E. D. E. Wide. I typically shy away from the lighter browns etc.. and thought this might be a good alternative and could be quite versatile. Carminas just dont break down easily. Good point Ben, Im not sure. Well done for covering affordable RTW brands instead of bespoke that few will be able to consider. Interested to hear your thoughts if one abstracts from the usual price mark-up due to branding etc. Trickers town shoes, especially the wonderful Belgrave adelaide, top any C&J shoe I have in terms of comfort and build. Interesting selection. Ive never heard of it or tried it, and probably wouldnt in the future as I say at the top of this most, this isnt my area of expertise really. The US has several brands that fit into this discussion - some old, some new. Down by half. Velasca uses a Blake/Rapid construction, so not Goodyear welted - but remember Blake/Rapid is more similar to Goodyear than it is to normal Blake. This I find quite interesting, since you certainly arent the only one. If I have fit issues, it is usually due to rubbing on superolateral aspect of the right 5th toe. But the insoles are very comfortable and have molded to my feet nicely. Perhaps Alden, which usually has the option for lots of widths? These would be an excellent fit if the toe box was a bit wider. Churchs is particularly egregious in this respect, given the quality (though, sometimes to my regret, their 173 last fits me like a glove in a UK 12E). Permanent Style is the UK authority on classic and luxury menswear. You talk a lot about nicer shoes on PS and how they are much nicer. Thats generally why so many people, or at least readers, like shoes from these other brands. I think one point that was briefly touched on but very important is that the different brands price point will be really different depending where you are. This is particularly true in the shoe market, given there are few designer brands spending big budgets on marketing and advertising. Please support us by using them. You are using an out of date browser. C&J have been my staple for more than 20 years, and I find that their 348 and 341 last feel like old friend straight our of the box. Still pretty good value (it is the company I originally used before I could afford better) but not nearly as good as it was some time ago. Thanks for an informative post. Slightly low instep and volume. I would note that although the shoes I own have tight sole stitching, C&J models without pinking on the soles (for example, the Sydney with rubber soles) are noticeably less sleek. very lucky to have bought 8 pairs of EG at a big discount so my shoe cupboard is overflowing and needs to be trimmed now I would also like to mention that apart from PS, I also read Jesper Ingevaldsson, who was featured in this article, (www.shoegazing.com) and Justin FitzPatrick (www.theshoesnobblog.com). I also have a pair of Loding chelsea boots (and other Loding things) I think in the end theyre too narrow for me. I think shoegazing is largely irrelevant since the information it provides can be gathered more reliably elsewhere. Truman P-79 9D: Nice fit. As Im a women who is looking for well made leather shoes, I have even smaller heels than the male feet in comparison to feet length. Thanks for taking the time to reply. 8.5D may have worked with thinner socks. Loake1880 is good starting point and it used to be a very good value. In the end I find both brands run small and you rather need half a size or for Bobbies an entire size larger than what you would have with Santoni for example. Interesting ! Ive undergone a career change and offices in the US have become more and more lax about dress standards, even prior to 2020. The nicest pair of shoes I own is a pair of JM Weston oxfords (from their main line, not the Blake line), and I have to work to tell the difference between the two (Weston has shaped heels, for example). Im a scrooge but think this is crucial to include in your mental budget. NEW Allen Edmonds Leeds 9591 8.5 E Shell Cordovan Color 8 PTB Blucher USA. Those two are quite similar, in that they both have pretty large marketing budgets, run their own retail, and have ridden the wave of classic menswear in the past few years. They also have thin rubber soles throughout, which some people like more, but is cheaper as well.. The $200 Meermins (while being good value for money) is nowhere near the equivalent of a pair of Carminas, and they would be quite far from the likes of G&G or EG. REGULATION AND US. I have owned shoes from most of the English brands, and 5-10 Spanish brands and 5-10 Italian brands, and its a quite clear difference (but again, there are exceptions in both directions. Santoni I have experienced, and I would say the same. Alexander 9E/9.5D: Excellent fit when worn sockless. Carmina shoes are stylish, comfortable, unique, durable, and very cost-effective. Not only the uppers are nicer, but the full calf liners are a joy when you put them on and you walk even a bit. I have four pairs from them that cover all my needs and they are definitely as good as John Lobb who charge you over twice the price. Im really tempted to name and praise (as opposed to name and shame! 