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

[texasmade]

JL Paris bespoke fitting back in the summer when Paul Wilson came to Houston.


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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by texasmade

JL Paris bespoke fitting back in the summer when Paul Wilson came to Houston.


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When will they be done?

[texasmade]

Not too sure. I was out of the country the last time Paul Wilson came to Houston back in September so I couldn’t do a 2nd fitting. Once I do my 2nd fitting I’m guessing it’ll be around 3 months from then. Initial measurement was done in Feb 2017 with first fitting in May 2017.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Not too sure. I was out of the country the last time Paul Wilson came to Houston back in September so I couldn’t do a 2nd fitting. Once I do my 2nd fitting I’m guessing it’ll be around 3 months from then. Initial measurement was done in Feb 2017 with first fitting in May 2017.

What style will your first pair be? Is this fitting close to the final design?

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

What style will your first pair be? Is this fitting close to the final design?

The cutaway pair is basically the style and color. Shoes are missing all of the final finishing touches but what you see is the shape, style, and color of leather including some minor changes I requested from their basic bespoke shoe.

This picture is the stock bespoke shoe in black calf on which my pair is based off of.



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[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by texasmade

The cutaway pair is basically the style and color. Shoes are missing all of the final finishing touches but what you see is the shape, style, and color of leather including some minor changes I requested from their basic bespoke shoe.

This picture is the stock bespoke shoe in black calf on which my pair is based off of.



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That's a sharp looking shoe.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

That's a sharp looking shoe.

Agreed, Very Nice!!

[Syed117]

Galways are breaking in nicely. Love the color and have gotten some compliments on them.

Is it bad if I'm thinking about getting some Conistons or possibly Islays? Leaning towards the Islay.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Galways are breaking in nicely. Love the color and have gotten some compliments on them.

Is it bad if I'm thinking about getting some Conistons or possibly Islays? Leaning towards the Islay.

Very nice. And no it's not. I have the Islays and Lindricks myself and C&J makes a fabulous boot. However the more you buy the more it's time to consider whether you might also want something from EG or G&G for example. However if you stick with C&J you can't really go wrong either.

I luv how much taller these boots are compared to most of the ones I have. The Islays are one of my favorite pair of boots.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Very nice. And no it's not. I have the Islays and Lindricks myself and C&J makes a fabulous boot. However the more you buy the more it's time to consider whether you might also want something from EG or G&G for example. However if you stick with C&J you can't really go wrong either.

I luv how much taller these boots are compared to most of the ones I have. The Islays are one of my favorite pair of boots.

The height is the main reason I like them.

Only concern now would be the color. The Galway are a dark brown. Not sure if the Islay is the same brown.

Need to check them out. Maybe I'll stop by today.

I think I'm slowly making my way towards EG and G&G based on this thread. Will probably get there someday. There are still some C&J boots I really like.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

The height is the main reason I like them.

Only concern now would be the color. The Galway are a dark brown. Not sure if the Islay is the same brown.

Need to check them out. Maybe I'll stop by today.

I think I'm slowly making my way towards EG and G&G based on this thread. Will probably get there someday. There are still some C&J boots I really like.

You can get the Galway in almost any potential color and leather you can imagine. Not to mention numerous Lasts as well.

These are but a few pitiful examples:\

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by dddrees

You can get the Galway in almost any potential color and leather you can imagine. Not to mention numerous Lasts as well.

These are but a few pitiful examples:\

So pitiful

I had kind of awkward shoe related conversation the other night...

As a rule, I do not like discussing how much things cost in any kind of setting. One on one with a friend? Sure. Group of people? No.

Anyway, was at dinner with a bunch of people. A few close friends and some people that I had met a few times. Everyone ended up back at a friend's house after dinner. The wife of a guy that I had only met a few times said she liked my galway IIs. I said thank you and that was it.

Two minutes later the husband asked where I got them. I kind of casually said "oh, some small shoe company" and immediately started talking about something else. Of course that wasn't enough and he asked again and eventually I said Crockett and Jones. He had never heard of the company. Which then led to him googling the name and then going to the website. Followed shortly by some expletives when he saw the prices. Followed immediately by a few others going to the website....

It was a 15 minute downhill battle of me trying to get out any way possible.

Ugh.

At least with a watch I can hide it under a sleeve. I'm going to start going to dinner in flip flops.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Syed117

So pitiful

I had kind of awkward shoe related conversation the other night...

As a rule, I do not like discussing how much things cost in any kind of setting. One on one with a friend? Sure. Group of people? No.

Anyway, was at dinner with a bunch of people. A few close friends and some people that I had met a few times. Everyone ended up back at a friend's house after dinner. The wife of a guy that I had only met a few times said she liked my galway IIs. I said thank you and that was it.

Two minutes later the husband asked where I got them. I kind of casually said "oh, some small shoe company" and immediately started talking about something else. Of course that wasn't enough and he asked again and eventually I said Crockett and Jones. He had never heard of the company. Which then led to him googling the name and then going to the website. Followed shortly by some expletives when he saw the prices. Followed immediately by a few others going to the website....

