It looks like the Royal is made in Northamptonshire, can't say if it was the case 15 years ago when you got them but I would guess that they were.Man after my own heart. I try to keep a bit of a lid on it but I do like a quality shoe. Your list of shops brought back memories.
My favourite shoes are a pair of burgundy 'gunboats' as the early 1969 smart skinheads used to call them (Loake Royal Brogue) and a pair of Loake beef roll loafers which I think are called Princeton. I polish those alternately with black and burgundy and they have a lovely deep aged colour. Just had them resoled for I can't remember how many times, but they're by far the most comfortable shoes I've had. (Wish I could say the same about the gunboats). Paid more in resoling those loafers over the years than they cost to buy but they're as good as new so I'll continue to enjoy them. I originally wanted Bass Weejuns but I fell in love with the Loake ones and they are British. I believe mine were actually made here not just British brand, but if someone's a real shoe geek and tells me uk production ceased more than 10-15 years ago when I got them then I'll stand corrected.
I've got a nice pair of quite formal plain Loake chukka boots as well, plus a pair of tassel loafers I bought in Toledo. The spanish are very fussy about shoes so it's a good place to look.
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Are they Goodyear welted or Blake Rapid construction?I have two pairs of these.
And two pairs of these, and some old ones, that's the only shoes I have these days.
No.Are they Goodyear welted or Blake Rapid construction?
A pair of NPS brogues which are simply wonderful for what I paid (£90). Far cheaper than the Clarks equivalent and much superior
Barker cherry red Gibsons - Again a sale bargain
A pair of Joseph Cheaney black Gibsons - A steal at £6 from a charity shop
A pair of Berwick shoes brown country Gibsons - Sale items
A pair of 23 year old Doc Martens
A pair of Clarks boots which are supremely comfortable and just go on and on
2 pairs of Asics trainers which is the only brand I will buy on the trainer front
Out of the lot? The NPS brogues
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