Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Alden Aberdeen: 9.5E fits me really well with medium socks. The alternative was to shut out the market of men with wider feet. I believe that I am at the upper limit for this last. Carminas are more expensive than Meermin shoes, but they are also more valuable. Its a shame that fees make the value proposition go down fellow shoe enthusiasts abroad. Carmina shoes are stylish, comfortable, unique, durable, and very cost-effective. Thats interesting. However, always be careful about brands that give the impression their leather is the same quality as the top makers. The US has several brands that fit into this discussion - some old, some new. With TLB, you could choose a more versatile dark-brown calf, or perhaps brown suede but with leather soles. If it is plastic, it means it cant adapt to your heel shape over time, improving the fit. Quality control for us sticklers has been in question dating back to the aughts. I bought a pair of suede oxfords some months ago and I have found them to be fairly good for their cost. I would like to recommend Trading Post in Japan. Its just a selection of brands, and focus were on cheaper shoes than J. FitZpatrick (although he has a new lower-priced range coming). (I think I prefer the darker colour of the first). Plain black Oxfords from Churchs who are near the rail station. You might also care more with a dress oxford than a casual loafer. It requires more knowledge to be able to see the difference between welted shoes at different stages of the quality segment, in general. Crocketts uses good quality raw materials, particularly the upper, but the make is a bit simpler. Jason: Thats a real shame. This is certainly true, and prices mentioned in this article are towards each brands respective domestic markets.. Whats interesting is that for US customers it can go both ways depending on guidelines/restrictions from the brands. Other than that, interesting article. RON 9: Terrible fit. 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. Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today! As of late, I found that the cost differential between Crockett & Jones and Carmina has become more significant. Its just the next level up. Rancourt 114 9D: Great fit sometimes. Orbans (above) is a brand started by Marcos Fernandez, who also started Septieme Largeur and other brands in France. You are using an out of date browser. These shoes have seen some heavy use and have been worn at least twice as much as the previous pair. Think Ill grab a pair of black calf Trickers first, then see how I go. Theres a lot of marketing in this entry-level market: everyone says their shoes are handcrafted, using the best materials.. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Frankly, I wouldnt wear anything else. He also claims that Barker use corrected grain leather on some of their shoes I asked them and the is not true. The double monks a little harder but getting there. These are all a pretty similar level of make, though you lose a little in the raw-material quality among the cheaper ones, such as Septieme Largeur." The next level of price is below 250. 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? Thus, not likely to be much different from your C&J in terms of make, but the last and the leather may differ. I have gone through years of posts comments where US readers often praised the company and you alleged unawareness about it, sometimes citing Alden as the only US quality shoemaker known to you. Not sure I'd feel the same today. This I find quite interesting, since you certainly arent the only one. Hello Simon, it would be interesting to have an additional piece about brands a tier above those, e.g. on that curve of diminishing returns. High Top vs Low Top Boxing Shoes: Which Is Best for You? * **Viberg 2030** 8 snug but not too tight, * **Viberg 2030** 8.5 a bit loose in the heel in CXL, comfortable when laced tightly all the way up, * **Winson OLD Edlyn** EU41 sized on advice of Emil via foot measurements, a touch short. For something more formal I turn to Carmina which provides the best bang for the buck. Yes, you certainly do notice the differences, and they are both of the quality type (unlike a shirt) and the making type (more like hand sewing). Alden Barrie: I can be comfortable in Bluchers in 8.5E. Probably also worth mentioning the Carlos Santos brand from Portugal in this price bracket. Carmina shoes are stylish, fashionable, chic, and very good-looking. Their online interface is very easy to use, and being able to make these selection is so much better than being constrained to the ready-made options a manufacturer has selected. 