Hugo Jacomet and Sonya Glyn Nicholson continue to discuss the different models of men's shoes : their styles, origins, features, and how to wear them. This episode focuses on Ankle boots and Loafers.
"Just one video" turns into +2 hours of informative and entertaining knowledge from the great Hugo and Sonya! Thank you both for producing such great content.
what impresses me most is that as much as I watch these presentations of all of the fine things...shoes shirts suits etc etc....that both you and your wife make it a really down to earth approach in presentation and explanation...although not all of us watching can afford to own or use all of these there can be an appreciation of "quality" and "spirit" of artisanship which you demonstrate so well...and in that regard you are humble as well to give a nod to the "wallet" and that it isn't always necessary to spend a lot of money to experience "quality" if you look for things which are created with a soul....thank you for these presentations
Thank you so much. We are so happy to read this comment which, we believe, perfectly catches the main idea behind this channel (and all our work). Best ! Hugo & Sonya Jacomet
The "lazy shoe" is iconic in Australia as a "elastic sided riding boots" that was often used by stock men. This is a subject worth examining in a separate video.
The chukka boot (known in SA as a velskoen or veldskoen) is very nice when made from materials like kudu leather (very soft and supple) or seal (if you can get your hands on it, it doesn't rot when it gets wet).
I subscribed to many RU-vid channels, including those on sartorial topics. But in none of them the comments section is so civilised and devoid of cynicism (because of the sincere warmth you radiate?). I hope that will remain the case even if your channel will hopefully continue to grow.
@@SARTORIALTALKS 8 minimum. within 10 pair only 1 is black and it isn't nothing i'd wear (given to me, looks like cheap cement glued synthetic-material stacy adams but its only blacks)... Here's some stuff to add (this video didn't address ): Smoking slippers (just for smoking, housewear, the stuff Hugh Heffner wore. I keep these for morning smoking. should be suede or velvet , preferably crushed) House shoes (drivers aren't the same and are DRIVERS.. for house shoes maybe a lined Minnetonka Moccasin for winter, something else like flipflop if need. but i'm japanese so i leave shoes at door and walk barefoot/Tabi socks) Camp Moccasins, (Camp Mocs in short are for wearing outdoors, to camps etc. Camp mocs (may) have a pebbled camp sole efficient for this terrain, but also may have something thicker (eg vibram) for more info , research L.L. Bean Blucher Mocs : The open-lace system of a Blucher with a moccasin (usually of camp moc/outdoor type). I'd keep these more for vibram, or thicker (think timbalands) soles. for the hell of it, Boat Shoe too (as their last driver resembled it. Has the laces that go behind the ankle and can tighten up. has a "siped" sole based on a dog's foot. check Sperry's.
My wife went to private school during her teens, she told me the uniform required then to wear penny loafers. She also mentioned all the girls would place a penny in the slot on the top of the shoe. This was in the 90s.
I take off my hat for you !!!! Sharp information , marvel history to shoes , Thanks for the knowledge to bring us , Thanks Hugo adn Sonia ,Love this channel...
I really like the ease of use of the Chelsea boot and moccasins. I like to wear moccasins on hot summer days with linen as a casual, but also really breathable shoe. Also the Chelsea boot looks really elegant to me without the laces. I would definitely put it in my top 3 shoe types to wear and/or have in my collection, along with the two-islet Derby and the monk strap shoe !
In my part of the world (Northern England) Chelsea boots were always known as Riders or Jodphur boots. There is also a less common buckle/strap version which I preferred. Tassel loafers turn of the century, I had a pair of much complimented black polished Box Calf tassel loafers by Loake in the mid 1980s. I must have been ahead of my time🤣.
This guy has gorgeous hair and he knows it. I like when a person knows he is pulled together. The confidence should evoke smiles from people.. . . I am so ashamed; this guy is articulate, educated and even humorous and I thought he would be vapid and bossy. I'm so impressed with his knowledge and presentation.
Excellent. Really enjoying the historical aspects! I Recently purchased some dead stock John Lobb black wingtip tassled loafers languishing in a vintage shop. They are my first loafer - a tricky one to start with as they are not entirely a 'modern' choice I suppose but they were flawless, so it was pretty much a sartorial obligation for me to get them.
