Due to the casualization of clothing and changes in work styles, leather shoes have expanded their role significantly, from being "business gear worn every day" to something chosen according to the time, place, occasion, and outfit.
Shoes that offer a more polished look than sneakers, fashion items that elevate casual weekend outfits, and products that can be repaired and enjoyed for a long time—with the reasons for choosing leather shoes becoming increasingly diverse, specialty stores are now required to offer solutions that meet the real needs of each individual customer.

How does Trading Post, a company that has handled excellent men's shoes from both Japan and abroad for many years, perceive these changes and reflect them in the creation of its original shoes?
The assistant buyer for men's shoes at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , the product manager at the trading post responsible for product development, and the sales floor staff who interact with customers on a daily basis all shared their thoughts.

Apology and Correction Regarding the Sale of "TP2026"

*Updated on Tuesday, September 15th

Three people who understand the current needs for leather shoes hold a discussion.

This article delves deeper into the interview featured in the latest issue of "THE GENTLEMEN CLOTHING & ACCESSORY AUTUMN & WINTER 2026," including episodes that couldn't fit into the magazine.

The role of leather shoes has expanded precisely because sneakers have become so popular.

While Ikeuchi sneakers have become a staple in everyday life, there's also a growing trend of people choosing and wearing leather shoes again. Their role is expanding beyond business to include adding a touch of sophistication to an outfit and enjoying them as a fashion statement.

We're seeing this trend at the Sekimoto store as well. There's been a resurgence of interest in neat and classic styles, and more people are looking for footwear other than sneakers. Some have even said that they've needed leather shoes again now that they're going back to the office.

Ikeuchi : Since you no longer wear the same shoes every day, has that made you more conscious of choosing them according to the occasion?


Sekimoto: That's right. Some people wear sneakers to work, but on days when they're dining at a restaurant or meeting someone important, they wear leather shoes. It seems like they're choosing their footwear not just as a matter of etiquette, but as a way to express themselves and say, "Today, I want to make sure my feet look presentable."

Murai: I see similar changes when I look at overseas markets. Since the pandemic, opportunities to wear suits and leather shoes five days a week have decreased. On the other hand, brands are focusing on developing casual leather shoes that are different from sneakers, such as loafers and U-tip shoes.

It seems like there might be a slight shift back after being completely focused on Ikeuchi sneakers.


Murai: Especially for young people, sneakers are something they've been wearing since childhood and are very familiar with. That's why leather shoes feel fresh and new, and more and more people are incorporating them into their weekend fashion. Leather shoes that go well with today's wide pants, such as loafers and U-tip shoes, are being chosen.

Sekimoto: Lately, we've been getting more inquiries about repairs from younger customers. Leather shoes can develop character through wear and change their appearance through polishing. If the fit is right, some people say they're "more comfortable than sneakers."

Ikeuchi leather shoes are expanding their role beyond being merely an accessory to business suits; they are shoes that enhance one's appearance, shoes that allow one to enjoy fashion, and shoes that one can wear for a long time.

Ikeuchi: In response to these changes, you've developed a wide range of original brand shoes. In this issue, we've categorized them into three styles: "Formal Style," "Fashionable Style," and "Functional Style."

Murai: All the shoes we're introducing today are produced in Japanese factories. We've been handling imported shoes for many years, and we've had the experience of seeing many excellent shoes. We also take into account customer feedback and plan everything from the shoe last and materials to the occasions in which the shoes will be worn.

"Formal Style"
"A high-quality dress line crafted by master artisans" - Mr. Murai

Ikeuchi : One example is the "Prestige Line," a high-quality dress line that can be worn even in formal settings.

Murai's goal was to achieve a quality that rivals imported shoes. He focused on high-quality leather, design, and overall balance, incorporating design elements found in bespoke shoes.

Ikeuchi : For example, what are the features of "TP1984"?


The Murai "TP1984" is a representative model of the original, named after the founding year of Trading Post. It employs a hybrid construction method, with a Goodyear welt in the forefoot and a McKay stitch in the tapered waist. It also incorporates bespoke design elements such as a fiddleback and seamless back, pursuing a three-dimensional and elegant appearance.

Even without knowing the detailed specifications, the high quality is immediately apparent.

Even at the Sekimoto store, some customers feel that "there's something different about these shoes" the moment they pick them up. Even without knowing the detailed specifications, the quality of the leather, the tapered waist, and the three-dimensional feel of the sole must be conveyed as a kind of "aura."


"2503": 89,100 yen

---

This model combines the elegant design of a wingtip with the lazy man style featuring side elastic. While maintaining the refined look of a lace-up shoe, it offers the ease of slipping on and off without having to retie the laces. It's a practical shoe that looks great in formal settings and is well-suited to the Japanese lifestyle.

"TP1984": 129,800 yen

---

Named after the brand's founding year, this is a flagship model from the prestige line. It employs a hybrid construction method, combining a robust Goodyear welt in the forefoot with a McKay stitch in the tapered waist. Bespoke design elements such as the fiddleback and seamless back create a three-dimensional and elegant appearance.

"TP2026": 129,800 yen

---

This flagship original shoe was introduced as the 2026 year model. The upper is crafted from a single piece of luxurious leather, and the cap toe is achieved not through stitching, but through perforations. This model embodies a refined straight-tip design, showcasing craftsmanship and a sense of tension that transcends the boundaries of ready-made shoes.

Fashionable Style
"The appeal lies in its perfect casual feel, making it easy to wear even on holidays." — Ikeuchi

Ikeuchi Ippo says that "2315" and "260112," which he classified as "Fashionable Style," have an atmosphere that makes them easy to incorporate into your weekend wardrobe.

