"Astonished at the quality"
Our Benson wholecut has a sleek silhouette and slightly chiselled toe. Perhaps the ultimate dress shoe for shoe lovers, it is formal, subtle and beautiful. Tan pairs perfectly with blue suits and adds warmth and interest to greys and neutrals.
- 'Wholecut' - made from a single piece of leather
- Sleek, elegant and minimalist styling with a slightly chiselled toe
- Oxford closed lacing with premium flat, waxed laces
- Full grain calf leather for softness and longevity
- Hand-dyed tan finish, polished and burnished
- Hard-wearing Blake-stitched leather/rubber sole for added grip
- Full calf leather lining for comfort and to absorb moisture
- Made in Italy by artisan shoemakers
Why choose the tan Benson?
Benson is a sleek formal dress shoe cut from a single piece of leather, which makes it unique and exquisite. It has the traditional closed Oxford lacing and an elegant chiselled toe shape showcasing Italian craftsmanship and attention to detail.
In soft tan, this is an attractive, versatile choice for formal workwear and momentous occasions.
Looks good with...
The Benson wholecut is the ultimate dress shoe and is a perfect accessory for those occasions when style and attitude matter.
Its subtle, simple elegance balances perfectly a sharp suit or evening wear, and its simplicity enables you to really showcase contrasting colours in your outfit. In our classic tan calf leather, this is a timeless shoe and can be worn with smart tailoring both during the day and on into the evening.
Stitched leather sole and stacked leather heel
The sole is stitched onto the upper using a traditional and refined Italian method called Blake stitching. This allows the sole to be easily replaced when it eventually wears but we've used a rubber insert as well, to aid longevity and grip.
There is a 25mm genuine-leather stacked heel, with brass pins and a rubber piece, again for longer wear and better grip. There is also a ‘gentleman’s corner’, a small bevel that reduces snagging of the heel on your trousers. We've even added an embossed Thomas Bird logo in the waist of the sole too, a distinctive feature of our brand.
Materials and craftsmanship
We work with the finest Italian artisan shoemakers who showcase their expertise in cutting, shaping, stitching and dying leathers, skilled crafts that have been handed down through the generations.
With attention to detail being paramount, leathers are carefully selected by weight and pliability and cut to form the pattern to fit the last. Then several stages of dying, polishing and burnishing create the depth and richness of the unique tan colour.
Italian made
Italy is renowned for the quality and style innovation of its beautiful leathers and components used in the shoemaking process.
It has a strong and well-deserved reputation as the home of fine craftsmanship and attention to detail and we want nothing less for our Thomas Bird collection. Read more on our blog about styling .