Skip to main content

Markhor Is Making Your New Favorite Dress Shoes

Ask the artisans behind Markhor, the Pakistani shoe company changing the men’s shoe game in a big way, about the care and attention to detail that goes into the brand’s shoes. In fact, how about 1,800 years worth of care?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Made in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Okara, the Markhor line of sleek, meticulously crafted footwear uses techniques that are, in some cases, nearly 2,000 years old. Talk about serious craftsmanship, resulting in seriously stylish men’s dress shoes. The brand’s start stems from a meeting had by co-founders Sidra Qasim and Waqas Ali with Okara’s local village council — and thus, the start of a premium footwear brand grounded in centuries-old construction techniques.

Recommended Videos

Starting with high-quality Pakistani leather and ending with finishing touches like an imported Italian leather sole, a simple yet subtly stylish pair of footwear like the Cynosure Wingtip exemplifies the refined design and intensive process put forth by Markhor.

And that attention to detail is even exemplified by the brand’s name, which comes from Pakistan’s national animal, a large species of northern Pakistani wild goat that’s now endangered. Your average footwear brand, Markhor is not. The company’s dedication to animals shines through in its animal welfare policies, a novelty among some fashion companies.

Markhor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Markhor avoids using leather from countries that treat animals poorly, and it doesn’t trade in animal skins. Ultimately, you can be sure you’re buying a beautiful pair of shoes made with every little detail considered.  And that definitely makes Markhor a brand for all kinds of menswear aficionados — even if you normally wear a rugged pair of leather boots.

The Solemn Derby in particular uses extremely fine lines of stitching and no added fussy details — it’s part of the brand’s clean design philosophy, down to the hidden brass eyelets for an even simpler look. And if it’s modern, crisp footwear you seek for both dressy and business casual style situations, look to something like the sleek Lagom Loafer to accent everything from classic dark denim to slim chinos.

And for those who crave a bit more sprezzatura in their style, the Mark Loafer, with its tan leather and subtle green accents, is unique enough to pass the spring and summer eye test. That it too, is made with responsible attention to detail is enough to make you want to buy a pair — and then perhaps a few more to round out your dress shoe rotation.

Beau Hayhoe
Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…
Topics
Tiffany & Co. revives legendary Atlas watch collection
Tiffany & Co. has officially relaunched its iconic Atlas® watches
the Atlas watches feature graphic Roman numerals and streamlined silhouettes

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Tiffany & Co. has resuscitated its storied Atlas collection, reimagining the legendary Roman numeral motif for today's discerning watch collectors. Released originally in the 1990s and inspired by the iconic Atlas clock at Tiffany's Fifth Avenue flagship, these timepieces bring together timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication.

Precision craftsmanship, unmistakable style

Read more
Adidas Originals dominates Paris Fashion Week with bold style
Adidas Originals takes over Paris Fashion Week
person tying adidas shoes

With just under a year left until the FIFA World Cup lands in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, it’s no wonder that every brand has football fever. Brands like Nike and New Balance have launched their football iterations, which will gradually build excitement over the next year. However, football isn’t only coming to our wardrobes, it’s officially landed on the runway. Last month, Adidas Originals took their football inspiration to the next level via a series of collaborations with multiple fashion designers during Paris Fashion Week. While it seems like football-inspired looks, also known as “blokecore”, is here to stay, no one has established this trend more than Adidas. With new iterations of their various football-inspired footwear, Paris Fashion Week becomes the center of Adidas Originals’ football world, and their multiple collaborations are only a piece of what to expect over the next year from the brand.

Adidas brings football to the runway at Paris Fashion Week

Read more
The art of timeless design: Why Urban Jürgensen is one to watch
How Urban Jürgensen redefined haute horlogerie with its remarkable comeback
Urban Jurgensen has returned to the forefront of horology

The revival of historic watchmaker brand Urban Jürgensen has been a marvel to witness as it once teetered on the brink of obscurity. Today, UJ has re-emerged as a benchmark in the industry, working under the direction of a visionary new leader. Founded in 1773, the brand faced the possibility of extinction in the late 20th century before being revitalized by a group of watchmaking purists. Currently, Urban Jürgensen is getting rave reviews for blending centuries of craftsmanship with modern innovation — proving that true luxury is timeless.

Tradition meets state-of-the-art innovation

Read more