As first impressions go selecting an appropriate pair of Goodyear welted shoes can go along way whether it’s in the office, at an interview or on a first date. While choosing a shoe style that best suits your personal wardrobe is key the colour of the shoes is equally as important in making a wise investment that is practical and versatile. Over the years footwear has followed a similar pattern to menswear in becoming more casual with the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and working from home being here to stay for many of us. The official shoe of choice which remains a men’s wardrobe is the classic men’s Oxford in black. The Barker range of Oxford shoes is extensive having featured in the Handcrafted, London and Professional collections for some time. Popular men’s leather Oxford shoes include the Arnold, Bank, Chigwell, Malvern and Winsford. Another Barker Oxford style is the full brogue which is synonymous with Northamptonshire shoemaking with the Albert, Chancery, Malton and Turing Oxford brogues available in black in the current Barker collection. An alternative business staple would be the loafer, a slip on favourite in the Barker London and Professional collections which the Caruso, Clive, Portsmouth, Studland and St Pauls being popular laceless choices.
The rise of the brown shoe is noticeable over the past several years in particularly in how the business dress code has altered from strictly black work shoes to a choice of brown shades that compliment navy and grey suiting. Exploring the Barker range you’ll discover several shades of brown including the Walnut, Dark Walnut, Dark Brown, Chestnut calf options alongside the Chocolate and Castagnia Suedes. Popular brown shoes in the Barker range include the Armstrong, Holland Park, White City and Wright.
A tan shoe in particular the Country Brogue (Calvay, Kelmarsh and Westfield) is a shoe design all Northampton shoemakers are known for and remains a outdoor shoe staple but similarly to brown, there are several shades of tan in the Barker collection that can be worn for work and/or pleasure. Antique Rosewood, Cedar and Rosewood are the most featured shades of tan that feature in the Handcrafted, Creative and Professional collections. Cedar and Rosewood are popular colourways to wear at formal events and special occasions in particular the McClean Oxford Brogue shoes which features a suede or paisley insert. For an exciting splash of colour the Barker Creative collection is worth exploring as it features several hand painted styles made and finished in the Barker Earls Barton factory including the Bailey, Butcher and Valiant. An area of growth in the Barker range is the Casual collection with trainers leading the way with a key focus on White Calf and Navy Suede in the Greg Sneaker.
Source: https://leathershoesblogs.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-guide-to-mens-shoe-colour-combinations.html
