GJ Cleverley - RTW - Aiden and Harold

I know for most of the time I focus on bespoke shoes, especially when writing about the likes of George Cleverley, from London. Now I know that the George Cleverley's house does produce some very nice and elegant, classic ready to wear shoes, which I own a number of pairs. So when I saw the darkened "tan" Aidan and the full brogue which I believe is the Harold, I was thrilled. Here I give you the Aidan and Harold from George Cleverley from the bench made offerings. Nice, classic and elegant samples. 

The Aidan breaded tassel loafer in a darkened tan colour.

The Harold full brogue in black and the other in tan calf hide.

Photos sourced from Dandy Shoe Care Tumblr

An Adelaide Oxford by GJ Cleverley RTW Adelaide well polished

For the day, I have sampled from my own GJ Cleverley "RTW" ready to wear collection, an Adelaide as renditioned by the GJ Cleverley house. The depicted shoe is on the Crockett & Jones 337 last, which is a last from Crockett and Jones hand graded selection. The 337 last is designed by Master Dimitri Gomez in Paris, who also runs a bespoke operation. So what? You would say, okay. Cutting a long story short, I got these about three years ago and they came in antique chestnut colour. But over the years, I have been polishing correctly, but inappropriately (regards to colour selection), the shoes ended in a much dark colour almost black burgundy & with no movement in colour, and I was not pleased. 
So had to do something. Finally got some kind of bleaching product manufactured in Sweden, recommended by Rolf Hansson's son (Malmö) and tried the stuff out. End result, got the shoe back to a colour I liked and here is the result. Apologies for the many pictures of the shoe.

 A GJ Cleverley Adelaide Oxford from the ready to wear offer, nicely polished.

Photos sourced from me

GJ Cleverley - The Aidan braided tassel loafer

A few weeks ago I stated that I was in need of a loafer for the Spring/Summer period, as I have messed up my C&J Cavendish tassel loafer in Polo suede. Well long story short, as I was looking for a loafer to replace the Cavendish, I stumbled upon the GJ Cleverley "Aidan" braided tassel loafer in dark mahogany from the Ready To Wear offer. 
After receiving the loafer was not sure what to make of it, so I put it aside, though I have to mention that it came with a nice polish finishing. That was a nice start.

So for some inspiration for the patina, I started looking around, after a while realised that I can try and achieve the Master Bestetti's honey like patina on my "Aidan. So I started the polishing journey on my Aidan and I am so much into it, that it makes me go "damn, I did a great buy" for the Spring/Summer. Profound apologies for the photography skills.

GJ Cleverley's "Aidan" braided tassel loafer from the Ready To Wear offer. A great loafer.

Pictures sourced from myself.

Winter boots - keeping dry and looking good (RTW)

Winter is here, the first snow fall was the first of December down here, South part of Sweden, Nordics. With Winter here comes the snow and wet weather and a gent needs some boots that can keep him warm, well dressed and looking good. For the day I sampled two of my favourite boots for kicking the wits out of the Winter period, the first sample a cordovan ankle boot from Alden (USA). I am not a fan of "codo", but "codo" is appropriate for the Nordics as the hide will keep you dry even in heavy snow and wetness as we tend to have "down" here in the Nordic.

The second boot a Grenson(UK) RTW boot, two toned and brogued. I would say both boots are country boots or when just taking a walk in the woods or for casual dressing and giving the snow a bit of a fight back. Enjoy both boots with commando soles. Enjoy & welcome to the Christmas season.

Alden Norwegian Split Toe Cordovan ankle boot from Leather Soul Hawaii

 Alden NST Boot from Alden Of Camel with commando sole

Grenson Acklam boot (Grenson and Barbour collaboration)

Commando sole of the Grenson Acklam brogued boot

Photos sourced from Alden Of Camel, Leather Soul Hawaii and Grenson

WS Foster and Son - Bespoke shoe designs

W. S. Foster and Son bespoke boot and shoemaker in London is the lesser known and appreciated bespoke boot & shoemaker. I find it difficult to comprehend that "The Shoemakers' shoemaker" is overlooked. A shame as the company produces some very spectacular designs. I have on this blog touched down on the Forster and Son house here. The house of Forster and Son do from time to time bring in very unique and extra ordinary designs which are well balanced and also appealing to the viewer.

In 2012 Forster and Son introduced the below bespoke peaked cap - two toned oxford in burgundy/cream and blue/cream suede. This shoe resembles the 1920's era. It is a beauty.

Below a bespoke three tier derby old design which has been modified and twicked a bit here and there to bring the below new version.

An old design "The Thomas" bespoke curved balmoral oxford which was revived by Mr. Charlie Watts the legendary Rolling stones drummer. This design is very unique, so well done.

A bespoke loafer in crocodile.

 A wing tipped bespoke monk with brogue and inner gimping - faded black

 A red bespoke crocodile oxford square chisel toe last

Ready to wear two tier derby with tassel laces, as simple as it can get -on the 888 Last from Edward Green.

Well, I would not blog without mentioning side gussets or Balmoral boots. Forster and Son do offer a Balmoral boot in ready to wear, the Montrose it is on the 337 C&J Last.

Montrose Balmoral boot in ready to wear, calf leather - chestnut.

 Montrose in Black and grey (Calf leather and suede

Side gusset "The Fitzwilliam" also ready to wear, based on the 888 Edward Green last.

All pictures sourced from W. S. Foster and Son