I’ve recently come to the conclusion that daydreaming is escapism in its purest form.

During an agenda-stacked day, given the chance, my mind will “occasionally” wander. Sometimes it’s sport-related, but mostly it’s to travel – often abroad – somewhere hot with rich greenery and enchanting blues. Somewhere that I can be… stylish.

The popularity of work-from-home, coupled with the release from structured workplace formalities, means that opportunities to dress just that bit smarter have become rare. When on holiday, however, each day presents an opportunity to get full use from that neglected wardrobe. When the weather is hot, particularly while you’re away, nothing says sophisticated elegance more than the loafer. Well, not just any loafer – it must be one of great style, a genuinely good fit and ideally very well made. With its latest Riviera Collection, Crockett & Jones have given you the perfect chance to make great strides in that direction.

Comprising three new styles – Cannes, Antibes and Nice – the loafers are without doubt elegant summer footwear. Constructed with luxurious calf suede leather uppers and Goodyear welted Superflex soles, they combine modern materials with the craftsmanship of yesteryear, in a series of handmade shoes that are as breathable as they are comfortable. Be it the tasselled Antibes loafer, the minimal, clean-lined Cannes or the calf suede-banded Nice, each shoe has character befitting its name. And let’s be clear: not all loafers are made equal.

Among the swathe of “replicas” and visually similar options, a comfortable, well-made shoe is hard to find. Supreme quality, however, is something for which the Northampton-based Crockett & Jones – holders of the Royal Warrant – are very well renowned. While traditionally made loafers can be robust and unwavering, the Riviera Collection is made with a sunnier climate in mind, purposefully unstructured in their design, comfortably protecting from terrain and heat while holding fast to their elegant silhouettes. This collection also heralds the arrival of a new 393 last in addition to a super-flexible, lightweight rubber sole, both giving comfort and traction.

There is a choice between suede or soft-grain leather in each style, making the sartorial range of the shoe a holidaymaker’s dream (or daydream, for that matter). The aesthetically versatile Cannes loafer is visually impactful paired with a turned-up stonewash jean, a military-cut French navy chino, or wide-legged white linen trouser – ideal for sauntering across the pebbled beaches of Nice as the Mediterranean sun begins its slow descent.

So, whether I’m working in the office or treading the cobbled streets of Monte Carlo, if I slip on any loafer in the Riviera Collection, I know that they will lend weight to my sartorial argument. There is also the added comfort of knowing that when I eventually do wake from my customary at-desk daydream, at least one item won’t have been a figment of my imagination.

crockettandjones.com