3 types of traditional shoes to consider for wedding season
To have you step in the right direction – whether down the aisle or towards your designated seat – here's a trio of options that’ll cover your bases…
Words: Josh Lee
With the bulk of winter’s misery and bite out the way, now seems the appropriate time to start prepping for the upcoming wedding season. And among the celebrations and jovial chaos of the day, one thing’s for sure: whether you’ll be the one up at the front with all eyes on you, or another face among the sea of guests, you’ll want to display your sartorial prowess and know-how.
Of course, in due time, we’ll be giving you the skinny on how to dress in the heat, what suits we’d nudge you towards, and what accessories will help give your getup a hit of verve – but, to begin with, we want to provide you with some solid foundations: a brief but considered rundown on the essential footwear to lace- or buckle-up when the big moment arrives. Indeed, nowadays, when it comes to locations and dress-codes, the wedding is a fluid occasion, but, below, we’ve chosen a trio of contexts that are traditionally popular, so that you have your fundamental bases covered, for this year and those to come.
So, to have you step in the right direction – whether down the aisle or towards your designated seat at table no.11 – these are three staples to consider.
For a High-Shine Traditional Occasion: The Oxford Shoe
For a daytime wedding, the most common ensemble for a groom (and his groomsmen) is morning dress, comprising a morning coat (the elongated piece fits snug to the body and creates that classic, oh-so-coveted ‘penguin’ contouring); a double-breasted waistcoat (either plain or lavishly embellished); and trousers (preferably pleated) that eschew turns-ups in favour of a leg that creates the slightest of breaks when your shoes have been put on.
This being one of – if not, the most – traditional defaults, your footwear should follow suit, and should also be in pretty pristine condition. This means avoiding your commute kicks: the creases will be all-too apparent, the leather is likely not going to be in a supple state, and the heels will showcase the wear-and-tear of the nine-to-five. The only option here, really, is a high-crafted pair of box-fresh Oxfords, the quintessential traditional shoe. We have a particular penchant for Crockett & Jones’s ‘Connaught 2’ model, crafted from fine calf leather, affixed with a rubber sole for durability, and stitched and buffed to a lustrous appearance.
For a Sleek City-Slicker Event: The Double-Monk Strap
Weddings, generally speaking, are supposed to be vibrant, fun events, otherwise… well, what’s the point? If it takes place in the city church, or perhaps the registry office, chances are that a spirited do will occur at a wine bar or small-plates restaurant afterwards, and, for this, we don’t mind if you opt for a classic single-breasted suit, whether in black, grey or navy, and having a bit of freedom and fun with the rest of your outfit.
More importantly, in relation to this piece, utilise this occasion as a chance to veer slightly away from the strict confines of the Oxford (and even the Derby) and slip on a pair of monk-straps, which not only tick the formality box, but also give you some style kudos and flair as these are the type of silhouettes popular among fashion’s most documented figureheads, whether that be front-rowers or Pitti peacocks. For its version of the model, Edward Green picks the most premium of French and Italian calfskins for a tight grain, and produces the soles with a leather that’s been tanned for the better part of a year in a solution of spruce, oak and mimosa barks. The almond-shaped toe creates a refined profile, ideal for slim-cut trousers.
For a Countryside Nuptial: The Brogue
Then, there’s the lavish yet delicate invite that comes through the letter box, the one patterned with floral motifs and fragranced with the delicate aroma of morning dew. So, for this final suggestion, we take a brief look at the day away to the countryside, where the knot will likely be tied in a large gazebo, in a revamped barn or an estate replete with antique wares.
With a bucolic setting of rusty, earthy colours, your dress should be tonally on point: browns, beiges and dark greens. Then, for lacing up, we have to encourage you to reach for some brogues, a type of footwear that was originally designed for rural settings, as their punches and holes are intended to allow water to drain out and allow for a quicker dry (which may actually come in handy, given the UK weather’s tendency to flip-flop over the summer months). Here, we often fall back on Cheaney, a bellwether for the finely heeled: the ‘Bexhill II’ is actually a hybrid, featuring the open-lacing system of a Derby and the perforated detailing of a brogue – meanwhile, the rich palette is just an added bonus. TEST
Want more footwear advice? This is the ultimate guide to caring for suede shoes, according to Cheaney…
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