Clarks FW15: All the New Styles to Look Forward to

This past week I stopped by the Clarks FW15 preview to have a look at the new styles we will be wearing in six months. I'm a big fan of the brand and proud owner of several pairs so this is always more of an occasion to make my personal wish list ahead of time.
Everyone's all-time favourite are obviously the desert boots, which no one makes like them. The new earthy tones on offer are perfect for the colder months and they're an easy way to add a touch of colour and texture to a look. For FW15, the brand continues to play with new patterns and materials – my personal favourites the navy check print and the suede and wool felt combo.
A personal highlight from the new collection was the style directly below – a very Clarks take on a skater sneaker, which I will definitely be buying in at least a couple of colours.
It's not easy to find good boots but I found at least two brilliant options from Clarks for the coming season. One more formal – a grainy tan leather brogue boot perfectly finished with a leather and rubber sole (you need rubber if you live in a city where it rains) and a more casual and super light option in a maroon leather and a commando sole detail.

If, like me, you can't quite wait a few months to have a few new pairs you can head over to the Clarks website to quench your thirst for shoes. If that is even possible.

The ASOS Crafted In Collection

This week ASOS is introducing 'Crafted In', a new range of tailoring, knitwear, denim, footwear and accessories created with premium materials. The brand has struck all the rights notes for FW13 with a strong feel of British heritage but also with a solid variety of contemporary silhouettes and shapes.
The tailoring seems to be the focal point of the collection and its most striking part with a mix of suits made from Italian wool and Harris Tweed, which is also present in some of the stunning outerwear such as the peacoats and the bomber jackets.
The cable knit pieces are all made from 100% British wool and include a selection of jumpers in burgundy, green, navy and cream, as well as scarves and beanie hats. All of which are a perfect addition to the tailoring.
Together with tailoring, footwear is my favourite part of the collection. The eight beautiful pieces created in Northampton, the heart of British shoemaking, cover all the essentials a stylish man should have in his wardrobe – a brogue, a double monk-strap, a Derby, a lace-up Derby boot and a Chelsea boot. The last two in a choice of smooth and grainy leather. The streamlined design of the classic styles and the pops of red make the shoes extremely relevant yet timeless.
And finally, if the above wasn't enough, 'Crafted In' also offers an array of denim made from Japanese selvedge and available in four indigo washes all with a straight fit.

'Crafted In' is a concise and subtle capsule collection perfectly suited for the needs of the modern stylish guy – and all for a very competitive price. Scroll down for a selection of my favourites from the 'Crafted In' collection.

Grainy Leather Derby Boots

Harris Tweed Peacoat

Harris Tweed Blazer and Harris Tweed Bomber Jacket.

Leather Chelsea Boots

Double-chested Italian suit

Leather Brogues, Grainy Leather Chelsea Boots, Leather Derby Boots, Leather Double Monk-Strap Shoes

Cable Knit Jumper

Courtesy of ASOS

The Jimmy Choo SS14 Collection

I could have easily spent my whole afternoon at the Jimmy Choo SS14 presentation during the latest LC:M. The brand had taken over a space on King Street in Covent Garden, which they had turned into a chic cabana full of colour, green foliage and, of course, shoes.
All the different lines stood out from the crowd thanks to the super cool stalls, which had been decorated according to their style. What tied them all together was the inspiration drawn from the 'Sapeurs' – a group of dandies from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. These gentlemen, who are treated as celebrities in their home town, are known for their bold sartorial choices. They admire the classic Parisian tailoring, which they wear in the most garish ways using striking colours and patterns.
Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo's creative director, has translated these daring spirit into a collection that mixes dashes of bright colours on the soles, laces and stitching of otherwise classic sneakers and dessert boots. Degradé snakeskin or leather contrasting with python and camouflage do it for the smarter pieces.
Their signature 'Belgravia' models adopt this style for SS14 but the brand continues their start-studded offering in powder shades of pink, beige and black for next summer.
I loved some of the new introductions like the slip-on shoe, which comes in a modern velvet leopard print. And the new take on their chic urban espadrilles in soft suedes and classic hues.
From among the smart options I loved the monk strap shoes both in classic monotones and in contrasting two-tone options like the super cool camouflage-detailed or the python skin ones.
Whatever you end up going for during SS14 it is clear that, like the 'Sapeurs', classic shapes are a must but so is individuality and that's why every single Jimmy Choo piece has a character that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Fashion, Frankly and Courtesy of Jimmy Choo

Introducing Antoine + Stanley: Shoes with an Australian Sole

It would be fair to say that, within fashion, I am the most keen on shoes. I see them as the way to top off any look – a way to dress it up or down, to give something simple the perfect vibe. And it would also be fair to say that I know what I talk about when it comes to footwear because I own quite (a lot) bit of it from a range of brands and designers.
One of my biggest struggles is to find comfortable, light and breathable shoes for the summer that are not sneakers. Antoine + Stanley seem to have the perfect solution for this. The Australian brand founded by Paul Waddy in 2005 is now landing on the UK via ASOS. Their philosophy is to create traditional styles such as brogues, desert and Chelsea boots and loafers in premium materials. And they do so with an edge – bold colourful lines on the soles and contrast trims – which makes them perfect for the summer. Their models are great for pretty much any scenario: from picnic at the park to drinks on a rooftop to even a summer wedding.
You can shop the collection online at ASOS. My favourites (see below) are the Smith loafers in navy, the multi-colour Ralph brogues and the white leather Hensel brogues. The latter were a style I always thought only Chuck Bass or Jay Gatsby could pull off but I am totally infatuated with these Antoine + Stanley ones!

