The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has this month published guidance for manufacturers on how to interpret the new rules.

Under the revised regulations, there are several requirements placed on manufacturers of clothing, and of other items with a significant percentage of textile content.

Goods such as umbrellas, tents and floor coverings must all be labelled to indicate the fibre content – however, the regulations do not govern mens shoe companies, or manufacturers of womens footwear.

“The textile parts of footwear are no longer within the scope of the EU Regulation,” the BIS guidance states.

“Instead, these are now dealt with by the Footwear (Indication of Composition) Labelling Regulations 1995.”

Those rules, in turn, apply only to some kinds of mens slippers, such as moccasin-style footwear made from two stitched pieces of leather.

Mens slippers with no separate lining, or where the lining and internal sock cover less than 80% of the inner surface area, are still said to be exempt from the regulations by BIS.

Research and Markets has published its Footwear Market Report Plus 2012, which gives special attention to the business that is likely to derive from the London Olympic Games in the UK this year.

With major mens shoe brands among the sponsors for the sporting event, the study predicts significant advertising efforts from those companies during the summer months.

However, all mens shoe companies are predicted to benefit from this, as general purchases of footwear are expected to rise in the run-up to the Olympics.

“The future of the footwear market remains positive, with sales expected to increase sustainably in 2012,” the report claims.

“Between 2012 and 2016, sales are expected to increase year-on-year and by 16.2% (in terms of current prices) overall.”

The news is an indication of the enduring popularity of mens shoes, and footwear in general, which has continued to sell well even during the recent period of economic turbulence

Verdict Research has published its rundown of the UK’s favourite retailers in several sectors, including footwear, clothing and DIY.

The findings indicate that mens shoe brands are not only seen in terms of the basic cost of their products, but that, even in turbulent economic times, quality of service and the quality of mens shoes themselves are also factors.

Verdict Research’s practice leader, Maureen Hinton, says: “Consumers have higher expectations from their preferred retailer and seek a shopping experience that ticks all the boxes.”

At Henry James Shoes, we aim to have one of the best levels of service mens shoe companies can offer, with convenient delivery options and a fair returns policy.

Unlike many other mens shoe companies, we can deliver to the mainland UK and the Isle of Wight on a Saturday, so you don’t have to arrange delivery to your workplace.

As the sunnier seasons arrive, having the right mens shoes is important. You probably want something that feels comfortable when you first slip your foot into it, but which will remain pleasant to wear throughout the day.

Mens boots are still a good option if you want ankle support, and mens Chelsea boots in particular offer great comfort levels thanks to their elasticated side panels.

But if you find mens boots too warm for the summer, there are plenty of alternatives, such as lightweight moccasins, to protect your feet while still letting them ‘breathe’ and cool down.

Moccasins are a popular summer choice for many men, with their own distinctive style that has made them as enduring a design as mens Chelsea boots have proven to be.

Unlike the boots, however, they have much shorter uppers, such that your foot is protected but your ankle is left open to the air.

In this way, even if you are heading out for a long walk in the sun, you should feel more confident of your feet staying cool, so you don’t overheat if a late-spring heat wave hits.

For men, it can be difficult to accessorise, with fewer options traditionally open than are made available to women through jewellery, handbags and even makeup.

Choosing the right mens shoes is a good place to start – footwear is famously the first place many women look when they meet a man for the first time, and a good, smart pair of shoes will always make a good impression.

But you might also want to think about how your shoes fasten – we have mens shoes that buckle, rather than lacing up, in black leather or in black or brown suede.

Team these with mens belts with similar buckles and in corresponding colours, and you’re already partway towards a personal style scheme that is consistent throughout.

Alternatively, our slip-on mens boots can cater for minimalists, with elastic side panels in place of the usual laces.

Mens Chelsea boots have used this approach since their invention, and it makes them easy to get on and off, but still snug while they are on your feet.

And of course, we also offer lace-up mens boots and shoes for traditionalists, many of which can be complemented perfectly by one of our leather belts.

