 Before filming began on the series Alec Guinness (qv) asked John  Le Carré to introduce him to a real spy. Le Carré introduced him to  Sir Maurice Oldfield. During their meal Guinness studied Sir Maurice  intently; including noticing his loud orange tanned shoes. In the  series, if you look carefully, during the first episodes interview  with Ricki Tarr, youll see that Alec is wearing "loud" orange  shoes.