Hugo, I remember reading years ago that the penny loafer craze in American colleges in the 50s was sparked off when Gene Kelly danced with them on, in a movie. It was either "An American in Paris" of "Singin' in the Rain."
I just discovered you Hugo not to long ago. I've been watching your videos for the past couple of days and I'm very glad to know she's your wife. Very good couple.
Very informative, entertaining and professional indeed! Keep it up guys...Just a quick one regarding derby/blucher...in any event I'm referring to the open style lacing.I've long believed that the actual difference between the two -(derby/blutcher)-. Is that the derby was a whole cut simply split open on two sides to create a tongue and eyelets whereas the blucher had three sections or components, the front or vamp, and then two pieces sown on either side and right around the back or heel section.
Thank you for another interesting episode. I'm not a fan of the penny loafer either, much prefer the tassel one in suede. Only my preference... Melvin & Hamilton do laced shoes with the tassels on the end of the lace. A pair of driver's shoes a must for all, driving or not. Well done to the native Indians.
Not crazy about tee shirts, stubble, sneakers or tennis shoes, but I love to see a man in a pair of leather shoes. it shows confidence, intelligence and power.
I love moccasins. But I have such big feet now. I can't find good ones now. But when I was a kid these were my favorite shoes. Good tip on driving shoe though. Thanks.
He really doesn't like loafers :) It's been a long time since I had one since the 1990s so I bought one recently to use it for casual days and also as a driving shoe. It's very applicable here in Manila, PH, since we are most of the time in a sunny weather condition. The chukka and the chelsea are very useful during our rainy season. However, it becomes hot for the feet when humidity sets in.
Thank you so much for such a lovely video! Q: What is an excellent brand for horsebit loafers? I notice the horsebit loafers were omitted but I saw in the comments below that its not because it wasn't good.
Thanks for this informative work . I have an opinion about the last shoes .. I find less comfortable for legs and lower back because it's flat and doesn't support your body well .
Adore the two of you! 1:23 Hugo appears challenged trying to picture chukka boots with a suit ;-) 8:28 I'm another one who doesn't like loafers There is luck of definition, sleekness/slimness, polish... The way they hug the back of the foot is not flattering to the foot. The sides make foot look wider and the TOE SHAPE chops the silhouette. The only thing I love about them is that In tan suede they look like French pastry (which l love!)
With Leather Moccassins, what are the appropriate occassions for using this shoe aside from driving? Is it appropriate for a semi-formal event or is it only meant for casual/recreational wear? Thanks Hugo! This might also be a good topic to discuss on your videos. "The right shoes for the right occassions."
Hey Adriane, leather mocassins are, in my opinion, casual by essence but more and more gentlemen like to wear them with business suits. I advise you read this on our website : parisiangentleman.co.uk/2014/10/21/shoes-and-sartorial-rules-the-time-and-the-place/ Cheers, Hugo
Wait i think you missed a slip on, the ones that look like they have stirrups on them. What are they called and their history. Loved the series and the channel.
Best thing about some of these videos is I'm figuring out I've been pronouncing words wrong for years. I've always called it a "chucka" boot instead of chukka, and no one ever corrected me.I've been wearing my Meermin Chelseas a lot lately
I love loafers but as u said it makes your feet too small, however, you can buy Magnanni loafers they add additional one inch extra in front to give u a longer looking feet. Problem with loafers they lose their shape and also shows creases after a while.
Very informative history of the shoes featured. But what of the Venetian loafer? Does it have its own story, or was it simply a rendition of an existing loafer?
Dear Mr. Jacomet! You have mentioned that there are some good shoemakers in Budapest. Did you referred to the loafers or in general? Can you recommend some shops? I live in Romania, but I can travel to Budapest if necessary. However, if you can recommend some good shoemakers from Romania that is even better. Thank you very much! Kind regards, Istvan.
