If you’re part of the Australian menswear crew, best be proud.

There’s a skrong footwear movement going on in Melbourne, click through to see what I have to say about one of its up and coming champions: Christian Kimber, over at Four Pins. 

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Alpine wingtip boot in the ‘Barrie’ last by Alden, now $545, complete with Commando sole

(Source: Leather Soul Hawaii)

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK - Saphir Renovateur

Here at Styleternity, I’m all about that long lasting sartorial quality. As somebody caught up in this whole #menswear thing I think we sometimes attach too much importance to the ‘next’ big purchase. The problem with this obsession is that your closet fills up with a whole bunch of stank product that you thought it was an appropriate idea to purchase ‘at the time’ while the things that are heavy in your day to day rotation get worn into the ground without proper maintenance/alteration.

Nowhere is the problem more apparent than footwear: the foundation of any solid kit, fresh footwear sets the scene for a correspondingly great outfit. Unfortunately many of us lack the time and patience to really care for our shoes the way we should, and while Saphir Renovateur will not make a regular and thorough cleaning of your favorite C & J unnecessary its a pretty good temporary fix when you don’t have the time to stomp out a proper shoe shine.

Made with mink oil, the Saphir renovateur is the very very next level version of an all points leather treatment. Throw that ratchet Zanolin Kiwi shit into your nearest incinerator because Saphir is the benchmark when it comes to footwear maintenance. This oil based cleaner re-hydrates and cleans leather while simultaneously giving it a low matte shine. Used alone its a great temporary fix or as part of a routine (with separate polish and buffing) will result in that glass like patina the lads at The Armoury have been on for some time already.

Available at Kent Wang

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Alden Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boot, featuring a waterlock leather sole and all metal eyelets. 

Source: Leather Soul Hawaii 

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Essentials: Tassel loafer by Meermin (via Mallorca) (Taken with Instagram)

Common Projects Suede Chukka FW2012- chocolate snuff (Taken with Instagram)

OUR PICK OF THE WEEK- Tricker’s x Norse Projects ‘Repello’ Brogue boots

Ten minutes, and one google search later I can confirm for you that Tricker’s is indeed of the ‘way-too-cool-for-a-broke-college-bum like-myself’ persuasion. Don’t believe me? Well for a start they make footwear for the Prince of fucking Wales: I’m not a history guy, but I’m pretty sure the Duke of Windsor used to be on that whole Wales joint before they started making tweeds named after him. They’ve been a family owned business for 5 generations (cue menswear heritage nerd out), and to top it all off are the go to boot-maker for brands like Thom Browne. Oh, and they’re doing a series of collaborations with Norse Projects, who are FROM DENMARK, so you know they’re good, cuz they’re European. Do I need more reasons? No, I’m a blog about rampant materialism so fuck you.

Our pick of the week is this handsome pair of Trickers X Norse Projects brogue boots. Made with a suede upper and a dianite sole, these will make a fine pairing with both tailored suiting and more casual trousers. And in a relatively inoffensive shade of brown (‘Brown Snuff’? Is that like…brown sugar?) they’ll look good with just about any soft tonal color you can think of. For the more adventurous of you peacocks, they also come in a tricked (geddit?) out midnight blue.

What you’re really paying for here is Tricker’s meticulous construction: made with a Barbour welt, full leather lining and pull tabs (because shoe horns are still a mystery apparently) this is the sort of boot I imagine pasty nobility types hunting poor people in. But y’know, its worth the risk, I’m pretty sure I could murder those unelected sponges to get at their Tricker’s, shit this good will make you homicidal.

Available exclusively from Norse Store

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OUR PICK OF THE WEEK- Meermin Rapello suede double monkstraps

A coveted and often overstated staple of the menswear game, the double monkstrap shoe (or ‘dubmonk’) comes in all shapes and sizes. Having gained great traction over the past couple of years both high end labels and dedicated shoemakers alike offer it, but the fact remains that it has largely been too expensive, UNTIL NOW.

Meermin, a Spanish cobbler working out of Mallorca have hit upon a formula for the perfect affordable and yet precious double monk. Made with both English and Spanish leathers, treated with a high quality last and Goodyear welted (as every top notch shoe should be) the Meermin double monk is a thing of beauty to behold. We covet this chocolate brown pair in suede, a wardrobe staple that can be worn sockless, suited or in just about any number of ways you can envision. The best part: sans shipping it will set you back under $200, a price that would usually get you a third of a shoe from Church’s or John Lobb.

Meermin are gaining alot of international recognition for their excellent work: with menswear bloggers losing all sense of decorum at the high level of workmanship and with co-signs by credible menswear sites the world over, this is one brand you can sink your teeth (but not your wallet) into. Have we mentioned they also have a huge range of loafers, brogues and Oxfords? Don’t worry, we wept with joy the first time too…

Available now at Meermin

See the official Meermin Tumblr here

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Mark McNairy x BBC

The block coloured soles are usually something garish, but this collaboration between McNairy and BBC is providing much promise for this otherwise unnecessary premise. Brogue hole-punches are pretty neat as well…

Raf’s Derby Demolition

As part of the Summer/Spring 2012 collection for Raf Simons, the designer has unveiled his latest centrepiece footwear: a golden chain detailed derby shoe. 

Made with incredible attention to detail in the lace stitching and with a meticulous gold chain between the sole and upper of the shoe; this pair of derbies strikes a perfect balance between grandeur and simplicity. Wear them as a centrepiece to add sophistication to an otherwise casual wardrobe of trousers and print tees, or upgrade your off-duty sartorial cool by teaming them with a black blazer and one of the designer’s coveted monogrammed shirts. 

Available now, from MR PORTER

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PATENT PENDING- The argument for patent leather footwear

Popularized as a result of a 19th century carriage shoe design, the modern patent shoe is a staple on the runway and in the wardrobe, combining unique design aesthetics with durability. While there are innumerable examples of formal footwear, none stand in as popular stead as patent footwear, here’s why:

• WAXING: as a result of their unique construction and waxed surface patent leather is defined by a glossy glass like sheen and its near impenetrable waterproof quality (usually not associated with leather).
  
• AESTHETIC: so dark it shines, patent leather footwear’s well defined appearence makes it a coveted accessory to black tie dressing, allowing some variation in outfits w/o being distracting or inconsistent with a formal event’s aesthetic.
• COLOR: ‘Black on blue’ is often a color combination that menswear aficionados steer clear of, but patent black (in a way similar to midnight blue) transcends its original color to be somewhere in between its original shade. Nothing says color at a formal event like a midnight tuxedo reinforced with sparkling patent leather.

As with most things in menswear, patent leather footwear styles have not changed too drastically over the last few decades. Patent loafers/slippers or derby shoes are still the greatest port of call for most black tie events, though classical footwear staples (such as the brogue) are being given a new lease on life in the patent leather material. For the sharpest result find a pair of patent leathers that complements your dinner jacket: obviously where your tuxedo is already glossy or made with a high sheen finish you want to avoid making the outfit louder by adding patent. Go for a tux in solid or block colors (sometimes with contrasting lapels) and add your patents for a devilishly rogue alternative to classic muted formal dressing.

TREE OF LIFE- MAINTAINING YOUR INVESTMENT WITH A SHOETREE

A shoe tree is a timeless investment, in as far as cliches go this is one of the innumerable examples that started with as much good reason as the primordial ooze from whence humanity sprang. For this reason, think of purchasing a pair of shoe trees at the higher end of quality: think John Lobb & Woodlore

A shoe’s life (even a factory made template shoe) can be prolonged a good 2-3 years extra with proper use of the shoe tree, but more importantly the shoe tree holds the shape that you have worn the shoe into to give that perfect comfortable fit and appearance.The fact that shoe trees come specifically in your size and also fit a wide variety of footwear (Oxfords, Brogues, Loafers et cetera) serves only to sweeten the deal.

When considering the make of your shoe trees, NEVER BUY PLASTIC. Plastic shoe trees do not absorb moisture, properly retain shape or last as long as their wooden counter-parts (preferably cedar) and they don’t give that additional (surprisingly pleasant) cedar scent to your footwear (not that you really should invest in sniffing your footwear on the day-to-day).

With a regular clean and shine and appropriate use of the shoe tree (do not forget to rotate your footwear) a regular shoe can outlast its use-by date, and a great shoe can last forever!