Cool Hunting

After 140 years faithfully hand-making British footwear, it's no small task to keep things fresh. But Grenson has managed to stay relevant while sticking to their core principles and standards of quality. Recently, they participated in a few exciting collaborations, most notably with Rag & Bone and New York boutique Odin. And last year, they made a long-awaited transatlantic journey to store shelves in the U.S.

Their current collection shows all the hallmarks of the brand. Designer and creative director Tim Little took a swath of classic British standards and added subtle embellishments to keep things interesting. Hand-stitched from calf leather, each shoe is individually burnished for color and "Goodyear welted." (This and other technical shoe expressions can be disambiguated with Grenson's handy Jargon Buster.)

The George (pictured at top right) is Grenson's take on the brogue. Made on a single sole with unburnished leather, it has the heft and detailing to compliment both a suit or a pair of jeans. The collection of Oscar desert boots come in an array of muted pastels. Built on a crepe sole, its minimal stitching and unpretentious construction ensure a comfortable and efficient shoe for years to come.

Check the Grenson site for the full collection and stockists. The line is currently available in U.K. and American stores.