Founded in 1958 by George Cleverley, the firm remains family-run by his star pupil George Glasgow Sr. (current
Chairman) and Glasgow's son, George Glasgow Jr. (CEO & Creative Director), preserving the brand’s heritage. It
is a tall order extending the legacy of a company whose past patrons include Sir Winston Churchill, Humphrey Bogart
and Baron de Redé. They remain firmly part of Cleverley’s identity, and so do their
existing names of that ilk, but it is a testament to father and son that they have sympathetically and successfully
evolved the business to appeal to a wider and younger audience. Part of the reason for this is applying their
bespoke credentials to ready-to-wear styles. TheRake.com has had the pleasure of stocking a number of these models
for a few years now, but as ever with Cleverley they continue to adapt their offering with more contemporary styles
to suit today’s tastes, whilst producing new iterations of classic Cleverley models.
Not just admired by the equine turf's smart set, the horsebit loafer conforms to any age group, demographic or dress
code. Expertly made in dark brown or a smooth black calf leather, Cleverley’s Colony loafer is detailed with the
iconic hardware in burnished-gold. They’re uniformly adept at being the focal point with jeans in a casual setting
or with more formal attire, at an event such as ‘Glorious Goodwood’.
Cleverley has several shoes named after stylish clients. One is the Adrian loafer, made for the acerbic and elegant
journalist AA Gill. A classic loafer with braided interlacing, the Adrian features leather linings and
Goodyear®-welted soles. American college chaps often wore tassel loafers with loungewear in and around their dorms,
but such is their versatility, that the Adrian model in both brown suede and black calf can be worn with suits in
the financial districts, or in more casual environments.
One of George Cleverley’s core styles and a particular favourite of George Glasgow Jr’s., is the unlined George penny
loafer. Mr Cleverley used to describe the distinctive toe shape of his shoes as “suspiciously square”, and the
George in either a black or brown/burgundy calf leather is a fine example.
As recently as February 2020, City gents were consumed with the commute into Bank station. They donned their trusty
Oxfords and by the time they got home at 9pm, that was predominantly all the footwear they needed. As the big banks
summon back their staff, it appears to begin with, that it will be done so on a rota. On the days City high-flyers
remain at home, it is quite feasible they take their kids to nursery, walk the dog and do the grocery shopping in
work intervals. Good on the individual who does all three, however, it will require the addition of more adaptable
and casual shoe styles. Enter the chukka boot - one of the best-selling shoe designs of all-time, whose appeal to
such a cross-section of menswear enthusiasts must be unrivalled. There’s plenty on the market, but Cleverley’s
Nathan style, would be a shrewd investment. It is very rare you get the chance to purchase a chukka boot where
highly regarded craftsman have applied bespoke techniques to its construction, whilst being at a very attainable
price point. Elsewhere, made from the finest scotch grain calf leather with Dainite rubber soles, their classic full
brogue Henry model is robust yet smart enough for most environments. Their Archie derby shoe has similar virtues, in
that its studded Dainite rubber soles enable you to wear the shoes in rougher terrain. It has a plain yet neat front
which makes them suitable for smart-casual events, also.
Whether it be the Far East, Britain or Hollywood, the latter two of which George Glasgow Jr. divides his time, George
Cleverley are arguably the most well-renowned bespoke shoemaker doing business in all three places. Despite having
such an influence in the environs of bespoke, father and son have masterfully used this prestige - to accommodate an
ever-expanding legion of followers that are seeking ready-to-wear shoes, that imbue elements of bespoke. Shoes of
this nature are usually overlooked on price, but George Cleverley continue to buck the trend, by adopting a price
position that is extremely accessible.
