Women's lace-up shoes / derbies

Derbies and richelieus - elegant, low-cut city shoes in leather or textile, both with laces - have become classics in men's wardrobes. These two historic models, whose origins date back to the 19th century, have gradually taken on feminine lines, to the point where their contemporary versions are now wardrobe staples.

Derbies and richelieus: what's the difference?

Besson Chaussures joins this trend and offers a wide range of derbies and richelieus specially designed for women:

Often confused with each other - it's true that they are cousins and, according to the most common theories, share the same English origin - the two products nevertheless differ on one important technical point: their lacing system. Legend has it that the derby was born out of a desire to stabilize the authentic richelieu, whose more restrictive cut and fastening mechanism caused discomfort for strong, thick feet.

For derby shoes, we speak of open lacing, an adjustable system consisting of two flexible, free elements attached to the shoe. On the richelieu, recognizable by its V-shaped neckline formed by the ends of its two eyelet-pierced toggles, lacing is called “closed”: it is positioned on parts that are an integral part of the upper (in the jargon, this term designates the top of the shoe, from the toe to the instep).

From dressy to tomboyish

So are you Derbies or Richelieus? It's all a question of taste, sensibility and trends. But the choice you make must also take into account your morphological constraints. Since these two shoes have been aimed at all audiences, girls and boys alike, designers have deployed a wealth of ingenuity to diversify their ranges and offer them in a multiplicity of styles, even daring, in some (admittedly rare) cases, to upset the sensibilities of purists without deconstructing the genre: As a tangible sign of this evolution, there are now derbies with zip fastenings, a perfect and daring counterpoint to the indestructible classic lace-up model! And what can we say about “Monks”, shoes equipped with metallic buckle(s) and pin closure, chic and shocking variants of the wise and historic derby?

Masterpieces of the “tomboy” panoply - a style in which a woman seeks inspiration in men's wardrobes and extracts the most emblematic accessories to give herself the air of a “tomboy” - derbies or richelieus, possibly mounted on wedge soles, pair perfectly with a blazer jacket, pinch pants, a loose shirt and, why not, as a finishing touch, suspenders, a cap or a beret. A far cry from the formal look traditionally associated with dress shoes!

Derbies and richelieus for women at Besson

The wide range of models in the Besson Chaussures collection means you can combine them in any way you like to add a touch of elegance and refinement to your outfits, and create an ensemble in which your lace-up shoes are the perfect counterpoint: brogue style with decorative perforations and wing tip, black or cognac leather derbies in matte or patent finishes, or derbies with chunky soles and high heels (5 or 7 cm).

To make your mark, try gold, scaled, red, taupe or blue leather derbies, crocodile texture on track soles, glitter or Prince of Wales patterns, velvet-touch inserts, leopard ankle collars, red laces...

Between academicism and extravagance, tidy, urban or bohemian styles, the Besson catalog brings together all the latest models: worn barefoot with socks or tights, these city shoes can be worn in any season. Add depth and personality to your look with our selection of women's Derbies and Richelieus at low prices!