You always get something more for your money (if you avoid big brands/designers) but the best value-for-money options will nearly always have been selected already by the cheaper brand. TLB Artista full review here Jack, I havent looked at Weston in quite a while Im afraid Jack, but from what I remember they are around that kind of level, yes. And they are one of the very few brands offering something for the ladies. Even for me and I have narrower feet than the average man. From time to time you find great deals for +/- USD 600. Thats generally why so many people, or at least readers, like shoes from these other brands. No need to own property, employ shop staff etc etc. Great Stone Alexander 8.5D: Mostly great fit but too much heel slippage. This goes for Allen Edmonds now as well, where they will routinely reach 700 if bought directly from the manufacturer shipped out to Canada. Overall, Meermin shoes are great shoes, but they appear to be poorly finished when compared to Carminas. I absolutely could not go a half-size down. 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). Loake Bullet last (F-fit): 7Uk fits but a bit tight around toes. The Shelby boot has a lower instep as a result of the pattern as well. First thing I noticed is that they write the shoe runs large and one should buy half a size smaller than usual. Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc) - official thread. Japan is the biggest market in Asia for dress shoe brands, but a lot of the cheaper shoes (below 200) are made elsewhere in Asia and just finished at home (similar to Italy). 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 have experienced Cheaney a fair bit, my first two pairs of English shoes were from Cheaney main line (I still have one of them), plus I have worn Cheaneys imperial range as well as C&J mainline shoes. JavaScript is disabled. Foster & Son get this so much better with their RTW. The Shell Cordovan, non-Alden Shoe and Boot Thread, Find reviews, recommendations, tips about and appreciation of fine cutlery here. These are two of the best known shoe brands internationally, with Crocketts a British mainstay and Carmina (above) coming to prominence in the past 10 years. Im happy to pay a bit more for that consistency and service. Its a bit funny though that you state I do arbitrary claims, when you yourself lift the examples you do, without backing it up with anything. He knows the market back to front and is a lovely gent. But also, a lot of brands offer MTO with a different width at no extra cost, or only a small one. For example, I dont really care about super fine handwork on a shirt. E. D. E. Wide. Like the arbitrary claim that the soles on English soles wear out more quickly than European ones. The fit/finish/materials of my $600 Alden boots is markedly different from my $350 Allen Edmonds Dalton boots. REGULATION AND US. Ive since moved on to other brands because I wanted higher quality. My experience with them has been very similar to yours, Felix. 1757 last 10D: Great roomy fit as I recall from trying in a store over a year ago. It's a reasonably generous last. For what its worth Joshua, (with plenty of experience of both) I wouldnt necessarily consider C&J a step up from Trickers. At Styleforum, youll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis. Thanks Aidan. And sorry for the long post, whenever I come across such I wonder whether the guy is a bit insane, but then, passion, what? 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. People need to understand that expensive shoes will always give you your best return over time, especially when theyre taken care of properly. Still being worn with same sock thickness as the other Parkhurst last. and a pair of natural CXL beefrolls were very loose I could slide right out of them. and the results for the money where quite good.at a distance, you could mistake them for Berluti, at 1/4 the price. From my personal experience, there has been a decline in quality in inverse proportion to price increases. Also Barkers at the 1880 price point are made in the UK. For me, thats the right balance: There are diminishing returns to the higher quality make you can get with more expensive manufacturers, and a lot of my enjoyment comes from having shoes that are fit for particular purposes e.g., sleeker oxfords to wear with suits and smarter trousers, chunkier brogue and split-toes for more casual outfits, rubber soles for wet weather, unlined loafers for the summer, etc. A reader even referenced it in a comment above on this post. Its a standard Goodyear shoe, with no fuss. Theyre perhaps most similar to Skolyx, in being a very simple make but with good materials. If you wanted something sleeker, and dont mind it being slightly more delicate then JM Weston. Allen Edmonds Sizing to Carmina & Meermin Those that have Allen Edmonds and carmina or meermins, what size do you wear in AE compared to the others? Our featured affiliate vendor of the week is a brand new affiliate vendor, the artisan Bespoke Shoemaker Szuba. I would agree that some change has happened since Stollenwerk sold the company to an investment fund, they seem to have gone into the greed and certainly for some cost cutting somewhere to make up for the handicap of making in the US. I bought a pair of suede oxfords some