Which Russell & Bromley shoe style is right for you?
Whether it’s a practical pair of Chelsea boots or some suede-accented sneakers, here’s how to choose the best shoes for you…
Words: Jonathan Wells
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With strait-laced guidance and well-heeled expertise, Russell & Bromley has been steering feet into shoes for almost 150 years. The great British brand was established in Eastbourne by George Bromley and Elizabeth Russell in 1880, and the family has committed itself offering advice to its loyal, discerning customers for decades.
And, with stores around Britain and now in Dublin, and a huge range of products — the collections ranges from Oxfords to brogues, sandals to slippers — the shoemaker has a huge selection of shoes to choose from. There are driving shoes, dress shoes, sporty sneakers and boots from Chelseas to chukkas. And Russell & Bromley are experts at matching every loafer, monkstrap or moccasin with its perfect buyer.
But this expertise extends beyond style matchmaking. The brand has also spent the last century perfecting its craft; scoping out the best artisans across Europe for every handsome design. The waxy calf leather sneakers are cut in Portugal. The chunky-soled Chelsea boots are stitched to life in Italy. And the shoes are then brought to Britain, where the company curates every sophisticated style into a unique own collection.
On the brand’s website, there’s even a ‘Be Inspired’ section if your own inspiration is struggling to strike — and Russell & Bromley have even enlisted a bunch of Instagram’s best style experts and aficionados (such as the dapper, dash-cutting Efe Efeturi pictured above and Nick Howard-Lanes below) to give you a better idea of how to incorporate these fine designs into your wider wardrobe. Here at Gentleman’s Journal, we’ve also added our own advice; with four of our favourite new season styles below…
For an athletic edge, the ‘Sprinter’ Trainers
First up, a smart, high-stepping sneaker. The ‘Sprinter’ may be sporty by name, but its suede-accented nature offers something a little different; versatility. Because Russell & Bromley’s best athletic-adjacent shoe stands on a chunky, off-white rubber sole unit — which makes it perfect for weekdays, weekends and every adventure you might have in-between.
The design is crafted to leather-cut life in Italy, where striking khaki suede is layered on top of soft black full-grain and fitted with a grey heel cuff. These neutral, easily-matched colours pair with the supportive silhouette of a classic exercise shoe to give you a trainer that will walk (or run) alongside every item in your wardrobe with stylish, elegant ease.
For combating the cold, the ’Marlon’ Chelsea Boots
Next, Russell & Bromley has stepped up the weatherproof credentials of a classic design; the Chelsea boot. The well-soled cornerstone of the British brand’s ‘Dryleks Collection’, the bold black ‘Marlon’ boot is treated with a patented waterproof technology to ensure your feet stay snug even when the cold weather rolls in.
Once again, these boots are meticulously made in Italy, where master craftsmen line the weatherproof black calf leather, fit easy-to-wear elastic side panels and fuse the shoes to lightweight cleated soles. With subtle ribbed detailing on the heel caps, these boots may look a little utilitarian at first glance, but they conceal fashion within their function — and make the perfect pair of pull-ons for sensible-yet-style-conscious shoe seekers.
For smart-casual steppers, the ’Keeble’ College Loafers
Speaking of the style-conscious, Russell & Bromley’s rarefied range of ‘Keeble’ loafers offers perhaps the brand’s best chance for customers to express themselves. The 14-strong collection of men’s signature slip-ons all feature a touch of tasselled flair — but there are certain designs that stand apart even from this upscale crowd.
Whether it’s a loafer woven from navy leather, one endowed with a chunky cleated sole or even a shoe stitched from lavish velvet, the ‘Keeble’ range has you covered. Our pick of the kicks, however, would be the ‘Keeble 4 College Loafer’, a multicoloured, high-shine design cut from ‘Bordeaux’ leather and one that perfectly stands astride the smart-casual divide. Wear them with your best suit, wear them with your off-duty jeans — they’ll always turn heads.
For statement-makers, the ’San Nazzaro’ Zip High-Tops
And talking of head-turning, take a look at these. Named for an unassuming town in Switzerland, the ‘San Nazzaro’ stompers are perhaps the boldest boots in the entire Russell & Bromley range. Finished with a smart zip, and handcrafted in Italy from specially stamped crocodile print leather, these high-top boots may be monochrome — but they make more impacts and impressions than even the most colourful shoes.
Set on a durable yet lightweight sneaker sole to keep your dash-cutting comfortable, this style is strikingly centred around a statement zip — set front-and-centre of the padded-heel, polished-leather design. So, if you’re hoping to cause a stir with your shoes, we’d suggest slipping on and zipping up these handsome boot-trainer hybrids.
Want more footwear advice? These classic trainers are perfect for the modern gentleman…
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