It was a 15 minute downhill battle of me trying to get out any way possible.

Ugh.

At least with a watch I can hide it under a sleeve. I'm going to start going to dinner in flip flops.

Situations like that devolve into "you're crazy for spending that much money on shoes" or some variant of that and my response is always jokingly "don't worry, you'll never make that much money to be able to spend that much money on shoes".

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Situations like that devolve into "you're crazy for spending that much money on shoes" or some variant of that and my response is always jokingly "don't worry, you'll never make that much money to be able to spend that much money on shoes".

I come from a very middle class family so don't think I could ever respond like that.

I would want to die from self hate and shame if I even jokingly said that to someone.

From now on if the shoe thing ever comes up, I think I'll just say I got them from the Cole Haan outlet store. Or something similar.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Syed117

I come from a very middle class family so don't think I could ever respond like that.

I would want to die from self hate and shame if I even jokingly said that to someone.

From now on if the shoe thing ever comes up, I think I'll just say I got them from the Cole Haan outlet store. Or something similar.

Be honest.

People prioritize differently and will often disagree with each other’s choices. People occasionally need a reminder that your choices aren’t really any more extravagant than theirs. A guy at work was saying my watches are crazy expensive. I reminded him of his $70,000 bass boat and the conversation became a lot more cordial pretty quickly.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Be honest.

People prioritize differently and will often disagree with each other’s choices. People occasionally need a reminder that your choices aren’t really any more extravagant than theirs. A guy at work was saying my watches are crazy expensive. I reminded him of his $70,000 bass boat and the conversation became a lot more cordial pretty quickly.

That could have been an option, but I didn't really know the guy

[Peepip]

If I’m going to spend a large amount of money on any thing I wear it will be shoes. They do so much work and literally take the weight of your whole body.
I personally have difficult feet and most low to mid end brands don’t fit me well (my feet are long and very narrow). That plus living in Australia where multiple widths don’t usually exist, I have found that shopping higher end to be easiest and most comfortable solution.

[RW16610]

Bespoke is the way to go They'll be great.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Syed117

So pitiful

I had kind of awkward shoe related conversation the other night...

As a rule, I do not like discussing how much things cost in any kind of setting. One on one with a friend? Sure. Group of people? No.

Anyway, was at dinner with a bunch of people. A few close friends and some people that I had met a few times. Everyone ended up back at a friend's house after dinner. The wife of a guy that I had only met a few times said she liked my galway IIs. I said thank you and that was it.

Two minutes later the husband asked where I got them. I kind of casually said "oh, some small shoe company" and immediately started talking about something else. Of course that wasn't enough and he asked again and eventually I said Crockett and Jones. He had never heard of the company. Which then led to him googling the name and then going to the website. Followed shortly by some expletives when he saw the prices. Followed immediately by a few others going to the website....

It was a 15 minute downhill battle of me trying to get out any way possible.

Ugh.

At least with a watch I can hide it under a sleeve. I'm going to start going to dinner in flip flops.

Ha! Something similar happened to me today.

I was at lunch with two coworkers and my boss. We were talking about weekend plans and I mentioned that I was planning on taking a trip to the South Coast Plaza (about 2 hours away from me). The conversation went something like this:

Coworker: Why are you going to South Coast?
Me: I want to check out a store.
Coworker: What kind of store? Don't they have one closer to you?
Me: It's just a shoe store.
Coworker: Does the shoe store have a name?

At this point, I know that I was in trouble.

Me: Errr, yea, John Lobb. (I don't think any of the guys are familiar with the brand).
Coworker: Is it a well known company?
Me: Not really, they just make dress shoes.
Coworker: Are they made here?
Me: No, England.

The conversation ends, and I see my coworker typing something on his phone.

I'm glad my boss and other coworker did not pursue any further.

I try my hardest not to speak about how much things cost with others unless I know they will understand.

Case in point: I've noticed that one of my coworkers wears a BLNR. I've always wanted to comment on it, but have never said anything he isn't a "watch guy". Last week at our holiday party, we were talking and he actually commented on my watch and said that he has noticed every watch I have worn. As it turns out, he is a watch guy and we ended up talking about watches and watch prices for a while. :)

[offrdmania]

My first Ferragamo drivers. They have broken in nicely. Hopefully my new black Parigis break in just the same.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Syed117

That could have been an option, but I didn't really know the guy

Syed, I finally got to visit the C&J store earlier this afternoon for the first time. I was with my wife and two friends and felt a little bad about dragging them along for the ride.

After trying on a few, all of my accompanists pushed my into buying two pair. No mention of cost at all. It was simply a recognition of how a good pair of shoes should look, fit and be constructed.

So.... my lesson learned today is people who know what to look for will see value where the general public may not. My friends were my financial advisor, a CFO for a large REIT, and a physician.

FYI, the suede chelseas you took a picture of for me were completely sold out and backordered for god knows how long. I ended up with a suede Tetbury and another pair of Brecons (this time in the correct size).

