Black Shoes vs. Brown Shoes

The Barker shoe collection of handmade shoes consists of several collections including the Handcrafted, Professional, Creative and Country collections to name a few. Within each Barker collection of men’s and women’s Goodyear-welted shoes that are made in the Barker factory located in Earls Barton, Northampton you’ll discover timeless classics such as the Oxford shoe, full brogue, penny loafer and Chelsea boot. Made from a variety of calf and grain leathers as well as soft suede’s the decision on colour is sometimes the hardest choice to make when choosing an English handmade shoe.

                  

While the variety of materials used to make a Barker shoe upper is extensive the ‘red or black’ decision generally comes down to black versus brown shoes. Both versatile colourways in their own right that are available in every Barker shoe style the classic black Oxford shoe from the Barker Professional collection is a work office shoe staple. Some of the favourite black Barker Oxford shoes include the Arnold and Winsford toe cap Oxfords as well as the polished leather Albert and Alfred Oxford brogue styles.

      

Another Barker Oxford shoe that comes highly recommended due to its British Dainite rubber sole is the Burford, made on the 469 last from premium calf leather.

      

There are several slip-ons styles in black that would easily suit every gentleman's wardrobe from the iconic Caruso men’s loafer to the modern classic Portsmouth, both effortless penny loafers styles that reminiscent of the American Ivy League.

       

Another fantastic slip-on style available in several colourways including black is the Studland tassel loafer made on the 487 last from premium calf leather and suede on a Barker rubber sole. Other key Barker shoe and boot styles in black are the Mansfield Chelsea boot, Charles fine-grain brogue and the Tunstall double monk strap shoe.

      

      

For brown Barker shoes, the options are endless as compared to black there is a variety of shades available in all the men’s leather shoes including the European calf leathers, Country grain leathers and luxurious suede’s. For classic brown leather shoes, the Barker Dark Walnut and Espresso colourways can be worn with various suits but can also be worn casually depending on the occasion. The Malton, Malvern, March, Mansfield and Marcus shoe styles from The professional collection is classic men’s shoes.

      

The Castagnia suede is a great an alternative option to a leather shoe and is available in several Barker styles including the Luke Oxford shoe, Hampstead full brogue, Connor Chukka boot plus the Ledley and Gates loafers.

     

Another colour to consider if you’re exploring the Barker collection is cherry as this offers a reddish hue compared to a traditional brown shoe but is as wearable. Recommended Barker shoes in cherry include the Kelmarsh full brogue, Orkney Chukka boot, Skye Derby shoe and the Javron slip-on loafer. Similar to cherry but in a polished leather is burgundy, an alternative to black in the office the Winsford toe cap Oxford, Rutherford Derby shoe, Newington loafer and Jefferson men’s moccasin come highly recommended.

Explore the Barker collection by colour online.