A Fabulously Fresh HB Collection

Hello!

With the weather outside still in the low temperatures we thought we would brighten up the days with talk of our wonderful spring summer collection from HB.

If you've had experiences with HB before you will know that they focus on classic styles with a contemporary twist without forgetting that all important comfort factor! This spring/summer its all about bright colours, medium to low heels and texture mixtures and HB does not disappoint.

Starting with their beautifully soft classic loafers:

HB 201 £110 the mixture of bright colours adds a fun and playful feel while ensuring this shoe goes with a multitude of outfits.

HB 233 £110 bright colours in the classic "Gucci" offers a summer update on a timeless style. 

HB 353 £110 a mixture of textures adds interest and style to this loafer while remaining neutral and subtle - perfect for the every day. 

HB 5756 £125 brogue detailing, tassels, contrasting textures - a beautiful mixture of the key trends in one shoe. 

Moving on to their ballet pumps:

HB Ribbon £110 the perfect party pump in cool metallic tones (ensuring a multitude of outfit colour options) with contrast statement bow detail to the toe; girly, sophisticated and a conversation starter!

HB M282 £110 a rainbow of colours and textures to make this pump the perfect addition to any outfit for any occasion. The texture detail in the leather add a clever dimension while the colour choices ensure this shoe can be worn for any season; the perfect investment pump. 

Not forgetting the more dressy occasions with their heeled collection:

HB 134 £75 a mixture of beautiful blues in a delicate suede strappy sandal focusing on the woven straps at the front would work wonderfully with a floaty summer dress or full skirt and blouse. 

HB 389 £75 a simple and elegant sling back in suedes with self coloured heel that is the perfect height for all day comfort or all night dancing!

HB 437L £69 simply stunning peeptoe sling back with self coloured heel and suede and patent bow detail to the tow. The colours scream spring/summer and the style lends itself so well to weddings, christenings and all kinds of special occasions. 

And finishing off this stunning collection:

HB 502 £75 a dress sandal with gold trim detail and coloured suede straps across the toe - the block heel adds an almost 1920's feel while the coloured suedes keep it fresh and modern. 

So there we have it, our delightful HB collection we feel sure you will fall in love with!

Gabor California - practical, comfortable, smart.

Hello lovely readers! 

Although it doesn't look or feel like it outside, inside we are preparing for spring summer with an array of bright colours, suedes and (you'll be pleased to hear it) spring booties!

One if our favourites is for this time of year is the Gabor California sporty moccasin - a comfortable classic from Gabor.

These wide fitting sporty moccasins are made with soft leather uppers and feature full leather in-socks. The 1.5cm latex rubber sole unit also offers sturdiness and flexibility to the shoes.

Adorned with an attractive stitching pattern on the tongue, the Gabor California goes with almost anything. 

New this season with laser cut detail perfect for the warmer months and a trend that will stand the test of time...

Have we found the perfect casual loafer? Try for yourself!

Until next time,

Hoads.

Pedro Miralles - Beautifully Crafted Spanish Footwear

Pedro Miralles began as a small family run company in the 1950's gradually expanding to foreign markets from the 70's on-wards. Pedro Miralles remains a family run company to this day; constantly striving to reach new customers all over the world and discover better manufacturing methods to enable them to increase their collections yearly. 

We began stocking Pedro Miralles three years ago and have now created a relationship with the brand and a firm position within our store. Below is our current Autumn Winter 2013 Pedro Miralles fashion collection.

(Please note: Pedro Miralles products tend to come up slightly narrower on the foot.)

Pedro Miralles 5425 - available in navy or berry both key colours this season and both colours that work well with any existing colour palette. 

Built with a crepe effect wedge and contrasting laces to really make the colour stand of the suede pop. 

Great for every day or an evening out - the red looks stunning with grey and the blue simply perfect with jeans and a blouse. 

Mix the berry wedges with a bit of orange to really spice things up or keep it cool and tonal with khaki's and jewel green. 

Wear the navy with your baby pink coat (if you were lucky enough to get your hands on one!) or a traditional style parka for an every day look. 

Pedro Miralles 7181 - a buttery soft leather knee high boot with a full inside zip and chunky heel is a must in all wardrobes. 

