bus if I had to!

For real comfort but with a nod to bling, try our new platform-style Vico lace -less sneakers. They come in a black or burgundy patent croc so could easily take you from the office to the pub without incurring any bah-humbug blisters along the way.

If you prefer a boot, then look at these over-the-knee beauties! The Varese are made of suede with a choice of black or green. They are potentially a tad too much for the office, but are perfect for dressing up a skirt, frock or skinny jeans. I am being super polite here…girls, these are sexy boots! I definitely need them in my life!

Enjoy all those gatherings this Christmas, ladies. Accept every invite you can! We have a few years to make up for. Cheers.

Herring Shoes

Shoes to wear with shorts

30 June 2022

As a massive rain cloud heads its way to South Devon, I am wondering why I am even contemplating this journal entry, but I am eternal optimist and believe we will get some solid days of summer sun in the not-too-distant future. When we do, our readers will be prepared with some pre-emptive advice on what shoes to wear with shorts.

Sure, you can whack on a pair of flip-flops (or thongs for our southern hemisphere clientele) with your board shoes on the beach, but what about life away from the sand when you may wish to have little more support underfoot or simply want to look a little more dapper? Here are some suggestions for the sunnier days to come (they will come!)

Deck shoes
These could not be more South Devon if they tried! Seen on the feet of many a boat-lover, these shoes are perfect to slip on and off as you jump from the shore to the deck but work equally well as a casual accompaniment to shorts. They are comfortable and get better with age to cultivate that true New England summer vibe. See England and Exeter Chiefs’ Ben Moon below to prove my point!

Ben Moon wears shorts and deck shoes on the beach — Ben Moon in our Fowey deck shoes

We have any large range of deck shoes from you to choose from the traditional style with white rubber soles, such as our Fowey style in navy or Sebago’s dockside Portland collection through to cleated, more hard-wearing styles that look like they could weather many a storm! Most bear the traditional 360˚ leather lacing but we do have some unadorned styles too.

To really nail the casual sea-faring look, Sperry has a canvas Bahamas II range in white and hues of blue, or the Striper II below. Again, these will get better with age and will be a go-to staple of your summer wardrobe.

For women, we have our new clog-backed deck shoes from Sebago in a gorgeous shade of light pink. What’s not to love? Or we have a more traditional style in Sebago’s Jacqueline deck shoe.

The above all represent a good alternative to flip-flops when you want to hide unsightly toes or cracked heels (often caused by flip-flop wearing) without feeling your toes are getting overheated as the weather gets warmer.

Moccasins
Again, these are causal but are a step up from the deck shoe and feel like a halfway house between a deck shoe and a loafer. Made from suede uppers with a rubber sole, they are light-weight and super casual while maintain a sense of style. Billed as driving moccasins, use them to get you to the waterside for a spot of al fresco dining.

I like the Maranello style in sky-blue suede with the yellow detailing, but you can also get navy and brown with blue detailing, and black with red. If you want a bold splash of colour, why not try the Murlo II in turquoise?

Suede loafers to wear with shorts — Moccasins

Loafers
Loafers are perfect when you need to look a little smarter, such as for that causal wedding you have been invited too but have no idea what to wear. Like deck shoes, Herring has always had a strong loafer game, so there are plenty to choose from. For shorts though, I would suggest suede or a light-weight tan or navy leather. I am saying no socks because I am a bit old-school, but I reckon there are plenty of men who could style out a white or pastel shade of ankle sock!

My top pick for loafers would be the Banks in a neural shade of taupe, (also available in red and bottle green), plus our Cannes style, with crepe soles in a choice of sand, tobacco and navy, or the Ibstock. For a tasselled alternative, try the Sagres loafer. This lining-less design is very soft and lightweight, so feels great against bare feet. Any of these will be the perfect footwear with tailored shorts and a shirt to make a smart statement in the summer sun without having to feel like you’re melting.

Man wearing shorts and holding suede loafers on the beach — Suede loafers

Trainers
I am not talking about your old squash shoes or runners here! Trainers for casual wear have come on in leaps and bounds and can look very smart. I love the trainers made for us by Walsh. They have a good eye for lifestyle trainers and the Horwich and Voyager are really standout. We have introduced a burgundy colourway this season, but I like the navy Voyager with the yellow detailing and the grey and teal Horwich. These would work well with shorts and T-shirt or a polo shirt. Top tip: They go down to a size 5, so women can wear these too, but you will need to find them in the men’s section on our website.

