Ramalhoni Shoes from Portugal

It is not much one hears news from Portugal, once a great seafarer nation. It is almost as the country is non existent, hardly any news about Portugal in the Nordic. But I stumbled over a "Bespoke Shoemaker" from Portugal, Miguel Ramalhao the owner and creator of the Ramalhoni a shoe creator and style blogger. I know nothing about this brand, however Miguel offers Goodyear welted shoes too + MTO. Production time is about 15 days from order and the pricing is very reasonable and they ship world wide. I thought, why not bring Portugal back into the spotlight as they deserve that.

A double monk bootie

 A brogued derby country boot

 A single strap monk, everyone is on the double and tripple monks these days

 A double monk 

 Tassel loafer

All pictures sourced from Miguel Ramalhoni 

Saint Crispins-shoes of the week

Saint Crispins based in Vienna (Austria) is the new kid on the block of "Bespoke" shoemaking in Austria.  Note that Vienna has several well respected shoemakers, for example the venerable Scheer, Materna, Maftei (also a new comer), Petkov, just to name a few.
The company was first registered in 1992. Saint Crispins do produce some very elegant, classic styled shoes for their clients. Since 1992 SC has provided shoes to an international clientele of gents. 


Below you will see some very interesting colours and well made shoes. I want to own all. 

Norwegian saddle derby in blue and brown

Blue loafers with lighter blue strings

 A chiseled double monk

 A blue crocodile monk

 A derby boot that can match Berluti (art sketches)

 A tricolour brogue balmoral boot, interesting

 The artistic sole with owner initials

All pictures are sourced from Claymoor who interviewed Mr. Phillip Car of SC

Cigar-Linen Suit for the Summer

Linen material is appropriate for the Summer season, so why not opt for the Cigar colour for a suit or jacket for the warm and sunny season. By cigar I mean a medium shade of tobacco brown with a dazzle of red or gold. This colour - will pair with any summer shirt in mind. Linen wrinkles, yes, that is the charming part of the material, looks a bit imperfect slightly worn.

Cigar linen jacket with patch pockets paired with a white pocket square.

 Linen jacket with peaked lapels

 Cigar linen suit paired with a light blue shirt and a white and blue pocket square

 Cigar coloured linen suit paired with a white shirt and white pocket square. Below combination is to monochrome, as the shoes matches (almost) the colour of the suit. 

 Swatches of linen material 

Pictures sourced from Die Workwear

The Homborg Hat

Two days ago I was in a second hand shop looking for a Homborg hat, to my dismay did find at least three hats but none in my size. For nearly a year I have been playing with the thought of acquiring a Homborg hat, which I consider a very formal, classic, stylish and elegant and a very useful accessory to accompany a well dressed gent during the Winter period.


I know some will say "why not get a baseball cap"? Pardon my French, the baseball cap is what everyone wears and it is meant for sporting and not to pair with stylish, elegant, classic clothing. Same as trainers belong to the gym. 


I mourn and lament to the long gone era when men wore hats like the Homborg and held walking sticks or umbrellas.  


Lost me? Will help you out...
The Homborg hat by Gentleman's Gazette a well written article about the history of the Homborg. 

An illustration of a well dressed gent wearing a Homborg hat.

The English Royalty who made the Homborg hat popular

 King Edward (middle) wearing a Homborg hat - 

King Edward wearing a Homborg

Lord Anthony Eden wearing a Homborg and accompanied by spouse

Lord Anthony Aden wearing a Homborg Hat and a Chesterfield Coat

Hugo Resinger holding a Homborg (a painting)

Sir Winston Churchill wearing a Homborg

Konrad Adenauer and Willy Brandt wearing Homborg hats

Mr. Cary Grant holding a Homborg hat, three piece suit and DB Overcoat

Al Pacino in the Godfather wearing a Homborg hat

Today's theme - Riccardo Bestetti Spring/Summer Shoe Colours

Each time I take a look at Riccardo Bestetti's shoe colours, I get amazed that he has the ability to make shoes that are so artistic that they belong in an art gallery than shoes to be worn. 
Mr. Bestetti has created some of the most beautiful colours to compliment the Spring/Summer season. The colouring of each shoe is so unique, exclusive and personal to each shoe. To all of your gents who need colour for your elegant outfit, why not pair your clothing with any of the below pieces. Enjoy.

Single Monk

 Peaked cap toe

 Purple loafer

 Stitched cap toe

 A loafer, a strapped shoe and a side gusset

 My favourite butterfly loafer

Double strapped loafer/monk?

 A double and a tripple monk

 Green Iguana monk

 Stingray loafer

Another tripple strapped monk

 Trippe Monk

All pictures sourced from Riccardo Bestetti Shoes

Todays Patina by Alexander Nurulaev

Mr. Alexander Nurulaev of Dandy Shoe Care is one of those artists who has his speciality on shoe patina/glacage. I choose the picture below as it is very interesting as how the artists translates the colours, dyes into a full picture to be admired.

Picture sourced from Mr. Alexander Nurulaev's patina art

WS Foster - Shoe of the Week (Spectators)

For this week I have chosen two styles of spectators from one of my favourite shoe makers, WS Foster & Sons (bespoke boot and shoe maker). Currently, I do not own a pair of these beauties (spectators) but after seeing these, I am ready for the ride.

The below depicted oxford shoe has all the elements I like within a spectator, the full brogue, squared chisel toe, and the colour. The white part is of buckskin which is better than nubuck.

 Below a Derby styled spectator in a round toe.

Pictures sourced from A Suitable wardrobe