Working Shoe for Young Exec

[runforyourlife]

anyone buy meermin can pm me also can share shipping...

 

[PetiaC]

Yes I was talking about the brands like meermin Ed or even like G&G, compared to those mass market brand like aldo.

The high end brand always seem to look very good but haven't seen much pictures where they've been worn long and hard. I know they can be resoled and last for a long time, just wondering how the leather uppers hold up with time.

Thanks for taking the time to share the info!

If taken care properly the uppers can last at least a decade. I have resoled vintage shoes and the upper is still holding up well. Even the abused shoes can be revitalised and renewed with a bit of TLC.

 

[jonleelk]

If taken care properly the uppers can last at least a decade. I have resoled vintage shoes and the upper is still holding up well. Even the abused shoes can be revitalised and renewed with a bit of TLC.

Bro, where in SG can resole GY weld shoe?

 

[chromehead]

What do you guys think of this handmade shoes made in Indonesia? Priced at 150SGD.

indon is up and coming with these craft shoes and boots in recent years.

they were also dabbling with denim too

a little hard to find links but most are definitely selling online

 

[Carnage]

Any kind of leather needs to take care for them to last.

Doesn't matter shoes or bags, leather used to be part of a living creature's skin after all. Don't expect it to last if you don't bother to take care.

When men used to train in the uniform groups, taking care of your own boots instilled discipline. It was also for us to ensure that they last for a long time. Why should our dress shoes be any different?

 

[patryn33]

Yes I was talking about the brands like meermin Ed or even like G&G, compared to those mass market brand like aldo.

The high end brand always seem to look very good but haven't seen much pictures where they've been worn long and hard. I know they can be resoled and last for a long time, just wondering how the leather uppers hold up with time.

Thanks for taking the time to share the info!

If u don't care for expensive brands, still wore them hard and expect it to look good. Better off buying cheapo, cheapo can last at least a yr and u get to wear new shoe ever yr or so.

If u are not the kind to polish shoe each time after wearing or at least once a week the upper wouldn't look good after a few yrs. I drive and work in a office still I like to polish it after each wear to keep it looking nice

 

[patryn33]

If taken care properly the uppers can last at least a decade. I have resoled vintage shoes and the upper is still holding up well. Even the abused shoes can be revitalised and renewed with a bit of TLC.

How much abuse are we talkinghere? Scratches all over? Plus water damage due to rain and mud?

 

[KennyDagrish]

I think when one needs to distinguish between hand and machine welt, whatever gets the mag across is crucial. Im trying to explain that it is still done by hand on pricier shoes.

just wanted to give my 2 cents on this matter & more but could only find the time to now,

you are right in that most arguments (and believe me it's a perennial issue) of this sort are mainly over semantics, so I shall not go into that. but i think it is a mistake to automatically assume that more $$$ = hand welted = better.

basically more $$$ usually = more manual labour = more artisanal value, but as you know that does not automatically make the shoe better. even "hand welted" shoes are made with some degree of machine assistance as obviously a machine is more accurate than a human.

when you pay top dollar, imo you should consider the looks, comfort and quality first, especially material and construction quality. there are good blakes and there are awful goodyears.

to everyone else, what do you want out of the shoe?

if you want elegance, may I suggest blake or blake-rapid with optional patina finishings, as they have (imo) a much better profile than a GY or norwegian. just remember to stay out of water especially in sg as organic materials can degrade due to moisture. and treat the shoe carefully.

if you want durability then look into GY or norwegian. All good shoes can be resoled but GY is obviously easier to find in terms of people who will do it. just remember these shoes are bulkier, heavier, and not very flexible.

if you want comfort/fit then please consider MTO/bespoke depending on your budget. but also carefully consider your style and material options, it seems funny to have a MTO made out of bookbinder...

when i say good quality what i mean is that the uppers are full grain, the soles (stitching/welting) are channeled and better still masked, the insole is thick leather and the welt is directly attached to flaps cut from the insole. of course the best and easiest way make sure of these things IMO is through word of mouth about the reputation of the shoemaker.

I have no experience at all with EdatAl so no comments here but DW's $600 "goodyear welted" shoes don't even have a channeled sole last time i checked for some models. And a badly channeled sole for the more expensive ones. Which is really dumb since the stitching is vulnerable to water and wear.

anyway like i said some time back a loake 1880 or barker from robinsons sale should be good enough for almost everyone except serious shoe enthusiasts, and with an affordable price tag too.

 

[PetiaC]

How much abuse are we talkinghere? Scratches all over? Plus water damage due to rain and mud?

Common mistakes:

Daily wear esp without socks

Not using shoe tree

Not using shoe horn

Not drying properly when wet

Not regularly maintained

Allowing dirt to accumulate


All the above will shorten the life span of the shoe. As long as it is not salt water, mud and rain is not an issue to properly treated shoes.

 

[PetiaC]

Bro, where in SG can resole GY weld shoe?

