The Crockett and Jones Islay Boot is one of the items that got me into mens style over 10 years ago, what can I say, lusted over them to the extent that its almost shameful to describe in words. I finally got a pair about 4 years ago and they were for a year my 'Smart-Casual' goto footwear, but after that first year where I treated them with kid gloves, I decided to simply wear them pretty much every day, they have been mudded while rambling in Cornwall, put to a high shine for a dinner date at the shard, despite the daily battering, they still look ' out of the box new' after a bit of attention. They are expensive, but i'm convinced that they will be the only boot I need for at least another 15 years. They are that good.
@@mazrashid6549 Hi, I opted for the Dark Brown Scotch grain with the Dainite Rubber Sole. I just had a check on the C&J Website, I had no idea they produce different versions now. When I got mine, they only had the one version. Fantastic boots if you are considering it.
If you love something you own, the only proper way to show that love is by wearing it out. Keeping it pristine only lets somebody else show it love after you are gone.
I went to London last month and bought my first pair of shoes. Real leather shoes. Loake Burgundy Strand full brogue. Got three compliments the first day I wore them. My previous shoes had been of faux leather and square toes, one of which had its last ripped in the sands of Angola. I feel happy every time I wear my Loakes now. It's a great feeling. Thank you Ash for helping me!
On my side, everybody is different which is good, I find the shoe collection too sided on the dark brown colour, I like colours so my shoes have light brown, yellowish, burgundy, cognac and dark brown colours beside plenty of black shoes. Just me. I am looking for a pair of brown/cream or burgundy/cream spectators if ever I find some. I am not a fan of monk straps however I have several loafers one pair being Cheaney gray coloured loafers. All in all nice shoes and as a total sufficient. After all, like with every piece of outfit with less you can make more through combinations. No need of an extra room for your clothes and shoes, one closet will do. BTW those CJ boots are really nice ! Dream for me as well as the military type Cheney boots.
As an Irish speaker I must tell you the Gaelic word for shoe, all shoes is Brog, with a forward dash over the O which translates to the Anglicised Brogue. Roumer has it the term was adopted by the British Army through Irish regiments in the nineteenth century, but I cannot verify this other than it sounds logical. I must agree the single monkstrap is much classier Ash. Good video as ever.
In the US for a long time the standard business shoe was a wingtip with its broguing. Broguing is not seen at all as making a shoe less formal. In fact, in a lot of parts of the country it is rare to see a wingtip shoe. But I do certainly agree that the collection needs one or more pair of black shoes. Great video.
Love the Crockett and Jones boots. How could I get them here in the USA? Amazon doesn't have them!! The Barkers look very nice too! I have to give it to you British Chaps, you sure do know how to dress!!
20:56 Those Crockett & Jones boots are absolutely beautiful! I personally intend to get a pair of Chelsea boots from them, but I have to say. If money be no object, I'd pickup a pair of those as well.
I must defend the monk strap dress shoe. I am an extra wide foot (US EEE+ width) with an orthotic due to plantar fasciitis. Although subject to instances of ridicule (pilgrim shoes, enemy of the airport metal detector...) they have always been the most comfortable dress footwear I can find. I prefer the single monk to the double, although I will now need to shake the image of the welder's boot.
Thank you for considering my Question. Appreciate you always. thanks for this treat❤ Regarding the Black shoes, it just really does not appeal to me.😅 Perhaps I could illustrate it on how you don't like monk straps 😅 it's too formal here in my place in Asia😅 Re: Boots just so timely, you read my mind😂 just recently I sold my Park Aves Burgundy, and bought C&J Coniston scotch grain. Appropriate for very rainy months in Philippines Thanks Ash for your positive commendation
Those Islay boots are spectacular. I may have to look into. Being in the U.S., Allen Edmonds is a solid choice for the everyday, get your money's worth, can't go wrong. Shoes are personal, and I get nervous buying online, but I've purchased a couple of pairs from the U.K. and have been happy. Just have to remember the size conversion.
I'm very lucky to own a pair of Islay boots. They are very, very nice. I'm a huge Bond myself. Relatively new subscriber to you channel Sir and I'm absolutely enjoying your content. Greeting's from Estonia.
Ash, I was thinking the same thing as you he needs a pair of black cap-toe Oxford shoes and a pair of dress boots. I would go with the Allen Edmond Hamilton I have a pair in brown and love them. Also here in the states Thursday boot company makes a very nice boot. Best regards Ron
Great video and topic. I could see that black shoe omission coming. I'm in the USA and Allen Edmonds is definitely a dependable brand. I have two. Also a good selection of Beckett Simonon which for the reall price of about $105 for the minimalist sneaker shown and dress shoes at about $160 on sale are great value. They are Blake stitched though.
