*Disclosure: Beckett Simonon provided the Valencia for this post. My opinions are my own.*
There is a counterintuitive rule in menswear, which usually holds true. The less adorned something is, the more formal that piece becomes. Consider the black tuxedo, one of the most formal things a man can wear. Yes, there are tails, white tie, etc., but for the average guy, a tuxedo is the most formal thing he will wear. It’s simple, it’s black, the tie is black, the shoes are black; it’s formal. Next down the meter is the suit. A men’s suit is usually one color or a pattern using one main color as the base for that pattern. After suits, I would suggest a sport coat and trousers are the next pieces of the formality hierarchy, followed by casual wear. As we move down the scale, the variations in colors, patterns, and fabrics all rise. The same rules apply to men’s dress shoes. Captoes are more formal than brogues. Oxfords are more formal than derbies. Basically, the simpler and sleeker the clothes or shoes, the more formal they are. So what’s more formal than a captoe? Well, a shoe without a cap, of course. Allow me to introduce the black wholecut, this one is the Beckett Simonon Valencia.
So what is a wholecut shoe? The most significant characteristic is that it is made from a single piece of leather. They are usually more unique and seen less often because the manufacturing process requires a larger piece of leather with no flaws. Typically this means the best leather is reserved for wholecut shoes. They are also usually regarded as the highest mark of a shoemaker’s craft because of the skill needed to make the shoe while respecting the integrity of the leather. I found it interesting that Beckett Simonon leaves their wholecuts on the last longer than their other shoes to help shape the leather. The Valencia stays on the last for 120 hours instead of 72.
I wanted to experience the full Beckett Simonon process with these shoes, so when asked if I wanted to try a pair of the Valencia wholecuts, I responded by requesting a regular order so I could see what that was like. From the initial email confirming my order to the final shipping notification, the process was smooth and informative. Gavin from Beckett Simonon updated me at every manufacturing step along the way, and even answered my questions promptly when I responded. Before this I had not experienced the full Beckett Simonon process, and after having done so, I’m now more pleased than ever to recommend this brand.
How to Style the Beckett Simonon Valencia Wholecut Shoe
Suit: Suitsupply // Shirt: Brooks Brothers
Tie: Brooks Brothers (similar) // Belt: W. Kleinberg // Socks: Corgi
Shoes: Beckett Simonon
As we move into fall and then winter, we usually find ourselves invited to more formal events. From holiday parties to fall weddings, as well as New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving, the colder months are jam-packed with opportunities to break out some clothes that are a little special. Maybe you have something else important coming up in your life? Do you have an interview coming up that you need to nail? Are you planning on proposing? Do you have a major presentation planned at work? Whatever the case, it might be a good idea the pull out the big guns and give your outfit an extra kick with a wholecut shoe like the Beckett Simonon Valencia.