Navy Voyager trainer with yellow detailing — Navy Voyager

Despite the current chilly weather, writing this journal entry has made me feel more summer-y already! Whether you are holidaying in the UK or abroad this summer, I wish you all the best and already know you are going to rock whatever footwear you wear with your shorts.

Herring Shoes

Feeling perky with preppy style footwear

18 March 2022

Preppy style is back…although I would say it has never really gone away. Originating in the US at the start of the 20th century, the founding sisters of preppy style emanated from wealthy colleges where the women wore tweed skirts, Brooks Brothers sweaters and saddle shoes, as sported by the Peanuts character, Lucy.

The founding brothers did not opt for the tweed skirts, but rather a style that was inspired by the sporting activities enjoyed by the British upper-classes and elite north-eastern Americans, such as polo, sailing, rowing, tennis, rugby, golf, etc.

The tweed or varsity jacket, rugby shirts, chinos, button-down shirts, seersucker shorts, brogue shoes, loafers and deck shoes had a field day, along with cable-knit sweater and golfing jumpers.

The fashion became more prominent in the 1950s as the style was adopted by prep schools and students attending Ivy League and other more traditional university institutions, such as a Harvard Princeton, Columbia and Yale.

By this time, women had migrated to tailored skirts, wrap or shift dresses, blouses, the aforementioned sweaters, and selected jewellery pieces, such as a pearl necklace and/or earrings.

This was the uniform of the well-connected and well-heeled who would go on to have high incomes and professional success. As such, clothing manufacturers were keen to meet the demand with LL Bean and Eddie Bauer providing the ideal sport casualwear back in the day and Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, J Crew, Tommy Hilfiger and Gant taking up the mantle in the 1980s.

These brands are still doing good business, hence my uncertainty about the fashion ever really fading away, especially as we now tend to take a few elements of preppy style rather than immersing ourselves in Ivy League fashion from head to toe.

The toe bit is where we can help! Whether you choose to pull on a cable-knit sweater or a tweed jacket, or team a navy polo shirt with light chinos, or choose a bit of old-school colour – lemon, peach, green or pink – for your shirts, jumpers or socks, we have the shoes for you.

The brogue
You’ve come to right place. We have got British brogues all sewn up. We suggest tan for true country sport style. You cannot go wrong with the Carnaby. For a more chiselled toe, you may like Barker’s Larry brogues or Loake’s Fearnley with a natural sole edge. Perfect for teaming with a tweed blazer.

The deck shoe
Known as the boat shoe over the pond, we have always given these our utmost attention due to our waterside location. We’ve got brown ones, tan ones, navy ones and white ones…all named after Cornish and Devonian seaside locations. Think Padstow, Fowey, Rock and Salcombe. All are perfect for wearing with seersucker shorts!

The loafer
Again, we have a rich history when it comes to loafers with a full range of suede, leather and, yes, tweed styles…with or without tassels. We have formal and more causal styles too so you can choose a loafer for any occasion. The James loafer is our best-seller while the two-tone walnut and tan suede Consort is a new kid on the block this year. The Frome has also been a welcomed addition that has proven to be extremely popular.

We have loafers for women too with our new suede Charlie style offering navy, aubergine and brown options, plus our leather Sophia and Miranda lines…all just crying out for bare ankles or knee high socks.

Like the manufacturers of preppy-style clothes, we have been making these shoes for decades. We use the best craftsman and the best materials to make quality shoes that are built to last.

Want to add some British preppy style to your footwear collection? You’ve come to the right place

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

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.

Herring Shoes

Classic shoes at a more attainable price

26 August 2020

In the last few months, we have been introducing our newsletter subscribers to our new Classic Elite range. (If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up at the bottom of our home page.)

This range is a new sub-section of our Classic range. They feature Goodyear-welted soles and fine European leathers, but they offer something new.

By working our magic in design and specification, we have created shoes that have many of the features of our highest quality Premier shoes but at the more attainable pricing of our Classic shoes.

