Alongside the classic men’s Oxford shoe the Derby shoe (also known as a Blucher or Gibson) is a Goodyear welted staple that features in most of the Barker collections including the BarkerTech, Country, Creative and Professional collections.
The Oxford shoe is a favourite for most gentleman around the world and often without us even realising it. An essential Goodyear-welted shoe style that features in most wardrobes or shoe racks due to its versatility to be a formal dress shoe or business office staple when worn with suiting.
A Goodyear welted English shoe by Barker is a shoe rack staple but which style should you invest in? This guide to classic shoes highlights the tried and tested staples in the Barker shoe collection that won’t let you down and will age with you gracefully, providing you caretake of them.
Investing in a well-made pair of English Goodyear welted shoes includes the use of the finest materials used to make the uppers and the soles of the sole. The majority of Goodyear welted shoes by Northampton shoemakers such as Barker are made from premium leathers sourced from around the world including tanneries such as Annonay, Horween Leather Company and Charles Stead.
The formal dress is a tried and tested classic with a long-running history but which dress shoe style suits you as an individual best? Exploring the different types of formal footwear by Barker requires several factors to be taken into account including the shoe design, materials and fitting.