GJ Cleverley - Peter in black from the semi bespoke offerings

For the day I have sampled a pair of black quarter brogues with a punched cap toe (Peter) from the GJ Cleverley's "Semi Bespoke" offerings. As you may know the GJ Cleverley house prior to introducing the "Anthony Cleverley" range they had the Bespoke, Semi bespoke and the Bench made ranges. At then the Semi bespoke range consisted of about six styles of shoes, and If I recall correctly all were on the 337 last.

So this year in March I ordered a pair of "Peter" from the "semi bespoke range" and waited for a few months for the shoes to come. Finally they arrived, but I was busy travelling, so I signed off for them and off I went. Fourteen days later before flying out again, needed to look at my newly acquired "boring" black shoes. And surprise, surprise.

First and foremost, the leather is different from my other GJ Cleverley shoes, much better quality, the finishing is quite different, one can note the hand finishing part, the heel is slightly smaller (Cuban heel) compared to the bench made and the sole waist much suppressed, more elegant and slimmer and gives an overall sleek look. The shoes are also lighter. Oh yes, the Peter is not just Peter but Peter version 2, which is not on the 337 last but 348, I pressume, as I have a punched cap toe from 2009 or 2010 which is on that 348 last, I believe it is called Charles. 

Long story short. A great looking shoe, well done and executed and different from my other GJ Cleverley's bench made shoes. One minor thing, the Cleverley's forgot to include the shoe trees, will be calling them before I fly out again tomorrow. I am pleased with this shoe. As you can note, I did some elbow work, not much but a bit and you can see the results. Quite a shoe even a black "boring" punched cap toe shoe can bring so much delight. So what is next? I will be moving from the normal bench made to the semi bespoke range, for the +700 quid, it's worth it.

The Peter-2 from GJ Cleverley house Semi bespoke range

Photos sourced from The Shoe Aristo Cat

GJ Cleverley - Punched full brogue side gussets with faux laces

The beauty of going bespoke, the design, pattern, leather, last, colour, brogueing or punching, inner lining and more. As I have said before going into the process of bespoke, be it a suit, coat, shoes and overcoat or more it is not just purchasing but a process of commissioning something that will last for many years. For the day I have sampled a favourite shoe of mine, a side gusset with faux laces from GJ Cleverley. 
Now let us a take a full brogue, strip it off (away with the brogue stitchings), just leave the punching, then add the faux laces in a darker colour than the shoe, pinched it up with the GJ Cleverley square chisel toe and made from the Whiskey calf hide and then dash it up with side gussets on both sides. Oh ---what do we have? A full brogue (punched) no stitchings to distract the eye from the punching, add side gussets and with faux laces, so elegant, simple, yet very refined and classic.
So English, rather so GJ Cleverley's(que) and not within 10 000 Km's will you see something similar. Oh if my pocket was deep enough, I could relieve some of the heavy burden from my pocket and make the Cleverley's cash box a lot heavier.

Bespoke GJ Cleverley full brogue (no stitchings) punched side gusset with faux laces.

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverly

GJ Cleverley - from the Anthony Cleverley range in Museum calf shades

For the day I have sampled GJ Cleverley classic shoes from their Anthony Cleverley line. All sampled are made from the famous Museum Calf hide. The hide is indeed stunning, very unique and gives a flow in the patina of the leather. 

GJ Cleverley does it again, Wow! If my pockets were deep enough, would have all of these in my humble shoe closet.

The "Bodie" (stitched cap toe Oxford) in Bourbon Museum calf

The "Finchley" full brogue Oxford in Bourbon Museum calf

 The "Park" (two tier Derby) in Bourbon Museum calf

The "Nakagawa" punched cap toe Oxford in antique bordeaux museum calf

Photos sourced from Leather Soul Hawaii

GJ Cleverley - Grained Cordovan Full brogue for the countryside

I am aware that the English shoemakers are not very keen of Cordovan, "crup" as it is called in the UK. Cordovan is the American bang. But ...yes, when I saw this "crup" grained full brogue from GJ Cleverley, I go Wow!

I almost passed it but then, a better look at the hide, punching details and overall look of the shoe and colour then I was interested. It is a very interesting shoe, first and foremost grained Cordovan hide, then the punching and brogueing, which might look excessive and too much. But we have to go back in the day when brogues had a purpose in the Highlands. 

Will not go into details, now this is a perfect shoe for the country side with tweeds, will perhaps go hand in hand with a city suit, but can not imagine how? 

 Another thing distinctive with the shoe is the punching /brogue has a contrast to the grain and texture of the "crup" not to mention the white welting stitches which matches the brogue/punching. Oh, almost forgot not using blind eyelets, thus giving the shoe a vintage look. Difficult polishing this shoe, unless keeping with natural polish.

The beauty of going bespoke, where the commissioner of the shoe goes wild but keeps the traditions and knows what is classic, elegant and timeless. Nothing fancy just bespoke and from GJ Cleverley. Well done and no more talk.

GJ Cleverley rendition of full brogue with extra punching made of grained Crup/cordovan

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley

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

GJ Cleverley - heavy duty hide Chukka of the day

For the day I have sampled a pair of boots, a very popular and appreciated style of boots, a Chukka renditioned by the London based GJ Cleverley house. This style of boot is also known as the "Desert boot" when made of suede and a heavy rubber sole. 
This is no ordinary Chukka boot aka (Desert boot), as this is made of real heavy duty hide (Hippopotamus) with it's three eyelets and fitted with a leather sole and the distinctive Cleverley square chiseled toe last. 

The colour of the boot is also very astonishing as it brings the texture of the hide out and gives it that suede like look. This is the ultimate "Chukka boot" for the Summer, if you wish so, or for the Autumn period. Again the George Cleverley house has released a another white bunny out of their magic bag. Enjoy the Chukka boot.

Three eyelet Chukka boot made of brown "hippo" heavy hide.

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley

GJ Cleverley - whole cut slipper with side gusset

For the day I have sampled a whole cut slipper from GJ Cleverley establishment in London. The GJ Cleverley house is merely a bit over 50 years but wow, the shoes from this firm are quite a mouth full. This piece of bespoke suede shoes is made of a one piece of hide, has no brogues, stitchings or any ornamentals on it. Just plain, simple and bespoke. Enjoy and appreciate the simple but artistic rendition of this shoe.

Whole cut slipper/bootie with side gussets in the neat Cleverley chisel toe. Stunningly simple and elegant, sleek, classic and timeless. 

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley 

GJ Cleverley the "Churchill" in Polo suede

I have a few times explained that I favour the side gussets for their practicality. I know many gents who loathe the side gussets especially when paired with "faux laces" and resembling an Oxford shoe, or it be a full brogue, cap toe etc-etc. But I do like them and have a few of these creations.

For the day, I have sampled a GJ Cleverley, faux laced full austerity / blind brogue with side gussets made of Polo suede aka "The Churchill". WOW! 

Now, some may say I am biased when it comes to GJ Cleverley, no I am not. They do produce wonderful shoes and for me their shoes fit from go, no need to break them in for days on end. In February of this year, I was thinking of commissioning the "Churchill" but ended up with the Aidan and the Jack in burgundy (seen next to the Clifford) and then topped it off with the Peter in black, which I am looking forward to receive at any moment from now. 

The "Churchill" (austerity brogue) with "faux" laces and a side gussets in Polo suede.

Photos sourced from Leather Soul Hawaii