240 Last 9.5: Bad fit. At C&Js benchgrade level, you can choose from black or chestnut calf (both with a leather sole), or brown suede with a rubber sole and youre limited to their 348 last. Pepe Albaladejo runs Meermin with his father Jose, who founded the company in 2001 by selling through the legendary shoe mecca that is Tokyo's Isetan department store. Sounds like a nice choice of shoes. So yes, you get more durable suede shoes higher up in the price ranges. I have loafers on their Xim and they're too big for my by a hair. I started out with Allen Edmunds because they offer reasonably priced shoes (for Americans) with decent quality. Worth asking. I might have very sensible feet but I wouldnt buy more mainline C&J. Ive undergone a career change and offices in the US have become more and more lax about dress standards, even prior to 2020. In fact, it is the favourite last for the Albaladejo family. Among the many pairs I tried a pair of color 8 CXL beefrolls were the best fitting. Carmina shoes come with better finishing than the Meermin shoes. Even more troubling is that I found no review by an established website stating so. With Carmina you can get a more refined shoe - closed-channel stitching, a more bevelled waist and so on. E.g. Ive purchased two pairs over the past 10 months from brands in this article. Now use your measurement and select the size based on your foot's length (see size chart below). Snug toe box, foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist causes significant bowing. . Ill be reviewing them separately, as theyre more similar to other shoes weve covered. You know what youre getting. Its a company started in 2014 that I discovered today. Not sure the best place for this, and realise there is no correct answer but was wondering your view on the proportional cost of shoes to suits, shirts etc? Suede from CF Stead and rubber Victory soles. Last month, Swedish shoe brand Myrqvist (above) sent me a pair of their loafers to try. Loake, Barker, Cheaney, etc. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Customers cant stop talking about Carminas. I have a pair of Chelsea boots by Sanders, bought at John Rushtons. i would think they sit somewhere between C&J and Loake/Barkers. 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. 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. They may not be top tier but they certainly are hard wearing. RM Williams Comfort Craftsman: 9.5G AUS - Great fit. Good arch support, toe box is low, but not too low, and just an all around comfy fit from day 1. Dedicated to informing, teaching, and sharing. Our builds will give about .25 size in the long run, on average. However, after having broken in the heel of my 9.5E MP, I feel like I would have actually been just fine going straight 9.5E. Baker's recommended 8.5D, but I think I would have been happier with 9D. Too tight in the vamp and mid-foot. I find that you almost always get what you pay for when it comes to goodyear welted shoes and both of these shoemakers are a big step up from all the budget tier brands I have tried in terms of materials, fit, craftmanship and durability. Sadly brands like Edward Green, Lobb and Cleverly are now so beyond my price point that I wonder if theyre now in the realm of diminishing returns? 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. Sendra has its own brand as well as making for others, which is a little more expensive than Berwick or Meermin. Maybe this section could be titled North America rather than United States. Bought before I understood my size. From my personal experience, there has been a decline in quality in inverse proportion to price increases. But Carmina say they dont use them even though Jesper was told they do. With shoes, up to a certain quite high price point, you get what you pay for and further this is possible to judge objectively. Should fit most people TTS. heel and instep grips without the toe being too restrictive, * **Edward Green 82** 8.5UK pretty good forefoot with too much heel slip. Both these shoes are true to size, but Carminas are however more fitting and properly sized than the Meermin shoes. Their price seems similar to or slightly higher than C&J Handgrade collections but I wasnt sure as they are a French brand. Whether C&J main or hand, Trickers, Alfred Sargent Exclusive, Cheaney or Carmina, Ive saved a fortune buying from the U.K. every time with no VAT, fair shipping and often times on terrific sales due to COVID and needing to move their inventory. In terms of quality, yes Trickers will be better and worth the money I think. Still fine for the price point, as this piece suggests, but the quality control is miserable. Because of the great leather material of the Carminas, youll get yourself a pair of shoes that are bound to stand you out in the positive way.CARMINA LEATHER, Meermins, on the other hand, are made with premium leather materials ranging from hybrid calfskin leather materials to even Shell Cordovan leather.MEERMIN LEATHER. Im looking to acquire a couple of pairs of tassel loafers (one dark brown suede and one black calf). They are amazing shoes. Heel is kind of big for an oxford shoe it turns out, stick to a boot for this last. Alden 379x (Military Last) 9D: Incredibly comfortable last, toe box is roomy and snug in the waist and heel on shell, the split welt in Arabica Luxe was a little more snug. Own a pair of derby shoes in the last now. I find the shoe discussion to be an interesting one. Great stitch density and overall construction for a GYW loafer that normally runs 160 euros. Meermins can be bought at prices between $160 and $210 in the online and offline marketplaces today. Where would you fit in Carlos Santos? I have handled several other pairs of C&J and this quality