Burgundy is the new black due to its versatility and constant autumnal feel - the colour matches so well with everything and the rich deep tone lifts dull wintry spirits. 

If black is your thing or you just need to replace your old faithfuls look no further - the slim fit on this boot adds shape and elegance to every outfit. 

These boots style themselves; simple yet classic - add these to your footwear collection and you won't be sorry! 

Pedro Miralles 7429 - this simple yet classic shoe is the epitome of Pedro Miralles; classic styling, rich colours, beautiful materials with a twist. 

This fantastic take on an every day loafer adds comfort and fun to any wardrobe. 

Tassel and gold eyelet detail hint at the well loved moccasin styling with the bib front, elongated shape and patent block heel make it a high contender in the fashion stakes. 

Looks perfect with just about any outfit. 

Pedro Miralles 7305 - a stunning version of the popular riding boot style with gold buckle embellishment and gold detailing to the heel.

Made with rich, beautifully supple leather uppers and a durable rubber sole unit with Pedro Miralles emblem.

These stylish boots work just as well with daytime dresses, cardigans and scarfs as they do with skinnies and sequined top for the evening. 

The gold detailing brings another element to the boot allowing for a perfect match with statement jewellery or a simple classic watch. 

Comfort, style and glamour all in one riding boot - who would've thought?!  

Here is our metal toe cap story (more about this here). At Hoads we love having a family of shoes that we can merchandise together in-store for maximum impact. 

The Pedro Miralles 7440 ankle boot, navy and black 7426 pumps and 7451 black court shoe once again take classic styling and add a splash of interest here in the case of gold toe cap with Pedro Miralles family shield engraved into it. 

Toe caps are hugely on trend at the moment especially metallic ones - they add interest opulence without becoming garish or looking too overdone.

 Here is just some of our beautiful Pedro Miralles collection, the rest can be viewed in-store or on our website here. 

Have you fallen in love with Pedro like we have? Stay tuned for their Spring/Summer collection (if you can think that far ahead, its too cold to even contemplate toes being on show!). 

Dry Feet = Happy Feet

Now its that time of year again (well actually it happens quite frequently throughout the year!) where the temperatures drop, the wind picks up and the rain/sleet/snow begins to fall. With most of you walking to work or to the station, bus stop or school in this horrible weather its the busiest time in store for wellingtons and waterproof footwear.

We believe dry feet are happy feet so here is our best of the best to keep you and your toes smiling!

(Disclaimer, all of the below information is sourced from the corresponding websites.)

Women's Romika Nadja 35115 £75 

Warm fleece lining with inside zip and lacing up the front for a more comfortable fit, rubber sole unit with plenty of grip and treated with Top Dry Tex making this boot 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable. Also machine washable at 30 degrees!

Women's Romika Spike 54515 £95

The leather uppers of this boot are treated with Top Dry Tex making them 100% waterproof, breathable and windproof. The leather makes this boot extremely hard wearing while the lacing up the front allows for a more tailored and comfortable fit. A wool lining provides extra cushioning underfoot and extra warmth; made with reversible snow spikes making this boot suitable for all wintery occasions. 

Unisex Romika Alaska 01/Yukon 01 £79.99/£89.99

This Romika boot has Top Dry Tex Waterproof, Windproof and breathable uppers, a micro fiber plush warm lining with removable foot bed and a PU direct injected Romika grip sole making it flexible and hardwearing.

Women's Romika Alaska 02 £85

This Romika boot has a Top Dry Tex membrane to guarantee a 100% waterproof boot whilst also being machine washable at 30 degrees. The plush lining provides extra warmth without creating extra moisture. Toggle system at the front allows for a comfortable and tailored fit.

Women's Romika Alaska 118 £69.99

This Romika winter boot is made with a Top Dry Tex membrane which guarantees the boot to be 100% waterproof while also being machine washable at 30 degrees. The plush lining provides extra warmth and the removable footbed allows the boot to breathe when not in use. A front zip and lacing system allows for easy access into the boot and the sole is lightweight and flexible making it easy to wear and carry.

Men's Romika Yukon 02 £89.99

This Romika boot has been treated with Top Dry Tex making it 100% waterproof and breathable. Made with a warm insole and zip on the side for easy access into the boot.