I have single monk strap and double monk strap shoes. The single monk strap is more formal especially in black leather. A double monk strap I also have in suede and has an ankle boot height. These go well with dark slim fit jeans.
Good morning sirs. Have a great evening, tonight at the meet up .I will be there with you in spirit. Enjoy and please loads of pic's of the venue and gentlemen's attire.
I believe its pronounced "Eye-laah" boot - Got it new in 2019 from Burlington Arcade and it was joy at first sight. Added a pair of preowned Conistons for a steal later which are my beaters. Knowing the author's location, job, lifestyle, budget and some photos of wearing his collection may have made this less of a grope in the dark re recommendations for you and us ;-) Your attire is nice. Very, very nice.
Allen Edmonds dose 2 big sales in October & April that’s how I got the 5th avenue. I plan on getting the Higgins mill this & burgundy or darker brown PA next sale. By next sale for those shoes I would hopefully wear out my old Thursday oxfords which hasn’t age well. I feel more confident in AE then Thursday since then I was getting into style. I’m finalizing my shoe collection, so far these models & loakes bedale & Chester. Hopefully my collection is quenched.
I think "ALFRED Sargent" is now trading under the name of "PAUL Sargent". So they are still around. I can understand your reservations about double monkstrap ("welders shoes"). When I see doublemonks I may share that sentiment, but when I wear them, they do look elegant. And the single monkstraps are just becoming.
Black oxford,Brown oxford-dark or light or both;),loafers 2 pairs maybe,burgundy shoes,Chelsa boots,monk….this is still not closed list essentials shoes….;)
Sorry to be a bit late, but here goes. 1) I have a pair of GREY sneakers for summer wear, and they’re just what’s suits my taste. Age-appropriate! I’m retired, and white sneakers would make me look like a bit part in “The Talented Mister Ripley.” 2) The gentleman doesn’t say where he lives, but in certain areas of the US we can get some truly SAVAGE weather, and anything in his collection would be ruined if, for example, he ever has to dig a car out of a heavy snowfall. Here, one’s best to have a good pair of hunting boots, or whatever, in case of emergencies. 3) Those high-cuts in the thumbnail are glorious! But - what sort of socks are supposed to go with them?
Loved this series 👏🏽 I will definitely send you my shoe collection, fountain pen collection and watch collection for review 👍🏽 🤣 you’re going to work hard now!
Great job once again Ash. You always hit it on the head. Never have enough in the shoes in the collection. At this point only upgrades are on the wishlist. Upon upgrading the pair being replaced goes to the charity shop. One shoe not in the collection is the dress boot. They are on the wishlist. Still deciding. TLB impresses the most at the moment. Probably burgundy in cordovan hide. Oops! I'm drooling. Cheers.
Been waiting for this episode Good leather 👞 are my weakness as well Have few in my collections and always on the lookout for more lol Ash you rock Sir
Great video Ash. Islay is pronounced eye-lay... like the whiskey. I think the chap should go for some leather chukkas too. Black or tan calf leather..... once your formal trousers are over them, you can pretend they are a whole cut, sort of, or wear them with narrower more casual trousers... get the right last shape for the wearer and they are so comfortable. The C&J Islay look and are stunning I'm sure... the price, considering what real shoes cost these days, isn't massive either! I'm a huge fan of quarter brogues, don't like lots of brogue decoration, but love one 'stripe ' over a cap toe. Picked up a pair of discontinued tan Cheaney Renoirs in that style that I've just resoled with JF Bakers oak bark tanned leather. the shoe uppers have aged in a wonderful way and really did deserve a posh new sole. Thanks for making the effort again Ash. Marc. ps with you on the monks... i find them odd.
A well structured vid Ash. I have Dacks black Oxford for dress and a full burgundy brouge, Google the company history. I also have Allen Edmonds for dress and Mephisto for walking. I'm looking at a pair of Crockett and Jones in my haberdashery near me. What slippers would you recommend? Regards, Starlight
Those Samuel shoes look like Rockport style designs. I've got 2 pairs of Rockports and I'm sick of their looks. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought them.
Any thoughts on hole cut shoes? They have a very clean appearance and generally look very well made. Slightly similar to the plain Oxford but without the toe cap, they look like a single piece of leather has been formed into a complete shoe with only a hoole for the foot to go in, and the lacing. Not commonly seen here in England, I suspect they are more common in Italy or France. Many thanks for another insightful well thought out video.
They are usually only worn in the most formal situations and they do tend to crease more obviously, due to the lack of decoration to distract the eye. But I do like them - a good shine is 100% esseential.
