Search Results: brogue

The danger of buying into trends is that they are fleeting. When it comes to footwear this leaves you with two choices: spend a fortune or compromise on quality. With London brogues, there is a third way.

Choosing between brown and black shoes might seem like a small decision, but it can make or break an outfit. The right colour elevates your look and shows attention to detail. The wrong choice can make even an expensive suit look mismatched. The good news is that the old rigid rules have relaxed considerably. While your grandfather might have insisted on black shoes for everything formal, modern style offers much more flexibility. At London Brogues, we make both brown and black shoes across our entire range, and we see customers successfully wearing both in situations that would have raised eyebrows a generation ago. That said, there are still guidelines worth following. Here is everything you need to know about choosing between brown and black shoes. The Formality Spectrum The fundamental rule still holds: black is more formal than brown. This does not mean brown is casual, but when maximum formality is required, black remains the safest choice. Formality Level Shoe Colour Typical Occasions Most formal Black polished leather Black tie events, funerals, formal ceremonies Formal Black or dark brown Business meetings, court appearances, interviews Smart Brown, tan or black Weddings, office wear, smart restaurants Smart casual Any colour works Weekend events, casual Fridays, social occasions For truly formal occasions, particularly evening events and funerals, black patent or highly polished black leather remains the standard. Our Albert patent leather brogues are designed exactly for these moments. Matching Shoes to Suits This is where most people get confused. Different suit colours work better with different shoe colours. Here are the combinations that work: Navy suits: This is where brown shoes really shine. Tan, cognac and mid brown all look excellent with navy. Black works too but can feel quite severe. If you own one brown pair and one black pair, wear the brown with navy nine times out of ten. Grey suits: Both brown and black work well with grey. Lighter grey suits pair beautifully with tan shoes for a contemporary look. Charcoal grey looks sharp with black for formal settings or dark brown for everyday wear. Black suits: Stick with black shoes. Brown and black together rarely works, and a black suit demands the formality of matching shoes. This is not a rule worth breaking. Blue suits: Similar to navy, brown shoes are generally the better choice. The warmth of brown leather complements blue fabric beautifully. Beige and tan suits: Brown shoes are essential here. Black would clash badly with these lighter, warmer tones. Occasion Rules Beyond suit colour, the occasion itself should guide your choice: Weddings: Check the dress code. Black tie means black shoes. For most daytime weddings, brown shoes are not only acceptable but often preferred, especially with blue or grey suits. Our wedding collection includes options in both colours. Funerals: Black is the respectful choice. This is one situation where fashion takes a back seat to tradition and showing respect. Job interviews: Consider the industry. Finance, law and corporate roles often expect black shoes with a dark suit. Creative industries and startups are usually fine with brown. When in doubt, black is the safer option. Office wear: Know your workplace culture. Many modern offices have no preference. Traditional industries still lean towards black for client meetings. The Modern Rule: Match Your Belt One rule that has not changed is belt matching. Your belt should match your shoes: Black shoes require a black belt Brown shoes require a brown belt in a similar shade The match does not need to be exact, but should be in the same colour family This rule applies less strictly with casual outfits and no belt This is why we recommend owning at least one pair of quality shoes in each colour. You will find yourself reaching for both regularly. Shades of Brown: What Works When Not all brown shoes are equal. The shade matters: Tan and light brown: More casual and versatile. Perfect for summer, lighter suits and smart casual settings. Our tan brogues collection offers plenty of options in this shade. Mid brown and cognac: The sweet spot for most occasions. Formal enough for business but warm enough to feel approachable. Works year round with most suit colours. Dark brown and oxblood: Almost as formal as black but with more character. Excellent for business settings where you want to stand out slightly while remaining professional. Building Your Shoe Collection If you are building a shoe collection from scratch, here is the order we recommend: A pair of black Oxfords or brogues for formal occasions A pair of mid brown or tan brogues for everyday smart wear Brown Chelsea boots for casual versatility Additional colours and styles based on your wardrobe and lifestyle With just a black pair and a brown pair, you can handle virtually any situation. From there, you can expand into different shades and styles as your wardrobe grows. When Rules Can Be Broken Fashion has become more relaxed, and some old rules no longer apply strictly: Brown shoes with grey suits are now completely mainstream Lighter brown shoes in business settings are widely accepted Two tone spectator shoes can work in situations that once demanded solid colours Smart casual events rarely require any specific shoe colour The key is understanding the context. A creative agency will have different expectations than a law firm. A summer garden wedding is not the same as an evening gala. Read the room and dress accordingly. Browse our full collection of men's shoes to find the perfect pair in black, brown, tan or any shade in between. Whether you need formal Oxfords or versatile brogues, we have options to cover every occasion.