Edwin lor. If you are talking about a full resole. The one and only GY welting machine in Singapore. Some say JB and Batam too...

To clarify what I say by resole is change the half sole or heel. I nv did a full resole. My guess is going to be very expensive like around 300 to 500 range. So take care of your shoes and replace the half soles once it wears out or use taps / topy etc ...

 

[boysdontcryy]

just wanted to give my 2 cents on this matter & more but could only find the time to now,

you are right in that most arguments (and believe me it's a perennial issue) of this sort are mainly over semantics, so I shall not go into that. but i think it is a mistake to automatically assume that more $$$ = hand welted = better.

basically more $$$ usually = more manual labour = more artisanal value, but as you know that does not automatically make the shoe better. even "hand welted" shoes are made with some degree of machine assistance as obviously a machine is more accurate than a human.

when you pay top dollar, imo you should consider the looks, comfort and quality first, especially material and construction quality. there are good blakes and there are awful goodyears.

to everyone else, what do you want out of the shoe?

if you want elegance, may I suggest blake or blake-rapid with optional patina finishings, as they have (imo) a much better profile than a GY or norwegian. just remember to stay out of water especially in sg as organic materials can degrade due to moisture. and treat the shoe carefully.

if you want durability then look into GY or norwegian. All good shoes can be resoled but GY is obviously easier to find in terms of people who will do it. just remember these shoes are bulkier, heavier, and not very flexible.

if you want comfort/fit then please consider MTO/bespoke depending on your budget. but also carefully consider your style and material options, it seems funny to have a MTO made out of bookbinder...

when i say good quality what i mean is that the uppers are full grain, the soles (stitching/welting) are channeled and better still masked, the insole is thick leather and the welt is directly attached to flaps cut from the insole. of course the best and easiest way make sure of these things IMO is through word of mouth about the reputation of the shoemaker.

I have no experience at all with EdatAl so no comments here but DW's $600 "goodyear welted" shoes don't even have a channeled sole last time i checked for some models. And a badly channeled sole for the more expensive ones. Which is really dumb since the stitching is vulnerable to water and wear.

anyway like i said some time back a loake 1880 or barker from robinsons sale should be good enough for almost everyone except serious shoe enthusiasts, and with an affordable price tag too.

More expensive shoes are not necessarily always better don't think I claimed that in my posts. Merely said that hand-welt is often found on pricier shoes.

That said, price SOMETIMES can be a good indication of quality. Not always, sometimes.

 

[patryn33]

Common mistakes:

Daily wear esp without socks

Not using shoe tree

Not using shoe horn

Not drying properly when wet

Not regularly maintained

Allowing dirt to accumulate

All the above will shorten the life span of the shoe. As long as it is not salt water, mud and rain is not an issue to properly treated shoes.

I am guilt of not using shoe horn. Lol
Maybe I should think if getting those long ones

 

[boysdontcryy]

I am guilt of not using shoe horn. Lol
Maybe I should think if getting those long ones

That's quite impt tbh, and helps saves time too. If you have to force your feet into the shoes, and use your finger to try and slip your feet in, chances are you'll damage the back part after some time

If I were you, I'd get a longer one. Don't have to bend all the way down.

Here's my shoe-kit with horn:

 

[josephkjc]

How is the new Ed Et Al new collection?

 

[dj_flame]

Yeah, do share.

I'm already planning to buy a loafer and a wingtip for next FY come December (BONUS time )

 

[patryn33]

That's quite impt tbh, and helps saves time too. If you have to force your feet into the shoes, and use your finger to try and slip your feet in, chances are you'll damage the back part after some time

If I were you, I'd get a longer one. Don't have to bend all the way down.

Here's my shoe-kit with horn:

Need to find out how much time saved. Lol
Not using finger technique but I sure love your wooden box. I just want something to hold on the shoe so that I can polish Ian's buff it easy. Anything to recommend

 

[Nikeboy]

I have this saddle shoes made last yr, yet to have any chance to wear it. My job only require me to wear sneakers and tees.

 

[PetiaC]

Need to find out how much time saved. Lol
Not using finger technique but I sure love your wooden box. I just want something to hold on the shoe so that I can polish Ian's buff it easy. Anything to recommend

if you refuse to go down to ikea or daiso and spend a couple of dollars for a shoe horn u can use a leather belt as an impromptu shoehorn.

 

[runforyourlife]

bros... anyone know where to get e shoe tree and shoe horn in Singapore? ed selling e tree at 70. looking around for alternatives..

din ask about e waxing and polishing stuff total noob on it. how to maintain e shoes huh? the saphir Issit good? have to do it after every wear Issit? Thanks in advance guys.

 

[PetiaC]

Not exactly formal shoe for work but I bought to wear to work on casual Fridays with polo t and chinos, instead of wearing the same penny loafer every week. I am Uncle so prefer dark color sole rather than the white color sole for boat shoe.