“Budapester” and “Brogues” are not the same thing. It's true that a Budapester mostly has brogueing, but very few Brogues are Budapester. Also, there are Budapester that are “plain” (i.e. without brogueing). Budapester refers to the last, which is relatively wide and straight. The best recognition feature is its high, curved toe cap (almost at a 90° angle to the sole). Also it features a wide heel, a double sole and a cable pattern in the seam. And they are always Derbies and never Oxfords.
@@Molach101 Oh yes, I see what you mean. Their "Heritage Line" I find quite appealing, they have a "Dainite" sole, so they are quite suitable for autumn and winter wear. And they are decently priced. Thank you for drawing my attention to them, because up until now I had always thought in terms of Barkers, Grensons, Loakes etc. And Solovair/NPS are also still being made in the UK!
A good video Ash. Very entertaining. Why do I always want to place all of my leather Churchs shoes onto the table whenever I watch your shoe videos? Why do I have a white pair of Church's wingtip bucks and a white pair of NunnBush darby style bucks? Like you said, shoes are an addiction. I have been wearing Sperry canvas and leather CVO's this summer including a white canvas atletic shoe similar to the white leather in this video. A tootbrush can help to keep them clean if they are canvas.
This is an excellent collection of shoes, which can be utilized as part of a variety of outfits, some formal and others informal, and I don't personally believe that this individual needs to continue to add much to his collection. I think that brown quarter brogues and brown full brogues are two of the most versatile shoes a well-dressed man can wear, and can be paired with everything from a suit, to flannel trousers, tweeds, corduroys, or even dark-washed denim. I much prefer tassel loafers to penny loafers, which are just a bit too "preppy" for my tastes, and I've always found monk strap shoes to look rather clunky and unbecoming...especially on my size 12 EEE feet. Plain white leather sneakers are an excellent choice, if you choose to wear something like this, but as someone who is soon to celebrate his fifty-eighth birthday, I have decided to leave sneakers and jeans in my sartorial past. These suede boots are beautiful, and are something I am currently looking to add to my own shoe collection. Although I very infrequently wear black shoes myself, I feel that one pair of black shoes, perhaps with a cap toe or quarter broguing, might be appropriate to add to a shoe collection, as they can be worn on some of the most formal occasions, such as weddings, job interviews, or funerals.
To "N91": I think you're not at the end of shoes' journey. As long as there is Ebay, there are always new shoes. Last time I was counting I had about 50. It's rather addictive.
I very recently purchased my first pair of Loake. A tan Burford and I absolutely love them. I received so many positive comments within the first few days. As you have alluded to in previous episodes Ash, I was conscious of people actually checking them out. It may also be a placebo effect but I definitely felt that my confidence was elevated as a result of wearing this paticular footwear. I am thinking that they would be perfectly complimented with a pair of dark blue trouser or chino and a tucked in crisp white shirt. Any thoughts on the best trouser and shirt combo to complement Ash?
Just be careful about the contrast between the lighter tan Burford's and your slacks. I.E. if you pair them with dark grey or navy slacks, the shoes will dominate the colour differential and draw the eye. Lean towards brown and lighter shades of blue.
Yet another superb video. I have been searching your back catalogue for an edition that features the Chelsea boot and I cannot find anything. The Crockett and Jones Chelsea 8 chestnut burnished £570 has caught my eye. There is an alternative which is made in Australia the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman in Chestnut £399. What are your thoughts and do you have any Chelsea boots in your collection?
I do not have any Chelsea boots at present, alyhough I have been a fan in the past. These days, I lean more towards the laced look for formality and practicality. C & J really cannot be beaten (at a reasonable price) and RM Williams are cultural icons in the Southern Hemisphere. Personally I was feel more drawn to C & J for their quality and stunning appearance, but RM Williams do also have the rugged appeal going on. At the end of the day, it's all down to taste - which do you feel calling to you?
Mr. Jones, What sort of footwear do you wear at home for comfort, and for entertaining guests in your home? Velvet slippers, loafers, something else? Thank you in advance.
After pointing out the lack of a shoe for e.g. funerals you go on to suggest a black shoe with broguing. Would a brogue shoe really be a good choice for funeral attire?
Ideally for a funeral you'd wear black cap toe oxfords or derbies/gibsons with minimal detailing but I have seen undertakers here in Scotland wearing full brogue wingtip oxfords quite often
Allen Edmonds are a good but not great shoe. They are mostly in the $300-$450 range. Well made, beautiful. But not as good as some of the UK heritage companies carry. Availability is the reverse of the UK here in the US. No John Lobb, Cheney, etc.
They are often on sale for less and they come in a full range of widths. Plus, given the stores and customer service, in the US they are still probably the best option even if there are better quality shoes available. You can have taste enough to know there’s better out there, but sense enough to realize AE is so popular for very good reasons.