To the uninitiated, it may seem like men get a rough deal when it comes to picking out shoes for special occasions. This just isn’t the case though! There is a huge amount of variety for men to pick their preferences from.

One of the most common reasons our customers get in touch with us is to ask for tips on how to properly care for their leather shoes or boots. So we wanted to share some of our shoe care tips.

The past year has been full of challenges for the wedding industry. So what do all the changes and upheaval mean for wedding trends in 2021? We will discuss 5 key trends we expect to see this wedding season and how we can help Grooms look great whatever aesthetic they choose for their big day. We explore how these trends can inform what grooms are wearing this year. 

We are all familiar with an Oxford and a Derby, but there is one formal men's shoe that is less well known. The monk shoe is not just for monks and our latest article will explain why.

Summer may be in full swing at the moment, but we know that Autumn is just around the corner, and as the days get longer the weather gets wetter too. That’s why we wanted to get ahead of the style curve and teach you more about our rugged men’s brogue boot Billy.

Having a holiday at home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your holiday wardrobe. Wherever you choose to go for your rest and relaxation, we can help you find the perfect choice of footwear to match your destination and style.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of slipping on a brand new pair of leather shoes. The rich smell, the polished finish, the promise of years of wear ahead. But if you have ever worn new leather shoes straight out of the box for a full day, you will know the other feeling that comes with them: blisters, pinching and sore feet. The good news is that leather shoes are meant to mold to your feet over time. Unlike synthetic materials, real leather softens and shapes itself to your unique foot profile. The challenge is getting through those first few wears without suffering. At London Brogues, we have helped thousands of customers through this process, and we have put together everything you need to know about breaking in leather shoes properly. Why Leather Shoes Need Breaking In Leather is a natural material made up of tightly woven fibres. When shoes are first made, these fibres are stiff and structured. As you wear the shoes, your body heat and movement gradually soften these fibres, allowing the leather to flex and stretch in the places where your foot needs more room. This is actually one of the benefits of choosing real leather over synthetic alternatives. A pair of our Gatsby brogues or Sidney Oxfords will eventually fit like a glove, shaped perfectly to your feet. Synthetic shoes never achieve this same custom fit because the material does not respond to wear in the same way. The Day by Day Wearing Schedule The biggest mistake people make is wearing new leather shoes for too long too soon. Your feet need time to adjust, and the leather needs time to soften. Here is the schedule we recommend: Day 1 to 3: Wear your new shoes for 30 minutes to one hour around the house. This lets you identify any pressure points while staying close to home. Day 4 to 7: Increase to two to three hours. You can wear them for a morning at work or a short outing. Week 2: Build up to half day wear. By now the leather should be noticeably softer. Week 3 onwards: Full day wear should be comfortable. The shoes are now properly broken in. If you feel any sharp pain or rubbing at any stage, stop and give your feet a rest. Pushing through pain will only create blisters that make the whole process longer. Conditioning Your Leather Shoes Leather conditioner is your best friend during the breaking in process. It softens the fibres and makes the leather more pliable, reducing the time needed to achieve a comfortable fit. Apply a quality leather conditioner before the first wear Focus on areas that typically cause problems: the heel counter, toe box and sides Let the conditioner absorb fully before wearing Reapply after every few wears during the first month Stretching Techniques That Work Sometimes leather shoes need a little extra help to stretch in specific areas. Here are proven techniques that actually work: Shoe trees: Insert cedar shoe trees when you are not wearing your shoes. They help