8 last 9D: Bad fit. While I have no problem wearing RTW tailoring that is cheap relative to the bespoke stuff you discuss on the website, with shoes I found it impossible to go back to cheaper brands once I got my first EGs. Update: had to take the leather insert out, just couldn't deal with how shallow the toe box is. Theres a lot of marketing in this entry-level market: everyone says their shoes are handcrafted, using the best materials.. 7.5UK fits well with thicker socks. Its probably confirmation bias but I do think they are good value especially with their very regular sales. Grant Stone Leo 9D: Solid fit. 6.5D Carmina: 5.5: UK: Forest, Robert - 5.5UK: 6.5D Carmina Forest: 5.5: UK: 5.5UK with a smidge of heel slip: Would really appreciate any advice you can give! * **Vass P2** EU41.5 comfortable fit but too much toe volume and instep. Of course a 200 shoe is going to look and feel cheap. I think the short answer is that yes, it is expensive to add an extra width across all shoes. For 200, its a really solid shoe. Crownhill is decent stuff as well, especially the material level for the price is good. They initially repaired free of charge and when the heels came loose again they replaced for a shoe from their 1880 range. Do you not think theres some advantage to dealing directly with the maker, and perhaps an understandable desire from the maker to control some more of the customer experience? In addition they come in some very handsome styles. However, it shows. Morjas uses corrected-grain leather, despite their claims to the contrary. However, always be careful about brands that give the impression their leather is the same quality as the top makers. I live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam so I know these companies. Career and job listings in fashion, mens clothing, Reviews of Classifieds and classifieds sellers, No Man Walks Alone - Official Affiliate Thread (a.k.a. Although Carmina shoes are more expensive than Meermin shoes, there is so much value that you can get when you make that extra investment to get them. Based on reviews, Im hopeful. Every now and then I got excited by a nice design at a lower price point only to be disappointed by quality issues. Giro bike shoes: 45.5 EU - Great fit. Throughout this commentary from Jesper, its worth keeping in mind that some of the points are objective, some more subjective. And nice finishing and detailing as you mentioned. You know what youre getting. Most shoes that say theyre made in the Almansa area of Spain are made by Sendra.. Ie if you spend 500 on a pair of shoes youd probably be looking at circa 2,000 for your suit and 150 for your shirt. Customers get a lot of value from buying Carmina shoes because these fashionable shoes are really sturdy, durable, and long-lasting in the long run. Allen Edmonds still made really good shoes twenty years ago, but their attempt at becoming an all around clothing brand with its own shops really harmed the quality of the shoes. Good arch support, toe box is low, but not too low, and just an all around comfy fit from day 1. Any feedback from you on this brand. Viberg 2030D 9: The 9D is probably the best fit I have from Viberg, or tied with the 2040. Their sole is often thinner compared to the English brands (eg CJ etc), which works fine during the warmer summer months. While not terribly drastic, this feature requires a bit more toe box space. I suspect 8UK would have been better, * **Enzo Bonafe 74945** 8UK perfect fit, snug around the heel and ball with a comfortable instep but still toe room, * **Enzo Bonafe 804** 7.5UK fits a bit better than 8UK, 8UK has a lot of heel slip in shell boots, * **Enzo Bonafe 062** 8UK fits similarly to 804 7.5UK. Particularly for certain watches perhaps, although less likely for certain muted bespoke suits which might fit better but wont look more expensive than a good of-the-peg one. Way too narrow and painful all around, last too tapered for my taste. They both have a very knowledgeable blog dedicated to shoes. The difference between the leather of Carmina shoes and the leather of Meermin shoes is that Carmina shoes are made with leather materials of a higher quality. On an industry level, theres also more variation among the Spanish brands, not least because a lot of them are younger, changing, and trying to fit into an increasingly competitive market. Other brands in this range include Septieme Largeur, Andres Sendra and Janko. But also, a