The perfect Union: Grenson x Barbour

THE Union Flag was born to symbolise the best Great Britain had to offer, and in the latest joint venture between Scotland and England the world of the working and stylish shoe is something to behold.

The Grenson X Barbour effort which offers a fabulous range of brogue based shoes is a tag team that would put Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks to shame.

With a complete outdoor flavour the Marske tan calf shoe is like a brogue covered 4x4 for your feet, combining a commando sole with a brogue upper in tan and green. The lace up shoe with metal eyelets has a brown leather toe and heel sat against a green quarter.

The calf leather with waxed cotton is a wonderful finish and really should be a stand out product.

But with this new range it is difficult to find a shoe/boot that is stand out, they all are.

Seconds out round two: The Egton green full brogue is a five metal eyelet lace up shoe but without the commando sole, instead it offers a red brick dianite sole with added grip. This is a lovely shoe and as I stated cannot really be compared to the Marske as it has its own particular qualities.

Now for the third and final round the Acklam brown rusti grain boot, which comes with a mixture of grain leather with waxed cotton.

The boot utilizes its colour panelling really well, a subtle combination of browns and the beige sole evoks images of yesteryear and really is something to behold.

With these two companies you always know what you are going to get, and knowing they boast the moniker Made in England proudly is a thing not to be sniffed at.

This range gets my stamp of approval and it won’t take much for them to surely work their way into any sensible man’s wardrobe.

Barbour back with a stylish bang

CLASSIC stylish, simply superb, that’s Barbour jackets and the new Liddesdale and International jackets are no different.

The patchwork Liddesdale is part of the Heritage range is from the basic country collection, slim fit heritage style, the coat sports corduroy collars and pocket trims.

Two front pockets, with a nice slant styling and a button front fastening, along with studded side vents make this normal coat a lovely piece.

The black Union Jack International is a motorcyle coat, with superb Union Jack lining, it has zip and button storm fly front it has stud adjustable collar and sleeves, with the deliious buckle belt fastener on the front as well.

This jacket has remained since its original concept in the 1930s and just one look at it tells you why.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

The jacket has that ‘must have one of those’ feel to it, or 'Something to aim at', as the late British road cyclist Tom Simpson would have said, the International harks back to days of holiday motorcycling posters while adding a modern touch that ensures it will be around for a similar time period.

The Chelsea quilted jacket is in the same line as the Liddesdale, preffering a high buttoned collar to the corduroy touches of the other, is comes a in lovely light grey, with front pocket flaps and a zip pocket above the righthand front pocket.

Slim fit, this is a lovely version on a theme.

Nice