The above boots are suitable for wind, rain, snow and basic every day use. The boots below are your heavy duty, facing freezing temperatures kinda footwear - and David Beckham has a pair...just saying. 

Men's Sorel Caribou £155

The Sorel Caribou boot has nubuck leather uppers and a handcrafted vulcanized rubber shell that are seam-sealed for complete waterproofness and lined with a removable 9mm ThermoPlus™ felt Inner Boot that traps heat next to your foot. Underfoot, a thick rubber midsole insulates the boot from cold ground, while the Sorel AeroTrac™ non-loading outsole provides sure footing. Rated to minus 40 degrees.

Women's Sorel Caribou £125

This Sorel boot has nubuck leather uppers and handcrafted vulcanized rubber shell are seam-sealed for complete waterproofness and lined with a removable 9mm ThermoPlus™ felt Inner Boot that traps heat next to your foot. Underfoot, a thick rubber midsole insulates the boot from cold ground, while the Sorel AeroTrac™ non-loading outsole provides sure footing. Rated to minus 40 degrees.

Women's Sorel Tofino £160

The Sorel Tofino boot has a lightweight quilted upper that is made of waterproof waxed canvas with a durable leather shell topped with a fab faux fur collar. Inside, a Sherpa Pile lining keeps your feet warm and comfortable and a molded rubber outsole for excellent traction.

Women's Sorel Tofino Nylon £160

This Sorel boot has a tough, nylon upper and PU coated leather shell that features a waterproof breathable membrane construction so feet stay dry and comfortable; inside, 100 grams of insulation join forces with a cozy fleece lining to create a cocoon of warmth. Made with a removable, molded EVA footbed and molded rubber outsole.

So there you have it, our warm and waterproof collection for men and women. We might not all look as cool as some in our winter boots, but at least our feet are dry and warm!

Happy shopping! 

Dubarry - Recognised, Respected and Loved Countrywide

Dubarry. 

For those of you that haven't heard of it - where have you been?! (Joking!)

Dubarry is one of the largest current 'lifestyle' brands to hit the market. Established in 1937 in Ireland it began as a co-operative to provide work for the local men and women, taking its name from the famous french courtesan Madame du Barry. 

"Dubarry’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most respected and successful companies was born out of the workforce’s deep-rooted pride and ambition to produce footwear of the very highest quality." www.dubarryboots.com

What started as a small company producing good quality shoes and boots for the local population and drawing on the expertise of the local craftsmen is now a booming lifestyle enterprise offering stylish and practical clothing and footwear for men and women. 

"Inspired by our home on the rugged west coast of Ireland, we have created a range of clothing and accessories that perfectly complement our footwear, so you can be appropriately kitted out from toe to head at the races, in the field, in the mountains, indeed anywhere you want to be dry and stylish." www.dubarryboots.com

Starting with their classic Galway boot and based on the extreme popularity of it here at Hoads we have extended our collection to include the following:

Dubarry Erin £199 - This Dubarry thigh-length quilted coat is 100% polyester with a nylon lining. Made with a PrimaLoft® filler for extra warmth and a removable faux fur collar. Machine washable.

Dubarry Boot Liners £26

Dubarry Longford £335 - The Dubarry Longford is a knee-high boot with stylish double buckle details and a GORE-TEX® 100% waterproof and breathable liner. Made from Dubarry’s water resistant DryFast-DrySoft ™ leathers and featuring a stylish double buckle detail combined with side panel beading. A direct inject bi-compound unit that consists of a PU inner fill with mounded bi-colour rubber outer shell offers underfoot comfort and shock absorbancy. The elasticated heel panel assists foot entry and creates an elegant boot silhouette.

And for the men:

Dubarry Kildare £265 -  The Dubarry Kildare boot is a versatile, calf-height, all-round boot with a Gore-tex lining making them 100% waterproof and breathable. Made with dryfast-drysoft leather uppers and a calf height lycra stretch adjustable leg top for wide entry and easy fit.

Dubarry Wexford £349 - The Dubarry Wexford boot is GORE-TEX® lined making the boot 100% waterproof and breathable and made with DryFast–DrySoft™ breathable leather uppers. A full, heavy duty zip with bellows allow for ease of entry while the button fastener acts to hold the zip in place. Made with a maximum grip outsole and ExtraFit™ width around the foot which helps with foot entry into the boot and increases comfort.

