Shots of my shoe collection (mid-range English)

Comments, questions or critiques welcome.






(This image is arranged by maker - Church's on top row, then Alfred Sargent, Crockett & Jones for Shipton and Heneage, Barrett of Northampton in the next, then Loake in the third row, and finally Tricker's.)


Anthony.

Very handsome collection, Anthony. But only one pair of derbies, and no monks or loafers?

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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Very handsome collection, Anthony. But only one pair of derbies, and no monks or loafers?

Exactly my thoughts Doc. Some boots would be a good addition, too.

you have an a lot of black oxfords. I have probably twice as many shoes as you do, and only 2 black balmoral oxfords - one wingtip, one punch cap.

beyond that, they look like a good collection. personally, i think the mid-range shoes ($250-$500 retail) are almost as good as the expensive stuff, if only because i think things like channelled soles, bevelled waists, and excessive antiquing aren't really worth the extra expense.

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

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you have an a lot of black oxfords. I have probably twice as many shoes as you do, and only 2 black balmoral oxfords - one wingtip, one punch cap.

He lives in the UK - he needs plenty of black shoes.

That's a great looking collection of shoes. There's no need to describe them as mid-range - no one could possibly accuse you of being ill-shod wearing any of these.

Originally Posted by Trilby

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He lives in the UK - he needs plenty of black shoes.

That's a great looking collection of shoes. There's no need to describe them as mid-range - no one could possibly accuse you of being ill-shod wearing any of these.

ok, but did 5 of them have to be balmoral captoes? (maybe one or two are bal plaintoes with really straight creases, but they all look like cap-toes to me).

Nice collection, Anthony. I swoon over those white suede Church's.

Thank you all for your encouraging comments; I perhaps ought to explain that the collection reflects my prejudices quite faithfully, hence the lack of derbies, loafers and boots. I would like a pair of double-monks, but I'm waiting until the right deal comes around (none of these were bought at full retail; another quirk of mine.) Also a pair of button boots would be nice, if a little extravagant.

There is a certain logic to the number of black toecap Oxfords which NoVaguy picked up on; one is actually patent (and incorrect, but I didn't know that when I bought it) for wear with black tie, one is my current "Sunday Best" shoe (Shipton & Heneage/Crockett & Jones Fitzroy) and the remaining three are past "Sunday Best" shoes which have either been retired but kept for posterity (1940s/50s Barrett of Northampton ) or made their way into my normal work rotation (Alfred Sargent Epsom and Church's Thames) for which purpose I prefer black in any case.

Not enough black lace-ups

I like those spectators.

How long did it take you to acquire all of these, Anthony? Do you buy at a relatively set rate, or simply as the opportunity arises?

Nice collection.
Is that the Loake Dorchester on the second row from the bottom all the way on the left? Do you like it?
Who makes the spectators?

Originally Posted by AlanC

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How long did it take you to acquire all of these, Anthony? Do you buy at a relatively set rate, or simply as the opportunity arises?

Alan, I'm not that disciplined, unfortunately! My shoe purchasing has risen in frequency of late, not unconnected to my membership of this site, and AAAC...

The oldest in my collection are the Tricker's derby brogues in Acorn, together with the black toecap Oxfords at far right (as you look at it) in the first picture. These were both bought about ten years ago, in my first or second year at university, although the Oxfords are probably 40-50 years older than that!

Then there was something of a lull, marked by purchase of vintage or cheap modern shoes which were disposed of because of poor fit, or didn't last. This lasted until my wedding, five years ago, when I bought the Church's patent Oxfords and the AS Oxfords, one pair to get married in and the other to go away in. The bulk of the rest have been bought in the last 2-3 years, generally as the opportunity presents.

Originally Posted by knittieguy

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Nice collection.
Is that the Loake Dorchester on the second row from the bottom all the way on the left? Do you like it?

Thanks! Actually, it is the Loake Truro, on the 029 last (same as the Norwich and Gloucester) - here is a better picture:

http://www.suitstoboot.co.uk/shopimages/ltrurol.jpg

I see PLal also offer it in their specials section (about half-way down the page):

http://www.plal.com/cjspecial.htm

I am quite fond of it, for all that the styling is a little idiosyncratic. I tend to use it as a slightly more "casual" shoe, if that makes sense. I had been considering getting the Dorchester in black (since I'm running short on black captoes...) but now I have the S&H/C&J Fitzroy, I think I'll hold back for a while. Having one in chestnut is quite tempting, however.

Originally Posted by knittieguy

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Who makes the spectators?

They are the "George" model by Alfred Sargent, from their "Classic" Line. They are, as others have noted in the past, black corrected-grain with the white parts in smooth leather rather than suede so not "classic" in that sense. However, for the sake of owning a pair at a reasonable price (mine were, I think, £55 shipped) I'm quite satisfied with them, and they have the benefit of requiring little by the way of polishing, which is a bonus for me as I tend to be a little clumsy and wouldn't like to risk marking the white.

Too many black shoes ,not enough beautifully worked patinas....
Good shoes but too classic.....
You do need some creativity or clacissism with a twist...
You need some Lobb and if you feel adventurous some Berluti or Gaziano&Girling...
Have you thought of going bespoke?
Some designers like Corthay or Gomez?