Bitter chocolate is the darkest suede Barker put on the Ledley, a deep cool-toned brown with none of the redness of a tan or a snuff. Pale contrast stitching runs along the apron seam and across the saddle, the only detail on an otherwise unbroken surface, and it is what stops the dark suede from looking like a slipper. The nap is long enough to shade lighter or darker depending on which way it has last been brushed. It works with grey flannel and charcoal in a way brown suede rarely manages, which makes it the Ledley to buy if you want a loafer that will go with a suit's trousers on a Friday.
Underneath the softness there is a real shoe. The Ledley uses Bologna construction: the upper is stitched into a soft leather sack that wraps the whole foot, with no rigid board between foot and sole, which is why it flexes from the first wear and feels closer to a slipper than to a lasted shoe. It is fully leather lined over a leather insole and sits on a full leather sole with a low stacked heel. Barker's 483 last, G fitting, UK sizes 6 to 12, designed in Northampton.
In grain leather the same loafer becomes a different proposition: see the Ledley in cedar grain.
Care: Brush with a suede brush after wearing, working in one direction so the nap lies evenly. Protect with a suede spray from new. Dark suede shows salt and water marks less than pale suede does but takes longer to recover from a soaking, so let a wet pair dry slowly away from radiators and brush the nap back afterwards.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
Bitter chocolate is the darkest suede Barker put on the Ledley, a deep cool-toned brown with none of the redness of a tan or a snuff. Pale contrast stitching runs along the apron seam and across the saddle, the only detail on an otherwise unbroken surface, and it is what stops the dark suede from looking like a slipper. The nap is long enough to shade lighter or darker depending on which way it has last been brushed. It works with grey flannel and charcoal in a way brown suede rarely manages, which makes it the Ledley to buy if you want a loafer that will go with a suit's trousers on a Friday.
Underneath the softness there is a real shoe. The Ledley uses Bologna construction: the upper is stitched into a soft leather sack that wraps the whole foot, with no rigid board between foot and sole, which is why it flexes from the first wear and feels closer to a slipper than to a lasted shoe. It is fully leather lined over a leather insole and sits on a full leather sole with a low stacked heel. Barker's 483 last, G fitting, UK sizes 6 to 12, designed in Northampton.
In grain leather the same loafer becomes a different proposition: see the Ledley in cedar grain.
Care: Brush with a suede brush after wearing, working in one direction so the nap lies evenly. Protect with a suede spray from new. Dark suede shows salt and water marks less than pale suede does but takes longer to recover from a soaking, so let a wet pair dry slowly away from radiators and brush the nap back afterwards.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
