The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but ask anyone with even a passing interest in style, and they’ll tell you it’s the shoes where you get the real measure of a man.

So, of course, it stands to reason not to want to get off on the wrong foot when building a solid rotation of footwear. But quality shoes can be surprisingly hard to come by. Even more so when you’re aiming to buy a pair without having to remortgage the family home.

This is where New York-based Paul Evans enters the arena. Founded in 2012, the brand is the creation of two former Big Apple investment bankers who saw the need for high-end footwear without the fuss. Equipped with plane tickets and a vision, these menswear mavericks set out in search of the perfect partners to bring their idea to life. After collaborating with factories in six different countries, their journey led them to Italy – a country synonymous with crafting fine footwear.

It’s here, a stone’s throw away from Mount Vesuvius, in the Gulf of Naples, inside a factory of highly accomplished artisans, that Paul Evans shoes are crafted using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. What followed was nothing short of a footwear revolution, which would soon spread to more than 100 countries around the world.

And now you can join them, saving a further $50 (£35) off any pair of its masterful shoes or boots by using the code FASHIONBEANS50 at the checkout.

Why Paul Evans?

From day one, the Paul Evans goal was simple: create superior quality shoes using only the best hand-picked leather, by the skilled hands of the finest shoemakers, and then deliver them direct to door, eliminating the middleman. For the consumer, this unique approach means a more personal experience as well as savings of up to 65 per cent compared with traditional heritage brands selling through retailers.