Murai: In this category, we use past models and Trading Post archives as design sources. However, we don't simply reproduce old shoes as they are. The lasts from that time were wide and had high insteps, which may not fit modern foot shapes and styles, so we adjust the heel area, instep height, and toe balance.

Ikeuchi : The overall balance of the look is also different from the Prestige line.


To achieve an elegant look, Murai didn't completely eliminate the overhang of the welt, but instead left a moderate amount of volume and gave the toe a rounded shape. The balance of the short nose, the look of the stitching, and the vintage-style rubber sole all contribute to an overall look that isn't overly formal.

I think these shoes are easy to incorporate into your wardrobe, even for those unfamiliar with Sekimoto leather shoes. They look neat without being overly business-like. They're easy to pair not only with jacket styles but also with wide-leg pants or jeans on weekends.

These Ikeuchi leather shoes can also be enjoyed as a fashion item that elevates your casual weekend style.

Murai: That's right. However, if we focus too much on fashion, a few years later the shoes will just look like "shoes that were popular at the time." We follow classic designs, but we gradually update things like the length of the toe, the protrusion of the welt, and the choice of sole. We value finding that right balance.




"260112" 75,900 yen

---

These loafers feature a design reminiscent of vintage shoes and a distinctive protruding welt. The outsole uses "Doctor Sole," which offers excellent grip and durability. They are easy to pair with casual outfits such as denim, as well as business casual suits.

"2315" 89,100 yen

---

The rounded toe and just the right amount of volume create a French-inspired look with these U-tip shoes. They are refined yet not overly formal, making them versatile enough to be worn with everything from business attire to wide-leg trousers on weekends. Their soft appearance makes them easy to incorporate into your wardrobe, even for those unfamiliar with leather shoes.

"RS-1" 97,900 yen

---

These plain-toe officer shoes, originally designed for military use, are a modern reinterpretation. The voluminous round toe adds a touch of ruggedness, while the three-dimensional last ensures a comfortable fit from the instep to the heel. Featuring the highly grippy and durable "Doctor Sole," these shoes are suitable for a wide range of styles, from formal to casual.

"260101" 69,300 yen

---

These straight-tip shoes are a modern reinterpretation of the classic short-nosed style that Trading Post offered when it was first founded. They possess the timeless elegance of a classic dress shoe, yet have a charmingly nostalgic look. They can be worn with formal and business attire, as well as American traditional and American casual styles without looking out of place.

"Functional Style"
"Its key features are its high level of practicality and ability to meet real needs," says Mr. Sekimoto.

Ikeuchi: Furthermore, there are plenty of models that prioritize functionality, such as the "T601" and "T701" which are classified as "Functional Style."

Murai: These shoes were created in response to our customers' requests for "comfortable shoes." While maintaining a neat appearance, we've used water-resistant leather and suede, and paid attention to comfort. The "T601" uses water-resistant domestic leather and a Dainite sole, and we've also focused on creating a last that fits Japanese feet.

Sekimoto : Comfort and weather resistance are now essential factors when choosing leather shoes.


Murai's "T701" is a loafer designed for ultimate comfort and softness. It uses water-resistant suede, a lightweight sole, and an unlined construction, making it feel almost like wearing sneakers.

Ikeuchi offers a high-end dress line, fashionable models, and highly functional models. It seems that the expertise cultivated as a specialty store is being utilized to meet the diverse needs of each group.

Murai: "In our 'Prestige Line,' we pursue quality, and in our fashionable models, we propose new forms of expression. In our high-performance models, we respond to customer feedback. We change our approach to manufacturing according to the role of each product."


"T701" 49,500 yen

---

These loafers, made with water-resistant suede, offer an incredibly comfortable and soft feel, unlike typical leather shoes. They feature a lightweight extra-light sole, an unlined construction for added comfort, and a high-performance sponge (also used in sports brands) beneath the insole. This practical model maintains a polished look while offering the comfort of sneakers.

"T601" 77,000 yen

---

This model combines domestically produced leather, which is inherently water-resistant, with a Dainite sole that provides stability even in rainy weather. The shoe last is based on Japanese foot shape data, ensuring a comfortable fit from the heel to the arch. The Goodyear welt construction means it can be worn for a long time with repeated repairs.

Updating an unchanging prototype to suit the times.

Ikeuchi: These are three different styles of thinking, but are there any commonalities between them?

Murai: My focus is on creating shoes that are well-balanced for the feet and body types of Japanese people, and that can be worn for a long time. The basics of classic shoes remain the same, but the length of the toe and the volume of the sole change with the times. While preserving the original form, I am evolving it into a shape that suits today.

If we were to compare Sekimoto sneakers to the "popular songs" of the time, then leather shoes are like "standard numbers" that are listened to for a long time. You can enjoy them for years to come, along with the atmosphere and memories of when you bought them.

Murai leather shoes can be broken in, polished, and repaired to become truly your own. Once, a son brought in a pair of Trading Post shoes, about 20 years old, that he found among his father's belongings, saying he wanted to wear them as a memento. Leather shoes can sometimes be passed down through generations.

Now that the demands placed on Ikeuchi leather shoes have become more diversified, Trading Post can provide clear answers to each of these needs. That seems to be Trading Post's strength.

Murai: While preserving classic craftsmanship, we want to evolve to match the fashion and lifestyles of the times. In the future, we want to expand our range of offerings to include not only leather shoes, but also sneakers and sandals as a footwear brand.

"THE GENTLEMEN CLOTHING & ACCESSORY AUTUMN & WINTER 2026" has been published!

Text: ISETAN MEN'S net