Meermin suede offerings for Summer 2013

Whilst the Summer is showing it's best colours, a way to compliment the sunny bright days will be to wear any of these lovely suede offerings from Meermin of Spain. 

See earlier about Meermin here and here.

For the day, I sampled a few of their beautiful suede offerings depicted below. All classical, elegant and timeless pieces of shoes worth to own and have. Enjoy.

Suede double monk with stitched cap toe

 A whole cut Oxford in navy blue suede

 Punched cap toe in light brown suede

 Dark brown suede three tier Derby

Photos sourced from Meermin's Facebook profile

Gaziano and Girling - two samples of bespoke shoes

Northampton based Gaziano and Girling, have this "little" tendency of pulling some amazing rabbits from the magic bag of shoes. No wonder they are are so popular amongst the new generation of gents commissioning bespoke shoes/boots.

Below a wing tipped whole cut Adelaide laced Oxford in dark antiqued oak on the TG73 chisel last. Simple, elegant, classic and timeless shoe with a modern twist.

 A three tier Derby in calf and lizard hides with a medallion on the cap toe, round last DG70. Very cool Derby shoe and very sober medallion. Ouch....wish my treasurer box was unlimited. 

Photos sourced from Dandy Shoe Care

Vintage American made alligator shoes

To be nostalgic about an era long gone and unknown to me. I found these alligator shoes made by American shoe companies who no longer produce this type of handcrafted items. The two pairs sampled here are from Bostonian and Florsheim, the latter being/was a Chicago based shoe company. 
These shoes are just beautiful and stunning and have aged very well over time. 

A vintage three tier plain Derby by Bostonian (USA)

 A Norwegian split toe Derby alligator by Florsheim (USA) from the 1940's.

Photos sourced from Vintage Shoes Addict

Crockett and Jones - Spring offers 2013

Looking for a pair of suede loafers to replace my worn down Crockett and Jones Cavendish in Polo suede, I came to some lovely suede offerings by Crockett and Jones of Northampton, England. 

The Crockett and Jones Cavendish tassel loafer in Polo suede has been my companion for at least six to seven Summers and was my favourite summer footwear. Now that is worn down and ready for the trash bin, I lament it. Sentiment, sentiment and crocodile tears. Okay, let us see what Crockett and Jones has to offer this Spring/Summer.

Chukka boot in Purple, Ocean, Bottle Green and Mushroom suede. Wow! Lets bring the linen suits out for the Summer and add some colour with these babies. 

A three tier Derby in mid blue suede. My mouth is watering already.

 An old friend the Cavendish tassel loafer in Polo Suede and ....

Cavendish in Bottle Green. Wow! The apron in white stitching. Uh!

All photos sourced from Crockett and Jones

Dimitri Gomez - Paris - Shoes for the Spring & Summer

For today I have sampled some inspirational shoe creations from Master Dimitri Gomez (Parisian based bespoke boot & shoemaker) for the forth coming Spring and Summer. The shoes are mostly in brown colour variations of suede, including an interesting blueish/greyish and one in leather.
In my humble opinion all of the below shoes will be a nice complementary to a mustard /cream linen suit or cotton suit paired with a Panama hat. Do not forget the pocket squares to the suit jacket. Now, are we all set for the forth coming Spring and Summer? Hopefully yes. 

Two tier Derby in blue/greyish suede colour. Mustard linen suit will be wonderful with this pair. The colour will bring contrast to the suit. Nice shoe for the Summer no doubt.

Strapped monk in brownish suede. Hmm...

Stitched cap toe oxford in Polo suede. The contrasting laces brings the colour of shoe to it's glory.

Three tier Derby in a lighter brown shade suede. Cool.

A bowed loafer in another version of brown suede.

A loafer with a strap and a raised apron in a tan colour, pair this with any shade of blue linen suit then we are all set. Lovely loafer.

Photos sourced from For The Discerning Few

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