Crockett and Jones
Few things make my face light up like arriving into the West End of London for a quick city break. It’s not for the sightseeing or the theatre district, no.
For me, it’s about the shops. The specialist stores like the ones that only sell soap and shaving equipment, or the ones that focus purely on shirting, or those that specialise in shoes. My list of places to visit far exceeds my time and my budget, how I would love to just throw caution to the wind and go on an epic shopping spree!
Landing into Heathrow and taking the Express in to Paddington, I either hop in a cab or take the tube into Piccadilly/St. James area. The tube is cheaper but I do love to take a cab. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a London cab from Paddington where the driver hasn’t asked me where I was from, and when I say Dublin, goes on to tell me about some memorable trip he had to the city and how he can’t wait to get back.
Once into St James, I make a beeline for Jermyn Street - and the first stop is always Crockett & Jones. There’s a reason for this which I’ll come back to. Standing outside the window, I catch myself thinking 'I really don’t need another pair of shoes...but let’s go in and take a look. It can’t hurt can it?'
I don’t like the term uniform, but I admire when someone has found their style. To me, that means you've refined your wardrobe to the point where what remains - ironically - is a uniform. But it’s your uniform. One that doesn’t belong to the masses, but to you alone.
My own style feels at home in St. James and the wider West End. The area reflects the kind of clothing I gravitate towards - understated, well-made and timeless. Crockett & Jones and similar brands feature heavily in the wardrobes of men who share this aesthetic.
This is only my opinion and many will disagree, but I believe that simplicity in style speaks volumes. It suggests comfort, quiet confidence, and a refusal to 'shout'. It’s timeless. Blue and white shirts. Trousers in navy, natural or olive tones. Great straight leg denims, broken in over years of wear. Real wool knitwear that holds its shape and character. Nothing flashy. Just solid enduring pieces.
And yes, they often sit at the higher end of the price scale, but when you factor in the 'cost per wear', they hold up beautifully. In fact, sometimes it's the ageing itself that makes these pieces truly special. They wear in, not out. They become more you with time.
Sitting recently with William Jones of Crockett & Jones, in a coffee shop not far from their Jermyn Street store - just before we officially welcomed the brand to the Kempt line up - turned out to be one of the more indulgent cups of coffee I've had in a while. What was to be a brief sit-down turned into a much longer conversation.
William offered me a wonderful insight into a brand that I have long admired. From its beginnings in the late 1800’s as a shoemaker for other brands to the pivotal era of his father’s generation who began steering the company towards the global name it is today - with elegant retail stores in some of the world's major cities - the common thread has always been a focus on quality and craftmanship.
We spoke about the challenges of the Covid years, and the knock-on effects it had - from the disruptions in the supply chain to the rising cost of raw materials. Through it all, what stood out to me was their unwavering commitment to quality. Compromising on that was never an option. The end consumer, William emphasized, is always to the forefront of their mind - not just in product, but in principle.
Yes, Crockett & Jones are at the higher end of the price spectrum. But I can say with first hand experience, once you've worn them, you won't go back.
Favoured by global film and music stars, to royalty (they hold a Royal Warrant from His Majesty the King of England) to politicians, and the old aristocracy of Europe, Crockett & Jones have earned their place as one of the finest shoemakers in the world.
It's a point of real pride to now be associated with them.
So, back to why I always make a beeline for their Jermyn Street shop? It's simple. I always figured that if I come away from a trip with nothing else, leaving with a new pair of Crockett & Jones is still a pretty good haul. Have a great weekend!
We're proud to offer a curated selection of Crockett & Jones shoes - chosen with the Kempt customer in mind.