months ago and I have found them to be fairly good for their cost. White's 50/50 9D: This is now one of my best fitting lasts. And do you know any retailer in continental Europe who sells Anthony Cleverley? Simon wrote that it is expensive to add an extra width across all shoes. Especially compared to other Spanish or Italian shoes, which are also a bit softer than the English., North America: Spier & MacKay, Allen Edmonds, Cobbler Union, John Doe. I have room for my toes, but my foot isnt rattling around. Carminas are more expensive than Meermin shoes, but they are also more valuable. Carmina Forest Oxford and Blucher - 9.5 UK. Does that refer to leather- or rubber ones? Im not the only one. Carminas are better than Meermin shoes today because of one major thing: Better Material Quality. Theres a lot of marketing in this entry-level market: everyone says their shoes are handcrafted, using the best materials.. What struck a cord for me is consistency of (most) english manufacturers. Thursday Captain 9D: Felt too tight on the instep brand new. It takes days to sift through the carmina thread to even know relatively what size to buy. Also I feel the toe space is a bit too narrow. Andres Sendra: I have a pair of wholecuts. Notes about feet: Low instep, low arch, wide-ish with somewhat splayed toes. The arch is prominent, not as much as the White's Archease. So for example, they now only curve the waist line on the inside of their shoe, and not the outside. Kyle from Baker's later told me that my instep width is more like EE/EEE, which is what causes many of my fit issues around the mid-foot. I dont really David the piece is deliberately written by someone else, not me, as its not an area I have that much experience with. Joseph Cheaney are undoubtedly the thinking flaneurs cordonnier. In my view, any proper maker would redo a pair coming out like that. Their MSRP is slightly below C&J and at a certain point theyve been advertised as The finest bespoke shoes outside of England., On par with Shoepassion in Germany Id recommend Prime Shoes. They may not be top tier but they certainly are hard wearing. Now, Id probably look at a boot like the Conniston or Islay. Ive read PS with some interest over the last year or so, and have enjoyed learning how to dress properly. Besides a very enthusiastic and engaging chap in the Jermyn Street store, whose name I have forgotten, they could do with taking lessons from the brands mentioned in this post. Alden Aberdeen 9.5D: Great fit. Many people have fallen in love with the Carminas because of how good-looking they are. Fast worldwide deliveries; 14 day returns; . Sizing down 1 from your HTT could be tricky. But you might want to chat with Carmina first to double-check. Morjas definitely makes decent shoes, even though I wouldnt recommend buying any pair with leather soles, as these are the worst soles Ive ever encountered. All one had to do is insert a sole liner, of wear thicker socks. Allen Edmonds 511G 9.5D: Slightly long and a bit too voluminous, was meant to be worn with dress socks, end up wearing it with boot socks to make it fit. Alden TruBalance 9D: Its just so good. Their price seems similar to or slightly higher than C&J Handgrade collections but I wasnt sure as they are a French brand. I am a little biased here because I have had these for longer than any other pair on this list, so they are more broken in, and the last happens to fit my foot better than any but the C&J 348 too. PS Presents 23: Arterton, LEJ, Marrkt, Fox and Rubato, Click on an image to enlarge. Kenton 10D: Great roomy fit for boots with thick/medium socks; good snug fit for LWB with thin socks/sockless. While not terribly drastic, this feature requires a bit more toe box space. Brannock Size: 10D/E with flat feet and extra wide around instep. However, it shows. Custom ordered these with a combination last of 9.5E toe and 9.5D heel. I normally wear medium weight socks from Darn Tough and Wigwam unless otherwise specified. Very snug toe box, foot extends past footbed on sides; too much vertical space even with tongue pad, resulting in lots of heel slip and overlapping facings. For each last, add any thoughts on fit, including ankle/shaft fit for boots. (Vibergs cxl is different to Thursday boots cxl.). ", Spain 1: TLB, Yanko, Septieme Largeur and Andres Sendra. 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. Switching to thin socks gives a very relaxed fit. No one wants their sole to wear down quickly, but points like the shaped waist are more aesthetic, and its up to you whether you care about them. The 5th toe of my right foot has always been mildly adducted and overlapping the 4th toe. Should fit most people TTS. Carmina shoes are made with premium materials that are much superior to materials used for making Meermin shoes. Very nice article. Take for instance Santoni, Prada or S. Ferragamo. I am just wondering if there is anything else I am missing. Can you please comment on the poor quality of English soles mentioned. !!! (I think I prefer the darker colour of the first). He is, at the moment, offering something special forum readers. 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). A year ago one major thing: better Material quality at 1/4 the price over a year ago other! 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