That Dapper Chap: shoes

Monday, 20 March 2017

Cheaney Shoes at Old Spitalfields Market

Craig of That Dapper Chap visits Cheaney shoes in Old Spitalfields Market and takes advantage of a hand shoe shine.

With over 130 years of shoe making experience under their belts Joseph Cheaney & Sons are a well respected heritage British brand. With 120 staff hand making shoes at their factory in Desborough, it's great to see that the UK can still have a thriving industry like this and I am hugely supportive of it, hence my desire to share it with you.

So, during my recent visit to London's Old Spitalfields Market I stopped off at the Joseph Cheaney & Sons store on Brushfield Street, not only to paw over the beautifully made shoes, but to get a finger polish from the store Manager Ian Bartlett. Barty (as he is known to his friends) knows a lot about shoes and the history of Cheaney, so while I browsed he shared details of their rise and fall through the decades to where they are now.

The Base London Shoes 21st Anniversary Party

Craig of That Dapper Chap attends the Base London Shoes 21st anniversary and shares details of the new collection

British footwear brand Base London is celebrating its 21st Anniversary with a blockbuster new line of premium footwear and a series of short films shot in the capital.

With striking styles and leather soles throughout, the XXI collection is a more premium capsule range of footwear for Base London, identified by distinctive red leather linings and commemorative branding.

The Noel Hi Shine shoes

The August top five

Craig of That Dapper Chap shares his top five items for August

Hey folks, so here are my top five picks to keep you looking great during August 2016. With a great hair product, a bag to take you anywhere, stylish footwear, a timepiece and a shirt to take you from office to pub.

The Grooming product

First up we have the Hobo Hair dry Shampoo from Johnny's Chop Shop. With a range of cool products for cool guys like you, this dry shampoo will refresh your style in a hurry. At just £5.00 it's great for packing in that bag for a weekend in the sun.

Design your own shoes with ÔSingulier(s)

Craig of That Dapper Chap introduces us to ÔSingulier(s), a place where you can design your own custom shoes

You're a guy who appreciates great footwear right? or maybe a lady who appreciates a guy who wears great footwear. If that's right, keep on reading. If you're looking for something a little more individual than the shoes that fill the racks of our high street stores ÔSingulier(s)could be your next stop.

“For unique men”

My own design shoes from ÔSingulier(s). Comfortable and stylish

About ÔSingulier(s)

The ÔSingulier(s)team consists of Thomas, Anna and Nils who together wanted to create a place where guys like you and I can create a pair of shoes exactly how you want them. You choose the type of shoe, the fabrics, the colours, the stitching, the laces, you name it. If it can be changed, you can change it to create a pair of shoes very personal and unique to you.

Simple and easy to do, here are just a few designs I made earlier.

My Top Five Chatham Shoes

Craig of That Dapper Chap shows us his top favorite shoes and boots from Chatham

MEET CHATHAM

For the past 25 years, Chatham has traded on a nautical traditional of quality, and is now growing into one of Britain's key lifestyle footwear brands.

Quality, durability, marine aesthetics and performance all form an integral part of the Chatham product.

The guys at chatham said "We are committed to creating a range of classic sailing kit and country footwear, all served up with Chatham’s very British style. Combining traditional craftsmanship with innovation, durable materials with attention to detail"

All of their footwear is designed to be comfortable, functional and able to withstand all that nature can throw at it.

And with some really great styles at reasonable prices they are really tempting. Throw in free UK delivery and returns and how can you resist!

Me wearing my Chatham boots

MY TOP 5 SHOES AND BOOTS

Looking through the range it was difficult to select just five styles. There really is something for everyone on offer from Chatham. Yes, they cater for the more nautically inspired of us and boat shoes have been a real summer trend over the last couple of years. But, they also now offer something a little more 'country', in beautiful leathers and tweed, they are offering a real heritage look, suited to any gent, whether country or city.

Number 5 - The Nottingham Goodyear Welted Brogues

Available in black, tan and dark brown, the Nottingham brogue is a piece of hand crafted art that you get to wear on your feet. Nottingham is a Goodyear Welted brogue on a commando sole. Rugged, refined and above all, premium in every way. You simply cannot buy a more premium constructed shoe.