The quarterly Conversation Index from social analysis firm Bazaarvoice, now in its third edition, looks at user reviews left on brands’ websites – and particularly at whether their purchase was made online or in a real-world store.

“Across the board, data shows that in-store shoppers are less satisfied with their purchases than those who buy online,” the analyst notes.

This is particularly evident among the over-55s, who are described as being “much more satisfied” with online orders than with in-store purchases.

Mens shoes can now be bought online with a good level of confidence – gone are the days when you needed to visit a bricks-and-mortar store in order to try on a pair of shoes.

We operate a 28-day returns policy with free postage from UK addresses – you just need to get proof of postage from your local Post Office.

Outside of the UK, we can still accept returns, but only for a refund (not including delivery charges) – if you need to exchange your product for a different pair of our mens shoes you will need to place a new order.

Already, spring 2012 has seen a mini heatwave that set temperature records for March north of the border in Scotland.

The forecast for April is less bright, with a northwesterly wind likely to bring in larger amounts of moisture.

And some people have been particularly surprised to hear forecasts of Easter snow!

Men’s Chelsea boots have stayed popular since their invention in the first half of the 19th century, in part due to their versatility.

With rubber soles and waxy leather uppers, there’s a certain amount of waterproofing that comes naturally to many of our men’s Chelsea boots.

This is enhanced further by the slip-on nature of the boots, with elasticated sides to allow more comfortable access.

As a result, there are no shoelace eyelets and no overlapping tongue where it can be easier for moisture to penetrate into the boot.

If the forecasts are wrong, however, and the sun does shine, natural materials – from the leather outer to the calf lining – still allow the foot to breathe and ensure moisture can escape away from your skin to keep it cool.

While it is clearly preferable to wear footwear that keeps your feet at the right temperature and relaxed while on long journeys, women’s high heels and men’s slippers have the price comparison site concerned.

Gareth Kloet, head of car insurance at Confused.com, says: “Wearing inappropriate footwear could cause the driver to lose control of the car and so we’d recommend keeping a pair of suitable shoes in the car to avoid any crashes.”

The study found one in seven men aged between 25 and 34 are likely to wear slippers to drive – the highest proportion of any age group.

Among women, the same age group was most likely to wear high heels, while 18 to 24-year-olds were the main slipper-wearers.

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort, as many modern men’s shoes can be as padded and cocoon-like as the comfiest of slippers.

Our loafers are available in soft nubuck, can be slipped on easily once you’re in the driving seat, and are a lightweight, ventilated option if your feet often become too warm during summer drives.

Originally designed for comfort and stability while out on the water, there’s no reason why boat shoes can’t deliver those same benefits on solid ground, as many men have found over the years.

And it’s not just men’s shoes that can continue the nautical theme, as our leather belts can add a sense of the naval elite to your outfit.

Henry James Admiral belts are made from high-grade Italian antique leather, with a brass buckle that’s distressed to give it an aged look.

These elegant leather belts are available in black, dark brown and tan, with natural stitching that makes them a stand-out option among our full range of men’s belts.

Alternatively, Henry James Schooner belts are a line of women’s or men’s belts in navy and brown, mainly produced from elasticated fabric, but with leather tips and keepers.

If you prefer the elasticity of fabric, but the appearance of the tips and keepers of leather belts, they are a great best-of-both-worlds solution that is in keeping with the nautical theme.

In the winter months, they help to keep your feet warm – but that is not the only function they serve.

For instance, as spring gets underway and the rainy season sets in, men’s slippers offer a quick and easy way to protect feet against wet floors in hallways and around the front door.

If you have cold tiled floors in your kitchen – or during those middle-of-the-night bathroom visits – slippers again add a layer of protection for your feet.

But it’s not just about your feet, either.

Men’s slippers are both comfortable and durable, keeping your feet cocooned without you having to wear holes in your socks – and without keeping your shoes on while you’re inside.

Our range of men’s slippers includes several backless Snuggle designs, making them even easier to slip on and off as you need them.

With genuine sheepskin, you get the warmth of a natural material, while composite soles give the better grip performance of manmade materials, for the best of both worlds.