The British brand Loake launches a new top range, called 1880 Export Grade. It has higher leather quality and more advanced production details that differ it from the previous top line 1880. Shoegazing have looked closer at the shoes.
Loake is one of the largest manufacturers of classic Goodyear-welted quality shoes in the world. Their previous top range Loake 1880 has been very popular, a line with only full-grain leather today priced at about €300, where the price also helped to make them relatively accessible.
Now they launch a completely new top range, 1880 Export Grade, which start selling on November 4 in Loakes own stores in England, and then in late at selected retailers around the world. Since Export Grade will be produced in quite small quantities, it will be a limited number of retailers selling them.
Some of the models in the Export Grade range.
The first reaction you get when you see the shoes from the Export Grade is that they are perceived as clearly neater than the 1880 shoes. Much thanks to the fact that the sole and heel edges are cut considerably tighter, and has a slightly rounded shape. The upper is of a higher standard and feels really nice, also with more depth in the colour. The sole has a slightly bevelled waist that is clearly narrower than the 1880’s, still with an open channel, however. Also in several other minor ways they’ve the shoes have been developed, both regarding the materials in them and details of how they are made.
The last they are made of is a completely new last with an asymmetric, almond shaped toe. Three models are included, all classic oxfords, a plain cap toe, an adelaide and anausterity brogue, which comes in black or some different shades of brown, and in one case burgundy. The shoes will cost around €380. First impression is that you will get quite a lot of shoes for the money, and it’s nice to see that Loake develops itself upwards in the quality segments.
Asymmetric last with an almond shaped toe. reminiscent of Edward Green’s 82 last.
The plain cap toe Hanover in dark brown.
Close-cut sole edge.
Bottom with neater, bevelled waist and decoration along the channel.
From another angle.
A dine detail where the top of the vamp protrudes to protect lower part of the lace opening, instead of an attached leather piece which is the regular solution.