We also offer a selection of Dubarry care products, boot bags, insoles and socks in-store. 

Whether you are walking the dog, training your horse or on a lovely country weekend getaway Dubarry fits into your lifestyle comfortably. 

Have you tried Dubarry yet? What do you think? We love the comfort and simplicity of the styles!

A Gabor Christmas Shoe Story

Every year before Christmas we get our mid season drop of gorgeous glittery occasion shoes perfect for the festive season. Here is our new mini Gabor collection ready for party season!

Gabor 81.283 £79.99 Black Suede

Gabor 81.283 £79.99 Beige Suede (Coming Soon)

The perfect party heel made with this seasons popular toe shape - slightly pointed but not too aggressive with suede and patent detailing adding elegance and glamour to this comfortable shoe. 

Gabor 75.213 £79.99 Black Suede

Patent and suede - a match made in heaven! The bow and patent oval buckle detail create interest without taking away from the rest of the outfit. A classic almond cut toe with medium height stacked heel and Gabor's comfort leather insole.

Gabor 82.629 £89.99 Black Suede and Koala Metallic

This slightly wider fitting pump goes perfectly with smart trousers or a long skirt if you can't face heels again after all that dancing! Made with Gabor's comfort padded leather insole and flexible rubber outer sole, buckle detailing takes this everyday pump into the evening wear genre. Comfort and style- what more could you ask for in a shoe?!

What are your festive season footwear essentials?

SOREL Winter Boots

Last year was our first year stocking SOREL winter boots and it was one of the best decisions we made (not just because it was one of the coldest winters on record!).

"Founded in 1962, SOREL brings the spirit and heritage of expertly crafted boots to the modern world of fashion where they inspire a new generation of doers, builders, and creators."

For those of you that only know SOREL for the photograph of David Beckham and son Brooklyn wearing them in the snow last year here is a brief overview of the company.

SOREL footwear was launched by A.R. Kaufman, whose family business started making boots under various brand names in 1907 in Kitchener Ontario.  Their SOREL boots were the most popular and successful of their collection. The name SOREL was used to invoke images of ruggedness and cold protection as SOREL was a big WWII and post war-time shipbuilder and steel town. In 2000 SOREL became a division of the Columbia Sportswear Company and continues to exist under the same brand name to this day. (sourced from http://www.vieux-sorel.com/sorel-boot-en.php)

"SOREL combines felt, wool, premium leathers, and flawless construction with people who aren’t afraid to get their boots dirty." www.sorelfootwear.co.uk 

Here at Hoads we stock two of their most popular boots Tofino and Caribou in a couple of colours.

The Caribou boot sold as both a men's and women's product has a handcrafted vulcanized rubber shell that is seam-sealed for complete waterproofness. The boots are lined with a removable 9mm ThermoPlus™ felt Inner Boot that traps heat next to your foot - easily washable and helps to keep the boot fresh after wear. Underfoot, a thick rubber midsole insulates the boot from the cold ground, while the Sorel AeroTrac™ non-loading outsole provides extra grip. Now this boot is rated to minus 40 degrees which although we will not experience in the UK (oh please please let us not experience that level of cold!) the assurance that your feet will definitely not feel the cold is undoubtedly there.

Tofino is just a women's product and we stock two designs of it; the quilted upper and the nylon upper.

The Sorel Tofino boot with the quilted upper (style number NL2029 pictured below) is made of waterproof waxed canvas with a durable leather shell topped with a fab faux fur collar. Inside, a Sherpa Pile lining keeps your feet warm and comfortable and a molded rubber outsole allows for excellent traction.

The other Tofino Sorel (style number NL2013 pictured below, left) boot has a tough, nylon upper and PU coated leather shell that features a waterproof breathable membrane construction so feet stay dry and comfortable. Inside, 100 grams of insulation join forces with

a cozy fleece lining to create a cocoon of warmth around your feet. Made with a removable, molded EVA footbed and molded rubber outsole making the boot incredibly comfortable for those snow days with the kids!

Aside from all of the technology these boots are exactly what you look for in a winter boot - hard wearing, comfortable, supportive, warm and waterproof. SOREL boots get a big thumbs up from Hoads, what about you? Will you be wearing them this winter or sticking to your wellingtons?