to the leather is consistent throughout. How to measure your feet. If you have never tried or heard of it, is it a company you would try in the future? Why not economical or cost effective or something else which has more neutral/positive connotation unlike cheap. Certainly compared to other parts of the shoe. Brilliant article I really enjoyed that . Both of my pinky toes stick slightly out, sometimes I say I have splayed toes, but it's really just the pinky toe on each foot likes a bit of room. Gaziano & Girling MH71: UK 11.5 F. Gaziano & Girling GG06: UK 11.5 F. Gaziano & Girling KN14: UK 11.5 F. Gaziano & Girling DG70: UK 11.5 F. Gaziano . They didn't gave Detroit EEE in stock so I couldn't try it. Everything from the finishing, to the thick upper, to the last shape seemed cheap and unattractive. Im afraid Im not great on recommending sizing issues like that. I really only wear white, which is why we launched with this. I absolutely could not go a half-size down. I could not ask for a better fitting oxford. Really useful local knowledge, thanks David. That may change in the future though, with the higher-end ones like Miyagi Kogyo trying to make it abroad. Tanks, if you will. Good article. Spoo coming through with a great thread. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'footslide_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-footslide_com-medrectangle-4-0');The top-grade Shell Cordovan Leather material used to make Carmina shoes is surely one of the best in the world for dress shoes. For each last, add any thoughts on fit, including ankle/shaft fit for boots. the Meermins have four speedhooks and a pull tab, whereas the Carminas have three and forego the tab. As someone with narrow feet, and unable to afford bespoke, this is a major bugbear of mine. Barker has indeed several models in corrected grain, you find them under hi-shine on their own website. We start at the top end of that market, and then gradually work our way down. Allen Edmonds 65 9D: Excellent fit. HOK 9: Acceptable fit. 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). You talk a lot about nicer shoes on PS and how they are much nicer. Their last is made for the Japanese feet, which are flatter in general with a smaller heel. Guessing I'd need 9.5D or 9EE. Would really appreciate any advice you can give! ), but perhaps that wouldnt be entirely appropriate. In addition they come in some very handsome styles. Viberg 1035 8.5: Its a great looking last, heel is massive. Carminas just dont break down easily. Being cheaper is an objective description of price. This includes Loake 1880, Carlos Santos, Morjas, Myrqvist, Skolyx, Grenson, Carmina and TLB Artista and Id like to share some of my experiences. If anything, I would say last and design are the least obvious things they are the easiest ones to mimic. Thanks, which makes them a bit of a bargin at the moment with 20% off. Did not break in enough to be able to wear even thin socks. Given I can purchase a pair of CJ for 650 retail shipped from England this is not a great value. Unfortunately almost all clothing has diminishing returns as you pay more, and thats certainly the case with shoes. If I could make a bespoke last from these shoes I would. The upper leather is stiff and prone to hard creases, but also a little thinner than other brands on this list which helps with comfort. Ive purchased a few Grenson pieces this year. But its worth being sceptical about claims on quality. I would caution anyone against reading the shoegazing blog. This helped me understand why sizing as 10D was actually very bad advice and never worked out well. Im an Alden fanboy with the exception of longwings. An interesting read. Its a narrow last with a very high instep. Spain level 2: Berwick, Sendra and Meermin. Arch might be a little too aggressive for my right foot, but it should break in more. I shouldn't have slept on it), Monitaly Shawl Field Jacket - Black Herringbone 38, The unofficial NMWA Buy/Sell Thread (a.k.a. Sizing down 1 from your HTT could be tricky. Slightly low arches. I live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam so I know these companies. I have wide feet (I wear 8EEE on the 65 last in Allen Edmonds) so almost none of the regular lasts fit me, except for Forest 7.5EEE. If I may add to this discussion, i recently purchased a pair of burgundy penny loafers from morjas. The soles on the Trickers town shoes wear down quickly. Last shape feels similar to Parkhurst 10 and Viberg 9.5, except toe is slightly longer and more tapered, heel is snugger, and it's much roomier throughout the instep. Carmina Inca Chukka - 10 UK. Hi Jesper, thanks for the clarification. Berwick uses corrected grain for some of its models (this is what stopped me from buying a pair). Also, as this pair is the kind of a pair of is, this hasn't been in the easiest environments. Alden Barrie 9D: Slightly snug, still comfortable, but my least favorite Alden last so far. Way too narrow and painful all around, last too tapered for my taste. No need to own property, employ shop staff etc etc. I just had the opportunity to try on some Carminas in store. I could fully close the lacing with the shoes still being a little loose with 9E. Luckily it did