Britain has a long tradition in shoemaking, and there is a particularly proud heritage in the town of Northampton – its central location and abundance of tanneries made it the most popular choice for shoe companies from the 19th century.
British-made shoes still have a reputation as being some of the best quality available worldwide, with several heritage shoe brands using the same production techniques as they did hundreds of years ago.
In modern times, many British shoe brands have outsourced at least part of their manufacturing process to countries like India. However, there are a few shoe companies that still produce shoes that are 100% British-made.
Church’s
Church’s was founded in 1873 and is known for its Goodyear welted construction. The company still produces shoes out of its Northampton factory.
Church’s was acquired by the Prada group in 1999 and now has boutiques in London, Milan, Paris, Rome, New York, and other locations all over the world.
Church’s produces both men’s and women’s shoes, with styles including Oxfords, Derbys, brogues, loafers, boots, heels, sneakers, sandals, and more.
As well as classic designs and colours, Church’s also offers collections in bold colour palettes and collaborations with designers such as the recent collection of avant-garde women’s designs by Japanese fashion house Noir Kei Ninomiya.
Church-footwear.com
Edward Green
Edward Green Shoemakers was established in Northampton in 1890 and the brand earned a reputation of producing high-quality handcrafted shoes from fine French and Italian leathers. The company’s hand-finishing process gives Edward Green shoes a distinctive antiqued patina.
Edward Green’s classic shoe collection includes loafers, boots, Derbys, Oxfords, and other formal shoe styles. Additionally, there is a range of belts, wallets, and cardholders made from the same leathers as the shoes
The company also offers a custom-made service for belts and shoes. Customers can choose their own style, patterns, leathers, and details in order to create a completely custom and unique design.
Edwardgreen.com
Crockett & Jones
Crockett & Jones is still owned and managed by the same family that founded the company in Northampton in 1879.
The brand manufactured boots for the British Army in World War I and was also the shoe of choice worn by James Bond in the movies Skyfall and Spectre.
Crockett & Jones launched a women’s collection in 2015, which includes Oxfords, loafers, Derbys, boots, monk straps, and velvet slippers. The men’s collection includes all these styles, plus their own iconic designs and driving shoes.
Crockettandjones.com
Tricker’s
Tricker’s holds the title of the longest established shoemaker in England, founding their brand in 1829.
It is perhaps best known for waterproof country boots, which have remained largely unchanged from the original 1926 design.
Tricker’s also makes collections of sturdy country shoes, stylish town shoes, lightweight weekend shoes with a flexible sole, and house slippers.
The women’s collection includes feminine versions of the country shoes and boots that the company first created in 1840.
Trickers.com
John Lobb
John Lobb was founded in London in 1866 and expanded to Paris three years later. The company was acquired by Hermès in 1976 and has since opened stores all over the world.
John Lobb’s Northampton workshop was opened in 1994, where its ready-to-wear line is still designed and produced to the present day using a 190-step process.
The John Lobb collection includes both men’s and women’s styles, with casual sneakers as well as classic formal shoes. There’s also a line of belts wallets, and cardholders, as well as a custom design service, which allows customers to create their own shoes from hundreds of styles, suedes, and leathers including exotic skins such as crocodile and lizard.
Johnlobb.com
