Dressing for the office over the years has seen the acceptance of different shoe styles in the workplace. The business staple Oxford shoe remains a favourite in many men’s wardrobe or shoe racks but the COVID-19 Pandemic in particular has broadened work attire styling such as the allowance of sneakers. Finding your signature work shoe style isn’t an easy task as working long hours and commuting means you are in your work shoes for a amount of significant time. With this in mind the balance between style, function and comfort is key when selecting a pair of Goodyear welted shoes that can not only stand the test of time but allows you to repair them when the time comes.
Men’s Oxford Shoes for work-
A timeless men’s formal leather shoe is the Oxford toe cap, a versatile choice that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and the material / colour chosen. The classic black men’s Oxford is ideal for the professional setting hence the extensive range of Oxford shoes in the current Barker range in particular the Handcrafted and Professional collections. The most popular Barker Oxford shoes as recommended by the Barker London flagship store teams include the Alfred, Falsgrave, Lerwick, McClean, and Winsford. For additional comfort the Wright Oxford shoe is a BarkerTech collection style that features an integrated three part flexible insole and a removable insock providing arch support, shock absorption and antibacterial properties.
For timeless Oxford brogues the Albert, Hampstead, Malton and Turing styles come highly recommended from the Barker Professional and BarkerTech collections. Although the men’s black Oxford shoe is the first choice the popularity of the brown Oxford shoe as a stylish alternative to the classic black work shoe is being seen in offices around the world. Within the Barker collection several shades of tan and brown are favourites in the Oxford style such as Cedar, Antique Rosewood and Dark Walnut especially when contrasting colour/materials are featured in the shoe design.
Men’s Derby Shoes for work-
The Oxford shoe counterpart, the Derby shoe construction consists of an open lacing system making it more comfortable and a obvious work shoe decision. Popular office Derby shoes include the Ellon, Morden, Newbury and St Austell Professional collection styles. If a Derby Brogue is your preferred choice the Larry and Woodbridge Goodyear welted styles are highly recommended.
Men’s Slip-ons for work-
Slip on styles will be seen more in the workplace seeing as many of us have lived in slippers while at home and there’s several styles of note in the current Barker collection. A timeless loafer by Barker is the Caruso penny loafer, designed by Albert Barker in the early 1960s, the Caruso continues to be a Professional collection staple available in Black and Burgundy Hi-Shine. The Mears Penny Loafer from the BOEB Archive collection is a reinterpretation of the Caruso but made from grain and suede leathers on a British Dainite rubber sole. Other popular Barker slip on styles include the Gates, Jevington, and Portsmouth Penny Loafers as well as the Clive and Studland Tassel loafers.
Should your place of work be outside and means your require functional footwear to be protected from elements yet remain smart the Calder Brogue boot, Kelmarsh Derby Brogue and Westfield Oxford Brogue from the Country collection are timeless silhouettes to consider.
All the Barker shoe styles recommended above are made using the Goodyear welted construction at the Barker factory located in Earls Barton and therefore are able to be repaired with the Barker refurbishment service.