“Boring”: when it comes to describing business-appropriate footwear, no matter what the price or brand, that tends to be the usual adjective. Still, it hasn’t stopped designers from trying to add individuality to their offerings.

Take the bespoke shoemaker Berluti, which offers customers the chance to ink a “tattoo” of their choice on their leather shoe. Now John Lobb, the Hermès-owned cobbler, has launched a “Spirits of Capitals” line (from $6,000), intended to reflect 11 of the world’s greatest cities.

The range features two styles of shoe for each city (think “around the world in 22 shoes”). It has a heavy emphasis on Europe and Asia (where Lobb’s retail presence is greatest) and goes light on Australia, India and South America (so much for the Brics). Which shoe will be the most popular? We take one style per city and assess the appropriateness of its design.