Win it: The Herring Ellacombe Swan-Neck Oxford in Burgundy

Herring Shoes “Ellacombe” – $272 w/DAP10 ($302)

*NOTE: These ship from the U.K. and you’re on the hook for returns. If you go for an exchange, they’ll pick up the outbound shipping on the replacement pair. Also, “TWEET10” was working this morning (11/3) for 10% off, but apparently that’s expiring soon. The folks at Herring passed along the code “DAP10” which should do the sam

The Herring Ellacombe is a statement shoe. The streamlined silhouette, whole-cut front, and swan-neck seam give these shoes the appearance of a luxury sports car. This is a shoe that demands confidence. They’re fast, forward, and a little bit dangerous. That impression of luxury also applies to the Ellacombe’s construction and quality. Extraordinary. Exceptional. The Ellacombe’s fit and finish are damn near flawless.

Hyperbole? Nope. Accuracy. This pair of shoes deserves it.

Now, the Ellacombe design will not be to everyone’s taste. They resemble a wholecut oxford with a single double-stitched swan-neck joint at the vamp. A traditional heart-shaped design is punched into the toe. The two-tone full-leather sole is Goodyear Welted. The last is sleek and remarkably comfortable, not too narrow in the toe box despite the elongated toe. I’d recommend that readers in the U.S. size down a full size. I wear an 11D in most American dress shoes, and a 10F in the Ellacombe.

The leather is a gorgeous blend of dark burgundy and brown. The dying is not completely uniform; a close inspection reveals marbling of rich, dark tones that gives the shoes true character. The leather is surprisingly soft and flexible. There isn’t a hint of stiffness, and as a result they’re comfortable and flexible right out of the box. These will not require a lengthy break-in. However, they will require a bit more maintenance than shoes made of heftier, thicker leather.

The craftsmanship of the Herring Ellacombe is remarkable. They’re made in the U.K., and the sole stitching, joint stitching, and punched holes are all flawless, or near enough that I was unable to spot any flaws. And I checked. The heart shape on the toe is perfectly centered on each shoe. The overall quality is at least a full step above the similarly-priced Allen Edmonds and Loake shoes that I own.

Herring Shoes’ Ellacombe shoes may not be appropriate in a conservative business environment, but they are definitely suit-worthy. The burgundy pairs beautifully with dark navy, charcoal, light grey, and even khaki. These are perfect for special events. They may just be a daredevil’s dream wedding shoe.

Enter here to wina pair of the Herring Ellacombe oxfords in your size. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET 11/4/14. Thanks to Herring for providing the Ellacombe for giveaway. Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to Hoang D. who won the drawing for a pair of Burgundy Ellacombe oxfords from Herring. Thanks again to Herring for providing the shoes for giveaway.

About the author: Chris (aka Bruschetta) is an America-born university researcher and teacher based in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as a moderator on Threads. His sense of style is inspired by a childhood dressed in Ivy league trad, and the fact that he is enormously well bred.