The Leather Guide

Leather is the first thing you feel and the last thing you forget.

Leather decides how a shoe looks, how it wears and how it ages. Some leathers are polished and formal. Some are soft and relaxed. Some are built for weather. Every pair we make starts with the hide. Choose it well, and the shoe looks better with every year.

Types of Leather

Box calf leather dress shoes
01 / Box Calf

Box Calf

The finish that makes a dress shoe look cut from glass.

A full-grain calf leather with a tight, even grain and a smooth, polished surface. It holds its shape, takes a deep shine and looks composed without trying. With a little polish, it only gets sharper, and fine creases settle in beautifully with wear.

Full grain calf leather shoes
02 / Full-Grain Calf

Full-Grain Calf

The everyday benchmark. Soft enough to be comfortable, strong enough to last.

Cut from the top layer of the hide so it keeps its natural grain and full strength. It is supple, breathable and moulds naturally to your foot. Over time it develops a soft, warm patina, while small marks simply add character.

Premium suede leather shoes
03 / Suede

Suede

Soft to the touch and relaxed in spirit.

Made from the underside of the hide and brushed to a soft nap. It is velvety to the touch, rich in colour and lighter and more flexible than polished leather. Keep it dry and brush it regularly, and it retains its depth for years.

Nubuck leather shoes
04 / Nubuck

Nubuck Leather

Suede's sturdier cousin. Fine nap, tougher build.

Nubuck is cut from the outer side of the hide and lightly sanded to a fine, velvety nap. It looks soft but resists wear better than suede. A brush keeps the surface even as it develops a gentle sheen where it flexes.

Pebbled grain leather shoes
05 / Pebbled Grain

Pebbled Grain

Texture that works as hard as you do.

A raised, even texture pressed or tumbled into the leather. It disguises everyday scuffs, adds visual depth and feels soft from the first wear. Minor marks blend naturally into the grain as the leather softens.

Black croc embossed calf leather Oxford shoes
06 / Croc-Embossed Calf

Croc-Embossed Calf

Bold, structured and made to be noticed.

Calf leather pressed with a crisp crocodile pattern. You get the look of an exotic skin with the durability of calf leather. It feels firm and structured, the pattern stays sharp, and the surface softens slowly with wear. Bold, but still refined.