Courtesy of Antoine + Stanley

Church's presents the "Flexible Goodyear Welted Collection"

I am always fascinated with how some of Britain's oldest and most traditional houses seem to also be the most innovative ones. This season Church's, which was founded in 1873, is presenting the 'Flexible Goodyear Welted Collection'. The brand wanted to give their classic welted shoe more flexibility, which they have managed by using a lightweight rib on the insole and special oil treatments on the sole. The leather, which could be harmed from the bending, is softened with sophisticated tanning processes. The great thing about this is that your shoes will last longer but you don't have to give up the timeless style or Church's craftsmanship. I am looking forward to seeing these bad boys up close at the press day in a couple of weeks.

Courtesy of Church's

Levitating with Prada

Courtesy of Prada

In only a few seasons Prada has managed to take something as traditional and classic as the wingtip brogue and spin it into an avant-garde accessory which says a lot about its wearer without defining him. As much as I loved the espadrille platform and the foam one that followed I honestly didn't think people would wear them through the seasons. But I guess that if anyone can transform a trend into an icon that is Prada.
Now the brand has released the 'Levitate' shoe, which exposes a jogging trainer-like platform sole through a see-through cover. So you can run to work in these and it will look like you're sort of flying. Thing of them as 21st century Hermes – the god, not the brand – sandals.
The new platform style comes in different colour combinations and shoe models some of which you can check out here on the Prada website. The new style is also surprisingly affordable – having in mind you're buying Prada. My personal favourites are the classic maroon brogues above and the same model in black.

Superdry + Joseph Cheany & Sons: Going comando for FW12

Courtesy of Superdry

Up until a couple of years ago I used to pretty much live in sneakers. Despite my diagnosed obsession with footwear I have always struggled with smart shoes because, even though I love them, their leather and wooden soles are almost deathly when new. They say a gentleman lets his butler break out his shoes but for that a gentleman needs a big budget.
But then I discovered 'comando soles'. As it turns our a lot of shoe manufacturers have introduced them as part of their permanent collections because they're actually a lot more comfortable and they totally eliminate the risk of slipping on marble and carpet floors.
Superdry has partnered with Joseph Cheaney & Sons to create a collection of footwear that brings together that traditional British design everyone loves and a more current practicality. There really is nothing better than a good brogue in winter and now we can choose between a classic wingtip shoe, a lace-up boot and a Chelsea boot. All in a beautiful tan colour and tough grained leather.
All three models are already available online at Superdry.com and in Superdry's Regent Street store.

Frank Loves: Barbour x Grenson shoes

Courtesy of Grenson

It' fair to say that I have an intense yet under-control obsession with shoes. I own between 30 and 40 pairs (last time I counted...) and people often say that I have "too many pairs of shoes for a straight man", whatever that means.
I usually buy a pair a month –whether they're sneakers, smart shoes or the space in between (desert boots, rubber-soled brogues...). This month I was looking for a pair of brogues with a twist because I feel like all-leather and all-suede ones are e bit too dressed up for every day.
Grenson has just launched their collaboration line with Barbour, which has perfect timing for me. What I love about them is that they bring together the best of both –that hand-made traditional feel of Grenson that reads high quality and the sort of countryside feel Barbour injects into everything they do.
I am really into this vintage countryside vibe this season, as I said before this week, so I love the look of the 'Espresso' model (great name too!). The rough suede contrasts with the leather on the front and back and I'm really keen on the light stitching and the bicolour sole with the boot sole. They're first on my list of things to buy this month!

Click HERE to buy your pair. They just arrived in store today!

Frank Loves: Edward Green for Hardy Amies brogues

MatchesFashion

I have been looking for the pair of brogues all my life. I once thought I found them in a pair from Alexander McQueen but I made the mistake of buying the wrong size when they were on sale...
But now I think I've finally found the ones. A few months ago when I previewed the FW11 Hardy Amies collection before the catwalk show I knew it was full of hits. Hits like these hand-crafted Falkirk brogues Edward Green has made for Hardy Amies.
The details are exquisite and extremely classic bit the two tones of bluish grey give it a very cool and contemporary feel. They look like a piece of art –like a one-off car design you can't wait to try because you know how brilliant it will feel.
The shoes retail for a price that's not for everyone but, well, a piece like this shouldn't be. You can get a pair at Matches here –also check out the Shannon brogue boots. But if you want the full experience I recommend you get down to Hardy Amies at 14 Saville Row and enjoy the amazing ambiance and the rest of the hit-filled collection.

Italian sole

Last week I attended the Tod's SS11 press day. First, I have not only to thank the team for inviting me but for being so extraordinarily welcoming and nice. The thing I have always liked most about Tod's is how they stick to tradition. You can always spot a Tod's loafer no matter what season it is. And that is exactly what they've done for next summer. They are bringing back their staple thin suede "gommini" and introducing new touches such as the straw laces, which add a different, more rustic stroke. I also saw some of (my favourite) desert boots. I have at least four pairs of these and I love their versatility. However, what surprised me the most about what I saw at the preview were the bags. I had never payed much attention at Tod's luggage and daily bags. And what I was missing! They make brief cases and carry-ons with the most exquisite fine leather. It feels as if it might melt between your fingers but it is actually a sturdy material —a great combination.

I decided, then, to take a look at what Tod's was offering for this season we've just commenced. And I found two of my must-have models of footwear for fw10 —the brogue boot and the leather mid-top sneaker. Do also keep in mind that Tod's always puts comfort first, which is why even their sneakers or smart shoes come with their signature rubber "pebbled" sole.

[Pictures: Iñaki C., Tods.com]