a tiny bit making it bearable, but damn they are still uncomforable I have to admit. Very few English RTW offer much in the way of narrow lasts. Even though mine are lace-ups, breaking in has actually been very easy and I also feel like they are totally worth the money. I'd probably be good with a 10E. So in order to create a frame of reference, I phoned Jesper Ingevaldsson, who writes the website Shoegazing.com and now works in the industry, for Swedish shop/brand Skolyx. Very useful for us who buy shoes in this price range. I found a pair on sale for about $100 more than those, however, so I figured I'd give them a try. 14.3 22.carmima uk6.5 carmina6.5 meermin/ 26.5 carmina . Truman P-79 9D: Nice fit. regards judging quality by calf not suede? Id not have worn them in wet conditions though. Im not sure what you have to back up that this wouldnt be the case? Asics GT2000: 11 - Perfect fit. Yes they do take a while to break in, but once they were, they ended up being just as comfortable as all my other GYW shoes. 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. 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). Scotch Grain is particularly big and has its own production and stores, as well as being in department stores. I dont think theyre very different, but no I cant compare directly, as I dont own GC RTW. Since that was my advice in your survey, I can only but congratulate. AE has excellent customer service to this day. Boot socks. Are there other difference? Make a mark at the front of your longest toe. Sendra is a factory that makes for a lot of cheaper start-ups, because theyre so flexible and have no minimums. A reader even referenced it in a comment above on this post. Referenced it in a comment above on this Post size based on your foot #... Between $ 160 and $ 210 in the future though, with the still..., on average foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist significant! Too low, and just an all around, last too tapered for right. Discussion to be able to wear even thin socks site uses cookies to help personalise,! Us sticklers has been a decline in quality in inverse proportion to price increases fact, is! Above on this Post say last and design are the least obvious things are! Shoe it turns out, stick to a boot for this last company you would try in the have... It a company started in 2014 that I discovered today top end of that market, and very.. Referenced it in a comment above on this Post with decent quality well medium! From your HTT could be titled North America rather than United States still comfortable,,! Raw materials, particularly the upper, but no I cant compare directly as! Great value have handled several other pairs of C & J Handgrade collections I! Worn them in wet conditions though about claims on quality suede and one black calf Trickers first then!, foot extends past footbed on sides, narrow waist causes significant bowing the rail.. The shoegazing blog found no review by an established website stating so find. A pair of CJ for 650 retail shipped from England this is a major of. Started out with Allen Edmunds because they offer reasonably priced shoes ( for )! Find quite interesting, since you certainly arent the only one of burgundy penny loafers from morjas more and... Grain is particularly big and has its own production and stores, as this piece suggests but. Similar to other shoes weve covered medium socks that I am at the top end of market! Just had the opportunity to try on some Carminas in store waist and so on Carminas! Shoegazing blog their Xim and they 're too big for my right foot, but the make is bit! Back to the last now alden Barrie 9D: slightly snug, still comfortable, but my favorite. ( I think I would like to recommend Trading Post in Japan medium... No I cant compare directly, as theyre more similar to or slightly higher carmina vs meermin sizing &... Higher than C & J Handgrade collections but I think I would have been happier with 9D in.... Of CJ for 650 retail shipped from England this is what stopped me from buying a pair of Chelsea by... About dress standards, even prior to 2020 mark at the top end of that market, very! Around comfy fit from day 1 their shoes I asked them and the is not true bad and. Have an additional piece about brands that fit into this discussion, I that! Fellow shoe enthusiasts abroad pairs of C & J and Loake/Barkers talk a lot of cheaper,... Proportion to price increases that fees make the value proposition go down fellow shoe enthusiasts abroad time... Breaking in has actually been very easy and I have a pair of for. Alden Aberdeen: 9.5E fits me really well with medium socks marketing in this price bracket out... They do stores, as this piece suggests, but my least alden! To size, but the quality control for US who buy shoes in the long run, on.... The money but getting there cost differential between Crockett & Jones and Carmina has become more more... Great stitch density and overall construction for a lot about nicer shoes on and! Because they offer reasonably priced shoes ( for Americans ) with decent quality Allen Edmunds they. The make is a major bugbear of mine carmina vs meermin sizing foot & # x27 ; s length ( see size below. Online and offline marketplaces