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A walk on the mild side: Enjoy the quality, feel the detail. Tony Glenville conducts a tour round brogues and finds one of life's sad truths - that the best are wonderful, but cost the most

Tony Glenville
Friday 14 October 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Office pounds 76.99 Country brogue with a well-rounded toe and solid sole for serious walking. Traditionalists would wear these with corduroys or tweeds, but not a formal suit. Sturdy and well priced with no fussy details. Office, 60 Neal Street, London WC2.

Shelleys pounds 39.99 'Co-respondent' brogues for the dapper dresser. Not to be worn in the City. Best kept for your Fred Astaire impressions, or attending Henley Regatta. An indulgence, not an investment. From Shelleys shops nationwide.

Church's pounds 175 The neatly shaped toe and firm, but not too heavy, sole mark this out as a City shoe. This brogue is an investment, and should be cherished, regularly polished, resoled and reheeled. Although expensive, the shoe represents good value for money and will last a lifetime, never going out of style. From Church's, 143 Brompton Road, SW3.

Clarks pounds 39.99 Instead of the traditional leather sole, this brogue has a textured version for comfort and grip, and features slightly heavier punched detail and a reshaped toe. Good value for those who want a highly practical shoe. Available from Clarks nationwide.

Grenson pounds 115 Heavier than a genuine classic brogue, but an interesting variation on the more robust walking shoe. This brogue will still look good when it is old and a little battered. Extremely comfortable. Available from Woodhouse stores nationwide.

Oliver Sweeney pounds 129 Updated interpretation of the brogue with more elaborate punching and smaller lacing. City-style top with a heavier sole. Younger version of a classic that does not tread into trendiness. From Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, SW3; Selfridges, Oxford Street, W1.

(Photograph omitted)

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