The Converse All Star Leather Hi takes a great classic, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi, and then makes it better by crafting it in leather.

It’s no secret that Converse All Star is the go-to shoe for almost anything and everything. A bride who wants to be comfortable– you might find a pair of Chuck Taylors under her gown. A bloke in a rock band– tick that box, he wears Converse All Star. And its cool factor shows no sign of abating! Just browse around Lookbook and you’ll see that all the fashionable university students are wearing Converse All Star as well.

The next step is leather. Yes, in this way, you can be ahead of the curve. Notice the current trend of bright white canvas pumps? The next thing is to have them in leather. They stay cleaner, and they are tougher. Edgier.

Most popular in blinding white or deepest black, a brown version of the Leather All Star Hi is available as well, for those extreme iconoclasts.

Dr Martens 2976 Boots are a classic Chelsea ankle boot with elastic sides and original Dr Martens features, including the Dr Martens Airwair heel loop and two-toned sole. As a Chelsea boot, the 2976 Doc Marten dispenses with all that fuss and bother normally associated with boots – the laces!

The problem I have these days with boots in general and it’s getting them on and off again afterwards. Firstly, I just haven’t the time to laboriously pull them on then bend down to carefully tighten and secure the laces and then find one lace is longer than the other and hangs down on the ground after tying them up.

Louis Armstrong might “have all the time the in the world” but I don’t so when I get home I need footwear I can throw off as easily as my jacket – instead with most boots it’s usually here we go again – tugging and pulling at tight laces in endless eyelets to get my aching feet free. Well I just can’t hack it – I love the look but hate the fuss.

So for guys over 40 like myself who loved the original urban 1460 docs (I still have two pairs that I never wear), you can still have the classic Doc Marten look and comfort of the Airwair sole but in no-hassle form. The classic Dr Martens 2976 Chelsea ankle boot – the one for us trendy 40somethings.

Dr Martens 2976 Chelsea Boots

The lo-down on the Dr Martens 2976 Chelsea Boot

• The 2976 is a classic casual ‘Chelsea Boot’ Style
• Quality pull-on fastening leather ankle boot
• Elastic-sided male/unisex gusset
• Leather upper with leather/textile lining and sock
• Airwair air cushioned non-marking DMS sole unit
• Weight approx. 1.5 kg with heel height of 1.25 centimetres

Men’s Timberland Authentics 3 Eye Classic Lug shoes have been around for years and will last for even longer. Timberland call them a no-nonsense classic boat shoe – a handsewn, durable yet stylish, gentlemen’s shoe. It’s got me thinking about warm days and fair winds.

I’ve always had this thing about water and it’s never quite satisfied just by being near it – I need to be in it or even better on it. And that’s the promise offered by these striking boating style 3 Eye Classic Lug shoes from Timberland – you can almost feel the salty breeze on your cheeks simply by looking at them.

Imagine the feel when you wear these classic 3 eye lugs on your feet. With those hugely lugged and rugged soles you’ll be feeling the swell as each wave comes along, secure in the knowledge your feet are as fixed to the wave washed deck as if they were glued in place. And what do you want as well as security as the waves or the rain drench the rest of you – top quality and rugged comfort embracing your only reliable contact with terra (or should that be aqua) firma – your feet in crafted Timberland’s superb leathers outside and inside hand sewn to hold your foot in softly cushioned grip and no nonsense style with boat shoe moisture management and breathability as standard.

Get ready for next season – and make them most of our seasonal offers on Timberland 3 Eye Classic Handsewn Lug Boat shoes today.

Timberland Authentics 3 Eye Classic Handsewn Lug

Crocs Lydia Winter shows that Crocs can make a refined ladies shoe. Crocs Lydia Winter offers a luxury velvet flocked exterior, trimmed with patent leather in four subtle colours. Yes I did say “refined” and “subtle” when talking about Crocs and “winter” too!

The Crocs Lydia Winter shows us that Crocs is trying hard to take the brand more mainstream and in my view they’ve really succeeded here with the Lydia. We’ve always been sold on the comfort benefits of Croslite™ – Crocs’ proprietary closed cell resin material – but in most people minds Crocs only make chunky beach clogs. Not the kind of thing for the Christmas party unless its fancy dress!

Well in the Crocs Lydia Winter here’s a feminine shoe that promises comfort and style. Well done Crocs – more of the same please.

Crocs Lydia Winter

Wonderfully fluffy UGG Australia Fluff Scuff slippers…UGG quality coupled with classic 1940’s glamour.

Made from the finest shearling lambswool, the UGG Australia Fluff Scuff will keep your feet feeling pampered and warm when it’s cold.

Everyone has their moments of quiet downtime. UGG Fluff Scuff Slippers are classic slippers with top quality material, an investment in luxurious moments at home.

Hollywood star Rita Hayworth in her dressing room