Foster & Son Paul Newman Oxford Review: A New Take On A Traditional Style

My love for shoes knows no bounds. Dress shoes, sneakers, boots, you name it: if I can put my feet in it, it has piqued my interest.

The downside to this footwear love affair is that my shoe closet is consistently bursting at the seams, so to speak. This is the case even though I do an inventory each season and donate a few pairs that I haven’t worn in over a year. You can’t let too many go, and I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t have some level of emotional attachment to my shoes.

Still, with such a large shoe collection, it becomes increasingly difficult to find something truly unique to add to it. With that in mind, I was delighted to come across Foster & Son’s Paul Newman oxford. Based on a bespoke design created by Paul Newman himself, it’s effectively a modified wholecut.

Yes, I already own quite a few pairs of oxfords, but none that look like this!

My full review is below, but in general, these are gorgeous shoes that are well made, comfortable, and above all, aesthetically unique!

Foster & Sons Paul Newman Oxford Review

Why Is The Shoe Unique? How The Paul Newman Oxford Is Constructed

As I mentioned above, I have plenty of oxfords. Why would I want another one?

The answer is simple: this oxford is different from other oxfords, and in a rather noticeable way:

As we all know, the laces on a shoe typically rest on the foot’s instep. This is not the case with these oxfords, which have their laces set on the outside of the foot. While this is certainly a rare detail, it’s actually more of a historical throwback than the result of a designer’s whim.

We get into this more deeply in our page on the oxford shoe style, but to be brief: the oxford shoe originates in the year 1800 at Oxford University in England. The boot on which the oxford shoe is based, called “The Oxonian”, had side slits. When the oxford was invented as a low-cut alternative, its laces were placed on the side of the shoe to take the place of these slits.

As such, Foster & Son’s Paul Newman is a nod to the past for the stylishly inclined. Bravo!

With regard to construction, the Paul Newman, like many other Foster & Son shoes, utilize a Goodyear welt. You can read more about this method on our shoe construction page, but very quickly: a Goodyear welt is one of the best ways to craft a pair of shoes. It allows the shoe to be resoled repeatedly for years with relative ease, and as such is an excellent investment.

Color & Material

First, the color: this is a truly beautiful shade of brown. I love brown for its superior versatility to black; it can be worn with grey, brown, and blue trousers. Look at these:

If you’re in need of assistance pairing shoes and pants, have a look at our shoe and trouser coordination guide!

The material of the upper is calfskin, specifically museum calf. The beauty of museum calf is that it naturally incorporates highs and lows in the leather color, making for a much richer, more visually interesting appearance than a standard calfskin wherein the color is uni-tone, if we may invent a word.

Comfort & The Look

Though the shoes have a more tapered toe box than I typically prefer, they’re quite comfortable on my 14EEE foot (US Size – These are sold as a 13 UK). The breaking in period was minimal, maybe one or two days. They feel just about as great on my foot as do my custom slippers, also from Foster & Son.

Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars

I’ve been a big fan of Foster & Son shoes for years now. The quality and service has never disappointed, and my experience with these Paul Newman’s is no exception. I very highly recommend this shoe to anyone looking for something unique, well-constructed, and exceptionally handsome.

About the Author: Paul Anthony

Paul Anthony is the founder and creative director at Bespoke Unit. He has had a life long affair with design, watches, fragrance and clothing. Originally from England, he now lives in the USA splitting time between NYC & Philly. Favoring "British Style", but has an overall eclectic taste.