Barrett Men's Shoes: Handcrafted Loafers and Lace-Ups

The real choice is the sole, not the style

The Barrett shoes we carry fall into two families that look similar but behave in opposite ways, and the difference lies underneath, where no one usually looks.

The loafers have a stitched leather sole, lightened by a non-slip rubber insert with raised dots under the forefoot. It's the classic construction: a slim profile, an elegant silhouette from the side, and leather that moulds over time. It does require dry asphalt, however - leather suffers in wet conditions and needs time to rest.

The brogue lace-ups, on the other hand, feature a notched rubber sole with a lugged tread. It's the choice that makes a formal shoe suitable for everyday wear: it grips wet cobblestones, adds a few millimetres of height and shifts the look from classic to urban.

In practical terms: if you need the shoe for the office and special occasions, the leather loafer is the right choice. If you really walk in them, especially in winter, choose the brogue with the lugged sole.

Lace-ups: brogue or plain

The brogues feature wingtip detailing and English-style broguing on the vamp: those perforations are not purely decorative, as they originally allowed water to drain away, and today remain the hallmark that distinguishes a daytime shoe from a formal one. We carry them in suede Baltic Blue and dark brown, and in black polished leather.

The plain ebony polished-leather style is the alternative: no perforations, just apron stitching across the toe. It's the most formal of the four, and the only one that truly works with a dark evening suit.

The practical rule we give in store: plain or polished black works with grey and navy; suede does not belong with formal eveningwear, but it is the finest choice there is with flannel trousers.

Loafers: penny loafer or tassel

The penny loafer has a vamp with a cut strap - the American collegiate style, and the more understated of the two. We carry it in dark brown suede and polished leather.

The tassel loafer is more expressive: the tassels are a detail that draws attention and does not disappear beneath the trouser leg. It's the shoe for someone who wears loafers by choice, not simply for comfort. Ours are available in navy and dark brown.

Both have uppers and fully leather linings: that's the detail that separates a loafer that lasts from one whose interior is worn out after a single summer.

Polished leather or suede

Polished leather has a glossy brushed finish: it reflects light, is easy to clean and works wherever formality is required. Suede is the opposite - it absorbs light, softens the entire shoe and shifts it towards daytime wear.

With suede, the one recommendation we genuinely insist on is applying protective spray before the first wear, not after the first stain. Five minutes that determine whether the shoe will last three seasons or one.

Sizing

The Barrett shoes we carry run from 39 to 44 and - something not to be taken for granted in an Italian shoe of this calibre - include sizes 41.5 and 42.5. If you fall between two sizes, that's why it's worth looking here rather than settling for a full size.

The fit is a classic Italian fit, true to size. With a loafer, remember that it has no laces: it should hold immediately, without the heel slipping out on the second step. If you're unsure, write to us with your foot measurement in centimetres - we have the shoes in store and can measure them for you.

Where else to look

• Men's loafers - every brand, from classic to chunky
• Men's lace-ups - elegant and daytime styles
• Men's shoes - the complete selection
• Men's clothing - what to wear with them

Frequently asked questions