For the life of me, I still cannot understand why I don’t see more gentlemen wearing burgundy shoes. Come to think of it, I can’t seem to recall, ever since I have been in this country (England), having seen someone wearing burgundy shoes with a suit, and almost, burgundy shoes period. It’s such a lovely color that compliments blue better than any other color (even brown), yet it would appear that not many other people share that same sentiment. It could also very well be that English shoemakers (from what I have seen) don’t really offer that many shoes in the burgundy color. Sure they may have one or two out of their entire collection, but if you don’t happen to like the model that the burgundy shoe comes in, you aren’t going to buy it, are you? It’s literally like people have just been conditioned to make black shoes and wear them, with everything they have. Of course you have the rebellious ones that wear brown, but rare are the men who put on a burgundy shoe. Well, for now I guess that I will stand alone, and hope that with the introduction of my shoe line, and my burgundy wholecut that will be offered, more people will see that it’s a lovely color that compliments, beautifully, a navy suit!
Shoes: Bespoke, made by me
Suit: Gieves & Hawkes, Made To Measure
Shirt: Don’t remember, from TK Maxx
Tie: Tino Cosma
I can’t agree with you more. After years of wearing nothing but black, I decided to venture into burgundy, which was extremely rare in Hong Kong. Last year when I was in London, I looked for a pair at Church’s, C&J and EG but nobody carried my size – UK5. Fortunately I stumbled across a specialist shoe store in Hong Kong and they had only one pair of EG Inverness in burgundy. Although a bit out of my price range I grabbed them. Now I have to splurge on a burgundy belt!
I’ve been thinking about a pair of Burgundy/Oxblood shoes recently, so this is perfect timing.
Part of me thinks they go better than even a nice brown.
Love! the tie by the way. Perfect!!
I feel Burgundy/Oxblood shoes provide a subtle pop when wearing an understated suit. I feel cap toed burgundy shoes can exude the connotation of an American Banker during the twenties if paired with a grey three piece pinstripe suit.
Vincent – Well, at least you can never go wrong with EG. I bet that you wear them proudly, as you should!
OwenB – Thanks Owen! I will have a few in the collection if you can wait until then!
Instinctive Behavior – Sounds like a bit of Boardwalk Empire being described…ah how they wore such nice things back in the early 1900’s.
-Justin
Hi,
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your blog. I have black as well as tan brogues (Loakes) but usually wear a sort of cherry-brown (slightly more brown than burgundy) pair of shoes by Josef Seibel most of the time for work. These go with any colour trouser and are very comfortable. I am also on the look out for some chestnut brown brogues to serve a similar purpose. It certainly is a very versatile colour space.
Cheers
Tony
Tony – Hey, thanks for the kind words! For your chestnut brown brogues, you should look at the Allen Edmonds Strand, or McAllister. Those are pretty good!
-Justin
Great post (as usual – love your blog). Far from avoiding burgundy I have the opposite situation: I have a pair of burgundy brogues I like a lot but wish I could redden a bit ie: a little less dark brown looking.
Do you know of any way to do that?
Thanks for the site!
Unknown – Thanks for your kind words!! As far as lightening up your brogues, I would use some sort of solvent to strip the finish off a bit….that should lighten it up….but use it sparingly so you don’t take off too much…
hope that this helps
-Justin
yes i love burgundy too