Stamp Shoes - Nicholas Cooper bespoke shoemaker

Nicholas Cooper aka "Stamp shoes" is a bespoke shoemaker situated within the heart of Northampton (England), serving clients in London and the United Kingdom. For the day I have sampled some of Master Nicholas Cooper's creations for you to review and admire.

The Balmoral button oxford boot in two tones with a medallion, made of leather and suede as renditioned by Master Cooper. As you know by now, I will never miss an opportunity to mention Balmoral button boots, as I have this fascination of the BBB.

Two toned Derby full brogue

A burgundy wing tipped oxford, I simply love this colour

 A simple Derby in reddish leather

 An Adelaide plain oxford

Photos sourced from Stamp Shoes and The Shoe Snob

Justin FitzPatrick - Shoes

Today at last, I decided to do a blog on Mr. Justin FitzPatrick aka "The Shoe Snob", an American young gent, shoe lover and a "shoe snob", who blogs about shoes and is a bespoke shoemaker too. What is fascinating about Mr. Fitzpatrick is the fact that he packed his belongings from the USA and headed for Europe to learn the bread and craft of shoemaking from start to end, driven by the passion and love of quality shoes. He is almost reaching his goal and I wish him the best of luck in entering this lovely art of shoemaking.

I have to admit that "The Shoe Snob" is very knowledgeable about the shoe industry and very unbiased when reviewing and commenting about shoes on his blog. He has touched down on almost "all" bespoke shoemakers around the globe and shoe companies that offer ready to wear shoes, it be from unknown Central European shoemakers or new comers from Far East and Europe. He has a hawk's eye when it comes to details of the shoe, be it the last, design, leather etc. I personally appreciate his insight knowledge about shoes. Well no more tales, look at the creations and judge yourself.

I have sampled a few of "The Shoe Snob's" creations which will be available during the course of this year. Please admire some of his excellent creations.

The "Shoe Snob" Master Justin FitzPatrick in person, wearing a Gieves and Hawkes Navy double breasted overcoat, paired with whole cut loafers from his collection. I will later come back to the Gieves and Hawkes overcoat, as I have acquired one and I will do a review on this same coat.

 The Shoe Snob logo, very simple and appealing to me. It says it all.

Sample of "The Usual suspects line up", boots, oxfords, derby's, slip-ons.

A two toned Balmoral oxford boot, very cool and interesting combination of colours.

A wing tipped punched Whole cut oxford without gimping

The details of the punching, very nicely done.

A whole cut loafer with a medallion

 Side view of the loafer

A wing tipped saddle oxford, very interesting design, sober, elegant, well proportioned, nice shoe.

 Details of the wing tip saddle shoe

All photos sourced from Justin FitzPatrick.

Left Shoe Company from Finland

Today I encountered a new shoe company from the Nordic, as you know I have lamented the lack of shoemaking in the Nordic countries here. To my very pleasant surprise I was delighted to see that a new shoemaking company is from the Nordic to be exact, Finland and they are on-line and on Face Book too. I know nothing about the company, Left Shoe Company nor their products, but according to the website they do offer Goodyear welted shoes and made to measure/order shoes.

Now that the shoes are Goodyear welted, that is a good start. Not sure if the shoes are produced in Finland or some other country. 
The models seem to be very classical shoes, oxfords, monks, Derby's, golf shoes etc. As earlier said, I know nothing of the fit, leather, durability etc of these products. Price wise they are the same as the other big players on the market.

I can only welcome The Left Shoe Company, therefore I ask you my readers to join me in welcoming the new kid on the block.

Balmoral (galosh) oxford in three variations of leather brown, black and suede.

 A full brogue two toned golf shoe

 The Balmoral oxford in brown with a cap toe

 A three tier Derby in false Crocodile leather 

 A tan single monk with a chisel squared toe

 A brown burnished whole cut with an extreme medallion

 A navy blue quarter brogue oxford with a punched cap toe and squared toe.

