JAY BUTLER
SHOES
Selection by James V. Thomas
Photography by Louis Duvinage
Jay Butler is an American based shoe brand that has caught our eye recently. Simple, classic loafers, that compliment any semi-casual look, and have a low cut vamp creating a more elegant foot-line. Justin Jeffers set out on a mission to create the perfect pair of loafers - one that was well made, well styled, and well priced. Why Jay Butler? Justin named his company after his grandfather, Jay Desgrange, and his great grandfather, Frank Butler. Jay Butler is a small company, which permits them to be in direct contact with their happy customers.
A lovely red and white mix featuring the Millbank Bit Loafer (gold bit) in red suede, and wool socks from Falke.
About Justin Jeffers : Justin Jeffers has loved shoes for nearly 20 years. In ninth grade, he fell in love with a pair of Converse Allstars. In college, he discovered the joys of Sperry Topsiders. Studying abroad in London, he hunted special edition Adidas. Corporate job in NYC? Italian bit loafers. He started Fine Young Gentleman, a blog focused on finding quality menswear on a budget, in 2011—then revisited London and hung around the tailors and cordwainers of Savile Row and Jermyn Street (where he eventually snagged a pair of New & Lingwood Butterfly Loafers). Justin founded Jay Butler in 2014. The company’s mission remains the same today as it was then: using his passion for shoes to create the perfect loafer at the perfect price.
Millbank Bit Loafers with gold bit, and Falke silk socks.
The three tenets of Jay Butler, as cited from their website:
Well Made. We make shoes that will last for years and respect the time-honored traditions of fine shoemaking. It all starts with high-quality leather. We use full-grain cow leather for uppers and full leather soles. Our American Alligator hide comes from the U.S., and our supple ostrich comes from South Africa. All our loafers are made largely by hand in the legendary shoemaking town of Leon, Mexico, by local cordwainers trained in traditional moccasin-style construction techniques and Blake and Lock stitching. Generations of shoemaking knowledge goes into every pair of Jay Butler loafers, ensuring they are built to fit just right and last a lifetime.
Well Styled. Good style doesn’t only stand out—it can fit in wherever you are. We build our shoes in the spirit of the traditional American loafer: a shorter vamp that shows more of your foot, a thinner sole that’s flexible yet durable, a subtle heel that’s just the right height. Every pair is elegant enough for the office, sophisticated enough for date night, casual enough for the bar, and durable enough for daily wear. And as for style that fits in anywhere: our color range is truly extraordinary. Whether it’s brown, black, or navy (classic), blue or red (confident), or burgundy or caramel (delectable), you’ll find the perfect loafer color to fit your taste and outfit.
Well Priced. Want proof that a luxury-level loafer doesn’t have to come with a luxury-level price tag? Just try on a pair of ours. Our online-only retail model cuts out the middleman, helping us pass on the savings to you, even while we offer high-quality leathers and traditional hand-sewing techniques just like the big-name brands. Which means you can buy three pairs of ours for the price of one of theirs—and be just as happy with the product.
You may visit Jay Butler's online shop here and have a look for yourself...
CREDITS
Photography by Louis Duvinage, Styling & Photography assistant Rachel Lévêque
Styling & Art Direction by James V. Thomas
Sky Blue
Est. 2019