We have managed this by talking direct to the factories and choosing the best lasts, leather and combination of features to create something wonderful. The Haig double monk, for instance, features Goodyear-welted soles that are closed-channel stitched and hand-painted. We have also used a bespoke looking last that is slightly more generous than you usually find on a high-end shoe, so that it is comfortable from the first wear. We have a single monk version too in the Holmes.

Meanwhile, the Christie is a wholecut Oxford which means that the entire upper has to be made faultlessly from one piece of leather. Think of icing a cake perfectly with an expensive icing sheet and you will understand why these are the apex of shoe making! This model benefits from another highly skilled feature…the closed-channel sole stitch. This gives a more refined appearance to the sole and makes it almost indistinguishable from a far more expensive shoe.

The Montgomery is an austerity brogue style. The name is thought to originate in the 1940s when leather supply was restricted so the wingtip patterns were simplified to allow less leather to be used by omitting the brogue detail altogether.

Boots have not been left out of our Classic Elite collection. The Purcell Chelsea boot comes in both leather and suede, and is made on a classic last shape that will never be out of fashion.

Meanwhile, for more relaxed days, we have the Alanbrooke and Allenby loafers, with the latter featuring delicate stitching on the vamp.

Aside from the attention to detail and style, all these shoes share another important element in common…they can be repaired. In line with our commitment to supporting slow fashion, these shoes are all Goodyear welted, so they can be repaired over and over again.

So, while you a benefiting from more classic shoes with attainable prices, you are also investing in footwear that will last.

View the entire Herring Classic Elite range here.

Herring Shoes

Style for your plain white tee

17 June 2020

The plain white tee is a perennial classic. You cannot really go wrong due to its versatility and iconic status in cladding some of the most famous men in the world. Think James Dean, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Elvis Presley for classic style through to Tom Cruise in Top Gun and onto modern day white tee-boys, Tom Hardy, Harry Styles and Idris Elba.

The easy way to wear a white T-shirt is with a pair of jeans (I think combats work equally well). It worked for all the men above! But what do you wear on your feet?

Harking back to boys on motorbikes, then boots are still relevant here. High-top sneakers would fit the bill teamed with a leather jacket. Hold on…let’s flashback to the T-Birds in Grease! Check out our black Boxer II in leather and suede or our Spare rubber soled boots in jeans suede. For a more military look, check out our Fleetwood rubber-soled boots. These are masculine, muscle flexing styles to give you a spring in your step and ooze some attitude. Hey, if you end up feeling like Steve McQueen, you just roll with it!

But we are not all owners of a motorbike and piercing blue eyes. I think you can capture a more relaxed style with jeans and sneakers. A white, leather sneaker with a white tee…how can you go wrong? Our Split style is a minimalist quality product with a nod to vintage styling with the cream lace and sole. Made out of premium leather, it also comes in black for a true monochrome look. However, is black or white is too stark, go for brown. Our Urban is easy going on the eye and is also extremely comfortable.

If you want to smarten up your act, try teaming your tee and jeans with a blazer and a pair of loafers. If you a fan of a tassel, then I would suggest our Albert or Lecce styles in brown suede or the Fleming or Exeter. Ditch the socks and chuck on a baseball cap to complete the preppy look or à la Beckham or Jake Gyllenhaal style.

Jeans aside, the white T-shirt has plenty of other uses, not least with shorts for the summer. Deck shoes, moccasins, espadrilles or light-weight trainers would be ideal here and it does not matter what colour you choose, as anything goes with white!

if you use a white t-shirt as a layer for your casual attire with a denim or checked shirt and chinos, then I think desert boots or chukkas are your go-t- here. Check out the Monty or the Canterbury.

Lastly, there is the suit option. A white T-shirt can relax a more formal look so you need to choose footwear that will be suitable for a suit but not look like you are ready for a job interview. So for a cocktails on the terrace or dinner with friends (when allowed again), light-weight Chelsea boots are as reliable as the tee and the Thatcher would be a standout choice in burgundy with a navy suit or the.

You may also wish to consider the Pelham, which has a zip fastening and is suede or the two-tone Laverton II, which is laced. Whichever boot you choose, I would suggest a sleek toe shape. You want to look elegantly edgy.

If you have any other white tee style and footwear looks you would like to share, I am always happy to hear from you.

