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

[walds11]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

There are 2 pairs of Marlow penny loafers in 8.5D on ebay right now. They're the newer, darker version, but still awesome.

I saw those, but prefer the older, lighter version, so I'll still keep an eye it. How is the sizing on these? I wear an 8.5D in the Alden LHS CXL. I could probably do a 9C as well.

[MickCollins1916]

My Alden 40510H's accompanied me to Boston today, so they're not far from their original home.

[cop414]

Those look great Bill, I have to get a pair of Alden Indy boots!

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by cop414

Those look great Bill, I have to get a pair of Alden Indy boots!

Thanks! They are incredibly comfortable...I own them in a number of skins. Easily my favorite shoe with jeans.

[Syed117]

Just a heads up for AE fans.

Their sale starts tomorrow, but prices are live on the site. Mcallister and fifth avenue seem to be the best deals.

I think I'm going to pick up another pair of Mcallisters. Not sure about the color though. Brown burnished or dark chili. Guess I'll stop by a store tomorrow.

[texex91]

Wow, I'm amazed how into dress shoes people are.

Rock on.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Just a heads up for AE fans.

Their sale starts tomorrow, but prices are live on the site. Mcallister and fifth avenue seem to be the best deals.

I think I'm going to pick up another pair of Mcallisters. Not sure about the color though. Brown burnished or dark chili. Guess I'll stop by a store tomorrow.

Looks like some good pricing on boots too.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by texex91

Wow, I'm amazed how into dress shoes people are.

Rock on.

Yep, you might very well be surprised. It's just unfortunate that there are so few good options here in the States. The Internet really is where it is at for most folks, but that requires a good bit of research with a bit of luck sprinkled in.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Just a heads up for AE fans.

Their sale starts tomorrow, but prices are live on the site. Mcallister and fifth avenue seem to be the best deals.

I think I'm going to pick up another pair of Mcallisters. Not sure about the color though. Brown burnished or dark chili. Guess I'll stop by a store tomorrow.

With the pound being at an all time low, I'd take a hard look at some shoes from some British makers.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

With the pound being at an all time low, I'd take a hard look at some shoes from some British makers.

Agree Wes.

The missus has informed me that my English shoe budget is frozen until after my G&G MTO is complete.

I'm looking at AE Dalton boots. Can anyone describe how this last fits? Are the sizes fairly true to US fitting? I won't be able to try it on. and it's an online sale item.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

With the pound being at an all time low, I'd take a hard look at some shoes from some British makers.

English Shoemakers Rock!!!

[Syed117]

I'm definitely interested, but I'm assuming I would have to have them shipped?

A little wary because I wouldn't know where to start in terms of finding the right fit if I can't try on.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

I'm definitely interested, but I'm assuming I would have to have them shipped?

A little wary because I wouldn't know where to start in terms of finding the right fit if I can't try on.

It's not without risk and it definitely requires more work on your end. Because if you do happen to order something that doesn't fit, the cost of returning them can be more than it is worth. Reselling of course is an option but you usually suffer some loss and who knows how long it will take. However it has worked extremely well for me and some others I have known but there are no guarantees. But there are ways to mitigate the risk, but this certainly will require a bit more work on your end. Knowing one's Brannock Size is the first step. Establishing your size in a few well known Lasts helps tremendously. Then conducting research based on a host of other users well greatly add in helping you to determine what size to order. Finally working with retailers who specialize in men shoes and whom can also assist in sizing can also be extremely helpful.

Styleforum has a wealth of information with regards to various threads for different retailers and different shoemakers. Establishing your budget, poking around to find out which shoemakers within your budget make shoes that are appealing to you, and going thru some of the very lengthly threads to gather enough information to make you comfortable would be the next step I would advise you on. This certainly helped me to stay clear of Last which were more tricky or those I felt which might not work for me that well. If however your budget is not a concern I would go thru as many possible searches to determine which shoes look best to you. An overall understanding of what diminishing returns mean when it comes to shoes can also be helpful, however if no matter the cost if style, attention to detail, and finishing are the utmost important to you then there are those shoemakers which will meet these demands as well. However there are those shoemakers who are more on par with the cost of AE but of better overall quality in my opinion all the way to the very finest such as John Lobb, St Crispins, Edward Green, and Gaziano & Girling.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Syed117

I'm definitely interested, but I'm assuming I would have to have them shipped?

A little wary because I wouldn't know where to start in terms of finding the right fit if I can't try on.

Leffot in NYC carries a number of English brands. You could get a good start by trying on some shoes there.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Leffot in NYC carries a number of English brands. You could get a good start by trying on some shoes there.

Nice catch, I missed that he was from New York. Also stores like Barneys, And Saks will carry some of these brands as well.

The key is to always try on as many of the various Lasts whenever possible regardless if you like that particular shoe or not. Always establish your size in person whenever possible.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Leffot in NYC carries a number of English brands. You could get a good start by trying on some shoes there.

Oh, and if you actually buy in the states I imagine you won't get as good of a deal had you purchased from overseas. And don't forget to factor in custom fees.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Nice catch, I missed that he was from New York. Also stores like Barneys, And Saks will carry some of these brands as well.

The key is to always try on as many of the various Lasts whenever possible regardless if you like that particular shoe or not. Always establish your size in person whenever possible.

If I recall correctly, Manhattan has multiple AE stores, an Alden store, a C&J store and a John Lobb store. All in all, not a bad place to shop for shoes

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

If I recall correctly, Manhattan has multiple AE stores, an Alden store, a C&J store and a John Lobb store. All in all, not a bad place to shop for shoes

Yep, I forgot all about those.

[tifosi]

Did someone say shoes???

How have I never seen this thread before??

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Did someone say shoes???

How have I never seen this thread before??

Because you were sleeping.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Because you were sleeping.

You're right. Although I typically don't venture out of the "Rolex general discussion" area. I guess that answers my question, then!

Like ddd, I am a fan of English shoes and Edward Green are also my favorite. My collection consists of mostly Edward Green with one Saint Crispin's and a couple Alden.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

You're right. Although I typically don't venture out of the "Rolex general discussion" area. I guess that answers my question, then!

Like ddd, I am a fan of English shoes and Edward Green are also my favorite. My collection consists of mostly Edward Green with one Saint Crispin's and a couple Alden.

Glad you found it Russ. Excellent taste sir, and I look forward to your contribution.

[tifosi]

Edward Green's Galway is by far my favorite of any footwear.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1475862998.459741.jpg

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I'm looking at AE Dalton boots. Can anyone describe how this last fits? Are the sizes fairly true to US fitting? I won't be able to try it on. and it's an online sale item.

I bought a pair of Daltons on impulse this summer. They are 8 1/2 E and quite narrow. They are my only pair of US made shoes except a pair of Chippewas so I do not know what to compare them with. I do have EG Galways and GG Thorpes to compare them with if you want me to. They are both winter boots and I have them stored away at the moment and do not really remember how they fit. My feet are like chameleons and adapt to the shoes I am wearing. I usually buy standard width for my boots.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I bought a pair of Daltons on impulse this summer. They are 8 1/2 E and quite narrow. They are my only pair of US made shoes except a pair of Chippewas so I do not know what to compare them with. I do have EG Galways and GG Thorpes to compare them with if you want me to. They are both winter boots and I have them stored away at the moment and do not really remember how they fit. My feet are like chameleons and adapt to the shoes I am wearing. I usually buy standard width for my boots.

How do they fit compared to GG Thorpes? I need an F width in GG. If you think the Daltons run narrow, I may need a EE for them.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Edward Green's Galway is by far my favorite of any footwear.

Attachment 786885

Agreed, and available in a number of different Lasts and more leathers and combinations than you can shake a stick at.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

How do they fit compared to GG Thorpes? I need an F width in GG. If you think the Daltons run narrow, I may need a EE for them.

My Thorpes are on a GG06 last, 8 1/2 F.

The Dalton I tried in the store was a D width so I went up to E in the pair I ordered, I also ordered them with a dainite sole.

I just compared my Thorpes and Daltons side my side and the Dalton is definitely narrower. The Thorpe fits like a glove and didn't need any time to break in. I haven't used the Daltons that much yet and I do not know if and how much they will break in.

Dan, any experience with Daltons?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

My Thorpes are on a GG06 last, 8 1/2 F.

The Dalton I tried in the store was a D width so I went up to E in the pair I ordered, I also ordered them with a dainite sole.

I just compared my Thorpes and Daltons side my side and the Dalton is definitely narrower. The Thorpe fits like a glove and didn't need any time to break in. I haven't used the Daltons that much yet and I do not know if and how much they will break in.

Dan, any experience with Daltons?

Sorry, no.

I purchased a few AE shoes initially but never any Daltons. When purchasing boots it was Redwing, Wolverine, Alden, C&J, Rider Boot Co, Edward Green, St Crispins, G&G, and Viberg.

[Star Ferry]

So, I'm in my mid 20's.. I can afford John Lobb and Edward Green, but are there are any decent Italian or Spanish brands in the $400-700 range ? I'd prefer a 3-digit price tag, and I'm hoping the Italians and Spaniards might be more fashion forward than the Brits

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

So, I'm in my mid 20's.. I can afford John Lobb and Edward Green, but are there are any decent Italian or Spanish brands in the $400-700 range ? I'd prefer a 3-digit price tag, and I'm hoping the Italians and Spaniards might be more fashion forward than the Brits

I'm not very familiar with any of the Italian brands, however from Spain you have Meerimin, Carlos Santos, and Carmina. Skoaktie Bolaget carries both Carlos Santos and Carmina. The line of Carlos Santos that they carry are the open channel welded or the more friendly or least costly open channel welded shoes. Of all three I consider Carmina to be of better quality but of course they are more costly. Meerimin have had issues with questionable quality from time to time . Not sure that you can call any of these brands very fashion forward however.

You did miss out by not mentioning Gaziano and Girling however. It's an English brand on par with Edward Green but more fashion forward. Unfortunately because it's on par with Edward Green it cost about as much as well.