Lazlo Vass in Budapest is the most famous, but you also have Rozsnyai (very interesting if you like the heavy Budapester style), Budai, Attila... Budapest is a great city for shoe lovers. In Romania you have the St crispin's Atelier but the showroom is in Vienna (same for alexandru Maftei). I hope it helps, cheers, Hugo
I love this videos I’m 20 and before this I was only into sneakers and sandals 😂 I own a couple Gucci and lv shoes and never even lay attention to crafting it’s amazing what are some brands good for Chelsea boots
Glad you stepped your game up. Many people your age will only wear flipflops and sneakers, buying inferior (cheap) cemented shoes (ege nike, all sneakers besides goodyear welted ones basically) .. and will pay $200-500+ for these same cemented Nike shoes.. when you could pay $200-600+ for a GREAT hand crafted, quality shoe that will last a century or 3 if maintained. Kudos!
Hey Julian, this tie is from bespoke shirtmaker Anna Matuozzo in Naples. But I'm afraid it will be difficult to find, unless you go there (and even in this case I'm not sure Anna has produced more then 5 of these). Cheers, Hugo
Since they mentioned Polo, possibly from 'chak.karr' which is Urdu(?) for go-around as in 'a round of golf/polo' which was pronounced 'chucker' in the British accent
SARTORIAL TALKS thank you for the reply I've just ordered my first handmade red leather mocassino from him 620 euro.. It's beautiful though, it really looks like a work of art not a shoe. Is that overpriced? It's my first handmade shoe.. I just discover your channel yesterday and discovering this lifestyle just since few weeks
can you also tell how to mix colors of shoes with your suits? I have a burgundy penny loafer but I don't know how to wear it, and which color would match it.
I know y'all were limited to talk about only the shoes that Cobbler Union had, but I wish y'all also talked about the loafers with a metal buckle (gucci loafer) and ranked it in terms of formality in comparison to the other loafers. Also, I wish there was an explanation of slippers or pumps (I know you briefly said pumps). I like the wholecut leather slippers with a plain toe and goodyear welted.
Dear Scott, don't worry we'll have multiple occasions on this channel to focus more specifically on some models. Thanks for your contribution though. Best, Hugo
Laugh if you want - but I enjoy wearing elongated leather loafers, full brogue wingtip decoration, with tassels, and (gasp!) even with a kiltie...... Perhaps some would call this gauche? :-)
What is your opinion about the quality of Cobbler Union shoes when compared with shoes in the league of Cleverly, G&G, etc? I'd like to know your honest opinions about the differences in quality.
Dear Sir, Cobbler Union is one of the best value on the market (with a great quality / price ratio). Their shoes are very well crafted (in Almensa - Spain) and the final product extremely well done. Gaziano and Cleverley (with a personal preference for the first one, as I know Tony Gaziano personally and he's a great shoe maker), are playing in the league above of course. But their prices are at least double if not triple. It depends what you are looking for and how much you are ready to spend in a pair of shoes. For one pair of Gaziano you have two pairs of Cobbler Union. Cheers, Hugo
Thank you so much for that quick reply! I have purchased both from Cobbler Union and G&G (their off the rack, not bespoke), and I do understand there is a large price difference. I was wondering if you could go more indepth on what exactly from a quality standpoint, not the bespoke standpoint, sets these $2000-$3000 shoes a "league" above these $400 dollar shoes. Specicially, in my opinion, G&G shoes seem to be much more elegant in how their welt is made, with much less excess sole around the shoe, and their design and lasts also appear more refined. However, do you believe that objectively there are quality differences in the leather used or the goodyear welting process?
Once again, we are not speaking of the same product. G&G have their own factory in Kettering close to Northampton, they have a bespoke service, they create their own lasts and Tony and Dean (Girling) are shoemakers themselves. All in made inside their factory (except maybe their horse bite loafers and soft loafers which are almost another work). Their lasts are indeed very elegant (I especially like the DECO line, with extremely pinched waists) and their leather of premium quality. Their Goodyear is also impeccable as they work with old machines (they can do this because they are able to find spare parts in the region, which can be a problem for old and fragile GY machines). Cobbler Union has his shoes made for them by a factory in Almensa-Spain. Their leather and GY are (very) decent, actually very good for the price tag, but of course everything is a notch under G&G. It's like comparing a good and sturdy Japanese car with a high level Audi. Not the same league. But once again, CU is,in my opinion, an extremely safe choice if you re on a budget. Otherwise go for G&G, Edward Green or Corthay in France. Cheers, Hugo
