When people ask “how long should shoes last?” the reality is: it depends on more factors than you can imagine. A shoe’s lifespan is determined by construction,
A Shoe’s Sole – A Form of Expression of Self
The Hidden Canvas Beneath Your Feet A shoe’s sole is often overlooked, but for many shoemakers, it is the true blank canvas where artistry comes alive. And
Where Has The Shoe Industry Gone?
Where Has The Shoe Industry Gone? This is a blog post that I wrote in 2018. It is amazing to see the foresight (not trying to pat my own back here) that I had
The Crocodile King
When it comes to alligator or crocodile, in virtually any color you want, The Crocodile King, aka Karl Chu, is the man you should be looking to contact.
What Makes a Good Shoe? Fit and Quality Explained
Figuring out what makes a good shoe isn’t always straightforward. It’s a highly personal question with subjective answers. But from years of experience in the
Why Brand History Shouldn’t Dictate Shoe Pricing
Brand History and Shoe Pricing: What You Should Know In recent years, I've been highlighting newer shoemakers from China — such as Yim Shoemaker, Yearn
Trying Dress Shoes with Athletic Socks
I have sold a lot of shoes to a lot of guys throughout my career, not only to men purchasing shoes from my own brand but also selling all types of shoes at
Penny Loafers: Classic Round Toe vs. Modern Elongated Toe
The penny loafer is a timeless staple in men’s footwear, appreciated for its slip-on convenience, versatility, and enduring style. But when it comes to penny
Brown Shoes with a Navy Suit: Style Guide
Back when I worked on Savile Row, wearing a suit and tie every day was second nature. And even though I was in London where the rules is 'No brown in town,' I
Shoe Shining Tips & Tricks
Back when I was a 'professional shoe shiner,' I wrote a long, educational post about how to polish your shoes properly. I later realized that I had never shared
The Black Wholecut: The Only Dress Shoe Ever Really Needed
If one had to pick just one dress shoe to own for the rest of their life to go with as many possible outfits and occasions, it would definitely be The Black
Berluti London Store Visit: Part Two
In the continuation of my Trip to Berluti London series, here are some more photos capturing their leather goods offering and some of the patina styles. Their
A Trip to Berluti – London: Part One
'A Trip To Berluti' is a small series I made back in 2016 when I used to live in London and frequented their West End shop. Like my latest Aubercy Store visit
Aubercy Shoes: The French King of Footwear
This wraps up the recounting of my visits to the Aubercy shop in Paris. Aubercy shoes have inspired me since I first discovered them and find that they are one
Aubercy Bespoke: Store Visit Pt. 2
In my follow-up to the Aubercy Store Visit series, in this post, we look more at the Aubercy Bespoke footwear and more of their Made to Order models. This post
Why Wear Dress Shoes?
When you are young, the thought of wearing dress shoes probably does not enter your mind too often, not at least in the sense that you will be actively doing so
Crepe Soles – Yay or Nay?
When I started my own shoe brand, J.FitzPatrick, one blog reader told me, 'Justin when you add black crepe soles to a pair of dress shoes, I will be the first
Ten Shoe Tips Everyone Should Know
When we are new to high-end shoes we often spend a lot of time overthinking many things that in the end don't matter. Or we often don't realize many things that
The Best Rain Weather Shoe
The best rain weather shoe is a dark brown suede with a rubber sole. Hands down. It is a myth that suede is not good for rain. This statement is only true when
A Guide To Shoe Pricing
In this guide to shoe pricing, we will take a look at the variable components that make up a shoe's price and how simple changes can affect the outcome. There
A Guide To Shoe Soles
In this guide to shoe soles, we will examine the various types of sole finishing you can expect to receive at different price points and make-ups, i.e.,
How to Style Button Boots – Casually
In the modern-day, 'how to' style button boots is not as strict as it once might have been. It is no longer a rule that button boots have to be worn with a
Interview: Wilbur Tu of Graziat Taipei
In this Graziat Taipei Interview, we will talk with Wilbur Tu, the owner and founder of his great brand of striking footwear. His brand is relatively unknown in
Shoe Industry Secrets: Production Times
There are a lot of shoe industry secrets used to romanticize shoemaking. All of those videos you watch about the 300 steps to make a pair of shoes and shoes
