What Are Bluchers and Balmorals?

Types of men's dress shoes. Something I learned this week.

Thanks to Francisco at AskAndy who points us to the Virtual Valet at the Tom James web site. [pic from Tom James]

A Derby is sometimes called a Blucher and has open lacing. [less formal]

An Oxford is sometimes known as a Balmoral and has closed lacing. [more formal]

Oxford shoe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "An Oxford shoe is a style of leather shoe with enclosed lacing. Oxford shoes are traditionally constructed of leather and were historically rather plain. The shoes originally appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals. The design of the shoe is often plain, but may include some small ornamentation or perforations."

Derby shoe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "A Derby shoe (or Blücher in America) is a style of leather shoe with open lacing. The tongue of the shoe is made with the same piece of leather as the vamp, and the facings with the lacing holes meet together over the tongue, and are not stitched to the tongue at the bottom."

More info:
What is a balmoral shoe? ...
Tom James - Virtual Valet
Tom James - What's The Best Shoe?
SF - What is a balmoral shoe? ...
Brogues - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia