How many of you are into shoes... (Dress Shoes)?

[Rusty888]

I line lace but never tie up to the side like that.

For me it’s just a knot at the top.


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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Rusty888

I line lace but never tie up to the side like that.

For me it’s just a knot at the top.


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I lace it to tie a berluti knot on top.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Not sure about the oxford lacing on a boot.

Just depends on the boot.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I lace it to tie a berluti knot on top.

[Wesley Crusher]

Generally speaking, I think line lacing looks best on oxfords and X lacing looks best on derbies, especially more casual ones with lots of broguing.

My shoes are all on the casual end of the spectrum so I tend to do the X lacing, but I'll switch it up to line lacing from time to time.

[Abdullah71601]

Black Friday sale ongoing at Gaziano & Girling. https://www.gazianogirling.com/colle...ck-friday-sale

[JasoninDenver]

Should have been more clear.... I pefer a more casual derby style on my boots.

Probably because I rarely wear formal shoes.

No problems with the line lacing at all.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Should have been more clear.... I pefer a more casual derby style on my boots.

Probably because I rarely wear formal shoes.

No problems with the line lacing at all.

You aren't alone. Derby's are definitely the more popular style. I can't recall ever seeing an oxford boot in the wild.

I do know that a derby is easier to fit, in that there is more room for error in the upper and shaft. It can be almost right and still be very comfortable and look good. Whereas an oxford has to fit very well or it will neither look right or feel right.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Generally speaking, I think line lacing looks best on oxfords and X lacing looks best on derbies, especially more casual ones with lots of broguing.

My shoes are all on the casual end of the spectrum so I tend to do the X lacing, but I'll switch it up to line lacing from time to time.

Me too.

[dddrees]

^Ok now I’m awake.

[Wesley Crusher]

These are pigskin Ishams are really interesting:



I checked on the G&G website and the only have black pigskin listed, but they must have other colors (based on the above picture...)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

These are pigskin Ishams are really interesting:

I checked on the G&G website and the only have black pigskin listed, but they must have other colors (based on the above picture...)

Call the store. They stock all sorts of leathers that don't show on the website.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Call the store. They stock all sorts of leathers that don't show on the website.

Yep

In fact that was the great thing about Style Forum. From time to time some one would post some of the unique leathers that where available. I can’t even remember all of them. Kudu of course, pig, ram, and many others.

[Wesley Crusher]

I think I am going to take a trip to the Lobb store next weekend and see if any of their lasts work for me. I wanted to go this weekend, but the South Coast Plaza is 2 hours away and I didn't feel like driving.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think I am going to take a trip to the Lobb store next weekend and see if any of their lasts work for me. I wanted to go this weekend, but the South Coast Plaza is 2 hours away and I didn't feel like driving.

Their lasts are quite a bit different than each other. They aren't like G&G, which are all essentially the same. They should have something that fits you, assuming they have everything in stock.

Loafers are another story altogether. The Lopez was way too big at the heel in my normal UK9, but too tight in UK8.5. The wide UK8.5 was perfect.

Have fun. Pictures or it didn't happen.

[belk7]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think I am going to take a trip to the Lobb store next weekend and see if any of their lasts work for me. I wanted to go this weekend, but the South Coast Plaza is 2 hours away and I didn't feel like driving.

Tell Hong Lee that Mr. Belk from Tennessee says hello. He has provided extraordinary service for me from a couple thousand miles away. I think I have made five purchased from him and he has been perfect every time.


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[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think I am going to take a trip to the Lobb store next weekend and see if any of their lasts work for me. I wanted to go this weekend, but the South Coast Plaza is 2 hours away and I didn't feel like driving.

Good luck with your hunt Wes. Pictures and details upon your return.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Their lasts are quite a bit different than each other. They aren't like G&G, which are all essentially the same. They should have something that fits you, assuming they have everything in stock.

Loafers are another story altogether. The Lopez was way too big at the heel in my normal UK9, but too tight in UK8.5. The wide UK8.5 was perfect.

Have fun. Pictures or it didn't happen.

I think I'll give them a call before hand and confirm that they have some shoes on various lasts in my size. I guess 11.5 isn't as common as you'd think.

Originally Posted by belk7

Tell Hong Lee that Mr. Belk from Tennessee says hello. He has provided extraordinary service for me from a couple thousand miles away. I think I have made five purchased from him and he has been perfect every time.


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Mr. Lee must be a great SA since Abdullah also mentioned him. I'll make sure to deal with him.

Originally Posted by dddrees

Good luck with your hunt Wes. Pictures and details upon your return.

Thanks. I know there probably won't be any RTW shoes that I am interested in. My goal is to get properly fitted as well as get a feel for the quality of the shoes.

I think when you're spending $1000+ on shoes, MTO is the only way to go. Even if you want just a subtle change compared to a RTW model, you should get exactly what you want. The only down side is the wait, but patience is a virtue, right?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think I'll give them a call before hand and confirm that they have some shoes on various lasts in my size. I guess 11.5 isn't as common as you'd think.



Mr. Lee must be a great SA since Abdullah also mentioned him. I'll make sure to deal with him.



Thanks. I know there probably won't be any RTW shoes that I am interested in. My goal is to get properly fitted as well as get a feel for the quality of the shoes.

I think when you're spending $1000+ on shoes, MTO is the only way to go. Even if you want just a subtle change compared to a RTW model, you should get exactly what you want. The only down side is the wait, but patience is a virtue, right?

Sounds like a great plan. A few times I was tested when a three to four month wait ended up being 12 months, however in the end I was getting something I really wanted and would last me a rely long time. So the wait was always more than worth it to me.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think when you're spending $1000+ on shoes, MTO is the only way to go. Even if you want just a subtle change compared to a RTW model, you should get exactly what you want. The only down side is the wait, but patience is a virtue, right?

I have quite a few JL Paris shoes with almost all of them MTO. Keep in mind when doing MTO, they will turn down requests so you may not be able to get exactly what you want unless you go full on bespoke. Most of my shoes were about a 6 month wait with some longer, a very few in 3-4 months.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by texasmade

I have quite a few JL Paris shoes with almost all of them MTO. Keep in mind when doing MTO, they will turn down requests so you may not be able to get exactly what you want unless you go full on bespoke. Most of my shoes were about a 6 month wait with some longer, a very few in 3-4 months.

Style forum and the John Lobb appreciation thread may provide some feeling about what the current wait and the kind of requests being accepted or denied. I say only that it may.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Thanks. I know there probably won't be any RTW shoes that I am interested in. My goal is to get properly fitted as well as get a feel for the quality of the shoes.

I think when you're spending $1000+ on shoes, MTO is the only way to go. Even if you want just a subtle change compared to a RTW model, you should get exactly what you want. The only down side is the wait, but patience is a virtue, right?

I think you may be surprised to find some RTW shoes that sing to you. I have seen some impressive RTW shoes at JL boutiques. My Warrick Derby's in Claret Misty Calf were RTW, as were my City II's. Ask to see something in Parisian Brown, and you'll likely leave the store with it.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I think you may be surprised to find some RTW shoes that sing to you. I have seen some impressive RTW shoes at JL boutiques. My Warrick Derby's in Claret Misty Calf were RTW, as were my City II's. Ask to see something in Parisian Brown, and you'll likely leave the store with it.

Yep, although I have a good number of MTO shoes and boots I have many more that are RTW. By no means do I consider RTW being a bad thing, in fact I find it to be a bit kinder on the wallet. There are many great RTW options out there in fact some are either so classic that they need no further changes or are iconic that they’re almost essential at least in my opinion. The Galway in Walnut CC and Doak is one of those that comes to my mind. Others might say the Redwood CC Galway on the 64 is another.

Anyway I think the larger your wardrobe of footwear you’ll find a good spot for some of those RTW shoes or boots.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Sounds like a great plan. A few times I was tested when a three to four month wait ended up being 12 months, however in the end I was getting something I really wanted and would last me a rely long time. So the wait was always more than worth it to me.

My EGs took an extra month or two than what I was initially quoted, but that's because the boots ended up requiring more work than they initially thought.

Originally Posted by texasmade

I have quite a few JL Paris shoes with almost all of them MTO. Keep in mind when doing MTO, they will turn down requests so you may not be able to get exactly what you want unless you go full on bespoke. Most of my shoes were about a 6 month wait with some longer, a very few in 3-4 months.

Interesting. When I ordered my MTO Galway boots, EG was extremely accommodating. In fact, I requested a few things that are not typically done (and may have ever been done on a pair of Galways). The president of EG contacted the store that I was working with at let them know that they were going to have a top drawer worker assemble my boots due to the added work. It doesn't get any better than that in my book.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I think you may be surprised to find some RTW shoes that sing to you. I have seen some impressive RTW shoes at JL boutiques. My Warrick Derby's in Claret Misty Calf were RTW, as were my City II's. Ask to see something in Parisian Brown, and you'll likely leave the store with it.

We'll see! The JL website is pretty lousy so there may be some RTW shoes that I really like. I really like the Parisian Brown museum calf. That's actually what I am thinking about for the shoes that I am interested in.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

We'll see! The JL website is pretty lousy so there may be some RTW shoes that I really like. I really like the Parisian Brown museum calf. That's actually what I am thinking about for the shoes that I am interested in.

The website is marginally useless for anything but the basics. The boutiques are typicallymuch better stocked.

Look for these Phillip II's (7000 last) while you're there.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

My EGs took an extra month or two than what I was initially quoted, but that's because the boots ended up requiring more work than they initially thought.



Interesting. When I ordered my MTO Galway boots, EG was extremely accommodating. In fact, I requested a few things that are not typically done (and may have ever been done on a pair of Galways). The president of EG contacted the store that I was working with at let them know that they were going to have a top drawer worker assemble my boots due to the added work. It doesn't get any better than that in my book.



We'll see! The JL website is pretty lousy so there may be some RTW shoes that I really like. I really like the Parisian Brown museum calf. That's actually what I am thinking about for the shoes that I am interested in.

Actually I think you got really lucky with your EG order. At the same time of your order there was another guy who contacted me attempting the very same thing and he was turned down. I think JL maybe more selective but that doesn’t mean EG doesn’t do the same. In fact if you go thru the Stylefprum thread for EG there are a number of cases where EG can be rather non-cooperative or selective as to hat they will and won’t do on a simple MTO.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

My EGs took an extra month or two than what I was initially quoted, but that's because the boots ended up requiring more work than they initially thought.



Interesting. When I ordered my MTO Galway boots, EG was extremely accommodating. In fact, I requested a few things that are not typically done (and may have ever been done on a pair of Galways). The president of EG contacted the store that I was working with at let them know that they were going to have a top drawer worker assemble my boots due to the added work. It doesn't get any better than that in my book.



We'll see! The JL website is pretty lousy so there may be some RTW shoes that I really like. I really like the Parisian Brown museum calf. That's actually what I am thinking about for the shoes that I am interested in.

The thing is RTW can actually be rather broad but it also depends on where or how many places you look. Often retailers can and will offer somethings at times you may otherwise think require an MTO. The key is to be aware, stay connected, and keep looking. It’s most definitely a bit kinder on the wallet when you find those gems. Being able to fit into they’re average size Last of course makes it much easier of course.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The website is marginally useless for anything but the basics. The boutiques are typicallymuch better stocked.

Look for these Phillip II's (7000 last) while you're there.

Those are gorgeous.

Originally Posted by dddrees

Actually I think you got really lucky with your EG order. At the same time of your order there was another guy who contacted me attempting the very same thing and he was turned down. I think JL maybe more selective but that doesn’t mean EG doesn’t do the same. In fact if you go thru the Stylefprum thread for EG there are a number of cases where EG can be rather non-cooperative or selective as to hat they will and won’t do on a simple MTO.

Don't tell me that!

Originally Posted by dddrees

The thing is RTW can actually be rather broad but it also depends on where or how many places you look. Often retailers can and will offer somethings at times you may otherwise think require an MTO. The key is to be aware, stay connected, and keep looking. It’s most definitely a bit kinder on the wallet when you find those gems. Being able to fit into they’re average size Last of course makes it much easier of course.

I am not counting offerings by retailers. I know a lot of places have special makeups just for them. For example, Gentlemen's Footwear in San Diego has these awesome Galways:

https://gentlemensfootwear.com/produ...t-country-calf

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Those are gorgeous.



Don't tell me that!



I am not counting offerings by retailers. I know a lot of places have special makeups just for them. For example, Gentlemen's Footwear in San Diego has these awesome Galways:

https://gentlemensfootwear.com/produ...t-country-calf

I never had an issue but then again I had realitively few MTOs and more GMTOs which are no longer possible. Of course the great thing with GMTOs there where no fees. I take that back, initially EG turned us down on the Galway Zug GMTO until Skoaktiebolaget got involved. I think it took a better part of a year from the initial concept until EG green lighted the GMTO.

But those special deals from various retailers are exactly the gems I look for.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I never had an issue but then again I had realitively few MTOs and more GMTOs which are no longer possible. Of course the great thing with GMTOs there where no fees. I take that back, initially EG turned us down on the Galway Zug GMTO until Skoaktiebolaget got involved. I think it took a better part of a year from the initial concept until EG green lighted the GMTO.

But those special deals from various retailers are exactly the gems I look for.

I’ve never had to pay a MTO fee for my JL shoes. I’m always told that there’s a $150 upcharge or whatever it is now and the salesman (or lady from the one time I purchased a pair in Paris) always waives it for me. If they don’t then I don’t purchase.