Classics like the two-piece, two-button suit will never go out of style, and there’s space in every wardrobe for them. These perennially popular staples needn’t remain static though. There’s always space to innovate, and Cole Haan has done exactly that with the familiar brogue shoe to create its new OriginalGrand Ultra Wingtip Oxford. According to David Maddocks, the chief marketing officer and general manager of business development at Cole Haan, the brand was inspired by the lighter weight that one will feel on the moon’s surface, and sought to create a futuristic shoe based on this, for the “boardroom of the future”.
Like the archetypal Oxford dress shoe, the OriginalGrand Ultra Wingtip Oxford features an upper with closed lacing, where the quarter is stitched under the vamp for a cleaner, more understated look. This is balanced by the decorative perforations – known as broguing – that run the entire length of the shoe to qualify it as a full brogue (or wingtip) shoe. To hark back to traditional dress shoe construction methods, it also sports a welt detailing.
The stylistic and functional similarities end here. With this silhouette as inspiration, Cole Haan has set out to iterate on the wingtip with several enhancements, beginning with an EVA midsole and a high volume, dual-density insole. These elements don’t just make every step feel soft and cushioned, but deliver energy return that will put some pep in your step as well. Comfort is further improved by the OriginalGrand Ultra Wingtip Oxford’s lightweight construction. To complement these details, the shoe also has an internal stretchable “bootie” that acts in tandem with the padded tongue and heel to give a sock-like fit that’s more commonly seen in sports shoes.
Two references of the OriginalGrand Ultra Wingtip Oxford are available in Singapore at S$289. Two additional references under the OriginalGrand Lux line, which feature more luxurious materials and a slightly tweaked construction, are also available at S$359. You can get them online or try them on in person at the Cole Haan stores in Suntec City (#01-473) and Paragon (#02-11) once Circuit Breaker measures are lifted. For the latest news on this, follow Cole Haan Singapore on Facebook or Instagram.
