Clarks Lovers and Haters - What about these Hambleton Oak Brogues??

[polyhymnia]

Must admit to being quite prejudiced against Clarks. (My favourites are Russell and Bromley and L K Bennett) - though I know quite a few people on here like some of their things. The very few times I have actually bought from them for myself since adulthood, it hasn't been a success.

BUT I quite fancy a pair of black patent brogues - sound a bit wintery but perfect for days like this.

And today tried these on and they seemed really quite comfortable:
www.clarks.co.uk/p/20350649

Anyone love/hate/ have direct experience of them, please?

[polyhymnia]

Sorry, title should be Hamble Oak!

[MaggieW]

I've got them in tan and patent and they are fab and so comfortable. Perfect for in between seasons when no longer boot weather but not quite pump or other summery styles. Size is very true to size. Get lots of compliments for them.

[seeker]

My dd had those for her last year in school uniform. She loved them- incredibly comfortable, looked good- and she's still wearing them sometimes. They are still in good nick after a year of daily wear and occasional wear since.

[Windowbasket]

I like them. Like you, I'm looking for something transitional to wear to work. But what do you wear underneath - socks ..? Too cold not to yet! And what sort of trousers do you wear with them?

[Levantine]

I've got them in plain black leather. They are sooo comfy

[duende]

I've got them. They are very comfortable and I'm wearing them lots, with skirts, work dresses and jeans too.

[buttercrumble]

They are beautiful, my daughters both have these. In nude and the two tone black and cream. They have had loads of nice comments about them. We think they are fab.....

[toboldlygo]

I have them in tan, wide fit, and they are superbly comfy. I wear them for work with cropped cords or chinos. I am fussy about shoes, I have large wide feet but these were soft and supportive from day one and have worn well.

[Startail]

That's the problem with black brogues, DD2 and lots of her friends wear the black children's ones as school shoes.

Now the tan ones are tempting as my tan mum boots are getting very scruffy.

[polyhymnia]

Thanks for the comments. Don't want to think how many times older I probably am than your various DDs at school, but don't think that matters - these seem pretty ageless to me and classic in a good way.

Good point on what to wear with. Was intending to wear mainly with jeans. Most of my jeans are skinny but I have a couple of pairs of 'new' (ie tighter fitting but still flaring at bottom) bootcuts. Will I be able to wear them with both styles?

Was thinking of wearing with socks for time being (simple, non-obtrusive, Falke) and then perhaps with just non-visible liners to save rubbing when/if it gets warmer.

Is that OK?

[NinaNannar]

i bougth - looked DIRE - sons laughed at my school shoes

[daimbardiva]

They're brilliant, really comfy. I wear with skinnies, andsocks

[PeteHornberger]

I have these in black patent and I love them - I wear them to death and they are very comfy. I wear them with skinnies (and with Falke socks too!) and with dresses and opaques. I keep looking at the cream patent version for summer, but am wondering if they'll be too hot (possibly too optimistic of our summertime weather...)

[polyhymnia]

Thanks. Sounds like a vote of confidence. Lots of people find them comfortable, most like them, and they're OK to wear with skinnies and socks - unless anyone is going to tell me different ... Hope to get them later in the week.

[Numberlock]

Don't buy them! I got them and now feel so frumpy in them! So hard to find 'everyday' shoes though...

[polyhymnia]

Oh dear, had convinced myself I'd look more stylish than frumpy, as well as being comfortable. May have to test out on family.

[Numberlock]

Sorry but I made those mistakes so you don't have to!

[Startail]

If DD1, taller than me and quite the young woman, had them for school that would be fine, but DD2 is definitely still a girl and she'd tease me for having the same shoes.

(DD1 actually has the softest comfiest Clarks shoes she can get past the no trainer rules)

[JamTrousers]

I've got them in both tan and wine patent. I wear them with skinnies & socks and opaques & dresses. The only thing I find is that I need to wear quite feminine stuff with them, I'd originally thought I'd do the tweed turn-ups and silk blouse thing but it was all a bit masculine . They are extremely comfy...I can't believe that I am of an age where I actually give a shit about that

[4amInsomniac]

Yes, very very comfy!

I wear the tan ones with skinny or slim jeans ( of all denim shades) and with dresses, jumper dresses. Socks at the moment, don't know what I will do in warmer weather.

I am also a significant multiple of school age!

[daimbardiva]

I worried that I'd feel frumpy in them, but for some reason I just don't. Give them a go :)

[Cremolafoam]

Dd has them as skool shoes . Loves em and they have lasted well.

[CambridgeBlue]

I really fancy some of these - I did order some but they were too big and that really added to the clumpy/mannish/school shoe look that I was hoping to avoid. Think I may try again with a smaller size though as they'd be ideal for this time of year.

[Vonnegut]

I have three different pairs of these and I think you only look frumpy in them if the rest of what you're wearing is frumpy.

I don't wear them with jeans, as I somehow can't quite pull that look off. However, I do wear my tan ones with navy and beige casual trousers like these Gap khakis

I wear my black patent pair with sharp, semi-tailored black trousers, or with wide-leg black trousers with a turn-up. For work.

I have a third pair of these (blue suede), which are, so far, unworn. I bought them because I had a discount code, and they are, by far, the comfiest shoes I've ever owned. I may yet buy more.

If I could afford it, I'd buy Church's or Paul Smith's brogues, but these wee Clark's numbers will do for now.

[JamEyelid]

I have them in wine. I like wearing them with dresses. Very comfortable too :)