Good quality men's shoes
Discussion
AyBee said:
On the subject of Loake soles - I've just worn through one of my pairs. What do people make of the Loake factory repair vs. A.N.Other? Is it worth the expense (about £70) and waiting time (6 weeks IIRC) to get them resoled at the factory?
Dropped mine off at the local cobbler, will have them back wednesday; cost was £35. I'll report back.After some opinions on care for new shoes as the internet seems awash wish many. I bought a pair of church's last year and after a few hours in house I duly wore them out to a work event with no thought for protection. Woke up the next morning to discover a small tear and havn't worn them since. Fast forward to now and I've bought another pair of church's (med brown) and one of barkers (black), with the hope of getting it right this time.
This is where I'm a little unsure. I've treated both new pairs to the once over with the appropriate colour cream then left for twenty four hours in the cupboard under the stairs. Then I used a soft brush to rub excess polish off and polished for a while with a lint free cloth. Now what? I guess a few hours around the house then out on a dry day? Or a layer of polish? (Clear or coloured?) Some sites suggest not mixing cream and polish, some suggest a 1:3 ratio. How often? I don't want them parade shiny but presentable would be good.
Yours,
confused of pigmented fingers.
This is where I'm a little unsure. I've treated both new pairs to the once over with the appropriate colour cream then left for twenty four hours in the cupboard under the stairs. Then I used a soft brush to rub excess polish off and polished for a while with a lint free cloth. Now what? I guess a few hours around the house then out on a dry day? Or a layer of polish? (Clear or coloured?) Some sites suggest not mixing cream and polish, some suggest a 1:3 ratio. How often? I don't want them parade shiny but presentable would be good.
Yours,
confused of pigmented fingers.
Thankyou4calling said:
I buy from Samuel Windsor, several pairs all used largely for work, decent price and quality I reckon.
My girlfriends dad bought a pair from Samuel windsor, apparently they went through a bad spot when he bought his, around 18 months ago, had to be fixed in timpsons and the guy in there said he didn't expect quality that bad from Samuel Windsor!To be honest, these days, Samuel Windsor don't seem to be rolling out the quality they used to. I recently bought a pair of Alfred Sargent formal boots which seem to be lasting very well. For work it's Joseph Cheaney 'Isis' Oxfords - extremely comfortable and such a good looking shoe, so much so; I'm considering another pair for an up an coming wedding I've to attend, bad form having the same shoe at the same time though. I've become obsessed on a pair of VASS (Budapest) wholecut oxfords which seem almost impossible to attain.
Stick with the notable and you'll fine. Middle market: Loake, Church, Grenson etc.
Stick with the notable and you'll fine. Middle market: Loake, Church, Grenson etc.
strudel said:
After some opinions on care for new shoes as the internet seems awash wish many. I bought a pair of church's last year and after a few hours in house I duly wore them out to a work event with no thought for protection. Woke up the next morning to discover a small tear and havn't worn them since. Fast forward to now and I've bought another pair of church's (med brown) and one of barkers (black), with the hope of getting it right this time.
This is where I'm a little unsure. I've treated both new pairs to the once over with the appropriate colour cream then left for twenty four hours in the cupboard under the stairs. Then I used a soft brush to rub excess polish off and polished for a while with a lint free cloth. Now what? I guess a few hours around the house then out on a dry day? Or a layer of polish? (Clear or coloured?) Some sites suggest not mixing cream and polish, some suggest a 1:3 ratio. How often? I don't want them parade shiny but presentable would be good.
Yours,
confused of pigmented fingers.
I think the best thing to do is to mix the cream and polish, apply, leave in the cupboard, then use the soft brush to remove the excess, and finally buff with a cloth. Do make sure it's lint free though.This is where I'm a little unsure. I've treated both new pairs to the once over with the appropriate colour cream then left for twenty four hours in the cupboard under the stairs. Then I used a soft brush to rub excess polish off and polished for a while with a lint free cloth. Now what? I guess a few hours around the house then out on a dry day? Or a layer of polish? (Clear or coloured?) Some sites suggest not mixing cream and polish, some suggest a 1:3 ratio. How often? I don't want them parade shiny but presentable would be good.
