'Kingsman' gives shoe, suit sales a kick

A scene from "Kingsman" / Courtesy of Lakwatsera Lovers

By Rachel Lee

Korean men are turning to “Oxfords, not brogues” because of the success of British spy adventure “Kingsman”, leading to an increase in sales of formal menswear.

Shoemaker Kumkang said sales of the Oxford style doubled last month, year on year.

The Oxford is a lace-up shoe where the eyelet facings are stitched underneath the vamp, or forepart of the shoe. It is plain on top, whereas brogues have detailing on the cap.

“We have many customers asking for the Kingsman’s ‘Oxfords, not brogues,’ shoes” a company spokesman said. “We are currently taking orders due to a shortage of the products.”

More than 1,900 pairs of Oxfords were sold, making the shoes the best-selling item of the brand, the company said.

In March, online retailer AK Mall had a 64 percent rise in sales of formal attire, year on year. Double-breasted suits, similar to those worn by Colin Firth onscreen, have also sold well, with a 37 percent increase in sales during the same period.

Kingsman’s long umbrella has also become widely popular.

According to Lotte Mart, sales were up 18 percent in the first quarter of the year compared with the same quarter of 2014.

“Thanks to the immense popularity of the film, featured fashion accessories like square-framed glasses and fountain pens are selling very well,” a spokesman said.

Firth and Taron Egerton wear Cutler and Gross tortoiseshell acetate square-framed glasses, inspired by 1960s spy-style eyewear.

The Matthew Vaughn flick is the most successful 18-rated film in Korean history, drawing an audience of 6 million. The director is considering a sequel.