Recommendations for Leather Shoes

[Lippyt]

The fact they offer factory seconds at 30-50% cheaper than retail gives ppl the impression it's way over value. Much like tag, on lvmh sale they are on 50% off.

For that matter buy factory seconds not retail!!
Ppl shop factory seconds didn't complain, only mostly complain from ppl buying at retail.

Just call in with phonecard or what cheap also. The time and effort is worth it.

Fyi Those 2 for $250 does not apply to all shoes anyway. If so I would have hoot those cordovan shoes! U cannot find nice shoe for under usd$150 that is make 100% in a develop country.

Not own a pair and see it for your eyes and bitch that its expensive for the quality is pure sour grapes.
If u can get a pair at usd$120 I am sure u wouldn't think this way. Lol for $300-$400 can get 2 pairs to last a long time. A meermin cost closer to $300 after shipping. 2 pairs of factory seconds AE to me beats a pair of meermin any day. If compare 1 retail AE vs meermin the prize goes to meermin of course.

I own 3 pairs of factory seconds all under usd$140 each

I don't think you've read my post in its entirety and you've misquoted me (note: I did not say that AE shoes are expensive). A brand, no matter how well regarded, is just a label. It is without doubt that there exists shoe makers in developed countries with lower labour costs (such as italy or spain) willing to produce shoes of similar quality as that of AE. Even so, it's about quality controls and workmanship and not the origin of production. It's just that everybody's attention is funneled to that single brand and they'd do anything just to get the shoes; in other words AE is popular.

Nonetheless I thank you for sharing your experience and advice on how to order AE seconds.

 

[chickenmedium]

Facing the same issue as you. Unfortunately I think locally only leftfoot, and since its out of small sizes, my only option is online.
Weird thought that official ghbass website does not carry the Larkin tassel model. FYI I've read that this particular model runs a wee bit smaller, maybe because its a D width.

well leftfoot is not bringing in them anymore... maybe gh bass isnt making them anymore.

as for online... its hard to find sizes US 8-9 too. i've tried on US 7 and 8.5 at the leftfoot store and they are either damn tight or super loose.

 

[#oliver]

Where to topy?
Do they stitch or glue the rubber? Which method is better?

 

[josephkjc]

Where to topy?
Do they stitch or glue the rubber? Which method is better?

They use glue, not stitching.
Junction 8 Kips and Kwik (B1-04) does topy

 

[#oliver]

After Zymol still need shoe cream?

Are shoe creams colored?

Is Kiwi Instant Wax Shine good for leather shoes?

My shoe is antique brown with slightly different tones throughout. How to polish and still maintain its original tones?

 

[luminaire27]

Go look for this brand called Rad Russell. UK brand, pretty stylish and comfortable leather shoes, but slightly above the S$150 budget. In the range of $170-$200. I've already owned two pairs since. So far only found them in Isetan Scotts and Tangs, if you can borrow someone's member card there may be able to get them at slight discount.

 

[ecan07]

i guess so, they removed from their website already.

how u all buy loake online huh? I see zalora dun even have this brand?

 

[staedtler_07]

how u all buy loake online huh? I see zalora dun even have this brand?

Church, Church's Shoes, Churches Shoes, Herring Shoes, Loakes, Loake Shoes, Barker, Cheaney, Tricker's, RE Tricker, Sebago, Jeffery West

 

[ecan07]

Church, Church's Shoes, Churches Shoes, Herring Shoes, Loakes, Loake Shoes, Barker, Cheaney, Tricker's, RE Tricker, Sebago, Jeffery West

Thanks! but looking at the prices, really not cheap wor! Is that 199pounds at least for a loake, without considering shipping? Typically when you get a pair there how much it cost ah?
How does this compare to say Ed et tal (not sure i spelt that correctly or not)? Price like similar?

 

[nickynic]

There's Walking Tall at orchard central if you need to add height

 

[All in a Day]

Thanks! but looking at the prices, really not cheap wor! Is that 199pounds at least for a loake, without considering shipping? Typically when you get a pair there how much it cost ah?
How does this compare to say Ed et tal (not sure i spelt that correctly or not)? Price like similar?

Unfortuately UK made shoes come with a premium. In fact, the GBP199 UK shoes are typically considered entry-level (considering full retail and not sale prices).

If you are not prepared to fork out that sort of money, buy online or have no experience with GW welt shoes, Edetal may be a good starting point.

 

[PetiaC]

Unfortuately UK made shoes come with a premium. In fact, the GBP199 UK shoes are typically considered entry-level (considering full retail and not sale prices).

If you are not prepared to fork out that sort of money, buy online or have no experience with GW welt shoes, Edetal may be a good starting point.

Ed RTW line is at 300 goodyear welted and 180 blake stitch

I waited for year end sample sale for the gy welted to go at 200. Leather upper was stained by a thin line of silver marking. I then joked it was patina or edwin's signature edition.

Later i went home, using a rubber the silver line easily came off and after polishing there was no visible sign of defect at all.