[Abdullah71601]

I was at a company conference this week. Nobody noticed my G&G loafers (or the happy socks). But I got a bunch of comments on my JL City III's. The khaki museum calf attracted several hunters who thought they were a great camo dress shoe. The crossover dress shoe, as it were.

[dddrees]

My boots and shoes don’t always get noticed by any means but they certainly get noticed much more often than any of my watches. I attribute it to the fact that most people no longer buy good quality footwear. I remember when I was young my mom took us to an actual shoe store and bought what she called were good quality shoes. If you look around the closest most people come to buying from a shoe store now is one of those shoe stores in a mall and they don’t even sell GYW shoes. In fact most if not all of those shoes don’t use decent quality leather.

As far as how much my shoes cost it’s not something I like to talk about but then again I don’t bring up money when it comes to anything I own. Unfortunately it’s just something most others are more concerned with. So although I am willing to talk about them I don’t like to discuss how much they cost. I’ve experienced where once they are made aware of the brand they’ll google it and discover the price and that’s fine but I just try to stay away from discussing money as much as possible because in my opinion that’s my business and not others.

[underpar31009]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Let me help you out Dan.

This thread and your posts are making me want to get into shoes.

[Wesley Crusher]

I went to the Lobb store today.

To my surprise, the Chambord II (the model I am interested in) is a stock model. The shoe is built on the 8695 last and I am glad that I got to try them on in person because the 11E fit me the best. If I would have ordered them on my own, I would have gone with a 11.5. I am surprised that the 11 fit me, but it looks like this particular last runs a bit long.

In short, I was very impressed with the offerings from Lobb. All of their shoes felt great and seem wonderfully made.

I inquired about an MTO and the guy I was working with (a British guy named Neil - very nice guy!). I told him that I was thinking about the Chambord IIs in Parisian museum calf (gorgeous color in person). He checked and said that Lobb wasn't able to do an MTO with that particular model and leather combo. I was a bit shocked that Lobb would not offer a standard color on a standard model via MTO...

It looks like the Chambord IIs are offered in black and dark brown calf right now, but he checked his computer and said that their NYC store has 2 pairs in my size in Parisian museum calf. I guess this was a stock model at one point, but not any more. He is going to have the NYC store ship them to him and I am going back next week to see them in person. If all goes well, I hope to buy them.

[Wesley Crusher]

Also, sorry I didn't get any pictures. The store had a lot of shoes on sale so if any of you are interested, let me know and I can inquire next week.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I went to the Lobb store today.

To my surprise, the Chambord II (the model I am interested in) is a stock model. The shoe is built on the 8695 last and I am glad that I got to try them on in person because the 11E fit me the best. If I would have ordered them on my own, I would have gone with a 11.5. I am surprised that the 11 fit me, but it looks like this particular last runs a bit long.

In short, I was very impressed with the offerings from Lobb. All of their shoes felt great and seem wonderfully made.

I inquired about an MTO and the guy I was working with (a British guy named Neil - very nice guy!). I told him that I was thinking about the Chambord IIs in Parisian museum calf (gorgeous color in person). He checked and said that Lobb wasn't able to do an MTO with that particular model and leather combo. I was a bit shocked that Lobb would not offer a standard color on a standard model via MTO...

It looks like the Chambord IIs are offered in black and dark brown calf right now, but he checked his computer and said that their NYC store has 2 pairs in my size in Parisian museum calf. I guess this was a stock model at one point, but not any more. He is going to have the NYC store ship them to him and I am going back next week to see them in person. If all goes well, I hope to buy them.

Sounds like a very productive trip Wes. Good luck with Chambord IIs and I hope to see pictures of your new boots soon.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Sounds like a very productive trip Wes. Good luck with Chambord IIs and I hope to see pictures of your new boots soon.

Thanks, Dan. I am actually interested in the shoe version. Like this, but in Parisian museum calf:



Also, the shoes in the above image seem to be single leather (or rubber). The shoes that they are bringing in from NYC have a double rubber sole, which is my preference. The Lobb version of Dainite looks nice. I wonder if it is as durable.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Thanks, Dan. I am actually interested in the shoe version. Like this, but in Parisian museum calf:



Also, the shoes in the above image seem to be single leather (or rubber). The shoes that they are bringing in from NYC have a double rubber sole, which is my preference. The Lobb version of Dainite looks nice. I wonder if it is as durable.

Ah, nice looking derby. Have you checked out Styleforum to see if anyone has any experience with that sole?

On another note it snowed here today so I thought it would be a good idea to break out the Zugs.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I inquired about an MTO and the guy I was working with (a British guy named Neil - very nice guy!). I told him that I was thinking about the Chambord IIs in Parisian museum calf (gorgeous color in person). He checked and said that Lobb wasn't able to do an MTO with that particular model and leather combo. I was a bit shocked that Lobb would not offer a standard color on a standard model via MTO...

Par for the course for Lobb. They tout they’re MTO program but say no to a lot of MTO requests.