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

The Bowler hat - dress like a London City Gent

The bowler hat is one of those accessories in a man's wardrobe I do associate with London, for it was In London the hat was invented. It is being said that James Lock & Co, were commissioned to come up with a more day to day work hat, which would be an alternative to the top hat used back then. But a long story short, James Lock & Co subcontracted the task to a pair of hat makers named Thomas & William Bowler to make the hat, thereof the name "bowler" hat.

Sadly these days these hats "bowlers" are rare and if worn, the gents will be from the Conservative side of the political spectra and of a matured age. In my humble opinion, the bowler must be a staple hat gear for any gent that cares about his looks.

The below pictures do really depict that a bowler makes a gent look good and distinguished, classical, stylish and immaculately dressed and a piece of clothing that is linked to the City of London and adds that dash of English gentry.

An illustration of an English gent in a peaked lapel single breasted suit, stripped shirting, tie, pocket square, furled umbrella under armpit, bowler and holding gloves. Very elegant illustration of a London City gent.

A London City gent in a blue pin stripped suit, well knotted tie, boutonniere, furled umbrella, the bowler as an essential part of the dressing code and paired with black Oxfords.

Cassius Clay aka "Mohammed Ali" as a London City gent, in a stroller set, dark jacket and stripped trousers, double breasted grey waistcoat, white shirting, boutonniere, tie and the unmistakable bowler hat, furled umbrella and black shoes covered with grey spats. Very elegant photo of Mr. Cassius Clay "Mohammed Ali" as a London Conservative City Gent, he could have also went as a London City banker or a "diplomat". Very classic. 

A London City Gent (banker perhaps) in a suiting, tie, umbrella and the bowler hat.

 An elderly London City gent striding in a Chesterfield coat, grey trousers, umbrella and the bowler hat.

A London City Gent inspecting some high technical "thing", dressed in a double breasted suiting, crisp white shirt, a tie and linked to the London city by the bowler hat and the umbrella.

 An elderly gent in a tube, wearing a bowler hat and reading his newspaper.

An elderly London City gent standing and observing something/someone in a Chesterfield over coat, white shirt, instead of the umbrella he has a cane and topped it off with the bowler and top well shined Oxford shoes or Balmoral boots. So London like.

London City gents, in sharp three piece suitings, crisp white shirts, ties, bowler and Homborg hats, furled umbrellas. Look at the spit shined Oxfords. 

No need to introduce the below blue blooded gent, in a grey double breasted suiting, crisp white shirt, regimental tie, furled umbrella and a bowler hat.

HRH Crown Prince William and HRH Prince Harry, the former in a grey two button single breasted suit, crisp white shirt, regimental tie and the bowler. His younger brother in a navy blue double breasted suit, crisp white shirt, furled umbrella and a bowler hat. I am missing the pocket squares on both royalties and a touch of boutonniere.

A very serious look from this London City gent in a double breasted jacket, white shirting a tie and the bowler hat.

Photos sourced from Style Forum, AAAC and other cyber sources

GJ Cleverley - De Redé tassel loafer

For inspiration for the sunny days, I have sampled one of my favourite tassel loafers by London based GJ Cleverley house, from their Anthony Cleverley line, the Baron De Redé tassel loafer. The below rendition is different from the original De Redé tassel loafer, as the tassel is braided(platted) all the way. To add to the beauty, this shoe was constructed with a blind welt, thus the result being the upper stitched so close to the edge of the sole, so it becomes invisible to the wearer once the shoes aren put on. 
Masterly, so aristocratic, stylish and nobly classic elegant look. A touch and feel of sophistication for the Summer. Wow! Hmm...just simple and stunning loafer. 

Anthony Cleverley line, De Redé all the way braided tassel loafer in suede.

Photos sourced from GJ Cleverley