Dress Shoes

Dress Shoes

Dress shoes are generally regarded as a much more formal shoe, something to be worn in the evening or to a special function where perhaps a patent pump is not the order of the moment. A dress shoe is exactly what it says it is, a shoe to be worn on a 'dressy' ocassion. A wedding, a dinner, with a dark suit, a funeral, these are all regarded as dressy ocassions when a more formal shoe is required. How formal do we have to be? This is really down to how accurately dressed you would like to be, generally the more formal you require has less decoration, so a plain or 'naval' Oxford (one with no decoration whatsoever) may fit the bill, personally I prefer something with a toe cap, with one or two rows of stitching across the cap this in my opinion is the best shoe to wear. An Oxford like this can be worn for almost anything, from meetings, to weddings, from formal dinners to the dance afterwards, a well polished Oxford with a stitched cap will almost certainly stand out. It is so very traditional, so very english.

Shown here are the Oxford with stitched cap, the Oxford with no cap, the same again but with a design on the toe and a classic Oxford with the punching across the cap.



This last shoe is again very dressy, can be worn for almost any ocassion and in brown or suede can make an excellent alternative for a weekend shoe. Don't forget when making these as a bespoke shoe, your ideas make the shoe, it is your thoughts and imagination that create the shoe that you want.

Semi Brogues

Semi Brogues come in a wide range of styles, 'not just a half brogue'. There are a lot of choices to be made when deciding whether to have an adelaide facing, what punching to the toe cap, the choice of colour, leather, suede or buckskin, a combination of leather and suede or even a brown and white correspondant shoe, the choices really are endless.

Here you will see a range of semi brogues, all are different but have their own individual look to them, just like people. We are all individuals and like to be able to make choices that make the shoes and clothing we wear individual to us, adding detail here, reducing detail there, that is what enables us to do what we can when making a bespoke shoe.

The first shoe is a semi brogue with a star design on the toe, at the back of the shoe was a crescent moon.

The second semi brogue is in a dark burgundy calf skin with a slightly different toe design.

The third is a semi brogue in suede, great for weekends, semi formal and casual wear. This style is a good all round shoe that can be worn with almost anything from a suit to jeans or cords.

The fourth is what is know as an adelaide semi brogue, take a look at where the laces are, the punching around does not extend to the side of the shoe, it is enclosed and curves back up to the top of the shoe, in my opinion a little more formal looking and a great looking shoe.

Ready to Wear Shoes

Ready to Wear Shoes & Boots


When it comes to choosing a ready to wear shoe or boot there is a lot to consider, style, colours, fit, shape and of course price. Trying to find something that fits all of these categories can sometimes feel like you are on an endless quest for something that may take years of searching or that you may never find! When it came for me to introduce a ready to wear range, there are certain options, do I introduce a range made up from my designs, do I use a range already designed and put my name in or go with a range that is already there that offers excellent quality, style, fit & at a price that suits most people? The answer is I am working with Trickers and currently able to offer their complete in stock and their m.t.o. range. Their designs for the city are timeless and their country shoes and boots are by far strong enough and well suited to anything you may want to put them through. With single leather soles for the city and double leather soles for the country there are so many different styles, leather and colour options available. With prices starting at around $450.00 (£255.00) including shipping there is definitely a shoe or boot for you. To order or request style information please email enquiries@thelondonshoemaker.co.uk or call (001) 540-222-6267.

Shoe Styles-Adelaide Shoe with Imitation Back Counter

Whatever shoe you decide to choose, you have generally thought about what you would like to use that particular style of shoe for. Whether it be a Black Calf Oxford with a stitched cap for a wedding or a Brown Grain Calf Full Brogue for the country or weekends, you have thought about what you want to wear to compliment the clothing you will be wearing with them.

An Adelaide Oxford in Dark Burgundy Calf opposite can be worn with many colours from navy, brown, grey or tweeds and from casual to semi formal. It is a very good style of shoe that can be used for many occassions. This particular style has been made with an imitation back counter of 2 & 1 punching, so that the shoe is virtually one piece except for the toe cap. It is a very smart shoe and carries its own style and is just that little bit different from a regular adelaide style.