Young Master Roberts - on the hard way towards classic style

Just before I head for my Summer vacation, I just needed to add some of the items which I had planned, but...alas. 
Sometimes I do ask myself, when does one start the hard journey to be stylish, dress impeccably and classical? For most of the time, we hear about those born with a golden spoon and have the time to do so effortlessly and under the heavy hawk eye guidance of their parents. But what about the rest of us? 
Now for the day I have sampled young Master Roberts, just at seventeen and looking very dapper in a grey single breasted suiting with one button, jetted pockets, which gives the jacket (suit) a very formal look, slim lapels (almost sixties look). White shirting and a very slim navy blue tie. 
Now we just have to wait for a second, ..... at seventeen, the young Roberts is dressed up for a job interview. Now how many grown ups have turned for an interview in chinos and thought, I am wearing dress trousers?  How many have pulled up a suit for a job interview? 
I have to congratulate young Master Roberts for pulling this look for an interview, it shows that it's never too early to start dressing up impeccably and with classic style. 

Young Master Roberts heading for an interview, very soberly dressed up. Your father must be very proud of you young man. (I just miss that little pocket square on the jacket.)

Father and son holding a pair of bespoke shoes made by Master Cliff Roberts

Younger Master Roberts a year ago (2012) heading for a prom

Photos sourced from Master Cliff Roberts Face Book profile

Master Cliff Roberts - A Summer tassel loafer

The Summer has been extremely hot in Europe and seems to hold the high temperatures for a time still. I was about not to continue on Summer clothing and shoes, but due to the very high heat, it will still be appropriate to mention some of the Summer offerings from diverse bespoke shoemakers and bespoke tailors. For the day I have sampled a pair of tassel loafers in real Summer colours (two toned) red and tannish in a square toe last. This is a product from Master Cliff Roberts the "One man bespoke operation".  Many of you know by now that besides GJ Cleverley my other favourite shoemaker is Master Cliff Roberts.

The colouring (patina) seems to have been done directly onto the leather rather than creating the patina by polishing, I maybe wrong on that, will have to ask Master Cliff Roberts about the technique used. Why I love this loafer and it's colours, it's because it still looks very sober and not shouting at the world. Would not mind this piece of shoe as part of my Summer arsenal.

Master Cliff Roberts Summer tassel loafer

Photo sourced from Master Cliff Roberts Face Book profile

Co-respondent shoes (Spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts of Northampton

It has been a while that I mentioned something from Master Cliff Roberts from Northampton (England), the one man bespoke operation. It so happened I was on my Face Book account and I realised that I am outdated with what is happening or taking place.
Long story short, I found these two lovely co-respondent (spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts. Both shoes are Adelaide Oxfords, the burgundy and white in a squared chisel toe last and the black and white in a round toe last.

According to the story, the co-respondent shoe was a John Lobb design from 1868, made for the cricketing sport, but first became popular in the 1920's and 1930's (think The Great Gatsby, Gangster's of the time Al Capone and Jazz musicians). What an era.

It is also claimed that the popularity of the co-respondent was due to the HRH Duke Of Windsor (HRH The Prince of Wales) when he wore a tan and white co-respondent pair of shoes during a visit to the USA in 1925 and further popularised them as golf shoes in 1937.

The co-respondent comes in a many varieties such as full brogue Oxfords, Adelaide Oxford's, Derby's, Norwegian split toes and can also be constructed as loafers or slippers. The DNA of the co-respondent is that it comes in two colour combination for example, black and white, brown and white, tan and white etc. Originally  the co-respondent was constructed of willow calf and white buck or reverse calf suede. The white part was sometimes made from mesh material, to offer better ventilation in hot weather. So what does it tell, the co-respondent must be part of the Summer shoe arsenal for any gent who cares, just a bit.

HRH The Duke of Windsor kicking rugby in a double breasted suit paired with co-respondent shoes. Cool aristocrat gent. 

Much talk and .....let us see the rendition of the co-respondant by Master Cliff Roberts. 

The co-respondent, an Adelaide Oxford shoe in dark brown (burgundy) and white, punched cap toe with a medallion, a soft chisel squared toe last. A real good looking shoe from Master Cliff Roberts. I like the colour combination. Well done, as always Master Cliff.

A black and white co-respondant (Adelaide Oxford), punched cap toe on rounded last, just beautiful.

Photos sourced from Master Roberts FB profile

Cliff Roberts - "Lazyman" side gusset shoe with faux laces

Master Cliff Roberts, Northampton based one man operation bespoke shoemaker, never stops amazing me. The popularity of Master Roberts started by some cyberspace gents, shoe forum, shoe lovers and shoe aficionados who got into contact with him to commission a pair or two directly from him. Word by mouth spread around about Master Cliff Roberts works and ...well you know the story by now. Master Roberts can be contacted via Facebook, if needed.

