Loake Shoemakers

There are countless shoemakers out there operating under the pretence of heritage and tradition, but few can say claim to be as influential in the realm of high-end quality footwear as Loake. Started more than 140 years ago, when three brothers set up a factory in England’s shoemaking heartland of Northamptonshire, the brand is synonymous with British artisanry.

Designed to be worn for longevity, Loake’s bread and butter is its vast range of Goodyear Welted dress shoes and boots, with each style taking up to eight weeks to manufacture with over 200 separate procedures being cut and stitched to a level of finishing. This is made possible by the collective generational experience of craftsmen, built up over almost a century and a half of continuous production. Standouts include everyday oxfords, intricate brogues and pristine patent dress shoes.

While its range of classic dress shoes remains timeless, Loake has also built a strong offering designed to cater to modern workers for whom smart casual has become the norm in business. Since the turn of the millennium, the company has blended tradition with innovation to expand its range in all manner of forward thinking ways, developing hardy, thoroughly British boots in collaboration with outerwear giants, and a range of sneakers that are as at home in the bar as they are in the boardroom.