I like the chunky, solid aesthetic of these shoes and I can see them being a real staple over the coming winter months. They can just as easily be worn to the office with a suit or to the pub with jeans.

Click HERE to buy

£119.00

The classic black brogue with a twist

Perfect for wetter weather

Number 4 - The York Goodyear Welted Brogue Boots

In dark brown or tan, these boots offer substance and style. Featuring the most durable, traditionally English, Goodyear Welted construction. York is a high ankle brogue boot on a commando rubber sole unit. Consider it a wardrobe investment that will pay dividends for years to come.

I love the height of this boot, it's not apologetic about its leg climbing abilities and it's going to feel really substantial on the foot. Again a piece of footwear that will suit most occasions.

Click HERE to buy

£139.00

Traditional styling with Goodyear welted construction

A solid sole on the York brogue boot

Number 3 - The Gaff II G2 slip on boat shoe

Available in 'Seahorse' (brown below) or 'Walnut' (tan) the Gaff II G2 Slip-On Boat Shoe is essentially a penny loafer with boat shoe style. I'd suggest these for a less formal affair, for that weekend on the boat, maybe a bit of shopping in the town. The gaff G2 now features a new sole unit with enhanced grip. A triumph of British design and quality

These are bang on trend. Loafers are big news. Boat shoes are big news. So, why not have a combination of the two and be a bit different from the crowd?

Click HERE to buy

£99.00

The Gaf II slip on loafer boat shoe

A look at the sole of the Gaf II

Number 2 - The Drifter British Suede Wing Tip Shoe

I love these shoes! Available in burgundy or brown with turquoise elements, the Drifter Wing Tip Shoe is British made two tone split suede and is a high quality wing tip derby shoe made on a stacked leather heel with rubber top piece. With stitched through construction, and padding underfoot they are totally comfortable and totally stylish.

These have a real vintage look to them that really appeals to me. I can see them working well with a heavy tweed suit to the office, but equally dressed down with rolled up chinos and a chambray shirt under a vintage Harris tweed blazer.

Click HERE to buy

£99.00

The brown and turquoise colour option

The Drifter suede shoe in burgundy

Number 1 - The Stornoway High Ankle Tweed Brogue Boot

Well, what's not to like here? Meet the 'Stornoway' a high ankle Goodyear welted brogue on a commando sole. The upper features a combination of premium leather and British tweed from Lovat Mill.

If, like me you're passionate about quality and supporting British industry, these are a great option. Not only do they tick all of my moral boxes but the style boxes have been ticked for days! These will certainly stand out from the crowd. The combination of fine leather and tweed is truly inspired, and I can see myself wearing these time and time again over the next few months!

Click HERE to buy yours

£199.00

The Stornoway tweed and leather boot in tan

Styled down with jeans and a wool fairisle sweater

Perfect for autumn/winter

Styled up for the office in an autumnal look

FIND CHATHAM

Thanks for visiting! Please come back soon!

5 staple shoes every man needs

That Dapper Chap looks at the five essential shoes that every man should own

Whether you have a fetish for footwear and have shoes piled high in your home or you take a more minimalist approach to stocking up on these fashion items, there are certain styles of footwear that you must have in your collection. So that you don’t miss out on the essentials, take a look at the five staple shoes that all men should have

1) Brown leather brogues

Private White Collaborate with Grenson

That Dapper Chap tell us about an exciting collaboration between Private White and Grenson shoes.

For the Spring/Summer’15 season, Private White V.C. unveils an exclusive collaboration range with Grenson Shoes.

Grenson is a traditional English shoemakers with a rich heritage and Private White V.C. are proud to collaborate with such a remarkable company. Despite the many years that Grenson has operated, the brand has modernised to produce some of the world’s best contemporary footwear, under the direction of owner, Tim Little.

Tim Little says of the collaboration "We are very proud of our factory and when we meet someone else who has a British factory, we feel a connection. The Private White V.C. factory has been in operation for over 100 years, so the chance to collaborate was irresistible"

The Private White V.C. X Grenson range, produced in collaboration with the shoemakers’ designers, features three exclusive styles.

