Autumn footwear can always be something of a conundrum given the unpredictable weather, especially in the UK. Sneakers are all fine and dandy when you step out in the morning to a big blue sky, but don't feel that clever when the heavens erupt in the afternoon. Conversely, big military style boots or hiking boots can feel a bit overkill, especially in the city when you're on the move a lot. This season, our ongoing collaboration will Solovair attempts to solve this problem with a versatile collection of shoes and lightweight boots in soft weather-resistant leather. Easy to style with the vast majority of the Oliver Spencer collection and extremely comfortable to boot.
The Gibson
The Gibson is a cracking option for casual and smart-casual looks. Goodyear-welted, the Gibson is a versatile Derby constructed with a 100% genuine grain leather upper and Solovair's soft suspension sole. Perfect worn with any of Oliver Spencer's seasonal trousers, it's one of those easy shoes you can use to take the smart edge off tailoring, or conversely add a smarter nuance to relaxed workwear. It also slides right into a preppy aesthetic with tapered chinos, and OCBD and finished off with a cardigan. Available in both brown and black options.
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
The Penny Loafer
When we teamed up with Solovair to create our very own bespoke-made penny loafer, we wanted a shoe that would be effortless to style with our collections, so it needed to be classic and modern at the same time. Not too polished, maybe even a little raffish. We think we hit the sweet spot: crafted on a last that was developed just under 100 years ago, the penny loafer we create uses soft Italian grain leather, is Goodyear Welted, and finished with Solovair’s iconic soft-suspension sole. It's sophisticated and relaxed all at once and is a great year-round shoe that you can style with tapered fishtail trousers in the autumn, then break them out with tailored shoes and Cuban collars come summer.
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
The Monkey Boot
Loved by British subcultures from the 50s onwards, the monkey boot is a workwear classic, but we've elevated this collab by creating two unique styles, one cut from a tan Gaucho leather, while the other is crafted from a greasy matte black leather. Incorporating stitching details in the upper, these rugged yet refined monkey boots are essential kit for your autumnal fits.
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
The Solovair Story
The Solovair story is one of heritage, commitment, and artisanship against all the odds. At the turn of the 20th century NPS, Solovair's parent company moved premises to a larger purpose-built factory in Wollaston such was their demand. It's the same premises they still occupy to this day. But nearly a century later, NPS hit trouble and were on the verge of collapse.
It took the enterprise and magnanimity of a local village resident by the name of Ivor Tilley, who took it upon himself to save the factory from developers and galvanise the company, ensuring it continued to support local villagers without whose shoe-making skills the brand would not be able to continue. That was 2006. Today, Solovair is back to former glories and we're very proud to be able to collaborate with them.
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