The Pick: the ultimate summer shoe
As the mercury in our thermometers begins to rise, there’s one shoe that takes its place above the rest – a shoe that pairs equally well with a jacket and tie, jeans and a t-shirt or shorts and a linen shirt. It is, of course, the loafer. Originally created for loafing around country houses, it’s a native to the world of leisure, epitomising a certain free and easy elegance. Equally well-established in the world of refined leisure-wear is suede, its butter-soft nap making for a less formal look than polished leathers. The warmer, drier months are the perfect time to wear to this soft yet finicky material, as it’s less likely to have a run-in with its nemeses, the mud and the rain.
Loake, based in Northamptonshire, have been producing handcrafted leather shoes for 130 years. A pair can take up to 8 weeks to make, passing through the hands of some 130 adept craftsman during the process. Constructed from premium cuts of light brown suede, this pair will work with light and dark trousers alike, while the tassels add a finishing touch of panache. Pair with a neutral toned blazer and navy chinos for archetypal warm-weather style.
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