As regular readers will know, we are big fans of Grenson shoes here at What Makes a Man.  We like their combination of traditional British craftsmanship and Italianate flair.   So I was pleased to hear that the Grenson sale was on.  I went along and took these photographs. 

The picture below shows some of Grenson’s brogues and heavier shoes.  Most of the brogues pictured are actually much lighter and easier to wear than a standard brogue.  This is because the leathers are lighter and finer and the soles are slimmer and more flexible than a traditional brogue.  I particularly liked the pale grey suede.

Grenson brogue ranges

Here is a close-up of a pair of Grenson Alberts, which sharp-eyed readers will see is a modern take on the American Gibson shoe.  Thse are made up in Bookbinder leather, a hard, gloss-finish leather that takes a very high shine.  This is a naturally wide shoe-shape and a comfortable and stylish (two words that do not always go together) wear for any man who takes a wide fitting.   They are of course the ultimate Preppy shoe and, strangely enough, go really well with jeans (though I am not so sure about the Black). 

Grenson Alberts

Here is a picture of some brogues in the Abraham range.  The mid-grey shoe with the contrast stitching is pretty cool.

Abraham

Here is picture of Grenson’s Kent range of Oxfords.  Grenson have two ranges, the competitively priced Rushden range and the Rose collection, which top the £200 mark and are worthy competitors to Church and Crockett and Jones shoes.  The Kent Oxfords are in the Rose collection.  This is part of why I like Grenson so much, that even in their top-end range, they are enterprising enough to produce original and adventurous shoes like the green/brown suede Oxford in the picture.

Grenson Kent Oxfords

A picture of Grenson Jodphur boots.   Grenson are of course famous for the quality of their boots and they manage to be both hardwearing and stylish enough for City wear.  I personally rate Grenson town boots very highly and own three pairs.      

Grenson Jodphur boots

And here is the man who makes the shop work.  Keith John is the manager at Grenson and an absolute goldmine of information about Grenson shoes and shoes generally.  I like to ask Keith’s advice about the clothes that the shoes might be worn with, he has a real stylist’s eye.  If you want skilled and unbiased help, you can do no better than let Keith assist you.     

Keith John, manager at Grenson

And here are the pair of shoes I got on my visit.  These are a pair of Grenson Salisburys, in a pale chocolate brown.  They are of course Oxfords, with a slightly squared-off toe, which for me gives them a slightly more stylish look than traditional round-toe Oxfords.  I also like the subtle, neat styling, espeically the raised tab at the join of the vamp and the eyelets.  The visible stitching, especially across the toe-cap is very fine, and superb craftmanship.  I think they look subtly Italian and have understated style.  I have an Italian suit in Cobalt-blue and intend to wear them with that, I think the paleness of the chocolate-brown will set the suit off perfectly.  Superb shoes.

Salisbury Oxfords

The sale is now on, there are excellent discounts on the shoes.  Go see for yourself.  If you cannot get to the sale, Grenson also sell their shoes from their website (see buying information below).

Keith at the counter at Grenson

Buying Information

Grenson are open from 10.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday

Grenson,
Unit 24, Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London, EC2 7QN
Tel: 44 (0)20 7618 5050

www.grenson.co.uk