 A burnished tan two tier Derby shoe

 A whole cut oxford 

 A balmoral Oxford with a Cap toe, A whole cut oxford in black and a Whole cut oxford in suede with a medallion

Photos sourced from the Left Shoe Company and their Face Book profile

Reversible Rain coat - ala Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Winter is still around here in the South of Sweden, however we lack snow, which is good as one does not have to spoil one's shoes with mud and water. Whilst still Winter one has to think ahead of time, Spring will come and a gent needs a rain coat for the constant showers that usually occur in Spring time.
The rain coat I have in mind is inspiration from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy novel by John Le Carré made to a movie. It is the reversible cream and blue rain coat as worn by George Smiley (Gary Oldman). The movie has some very elegant overcoats too worn by "Control" John Hurt and the Minister.

Smiley (Gary Oldman) standing and Control (John Hurt) sitted from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Above photo sourced from Daily mail UK
For the moment I will focus on the rain coat as worn by George Smiley (Gary Oldman) shown below in the movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

 Control (John Hurt) in a double breasted Great coat in herringbone cloth and George Smiley (Gary OldMan) in a two toned reversible rain coat.

I was thinking of getting myself the same kind of reversible rain coat but did not know where to get one from, until recently I realised that New and Lingwood had one as above and now on sale. I think this is a great rain coat, pay for one get two. Hmmm...

The reversible two toned rain coat from New and Lingwood

The cream coloured rain coat also offered by New and Lingwood

Photos of the rain coats sourced from New and Lingwood, mid photos sourced from the movie itself via my computer and top photo from Daily mail UK

Max from Malmö - how a big man should dress

I just blogged about Pitti 2013 (Italy) and that reminded me of a photo I sourced from the Internet (The Journal Of Style) of Max from Malmö (Sweden) whilst he was attending Pitti last year (2012). I know Max from Malmö, a big guy about 180-185 cm's in height or more. It is very seldom you see big guys dressed gracefully, elegantly and classical. Now Max is one of the few who really looks fabulous and gracious each time I see him. I blogged shortly about Max here on this blog.

Max from Malmö at Pitti in 2012, camel coloured double breasted coat, I think it is a pea coat, light blue flannel double breasted suit (4 -2) buttons, paisley tie and a double monk. Well done Max.

Photo sourced from the Internet, I just recalled where I got the photo from, The Journal of Style from Denmark. Probably Torsten was not aware that he took a picture of a fellow Nordic neighbour.

Men's hats and Overcoats at Pitti Uomo 2013

Normally I never follow the fashion trends, but I happened to take a look at the fashion gurus and the trend makers within street style clothing as seen from Pitti Uomo 2013. To my delight and surprise, I noted that men's hats and classical coats are making a come back. A good thing for the hat makers. Hopefully more men will join the army of men wearing hats. Looking forward to that.

Classical hats and overcoats, the gent (Left) in a classical double breasted (8-3) navy overcoat, bow tie and a brown Homborg hat. All three men are very classically dressed and very inspiring.

I added the below photo just as a reminder that back in the day (1930's) when things were not looking that bright, men used to dress properly even when standing in line for a job. Note the hats, caps and overcoats worn by these men.

A gent in a Pork Pie Hat, what looks like a Covert Coat/Chesterfield, double breasted stripped suit, flowered tie and a very neat and well trimmed beard. Very cool.

Three bearded men in Pork Pie hats (Man in the middle photo is Sam Lambert)

Sam Lambert (left) in a Lords Hat

Liverano and Takahiro Osaki, the latter in a beautifully cut navy blue Ulster overcoat

The back details of the above Ulster overcoat worn by Mr. Takahiro Osaki

Lino (left) in a checked half belted double breasted overcoat and a two toned monk with a kiltie.

 A gent in all shades of blue, overcoat, double breasted suit, tie, scarf and navy double monk in dark suede.

Funny hats, now this is what is called fashion, these hats remind me of pictures I have seen from the late sixties and seventies when both men and women would wear these type of hats. Since I am into classical men's clothing, I would strongly advice not to acquire this hat. Hmm ....unless you are into one of those creative businesses or you want to appease your second half. If you do get this hat, then good luck.

Photos sourced from Thrashness, Grazia ,Style Gent and Ethan Desu