Roberto Ugolini - Balmorals or Galosh Oxfords

For the day I have picked up two samples of Balmoral (Galosh) Oxfords by Master Roberto Ugolini from Firenze (Italy). Both samples are two toned shoes. The one pair is a traditional Balmoral (Galosh) and the other a winged Balmoral. The two pairs are punched cap toe Oxfords, one with a rounded last, the other a soft chisel squared toe last. Both pairs are well executed and elegantly renditioned, two pairs of shoes, I would like to add to my footwear arsenal. Hope you all have a pleasant weekend.

Two toned winged Balmoral(Galosh) in tan and darker brown, punched cap toe, soft chisel square last and the other a traditional Balmoral(Galosh) in calf and exotic hide and a rounded last.

Closer view of the winged Balmoral with a soft chisel square toe

The traditional Balmoral, two toned in calf and exotic hide, round square toe.

Photos sourced from The Shoerealist

John Lobb - two and three toned creations

John Lobb needs no introduction in the bespoke shoe business, same as Rolex, Mercedes Benz or Coca Cola are well known brands around the world. Just enjoy JL's creations. 

Balmoral Boots line up

 Button Balmoral shoe with punched cap toe. This type of shoe I have never seen on a gent's feet in real life. Very formal and elegant. 

 Laced Balmoral oxford in black leather and grey suede 

 Full brogue spectator, very nice looking shoe for the Summer.

Photos sourced from Engrande Pompe Forum

Edward Green shoes for Ralph Lauren

Edward Green of Northampton produced the below pictured balmoral oxford punched cap toe in brown leather and suede for American fashion mogul house, Ralph Lauren. The pair is on the EG 888 last which is a soft square chisel toe. Colour is probably antique dark oak and mink suede. I have seen many balmoral oxfords, but not in this combination. Normally the soft leather (suede) will be at the top of the balmoral stitching. Anyway, very well done by Edward Green for Ralph Lauren.

A brown two toned balmoral oxford by Edward Green for Ralph Lauren

Photos sourced from eBay UK.

Peal & Co (England) stunning boots

I mentioned the Peal and Co. here and I am stunned by the beautiful boots the company made during its existance, pity they went defunct in 1965. The Peal & Co house was the ultimate boot makers in England.

Laced riding boot

 The back of the riding boot

 The clients name who commissioned the boot at Peal & Co and the lasted boot trees

 The Peal & Co label insignia inside the boot

 A Peal & Co riding boot - one

 A Peal & Co riding boot - two

A Peal & Co laced riding boot

 A Peal and Co two toned buttoned balmoral boot

Eight buttoned two toned balmoral boot

 Pictures sourced from Metropolitan Art Museum and the Internet

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

Carmina - Balmoral boots

As Summer is slowly ending and Fall starting a gent has to think of the heavier foot wear for the coming seasons (Fall and Winter). I have in mind an oxford ankle balmoral boot offered by Carmina (Spain), whom I blogged about here.

Carmina offers both ready to wear and made to order shoes and boots for gents and these come in a variety of lasts, colours and hide. When going made to order option the sky is the limit. My attention is on the model 80092 which is the balmoral boot with a punched cap toe and stitchings on the balmoral part, instead of punching and gimping (brogueing). The ready to wear boot is on the Forest last, which is a round last, classical, elegant and very stylish and comes in three colours (two versions of brown calf leather), including the suede version below.

Carmina model 80092 Balmoral boot in suede - Forest last - ready to wear about €400 (Euros)

Carmina model 80092 in black and brown shell cordovan, made to order versions. 

Carmina model 80092 - round last (Forest) and made to order - Navy shell cordovan and Danite sole, nice touch and the navy shell cordovan is stunning. This is the ultimate dress boot for the Nordic gents to cope with the Nordic weather. This version of the model 80092 is simply beautiful. Have no words for it. Amazing.

Carmina model 80092 in two tone (leather and suede) - made to order.

Pictures sourced from Carmina, Style Forum, The Shoe Snob and Tumblr