The below is a side gusset with faux laces and a toe cap medallion. I know many gents who dislike the side gusset and adding faux laces it is just not acceptable to them.  
Well, I like the side gussets, I have always said that and the addition of faux laces gives the shoe a dash of a personal touch, in my humble opinion. Not exactly a true laced Oxford, but....a kind of a loafer resembling an Oxford. So in short one has a loafer and an "Oxford" at the same time. Frankly speaking, if one travels a lot, then this is the shoe you need to have. The colour of the shoe is something between black and mid night blue, a beautiful rendition of a side gusset with faux laces. 

Well done Master Cliff Roberts. Looking forward to more works from you.

Side gusset with false laces, cap toe medallion and three piece shoe trees

Photos sourced from Style Forum

Cliff Roberts - Bespoke Button Balmoral Boots and more

Master Cliff Roberts has made a beautiful rendition of a buttoned balmoral boot which can be seen below. I can not stop mentioning that I am sold when it comes to balmoral boots, especially the buttoned ones. What is interesting about Master Cliff's pieces is that all are commissioned by clients who heard about him from the net or mouth to mouth service. 
The beauty and endless options of bespeaking a pair of shoes/boots is: the client decides the last, select the leather and colour, decoration (medallion, brogue, punching, gimping, sole type and more) and the style (monk, oxford, derby, whole cut etc.) of the shoe/boot. Master Cliff has two lasts, a square chisel and a round last. However he accommodates if and when the client brings his/her favourite last along. Not many bespoke shoemakers accommodate for that.

As mentioned earlier on this blog (here), Master Cliff is a "One Man bespoke operation" ala Eric Cook, which means it takes time to get the product out of his hands, but this is true of most artisans who work solo. As said, a one man operation, but the end product is amazing and worth the waiting process.
For those gents who are into exotic leathers, you can see his work here which was a gift for his son. 

A punched cap toe two toned button balmoral boot in black and dove grey suede. These are working buttons and not sham, please note that.

A two toned buttoned balmoral boot (black and grey suede), the shoe on the left is a pigskin punched cap toe oxford also on the squared chisel toe.

 A brown on brown (leather and suede) laced balmoral boot (square chisel toe). I am in favour of the side seams punched and gimped instead of simple stitching as on the above boot. 

 A black leather and cream suede laced balmoral boot on the square chisel toe.

Photos sourced from Master Cliff Roberts

Master Cliff Roberts - two tier tassel laced Derby

Master Cliff Roberts "The One man operation" bespoke boot & shoemaker has renditioned the below two tier tassel laced Derby on the square chisel toe last, in a very rich brown (Chestnut) colour. I like this shoe because it is very simple and elegant and complimenting the colours of the Fall season.

Two tier Derby with tassel laces

Photos sourced from Master Cliff Roberts

Cliff Roberts - The Chocolate brown Bespoke Monk

It is said "all good things come to those who wait", how true. I month or more ago I received a very special pair of chocolate bespoke monks from Master Cliff Roberts of Northampton, England. The pair is very special to me, as it is offered by Master Roberts for being a patient client. Yes, "all good things come to those who wait"! 
Of those of you who do not know Master Roberts, I will give a brief history. 
Master Roberts has been in the shoe making industry for many years, working for one of the known shoemakers from Northampton and he has over 30 years of experience in the shoemaking industry. About a year and a half ago or more he decided to go on his own, becoming a "one man operation" (like Eric Cook) offering bespoke shoes to clients all over the world. Setting up business for yourself has it's up and downs and at the same time bills have to be paid. 
I encountered Master Roberts by ordering my first pair of shoes from him (more than two years ago), received a very well made pair and I was a happy client. Same year ordered another pair, and another. The last pair (brown pebble grain side gusset) took longer than anticipated and as promised by Master Roberts, but I had no issue with that. A long story short, due to the long wait on the last pair, Master Roberts made this beautiful pair of chocolate brown single monk for me on his square chissel toe last. A very astonishing shoe, elegant, simple and classic. The inner lining is "racing green" typical Jaguar and Rolls Royce colours, the sole of the shoe is different from what you have seen from his hand. The topping is the heel with red heel and gold colouring at the edges or corners of the heel. The waist of the shoe is much slender (slim) compared to the other shoes I have from him, elegant.  Master Roberts has made a unique sole for this pair that distinguishes this monk from the rest. The leather is just amazing. Could not really get good pictures of the shine, the fit is like a glove to the hand. Simply amazing. I have worn the shoe indoors several times, each time it feels better.
This pair becomes my second pair of monks, I had a pair many years ago whilst a student and since I have been thinking of commissioning a monk ....and Master Roberts made my wishes come true. I simply like this pair, as it came as a surprise from Master Roberts. It resembles a suede monk executed by Nikolaus Tuzcek, seen here. Well done Master Roberts.

Thank you Master Roberts for a pleasant surprise and a beautiful rendition of a monk. Words can not describe my gratitude.