Yours,
confused of pigmented fingers.
The next thing to do is to put them on your feet, then do whatever you normally would. It's a pair of shoes. Nothing more.
Shaw Tarse said:
I haven't used him, but maybe give LC2 a shout? (looks like you're in London from your profile?)
To follow up on my question - I contacted LC2 and got a superb service and it only took about a week too. About to go through my other set so they'll be going to him too.Slightly OT, but does anyone use/like blakeys?
Hmm, not sure I agree that you need to spend the earth to get a good product.
I bought these beauties on ebay for less than a tenner. I've had them for two years and the rubber 'brothel creeper' sole still looks as new. It's tough to find quality like that on the high street these days. My cleaning regime is simply to rub the toes on the backs of my trouser legs while standing at the bar. They are stored in a bag in a dark cupboard though, so perhaps that has helped.
Disclaimer; seriously, these were bought for an eighties fancy dress party. I do not condone the wearing of white plastic shoes. Ever.
I bought these beauties on ebay for less than a tenner. I've had them for two years and the rubber 'brothel creeper' sole still looks as new. It's tough to find quality like that on the high street these days. My cleaning regime is simply to rub the toes on the backs of my trouser legs while standing at the bar. They are stored in a bag in a dark cupboard though, so perhaps that has helped.
Disclaimer; seriously, these were bought for an eighties fancy dress party. I do not condone the wearing of white plastic shoes. Ever.
offshorematt2 said:
Hmm, not sure I agree that you need to spend the earth to get a good product.
I bought these beauties on ebay for less than a tenner. I've had them for two years and the rubber 'brothel creeper' sole still looks as new. It's tough to find quality like that on the high street these days. My cleaning regime is simply to rub the toes on the backs of my trouser legs while standing at the bar. They are stored in a bag in a dark cupboard though, so perhaps that has helped.
Disclaimer; seriously, these were bought for an eighties fancy dress party. I do not condone the wearing of white plastic shoes. Ever.
My jaw hit the ground scanning through this and seeing the picture. Then I read the small print. Always read the small print! I bought these beauties on ebay for less than a tenner. I've had them for two years and the rubber 'brothel creeper' sole still looks as new. It's tough to find quality like that on the high street these days. My cleaning regime is simply to rub the toes on the backs of my trouser legs while standing at the bar. They are stored in a bag in a dark cupboard though, so perhaps that has helped.
Disclaimer; seriously, these were bought for an eighties fancy dress party. I do not condone the wearing of white plastic shoes. Ever.
Are we now going to get recommendations for ugly, expensive shoes that look like this?
Or this
Or
I know people on here constantly going on about Church shoes as if they are some expensive shoes for the man about town, but in my opinion they are f
king ugly.
Or this
Or
I know people on here constantly going on about Church shoes as if they are some expensive shoes for the man about town, but in my opinion they are f
king ugly.Edited by ThingsBehindTheSun on Friday 28th June 16:57
My favourites were Cheaney and Crockett & Jones. Trickers are also good quality but more towards country / rugged styles.
Most of the good makers are from Northampton.
Churches were good, but the prices have gone mad since Prada bought them, I think some of the ugly styles mentioned above have come from Prada influence.
Cap toe Oxford (model called Dubai) I bought for £350 5 years ago (I know that is already a lot), now £900!
My office is very casual so I have little motivation to buy shoes - even a 2 grand pair of John Lobbs / Edward Green / Gaziano will never be as comfortable as trainers. I am steering very much towards smart trainers these days (Lanvin, CP etc.) + chinos as opposed to formal shoe and suit.
Most of the good makers are from Northampton.
Churches were good, but the prices have gone mad since Prada bought them, I think some of the ugly styles mentioned above have come from Prada influence.
Cap toe Oxford (model called Dubai) I bought for £350 5 years ago (I know that is already a lot), now £900!
My office is very casual so I have little motivation to buy shoes - even a 2 grand pair of John Lobbs / Edward Green / Gaziano will never be as comfortable as trainers. I am steering very much towards smart trainers these days (Lanvin, CP etc.) + chinos as opposed to formal shoe and suit.
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