I am not going to be the spoiler of the 2013 Summer, but like all good things come to end at some point. Now it is  time to bring those darker coloured shoes out to welcome the Autumn, when I say out, I do mean, in a well polished, cared manner worthy a  gent. If you did not do that, please be inspired by Dandy Shoe Care. How to accomplished that?
Get inspired by Dandy Shoe Care, see depicted pair below.

Well come back Master Alexander, hope you enjoyed your vacation and thanks for once again reminding us, that well polished shoes do look great and say a more than a million words about the wearer.

A brown brogue Oxford with a punched cap toe, well polished and cared for by Dandy Shoe Care

Photo sourced from Dandy Shoe Care

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

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

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

Il Cornu Blu - Yutaka Seigaku four classics for today

For the day I have sampled Il Cornu Blu - Master Yutaka Seigaku, Japanese bespoke shoemaker's four classical shoes.

Master Yutaka Seigaku in person

 Below a rendition of four classical, elegant, stylish and timeless pieces, a side gusset and three Oxfords from the hands of master Seigaku aka Il Cornu Blu. 

From left: a black side gusset with punched chisel squared cap toe last, a cognac/mahogany Balmoral punched cap toe Oxford, squared chisel last, a black wing tip Adelaide with a medallion, rounded last and a classical full brogue Oxford in very nice rich suede leather, chisel squared toe last. 

Very classic. All of these shoes will not raise an eye brow in any hardcore conservative environment. 

Photos sourced from The Shoe Realist

Faded natural patina - WS Foster and Sons

WS Foster bespoke boot and shoemaker, made these not so basic black patina shoes. It is my understanding that the origins are from a pair of bespoke shoe which was never collected by a client and was later used as a display pair at the window. Over the years the sun had produced the fading colour and thus a natural patina was on the make. Today the same patina can be replicated for an additional charge if the client wishes so. 

Faded patina quarter brogue punched cap toe oxford with medallion on a squared chisel last

Faded patina on punched cap toe oxford on a rounded last

Faded patina on a loafer

Faded patina on a brogued wing tip monk

Faded patina on a side gusset

Pictures sourced from WS Foster and Sons and A Suitable wardrobe