Herring Shoes

Styling it out as you work from home

21 May 2020

Life is a bit tricky right now, so I am hoping this might bring a little light relief. Be assured, I am in no way belittling the crisis we find ourselves in but would like to bring some footwear fun to proceedings.

While some of you may be hot-footing it back to work, others are still working from home to meet social distancing rules. It got us all thinking about what people are wearing as they fire up their laptops and PCs from home.

There are some generations who would never be seen in bare feet and would always choose to wear smart shoes…even at home. Have a think; did you ever see your grandparents’ feet?

Even if you are fan of bare feet, how do you feel about taking a video call with your boss, colleagues or staff with your pinkies enjoying the fresh air under your desk? That feels weird just writing it!

We need work from home footwear solutions. Here’s what I suggest:

Moccasins
Easy to slip on and comfortable to wear, we market moccasins as driving shoes but these are ideal for mooching about the house (in a productive manner, of course!) We sell them in suede or nubuck and in a range of colours, with and without ties.

Slippers
A pipe is not required but these are super-smart, classic velvet slippers. Again, we can offer a range of colours and a choice of hand-embroidered motifs, including a skull and cross-bones. These are not your average slippers, but then again, these are not your average times.

Loafers
The slippers above were credited with being the forebear of the loafer. A loafer is a real shoe, but it is easy to slip on and off if you are not allowed to wear them on the upstairs carpet! We have suede versions that are truly easy going while remaining business-like. I like our Verona loafer with leather soles, rubber pimples and a rubber heel. The classic Exeter has a rubber sole too and is a popular choice.

Deck shoes
Like the loafer, they are easy to slip on and off. They also might give you a sense of summer and happy times spent on the beach, on a boat or on holiday. Let the positivity rise from the feet up I say!

Sneakers
If you are allowed to take advantage of a more relaxed dress code while you are working from home, then what about a sneaker? I am not talking about the battered old running shoes you use to take the bins out, but classy leather or suede statement sneakers that epitomise dress-down Fridays. I still favour the high-top Boxer IIs in Cognac calf and suede or our New York classic trainers as a smart relaxed shoe that should not need to be hidden under the desk.

So, these are my WFH footwear musings, but hey, if it feels right, just wear your black Oxfords as usual! We are interested to hear about your work from home footwear choices in these strange times. If you are not wearing your usual work shoes at the moment, make sure you have popped shoe trees in them and maybe check out Jared’s latest blog on shoe care.

Stay safe all.

Herring Shoes

Spring into…well, spring

23 March 2019

As spring has officially sprung, we decided to take a look ahead to warmer weather and more daylight hours with footwear in mind.

When I think of spring, I think of two elements. No. not sun and rain…suede and loafers.

Suede is generally forgotten about in the colder months, as are loafers. Instead we reach for weather-proof, sturdy leather shoes or boots with soles ready for any inclement condition.

A few rays of sunshine later, and the suede loafers are out. Yes, that’s right, we gloriously combine the two!

Behold the Lecce…this most continental-looking of loafers for those who want to show a bit more flair. This features a leather sole and super-soft suede uppers with leather tassels and comes in three colours.

See also the Matisse and Barcelona II if you have penchant for tassels. If not, then James is your man. This brown handcrafted loafer has been made using the highest quality leather. It is made on the 109 last which has a rounded point to make it very elegant. This shoe has the bespoke look of a much more expensive shoe, accentuated by the apron detailing and fine stitching. Lastly, there is the Charlton. A classic penny loafer made from rich calf leather with a full leather lining. This loafer and many others are also welted, which means they are repairable so they should last you for many years to come with care and attention.

But if you are not ready to roll up your chinos or jeans just yet, you can start inching towards the suede with light-weight boots or brogues. Our Ilford rubber-soled chukkas and Hockley Chelsea boots both come in a sandy, oiled suede to offer a lighter colour alternative.

Shoe-wise, we have Oxfords, monks and brogues in full suede, while we also blend suede and traditional leather to capture the spectator style favoured by traditional sportsmen. The Fencote two-tone brogue remains one of our most popular styles to date.

To find the suede shoe or boot or loafer you are looking for this spring, select the ‘Suede’ filter in the ‘Uppers’ section on the Herring page on our website…and start browsing.

Browsing Tag: loafers