Genuine Shoemaker is the home of classic genuine leather shoes. Our shoes are the perfect way to elevate your elegance and make a strong impression, whether you're headed to work or a special event. With their elegant look and design, our shoes will help you take your style to the next level.
OXFORD, DERBY, LOAFER AND MONK SHOES are the main classic shoes categories:
Perfect for those men who are on their way to work or are interested in cultivating a subtle, refined and timeless look. Do you have a formal wedding coming up. Don't think too hard, just put on your black leather Oxford shoes for a classic look.
Where do Oxfords come from?
They’re shoes with a fantastic and long history. Although they have existed in some capacity since the 1600s, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that these particular style of shoes began to gain prominence among Oxford University students; hence the name the ‘Oxford’.
How they’re made
Firstly, we use the best leather available. Our leather sole Oxfords are made with the ‘blake-rapid’ technique: a double and easy binding to resole your shoes. For our Oxfords with Vibram rubber gumlite soles we use a ‘blake’ binding. The insole and sole are sewn together, making the shoe super light.
How to match men’s Oxfords
Let’s start with the black Oxfords: they're the perfect low-key shoes to match with a suit for formal occasions, such as an office event or a classic wedding. When wearing our more peculiar looking Oxfords, such as the full brogues or ones wrapped in suede leather, ensure you pair them with a mismatched ensemble or some pence pants.
Dapper men are searching for beauty and our leather Derby shoes certainly deliver with their wide three-story sole and a rounded toe. Elegance can be expressed so many ways, and with these Bluchers on you'll distinguish yourself from anyone around you.
Where does the Derby come from?
The origin of the Derby isn’t entirely clear. Popularly, some theorise that the 14th Earl of Derby commissioned its design as his high instep required an open-laced shoe to accommodate his larger feet proportions. The Derby is often understood to have been designed after the Oxfords, however it’s more likely their origins occurred concurrently.
How we make them
As with each shoe in our range, our men’s Derby shoe is made with the best leather available. The leather sole Derby is made using the ‘blake-rapid’ construction, giving it a double binding. While we use the lightweight ‘blake’ construction for our Derbies with a Vibram rubber gumlite sole.
Are there any differences between Derby and Oxford shoes?
Yes, and there are many; from their history to shape and fit. But, for us, the main distinction between them is style. In contrast to Oxfords, Derbies are more peculiar: they're made for the dapper man who loves to stand out from the crowd.
The loafer is a type of shoe that is easily slipped on and off the foot without any laces to worry about. It is often mentioned in the same breath as the moccasin, as some historical sources say both types of footwear have similar origins. Originally designed as an indoor shoe only, the loafer has since matured to the point that it can be worn both indoors and out for a wide range of occasions. It’s perfectly designed as a shoe to relax and loaf around in.
In terms of style variations, the loafer it is very flexible. As such, it is very difficult to pin loafers down as easily as other styles like brogues and derbies. You can find loafers made with a variety of materials, in different colours, and with or without embellishments.
History of the Loafer
Some modern shoe styles are easy to document in terms of their origins, at least at the point in which they became mainstream footwear. Such is not the case with the loafer. There are so many different stories that it is difficult to know how much truth is contained in each one. The two most trusted origin stories involve an English King and a Norwegian shoemaker.
The first story involves King George VI and his desire for a casual, indoor shoe that he could wear every day. He allegedly commissioned London's Matthew and Rebecca Wildsmith to create the shoes for him. The Wildsmiths were chosen because they had already built a business making and repairing shoes for the King's Household Cavalry. Their design eventually went on to be known as the Wildsmith Loafer.
The other story suggests that loafers came from Norway and a shoemaker by the name of Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger. It is said that he originally created a pair of moccasins that were similar to what the Iroquois wore but more accommodating to Norway's colder weather.
As the story goes, Tveranger eventually combined the moccasin style with a more traditional outdoor shoe to create what were known as Aurland Shoes. It is said that these evolved into the modern loafer after he began exporting them across Europe and to the Americas.
Defining Features of Loafer Shoes
The defining feature of the loafer is its lack of laces. This makes it easy to slip the shoe on and off even in a standing position. Along with its no-lace construction.
Aurland Loafer
Originally developed in Aurland, Norway, this variation of the loafer features a raised seam on the upper similar to that of a moccasin. A narrow-cut saddle adds definition to the top of the shoe and makes it less subject to expansion.
Penny Loafer
The penny loafer is an American take on this footwear design. It is easily recognisable thanks to a saddle sewn across the upper. The saddle itself has a cut-out large enough to hold a penny, thus its name. Incidentally, the inventor of the penny loafer was fond of keeping pennies in his shoes so that he always had money to make a phone call.
Kilted Loafer
The kilted loafer is easily recognised by a flap that is secured over the top of vamp using leather strings or tassels. Some of them sport a bit of broguing as well.
Italian Loafer
The Italian 'sprezzatura' look is heavily dependent upon the loafer to finish off the casual but intricate styling. Perhaps the best example of an Italian style loafer was originally designed by Aldo Gucci in the 1950s as a means of making this particular style more acceptable in formal occasions. His shoe ended up being a lot like a tassel loafer except that he replaced the tasselled saddle with a gold horse bit.
Belgian Loafer
This particular style is rather new by comparison. It features a small bow on the top for decorative purposes. The shoes are sewn inside out in the factory in order to present a finer looking seam on the finished product.
There are numerous other styles of loafers that can range from the uber-fancy to the simply plain. Because loafers are intended to be casual, everyday footwear, there isn't necessarily one particular variation that stands out above all others as the defining one.
How and When to Wear Loafers
Even though some people wear loafers in formal settings, the shoe is not considered formal due to its origin and lack of laces. Your best bet is to consider your loafers casual footwear that, on some extreme occasions, can be paired with a suit for a formal event.
Perhaps the best suited for formal wear is a simple loafer, black and well-polished to fit with formal suits. One should never wear loafers with a tuxedo or white tie ensemble. Loafers are also generally off limits when wearing three-piece suits.
In less formal settings, loafers work well with different kinds of trousers. When paired with dress trousers, be sure that the colours match. If you are wearing loafers with khakis or denim jeans, colour contrast is not a problem.
If you are looking for casual footwear that works well with just about any kind of outfit, the loafer might be just what you're looking for. Loafers come in a variety of styles and colours and can be constructed with both leather and synthetic materials. They are very comfortable shoes that easily flex, breathe well, and can be slipped on and off with very little effort.
Monk strap shoes are a style of shoe that dates back to the medieval ages. It is essentially a shoe with a strap that goes over the top of your foot and uses buckles to fasten it. Based on the number of buckles, the shoes get an appropriate name.
History of the Monk
A monk shoe or monk strap is a style of dress shoe with no lacing, instead secured on the feet by one or multiple buckles and straps. It was innovated by the English shoe maker, Edward Green in the late 19th century.
Why are they called monk strap shoes?
As it turns out, monk strap shoes are named that way because they are essentially the more refined version of the footwear monks wore centuries ago. According to the Gentleman's Gazette, the monk strap shoes were invented back in the 15th century by an unnamed monk who lived in the Alps.
How do monk strap shoes work?
The Monk strap has the essence of a slip-on shoe, while keeping the tongue and vamp common to lace-up shoes like the Oxford or the Derby. Lacing: Instead of laces, Monk Strap shoes feature straps and buckles. Double monk straps are without a doubt the most popular, but single and even triple strapped Monk Straps exist.
Are monk strap shoes considered formal?
Many sartorial experts consider the monk less formal than the Oxford but more formal than a Derby. The monk shoe is a versatile choice and can be worn in both business and casual settings.