 

[ecan07]

Ed RTW line is at 300 goodyear welted and 180 blake stitch

I waited for year end sample sale for the gy welted to go at 200. Leather upper was stained by a thin line of silver marking. I then joked it was patina or edwin's signature edition.

Later i went home, using a rubber the silver line easily came off and after polishing there was no visible sign of defect at all.

So i should probably wait for end of year sale? haha... What is a blake stitch and what is the difference huh?

 

[All in a Day]

So i should probably wait for end of year sale? haha... What is a blake stitch and what is the difference huh?

If you are in no hurry, regularly check their facebook for any promotions and be early for the sales if you have a common size (anywhere between US7-10).

Blake and GY are 2 different shoe constructions. U can google the details if interested in the technical differences but the consensus in terms of end result is that GY welt shoes are more sturdy and better for re-soling but have a less flexible and thicker looking sole. Blake stitch is the opposite. Blake stitch shoes can and do look more sleek.

GY construction is popular with English shoes whereas Italian shoes tend to use Blake stitch. Hope this helps.

 

[josephkjc]

Go look for this brand called Rad Russell. UK brand, pretty stylish and comfortable leather shoes, but slightly above the S$150 budget. In the range of $170-$200. I've already owned two pairs since. So far only found them in Isetan Scotts and Tangs, if you can borrow someone's member card there may be able to get them at slight discount.

Worst brand of shoes I have purchased. Yes they look nice but the 'leather' at the toe cap scratched away leaving grey marks. Soles also got holes very quickly

 

[ecan07]

Worst brand of shoes I have purchased. Yes they look nice but the 'leather' at the toe cap scratched away leaving grey marks. Soles also got holes very quickly

i never own rad russell though was tempted to buy before. My friend got it and said ya it doesn't last that long, but perhaps still a year for him.
The soles got hole thingy seems to happen quite often for those thin soles. Sleek looking but wear off extremely fast, and the thing sides crack too. Had a pair of nice borsh morgan before (cheap at S$99) and that happened, water seeping into my feet on wet days is like yucks...

 

[arcfire]

i never own rad russell though was tempted to buy before. My friend got it and said ya it doesn't last that long, but perhaps still a year for him.
The soles got hole thingy seems to happen quite often for those thin soles. Sleek looking but wear off extremely fast, and the thing sides crack too. Had a pair of nice borsh morgan before (cheap at S$99) and that happened, water seeping into my feet on wet days is like yucks...

That's interesting. Somehow my experience with shoes from Pedro, Democrata and Rad Russell seems to be different for others.

I'll talk about my pair from Rad Russell 1st. I've had this pair for approximately 2 years. Replaced the heel pad once recently but overall its still going strong. No hole in my sole yet but this should be easily repaired by a cobber right?

I have several pairs of shoes from Pedro and again, comfortable right out of the box. These have been with me for 2-3 years, some even more. Only replaced the heel pads so far and no signs of breaking down. My only gripe is the lining that they use. They tend to flake off from wear so it becomes unsightly when you take your shoes off an have these flakes stuck on your socks and drop all over the place. No holes in my soles and no splitting at the soles either. Pretty bang for the buck if you ask me...

Democrata is the worst crap that I've bought. It was a slip on penny loafer. This pair split at the seam of the sole and the upper near the ball of my feet after wearing it for 5 days. Leather was dull and finishing was bad.... it was however, very comfortable to wear. I had the sole restitched and it has lasted me for another 1.5 years before the glue has started to desintegrate.

Note that I have about 9(or more) pairs of shoes that I rotate on a daily basis for work, each pair does not get worn for more than once a week, unless I'm travelling for work which means 1 particular pair is worn for the entire week. Usually in this case its (one of) my Pedro or Rad Russell that I wear for work travel.

Likelyhood is the prolonged usage of 1 single pair of shoes which is fairly common that you see shoes not lasting very long. With rotations, my shoes hardly get thrown away....unless I'm looking to get a new pair

 

[PetiaC]

So i should probably wait for end of year sale? haha... What is a blake stitch and what is the difference huh?

Blake stitch means the upper stitch directly to the sole.

 

[arcfire]

And I also have to add, the loafers from Pedro are pretty comfortable and not too pricey as well. Lots of variety to choose from. I have 2 pairs and these are still going strong after 2 years. (disclaimer: Again, I have about 9 pairs of casual shoes which I wear on fridays and weekends. I rotate amongst them but I wear the loafers pretty often as well)

Not advertising for them, just sharing my experience with the brands that I have tried so far.

 

[All in a Day]

And I also have to add, the loafers from Pedro are pretty comfortable and not too pricey as well. Lots of variety to choose from. I have 2 pairs and these are still going strong after 2 years. (disclaimer: Again, I have about 9 pairs of casual shoes which I wear on fridays and weekends. I rotate amongst them but I wear the loafers pretty often as well)

Not advertising for them, just sharing my experience with the brands that I have tried so far.

I think Pedros are good when u want to achieve a certain on-trend designer look (which is oftern short lived) but not looking to splurge on the real thing. Applies to casual shoes only though..