Here I give you Master Roberts bespoke single monk in chocolate brown colour and racing green inner lining with the unique sole rendition.

The Nikolaus Tuzcek styled square chissel toe

The unique very slim waist, the red heel with the gold on the inner edge. Wow!

Simple and elegant.

 Pictures sourced from Master Cliff Roberts and myself

The perfect summer shoe - Hidetaka Fukuya

The last two days the weather in the Nordic showed itself from it's best side, which is good. That made me think of a pair of ultimate summer shoes, which I found from Master bespoke boot and shoemaker Hidetaka Fukaya from Florence (Italy), whom I blogged about here and here. I have earlier seen holed shoes from Vass and other Central European bespoke shoemakers, but never appealed to me. I am now considering having two pairs commissioned for next Summer from my favourite bespoke shoemaker Master Cliff Roberts (blogged about here for example). My inspiration comes after seeing these two renditions of holed shoes from Master Fukaya. 

An oxford in suede with holes to let the feet air directly. Will have to say this is the ultimate summer shoe. Well done Master Fukaya. Lovely shoe.

 Below the two most right shoes, the green whole cut loafer made of suede with holes  and the brown oxford in suede with holes. So well done. 

Pictures sourced from Style Forum

Crocodile oxfords of the day - Cliff Roberts

I decided to blog about the below bespoke crocodile pair of oxford made by my favourite new starter bespoke shoemaker Mr. Cliff Roberts, whom I admire, respect and I am very honoured  to know him. 
The below pair is special, as it is made by Mr. Roberts Sr. for his son young Master  Roberts for his prom. A gift from father to son. Very special indeed.
What makes this pair special? Well, I assume Mr. Cliff Roberts picked up the crocodile hide with much care and being very selective. The shoes from my observation are made of two kinds of crocodile leather, one large scaled and the other smaller scaled. Then the scales are matched to look identical which can be a difficult process, but Mr. Roberts succeeded in accomplishing the task. I suppose that is why Mr. Roberts did not make them a whole cut but a stitched cap toe. Very beautifully renditioned, simply love this pair, a gift from father to son. How may of us can say we have or own something which is made by our fathers? Not many I guess. Congratulations Master Roberts and a tribute to Mr. Roberts for this very special shoe. Wear it in good health young master Roberts.

Black crocodile bespoke oxford shoes for young Mr. Roberts.

The sole of the shoes

The owner of the shoes, young Master Roberts, looking very dapper.

 Master Roberts in his bespoke crocodile oxfords made by his father.

Pictures sourced from Mr. Cliff Roberts of Northampton (England)

Mr. Cliff Roberts (Northampton) Bespoke Shoemaker follow up

Mr. Cliff Roberts, a Northampton bespoke shoe maker, a one man bespoke shoe making operation, never stops to amaze me with some of the shoe renditions he makes.


I admire his artisanship and the products produced from his hand. 


I earlier blogged about the shoes Mr. Roberts produced for me and have to admit, they are very well done, classic & elegant. I am looking forward to more pieces from the Master from Northampton. 


I took the liberty of taking some of his latest creations and bring them here to you, so you can also admire these pieces. Enjoy.


Mr. Cliff Roberts with son, who is also joining the bespoke shoe tradition, it is my understanding that the younger Mr. Roberts made the double monk they are holding. 


Furthermore, Mr. Roberts daughter is also into the bespoke shoe business. How fortunate can we be, all of the Shoe AristoCats, Shoe Lovers, Shoe Snobs, and shoe collectors, will have three Roberts to deal with. Tough for some of us........

Mr. Cliff Roberts with Mr. Frank Bruno

I have never seen a two toned Ghillie before, but this one is amazing

A Derby boot

An oxford cap toe and a buttoned balmoral boot, wow. The latter is a rare item, I am glad that some gents are reviving this Edwardian boot and thanks to artisans like Mr. Roberts who offers this beauty for all shoe lovers.

A brown monk and the channelled sole

Two tone balmoral boot (suede and leather)

Mr. Roberts rendition of a balmoral oxford, never seen a balmoral oxford done this way, very unique, the colour combination is also striking. Wonder which gent commissioned this pair.

A monk with vamp brogue

My favourite travel shoes, side gusset with false laces also known as the Churchill shoe

Another monk, a double monk in tan, stitched cap toe, this will make a good Summer shoe.

A black full brogue

Classical punched cap toe oxford

Punched cap toe side gussets in Summer colouring, wonderful

Another side gusset with brogueing (Anthony Cleverley inspired)

A brown monk

A beautifully renditioned two tone Adelaide with wing cap toe. My next pair to commission?

Two toned oxford boots, interesting colour combination, well done

Two toned Balmoral boot in black and cream, very classy

A tan whole cut with vamp stitching, beautiful Spring/Summer shoe

All pictures sourced from Cliff Roberts