Colin Aldridge, at his hair salon Whispers in the United Kingdom. (Emma Trimble via SWNS)
By Georgia Cook
A barber stopped wearing shoes over 20 years ago and is always barefoot — even at work.
Colin Aldridge, 69, said goodbye to shoes after a trip to Pakistan and only wears them when “absolutely necessary.”
He has been given pairs of shoes from other people over the years — but never wears them.
Colin is always barefoot at his hair salon Whispers, in Cutteslowe, Oxford.
There are some special occasions where Colin will make an exception to his no-shoe rule — including his daughter’s wedding.
The Buddhist ditched his shoes after visiting Pakistan for a friend’s wedding over two decades ago.
Colin Aldridge, at his hair salon Whispers, in Cutteslowe, Oxford, England. (Emma Trimble via SWNS)
Colin said: “There were so many people with nothing on their feet. They just looked happy and I thought ‘I’ll do it.’
“It is a completely different feel than walking about in shoes. You identify the difference between concrete or grass.
“Other people walk around puddles, I just walk through them. Especially if the kids are there, I like splashing them.
“It is more comfortable and more healthy. Your feet don’t stink like when they are in trainers. It just feels better.”
He wears sneakers on his bike ride to and from work but takes them off as soon as he can.
Colin, who has owned his hair salon for 36 years, said the shoeless life isn’t as dangerous as people expect.
Colin hasn't worn shoes for 20 years, only making exceptions for some special occasions. October 22 2026. // A barber stopped wearing shoes 20 years ago and is always barefoot - even at work. Colin Aldridge, 69, said goodbye to shoes after a trip to Pakistan and only wears them when ''absolutely necessary''. He has been given pairs of shoes from other people over the years - but never wears them. Colin is always barefoot at his hair salon Whispers, in Cutteslowe, Oxford. There are some special occasions where Colin will make an exception to his no shoe rule - including his daughter's wedding. The Buddhist ditched his shoes after visiting Pakistan for a friend's wedding over two decades ago.
He said: “I have had cuts on my feet and I’ve stubbed my toe but you soon learn not to do stuff like that. You tend to be more conscious of what’s on the floor.
“If there’s glass just don’t walk on it.
“Big stones are normally better, the tiny ones get stuck on your foot and you definitely feel it.
“I went to the park with the grandchildren the other day, and the tree had dropped all the conkers so that wasn’t very pleasant but hey-ho.”
Colin has deemed walks over five miles, weddings and funerals occasions for shoes.
He owns one pair of smart shoes and two pairs of sneakers.
The father of four and grandfather of 10 said: “I certainly didn’t buy the shoes and the trainers, people have given them to me. I think they feel sorry for me.
“I would never ever wear flip-flops.
Colin Aldridge, at his hair salon Whispers, in Cutteslowe, Oxford. October 22 2026. // A barber stopped wearing shoes 20 years ago and is always barefoot - even at work. Colin Aldridge, 69, said goodbye to shoes after a trip to Pakistan and only wears them when ''absolutely necessary''. He has been given pairs of shoes from other people over the years - but never wears them. Colin is always barefoot at his hair salon Whispers, in Cutteslowe, Oxford. There are some special occasions where Colin will make an exception to his no shoe rule - including his daughter's wedding. The Buddhist ditched his shoes after visiting Pakistan for a friend's wedding over two decades ago.
“One pair of trainers has holes in them, and they are far more comfortable. I wear the nice ones in the gym because I have to.
“I wore shoes at my daughters wedding a few years ago, but as soon as the speeches were done I took them off.”
Sometimes he will wear shoes to save his wife, Liza, 53, any embarrassment.
He said: “She is very gentle with me. She doesn’t disagree but she and the kids tolerate me, that is probably the correct term.
“I would say the grandchildren don’t notice but they do tell their parents. The younger ones tend to copy me and walk outside with no shoes on, the older ones think it’s stupid.
“If I bought shoes, I would be replacing them about every six months. I would recommend every person do it, even if they don’t do it all the time.”