All handmade ‘from skin to box’ at the Grenson factory in Northamptonshire, these shoes are made using the traditional Goodyear Welted construction; a world renowned hallmark of quality shoemaking and process which was pioneered by Grenson Shoes.

Featuring distinctive details like bespoke colours and trims, as well as handwritten detailing of the shoes in the lining of each pair.

Private White V.C. Managing Director, James Eden says;

“We have long been fans of Grenson Shoes. The company has an incredible history in shoemaking and their ethos of preserving time-honoured manufacturing skills while evolving to create cutting-edge styles which are relevant in today’s market mirrors ours.

The 'Wilde' canvas derby shoes in olive

The Wilde shoe is created in finest cotton canvas in a distinctive Olive green. The canvas is bound around the quarters in a copper shade petersham to finish the edges. This style features a full leather lining and sits on a solid rubber ribbed sole attached to a leather through. Finished with copper eyelets – a signature Private White V.C. touch.

Side view of the olive coloured 'Wilde' shoes

A closer look at the 'Wilde' shoes

Front view of the 'Wilde' shoes

Get yours HERE - £325 (GBP)

The 'Williams' suede derby shoes in snuff or mushroom

The Williams shoe is a whole cut Derby shape, made from the highest quality English suede which has been perforated throughout the design. This lightweight shoe carries a ‘skeleton’ lining which allows the holes to function as genuine ventilation. The Williams shoe has matching solid suede facings and sit on a lightweight rubber Vibram Gumlite sole. Available in two shades; Snuff and Mushroom

The 'snuff' coloured Williams shoe

The renson and Private White collaboration

Front view of the snuff coloured Williams shoes

The mushroom coloured williams shoe

Get yours HERE - £350 (GBP)

Background

The Private White V.C. clothing range is manufactured at its very own factory, nestled in the heart of Manchester. The factory is currently run and managed by World War I Victoria Cross recipient Private Jack White’s great grandchildren who all share his undying love, passion and dedication to both the British and local textiles industry.

The brand utilises the finest British materials and craftsmanship, sourcing fabrics from local mills and employing traditional manual production techniques. The collection is designed by Nick Ashley, former head of Dunhill menswear and son of interior designer, Laura Ashley.

www.privatewhitevc.com

Social Media: @privatewhitevc

Contact Information

Manchester Factory Store

Cottenham House

1 Cottenham Lane

Salford

Manchester

M3 7LJ

+44 (0)161 834 7521

factory@privatewhitevc.com

THANKS FOR READING!

The Next Shoebox Jukebox Event

That Dapper Chap tell us about the glittering Shoebox Jukebox event hosted by Next and Company Magazine in London's Shoreditch and shows us his top five favorite shoes available from Next

Enjoying a cocktail at the Next Shoe Box Jukebox event

The burgundy tassel loafers that I wore to the event

The Shoebox Jukebox Event

The sun was high in the sky with promises of summer when I walked along Bethnal Green High Street in London's cool and funky Shoreditch on my way to the venue.

We were promised music, food, drink and dancers as well as a preview of the shoes available from Next, and we were not disappointed!

The entrance to the venue in London's Shoreditch

Shoes and tunes at the Next Shoebox Jukebox event

As the doorman checked my invitation and ticked me off the list, music played and guests mingled, sipping their cocktails and prosecco. No sooner was I through the door when I was greeted by waiters offering a much needed refreshment, which I of course accepted!

The event was hosted by one of fashions giants; Next and Company Magazine, home of daily fashion, travel and beauty. The walls were graced with all kinds of shoes and in the center of the venue sat a Jukebox surrounded by even more shoes. Guests were asked to photograph and instagram their favorite pair of shoes and #ShoeboxJukebox @NextOfficial for their chance to win the shoes!

Shoes and selfies and the Shoebox Jukebox event

Bloggers and fashion aficionados mingle at the event

Providing necessary refreshment

Delicious canapes at every turn

The Next Shoebox jukebox

Yours truly snapping some shoes

As guests nibbled on delightful canapes and sipped their drinks, they snapped away and uploaded their pictures. The winners were announced on a big screen and many people were rewarded for their efforts, myself included!