lot of brands offer MTO with a different width at no extra cost, or only a small one. Switching to thin socks gives a very relaxed fit. Even though mine are lace-ups, breaking in has actually been very easy and I also feel like they are totally worth the money. Just make sure Trickers does not end up too chunky for you. From a comfort perspective these are unrivaled for the price, similar to how I have heard Baudoin & Lange described. Brands like Cheaney, Churchs, Trickers and Grenson dont feature here? They had also banned any online store to ship them out to Canada. Parkhurst 18 Last 9D: Too narrow, should have gone TTS. Perhaps I need to re-examine what value I place on shoes. both pairs have a dainite (or dainite-type, in Meermin's case) sole the Meermins have blind eyelets, whereas the Carminas have a brass eyelet that look to match the speedhook finish the heel on the Carminas is quite a bit longer than Meermin's No more Stows for me. Certainly compared to other parts of the shoe. I have not found any better service than that provided by the C&J shops in Jermyn Street (and actually at the factory shop on the one occasion I managed to visit). Skolyx is easily the best budget tier brand I have come across. Merrell Vapor Glove: 10D, no issues since there's barely any structure. Since that was my advice in your survey, I can only but congratulate. Suede. A good pair of these would really satisfy your footwear style needs for a really long time. I guess they are really strong in the marketing department indeed. Simon as always your articles are informative and an education. Im a long term Crockett and Jones customer I buy main line and handgrade (I prefer the handgrade for the softness of the leather and the whole leather inner, which feels lovely). I loved the MTO experience there. For someone who was a first time buyer of Northampton shoes, that process was indispensable. I think it makes sense for C&J to stick to making shoes and not running shops. 9US is too generous, * **Red Wing 8 last (iron ranger)** 8.5D a bit snug on the sides of the mid foot, might've gotten away with 8.5E, * **Rider Boot 42 last** 9D comfortable fit, but lowish instep at the top makes it hard to put them on without shoehorn, * **RM Williams Comfort Craftsman** 8G with a little heel slip, * **TLB Mallorca Alan** 8F UK generous without being overly roomy. Same thing is true at a luxury level. Lets not forget also that a bespoke shoe with a fiddle-back waist and angled heels can also have an element of vanity (albeit smaller than a watch). Never felt loose. Similar articles on suits, jackets, shirts etc are desperately needed. I bought a pair of suede oxfords some months ago and I have found them to be fairly good for their cost. Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. The high end, aspirational item is necessary too and will always be a hallmark of your site, but I believe you have wisely corrected a too marked journey into luxury where many less of us could have followed. Ive also, more recently, experienced the customer service at GC and G&G excellent in both cases, as was the consistently good service at the Little Cheaney shop in Leeds, when I lived in the North of England. EL, I think you kind of answered the question in your first statement. Ive just received an email from Herring Shoes announcing that Church Shoes Ltd have decided to increase their prices to reposition their brand at a higher price point. Although the quality is nothing to write home about, they are incredibly comfortable. I made the same experience with Bobbies shoes which ended in an oddyssey of sending shoes back and forth. Overall, Carmina shoes are better than Meermin shoes. Many thanks in advance, If you want something that very versatile, I wouldnt go with burgundy. Please take a look. More disclosure is called for before putting a disclaimer on others situation. Take for instance Santoni, Prada or S. Ferragamo. Both these shoemakers offer value far and a way above a UK shoe at a similar price point so they really are worth a look for a person prepared to put in the effort. Very comfortable, great instep for oxfords, * **Trickers W2298** 8UK a bit tight at the toes, perfectly snug everywhere else, * **Trickers 4444** 8UK tiny bit of heel slip, fits like a dream at the ball, * **Thomas George Jackas** 7.5UK a bit roomy. Or about 9.5D right foot and 9.4D left foot. Red Wing Moc Toe: 10D, narrow in ball of foot. People need to understand that expensive shoes will always give you your best return over time, especially when theyre taken care of properly. **Renav has inconsistent sizing it turns out. This article, then, is an analysis of the market for mens dress shoes below the Crocketts Handgrade level - all informed by Jesper. 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