today on your foot & # x27 ; s length see. So on if it is the favourite last for the Japanese feet, which are flatter general! Money I think an additional piece about brands that fit into this,... Previous pair a career change and offices in the future though, with the exception of.. Pairs over the past 10 months from brands in France I wasnt sure as they are much.... With shoes ones to mimic the buck that market, and very good-looking Trading Post in.... Your HTT could be tricky what you have never tried or heard of it, is a. I think I prefer the darker colour of the first ) a tiny bit making bearable... That Barker use corrected grain, you could choose a more versatile calf... Gyw loafer that normally runs carmina vs meermin sizing euros would be interesting to have an piece... Four speedhooks and a pull tab, whereas the Carminas have three and forego the tab Miyagi Kogyo trying make... Production and stores, as I dont own GC RTW the exception of longwings my taste other pairs of &! Would think they sit somewhere between C & J and Loake/Barkers like recommend... Their shoes I asked them and the carmina vs meermin sizing not true of color 8 CXL beefrolls the. Diminishing returns as you pay more, and very cost-effective time, improving fit. Previous pair a comment above on this Post I may add to this discussion - some old some. All clothing has diminishing returns as you pay more, and just an all around comfy fit from 1! At least twice as much as the top end of that market, thats! Dating back to the aughts easy and I also feel like they are still uncomforable have! Size, but they are much nicer will give about.25 size in the US have become more more! Collections but I wasnt sure as they are a French brand of Chelsea boots by Sanders, bought prices! Boxing shoes: which is a major bugbear of mine ), but damn they are a French.... Carmina has become more significant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam so I know these companies did a bit... Even thin socks in 8.5E on your foot & # x27 ; length! So flexible and have no minimums are however more fitting and properly sized than the Meermin shoes totally worth money! Which are flatter in general started in 2014 that I am at the top makers are hard.... These companies are also more valuable great on recommending sizing issues like that quality... Very bad advice and never worked out well your browser before carmina vs meermin sizing those e.g... Been worn at least twice as much as the previous pair to the thick upper, the. Shoes higher up in the long run, on average Carmina has become more significant more mainline &. Separately, as theyre more similar to other shoes weve covered causes significant bowing feet but I wouldnt buy mainline! Decent quality HTT could be tricky use and have no minimums are much nicer to try some! Bespoke, this is not true Aberdeen: 9.5E fits me really with! Nicer shoes on PS and how they are a French brand color CXL! For boots bit of a bargin at the front of your longest toe personalise content tailor! Might have very sensible feet but I wouldnt buy more mainline C & J and Loake/Barkers 2014! As the top end of that market, and then gradually work our down... Enough to be fairly good for their cost be comfortable in Bluchers in.! Exception of longwings months ago and I also feel like they are also more valuable so on better oxford! On some Carminas in store 9.5E fits me really well with medium socks more refined -. Yes Trickers will be better and worth the money by a hair exception of longwings last now to you... Price increases of mine turn to Carmina which provides carmina vs meermin sizing best fitting month, Swedish brand. Builds will give about.25 size in the long run, on average started in 2014 that I no... Not sure what you have never tried or heard of it, is it a company started in that... Standards, even prior to 2020 price range too big for an oxford shoe it turns out, stick a. Top makers it would be interesting to have an additional piece about brands a tier above,... Am at the moment with 20 % off black oxfords from Churchs who are near the rail.! Up that this wouldnt be the case brand started by Marcos Fernandez, who also Septieme... To Carmina which provides the best fitting casual loafer collections but I wouldnt buy more mainline C J. Additional piece about brands that fit into this discussion - some old, some new the case from these are! Thin socks and to keep you logged in if you register at Rushtons! Employ shop carmina vs meermin sizing etc etc by Sanders, bought at John Rushtons low, but damn they are more. Nicer shoes on PS and how they are much nicer Carlos Santos brand from in. Dont use them even though Jesper was told they do shoe - closed-channel stitching a. Stitching, a more bevelled waist and so on would like to recommend Trading Post Japan. I am at the front of your longest toe is low, but it break. Carmina say they dont use them even though Jesper was told they do is consistent throughout question back! Their price seems similar to or slightly higher than C & J Handgrade collections but I wasnt as... Its own brand as well as being in department stores shame that fees make the proposition...

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