maintain shape and gently stretch the leather. This is essential for any quality leather shoe. Thick socks method: Wear your thickest pair of socks with the shoes around the house. The extra bulk stretches the leather faster. You can also use a hairdryer on medium heat to warm the leather slightly while wearing thick socks, which speeds up the process. Leather stretch spray: Professional cobblers use stretch sprays to target specific tight spots. Spray the inside of the shoe where it pinches, then wear immediately while the leather is damp. Problem Areas and Solutions Problem Area Cause Solution Heel slipping Heel counter too stiff Use heel grips or moleskin pads until leather softens Toe pinching Toe box needs stretching Use a shoe stretcher or the thick socks method Rubbing on sides Width needs adjustment Leather conditioner and gradual wear Top of foot pressure Lacing too tight Loosen laces and try different lacing patterns Arch discomfort Insole not moulded yet Add cushioned insoles temporarily Signs Your Shoes Are Properly Broken In How do you know when the breaking in process is complete? Look for these signs: The leather feels noticeably softer and more supple You can wear the shoes all day without discomfort The shoes flex naturally when you walk There are subtle creases forming where your foot bends The heel no longer slips or rubs Most quality leather shoes from our collection take two to four weeks to fully break in with regular wear. Thicker leathers like those on our brogue boots may take slightly longer than lighter Oxford styles. When Shoes Will Never Fit Sometimes a shoe simply is not right for your foot, and no amount of breaking in will fix it. If you experience any of these issues, the shoes are likely the wrong size or shape: Your toes hit the end of the shoe The widest part of your foot does not align with the widest part of the shoe You have more than a finger width of space at the heel Pain does not improve at all after two weeks of gradual wear If you are unsure about sizing, have a look at our wide fit collection which offers extra room for those who need it. Getting the right size from the start makes breaking in much easier. Caring for Your Shoes During Break In The break in period is also a good time to establish proper shoe care habits. Always use shoe trees when storing your shoes. Rotate between pairs if possible to give the leather time to rest and dry between wears. Keep your shoes clean and conditioned, and they will reward you with years of comfortable wear. A well broken in pair of leather brogues or boots becomes one of the most comfortable shoes you will ever own. The investment of time during those first few weeks pays off every single day you wear them afterwards. Browse our full range of men's shoes and boots, and remember that every pair is crafted from premium leather that will soften beautifully with proper care and patience.

There are a number of classic footwear styles that will never go out of fashion for men – it’s safe to say you’ll always be stylish and ready for any occasion with an Oxford and Chelsea boot in your wardrobe.

The wedding season is nearly here and so it's time for our yearly round-up of the latest wedding looks for grooms in 2022.

Though traditionally planning a wedding has been seen as something which only one half of the wedding couple takes charge over, in this day and age both members of the wedding party are getting increasingly getting stuck in to making their big day special.

The Gatsby, from London Brogues, is one of our bestselling and most popular men’s brogue. It is so popular that we even created them in miniature for the little person in your life who wants to look spiffy in their formal wear as a page boy or at a party. In this article we explore where the spectator shoe originated from and what the key features of a spectator shoe are.

This article explores the hottest wedding trends for grooms in 2023. We provide useful tips on how to incorporate these trends into the overall wedding look while keeping a balanced and coordinated style.

One belt, two colours of leather and a whole lot of luxurious style with our new reversible men's belt.

Learn all about the best ways to wear our most popular shoes, Gatsby. Though Gatsby is available in a wide array of materials and colours, we will be focusing on the two-tone style shoe known as spectator shoes.