Spectator Shoes (Correspondent, Two-Tone) & How To Wear Them

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00:00 Spectator Shoes Introduction

Spectators are perhaps one of the more distinctive styles of shoe in the world of classic menswear and are often known by other names including Correspondents, or perhaps even "spats". In general terms, a spectator is a style of shoe that is made in two contrasting colors. They can be finished as a derby, oxford, loafer, or a monk strap and they can even feature additional broguing.

03:02 Early History of Spectator Shoes

The history of this shoe is very murky and highly contested. The shoe is often credited to the famous British shoemaker, John Lobb. It is said that Lobb came up with the idea of the spectator shoe in 1868 for use in cricket.

07:23 Spectators in the "Golden Age of Menswear"

09:00 Modern Spectator Shoes

Because of their immense popularity during the 20s and 30s, spectator shoes carry a particularly vintage feel. What’s more, being worn by unscrupulous characters means they’ve gained a reputation as the “gangster” shoe. That being said, the reality is that far more everyday people have owned a pair of spectators. Indeed, when done well, the spectator is a wonderful addition to the wardrobe of any classic clothing enthusiast.

10:22 What To Look For In Quality Spectators

Classic footwear and leather go hand-in-hand which means practically all high-quality spectator shoes will feature leather in some portion of the shoe. It’s entirely possible to find many pairs of spectator shoes fully crafted from leather, just like any other traditional dress shoe. These unique shoes provide an equally unique opportunity to explore different material options for the uppers. Here are some of our top picks: a. Buckskin
b. Canvas
c. Fabric
d. Suede

13:29 Spectator Shoe Colors

Classic colors for spectators include brown & white, black & white, brown & tan, and burgundy & white or tan. However, black and white spectators are commonly associated with gangster costumes. So with this in mind, we’d recommend going for a different color combination for your first pair unless you’re dead set on the black and white style!

15:02 Additional Spectator Details

You may have also noticed that the majority of spectators feature some form of decorative broguing on them like all traditionally casual shoes, spectators can be found as a full, wing-tip brogue, a semi brogue, as well as quarter brogues.

There is also the plain style of the spectator without broguing, however, we’ve found that it’s much easier to incorporate a pair of brogued spectators into a classic wardrobe.

16:15 How To Wear Spectator Shoes

Despite its history as a casual shoe, the spectator is probably going to be viewed as more of a formal shoe nowadays. We believe that spectators are best enjoyed as part of a classically inspired wardrobe and are especially welcome as part of a warm-weather ensemble, in the method of scorpacciata, or “savoring” seasonal dressing.

Spectators pair wonderfully with some summer staples such as linen, seersucker, and cotton. A high-quality pair of spectators should be as sturdy as a pair of any other well-made shoes.

18:40 Outfit Rundown