Nicholas Templeman: A Bespoke Shoemaker

[patrickBOOTH]

I'm really kind of amazed at the amount of split toe and apron derbies Nick makes. Is it just my perception or does he make a fair amount of them? I'm unaware of the RTW sales numbers; maybe it is just reflective of people's tastes in general?

 

[dieworkwear]

I'm really kind of amazed at the amount of split toe and apron derbies Nick makes. Is it just my perception or does he make a fair amount of them? I'm unaware of the RTW sales numbers; maybe it is just reflective of people's tastes in general?

I don't really wear suits, so I have no need for oxfords. That leaves derbies, of which there are just a few kinds. Don't wear wingtips that much, plain toe sometimes feels too plain, so it's apron or split toe for me.

 

[gte872h]

I'm really kind of amazed at the amount of split toe and apron derbies Nick makes. Is it just my perception or does he make a fair amount of them? I'm unaware of the RTW sales numbers; maybe it is just reflective of people's tastes in general?

I’m curious about this as well but in my humble opinion Nicholas’ split toes are absolute perfection. Coincidentally, my first pair on order with Nicholas happens to be a split toe.

 

[ntempleman]

I guess it’s a cultural thing, mainly - I do a lot of shoes for US clients and that’s where these Norwegian styles seem to be most popular so I end up making a fair number of them. Lakes and split toes are kind of a trad/ivy staple I think? Perhaps it’s become a cyclical thing in that people see them more and I end up getting more orders for them.

I would say there’s a fair split between Derby and Oxford shoes that I make, but if I get an order for Derby then 9 times out of 10 it will have a lake. No one really goes for brogue Derbies, or cap toe Derbies. Get the odd plain fronted one. It’s curious in a way, because personally I’ve never worn a shoe with a lake!

 

[classicalthunde]

if I get an order for Derby then 9 times out of 10 it will have a lake.

not really too versed on shoe terminology other than the basics - what is a "lake" ?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Come to think of it I don't think I have ever worn a derby other than a monk, which could be considered one I guess.

To me lakes and split toes are like a "step-up" in formality from a loafer. I suppose if I wore more "business casual" clothes I would wear derbies. I never thought about it much, but I always loved the Church Grafton.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

not really too versed on shoe terminology other than the basics - what is a "lake" ?

It is something your parents took you to as a child to get made fun of for your mewbs and love handles. At least that's my experience.

 

[ntempleman]

A lake is an apron in British English. Any shoe with a lake is classed as a “Norwegian”

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Yes.

 

[bdavro23]

Yes.

View attachment 1350615

Oof...

I would appreciate some sort of NSFW notation when posting pron of this nature...

 

[patrickBOOTH]

@dieworkwear Based on how I imagine you to dress I can't think of when you'd wear your zip boots. What do you wear your zip boots with?

 

[dieworkwear]

@dieworkwear Based on how I imagine you to dress I can't think of when you'd wear your zip boots. What do you wear your zip boots with?

Margiela five-zip leather jackets and jeans.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Cool!

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I hope all of this baloney doesn't suspend spring trips across the Atlantic...

 

[dieworkwear]

I hope all of this baloney doesn't suspend spring trips across the Atlantic...

already suspended for the moment