SHOES - 125 Years of Cheaney Shoes

Shoes make the man and investing in craftsmanship is something that men are really buying into at the moment. Cheaney shoes have been making footwear for 125 years and still work from the very same factory that they started out in, back in 1886. Every stage of production takes place there, allowing the brand to keep control of every detail of every shoe.

To commemorate this special anniversary, Cheaney shoes have created the 125 collection which includes styles available in several width fittings. It takes a full 8 weeks to make a pair of Cheaney shoes - craftsmanship is king! They'll also be opening a new flagship store in London this year, and it's good to know that businesses like this are surviving the tough economical climate. Timeless style always has its place in fashion.

The owners, Jonathan and William Church, say: “125 years is a phenomenal achievement for any business and the continued success of Cheaney can be attributed to the passion and pride that our highly skilled employees have for the shoes that they make”.

Prices for the new 125 collection start at £205. In the meantime, here are a couple of my favourite styles from the current collection...

 Pennine IR boots

Lime Classic Oxford

CELEBRITY - Guys at The Golden Globes 2012

Celeb men seem to be quite a bit more designer-loyal when it comes to red carpet dressing, and it's easy to understand why. With women, there are so many different options of colour, fabric, fit, style. With the guys, there's less scrutiny on whether you've 'played it safe'or not, it's all about looking smart and sexy. It doesn't even matter if you're dresses the same as the guy next to you. The next four celebs all chose Giorgio Armani for their Golden Globes tailoring... who do you think works the look best? 

Clive Owen

George Clooney

Leonardo DiCaprio

Mark Wahlberg

SHOES - New Year, New Shoes...

The new year is always a good time to think about a fresh start and your wardrobe is no exception. I'll be giving mine a good clear out as soon as I get the chance. So have you got a collection of old shoes that have seen better days? I bet most of us could do with a shoe clear-out. At this time of year you might be thinking about starting a new year health regime, so make sure you've got a good pair of sport shoes to support your feet while you're getting fit. Sports brands seem to be loving orange and black this season.

adidas Performance Absolado 

These adidas Predator boots are designed for great ball control and touch. I love the orange and black combo.

Nike Tiempo Mystic

This pair from Nike use bladed studs but with a more subtle slant than the pair above. They're a minimal style with flat laces that won't affect the touch on the ball.

adidas Court Stabil

If you are planning on taking up indoor sports like badminton or squash, the adidas Court Stabil is worth a try. Sports like these are great for motivation too as you can rope in a partner and you'll have the competitive angle spurring you on. 

Reebok Premier Zig Fly

Taking up running? I'm a little bit obsessed with the orange and black as you can probably tell, but these Reebok shoes are a great styles to try for those looking to pound the pavement this January. You'll definitely stand out with the bright zig-zag sole. 

Post in conjunction with Spartoo, all shoes available at spartoo.co.uk.