Working Shoe for Young Exec - Part 2

[All in a Day]

Clean the exterior with a cloth and replace the newspaper if required. That should be fine

Read that placing the shoes on their sides (like how they are typically stored in shoe boxes) would also help, so that the soles can dry out too.

 

[vipercrow]

Anyone have brought shoes from earnest and collective? How are the leather compares to other brand like aldo, pedro?

 

[Daniel.Y]

Hi folks, blatant commercial plug here:

Selling an assortment of Carmina shoes ( leather and cordovan) in everyday colours
and styles.

If you're a true US 9D have a look, you might find something you like..

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/fashion-bazaar-308/assorted-carmina-shoes-leather-cordovan-us-9d-s%24200-per-pair-5714509.html#post111018208

Pm sent!!!!!

 

[spuispui]

Normally for leather sole, how long does it last based on your experience? Read the thread and noticed suggestion on topying the sole while some advise not to. Thinking if should go for leather sole. Thanks.

 

[wiz]

It will be a personal preference go try it and see what is yours. I personally prefer topy as my work area is slippery at least for me

Normally for leather sole, how long does it last based on your experience? Read the thread and noticed suggestion on topying the sole while some advise not to. Thinking if should go for leather sole. Thanks.

 

[spuispui]

Immediately topy when u get brand new shoe? How about the breathability, does it affect much? Thx

It will be a personal preference go try it and see what is yours. I personally prefer topy as my work area is slippery at least for me

 

[wiz]

That is what I normally do but there are people who wear a few times to get the shape before topy

No issues so far

Immediately topy when u get brand new shoe? How about the breathability, does it affect much? Thx

 

[wrinklednails]

Clean the exterior with a cloth and replace the newspaper if required. That should be fine

The shoes were really soaked through, I changed the newspaper stuffings 3 times and it was still damp so I put a shoe tree in :-O

 

[wrinklednails]

what would you guys recommend for removing built-up wax and polish? Other than saphir - would prefer to spend less if possible given that I only do this about once a year.

Can look at other brands like tarago or dasco. But the difference isn’t too much if you don’t use often.

 

[wrinklednails]

Read that placing the shoes on their sides (like how they are typically stored in shoe boxes) would also help, so that the soles can dry out too.

Thanks for the advice! I did that to air the sole better

 

[wrinklednails]

Normally for leather sole, how long does it last based on your experience? Read the thread and noticed suggestion on topying the sole while some advise not to. Thinking if should go for leather sole. Thanks.

It’s really subjective but usually 1-2 years shouldn’t have an issue although with the rainy weather here it’s hard to properly air dry the leather soles once they’re soaked.

In SG not easy to find a cobbler to do resoling for good year welt shoes, I would think even those that offer re-welting sends them overseas. Another thing is that it would be best to have the original shoe last during the resoling process which means sending back to manufacturer and shipping would cost quite a fair bit.

Topy-ing the shoes protects the leather against elements to a certain extent and so may prolong the use of the sole. It also adds grip and traction esp in wet weather. I offer Topy services at competitive price point, do check out my carousell listing @pulloutnow for info and feel free to drop me a PM if you have queries

 

[wrinklednails]

Immediately topy when u get brand new shoe? How about the breathability, does it affect much? Thx

Not easy to defintively measure breathability of a leather sole. Between the insole and outsole, there is a layer (usually cork) that is held there using glue/cement.

Rotating shoes and using cedar shoe trees is a good practice

 

[wrinklednails]

That is what I normally do but there are people who wear a few times to get the shape before topy

No issues so far

I agree, it’s personal preference whether to wear in and season the insole and uppers before Topy or after. In my opinion, dress shoes are comfy enough to add Topy right out of the box without affecting comfort much.

Ive helped some guys Topy name branded shoes right out of the box

 

[supernova]

It’s really subjective but usually 1-2 years shouldn’t have an issue although with the rainy weather here it’s hard to properly air dry the leather soles once they’re soaked.

In SG not easy to find a cobbler to do resoling for good year welt shoes, I would think even those that offer re-welting sends them overseas. Another thing is that it would be best to have the original shoe last during the resoling process which means sending back to manufacturer and shipping would cost quite a fair bit.

Topy-ing the shoes protects the leather against elements to a certain extent and so may prolong the use of the sole. It also adds grip and traction esp in wet weather. I offer Topy services at competitive price point, do check out my carousell listing @pulloutnow for info and feel free to drop me a PM if you have queries

If u wear your shoes daily I think the leather insole will wear down quite quickly. I rotate my shoes, and try to only wear rubber soled shoes or topy-ed shoes if the likelihood of rain is high.

I feel toes get the most wear (at least with the way I walk). I install flushed metal toe taps for my shoes. As far as I know, only ed et al does this (for a reasonable price). $40-50 if I recall correctly.

GYW or even handwelted resole can also be done at ed et al. The downside is they will use a generic last to hold the shoe during the resole. So far I haven’t needed to do any resoles, so can’t comment on how good it is.

 

[thundermarch]

Re-soling and Re-welting are actually 2 entirely different things altogether.

Resoling can be done by a competent cobbler, with a generic last inside the shoe during the process.

During this process, the welt is not removed.

Re-welting / Re- crafting requires the original last the shoes were made on, and the old welt is pulled (thus unravelling the inseam) and a new welt is then attached, new filler placed, and a new outsole attached.

 

[Ted100]

Any suggestions on where to get Lexol leather conditioner?

 

[Darknight55]

Tetsuji - Tokyo, Japan. Its a very small shop and limited space to move, only 3 seats and a table right by the door. No appointment needed.

Ueda-san was very friendly and patient. Using only an iPad app to translate every sentence. It was on trial and every now and then we sat there watching the ad on the app (sorry we made him buy the app because it ran out of trial)

He even has these puzzle pieces where he give kids (or in this case my wife) to play while me and him discuss on the process.

The $$:
2 years wait for bespoke (he only does full bespoke), no test fitting, 1 time measure and shoe will be made.
50,000 JPY for wood last, 61,000-130,000++ (cant remember exact amount) JPY for shoes.
For custom insoles, Men - 1,500 JPY for a small insert. Women - 7,500-10,800 JPY depending on amount of customization.

Measurements take an hour.

Wife wanted a sandal. Now for the 2 years wait.


Wall of pics.

These were made for a charity event 6 years ago for the earthquake in Japan. My wife liked one of them and he offered to give her 1 for free (but she paid anyways).

 

[HIPPODEUS]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy my first pair of formal shoes, something simple like a black cap toe oxford. Any recommendations? Budget $250-300. Preferably can get it by 1st week of Dec as I'm starting work then. I'm not sure about my sizes, width etc as well as its my first pair of formal shoes!

Read through the thread and seems like Loake 1880 is a popular option, but Robinsonshoes doesn't seem to have loake in stock anymore, and other online websites prices a bit outside my budget.

Any opinions on Barker, Meermim etc? Meermin looks quite good and within my budget (175 usd)

 

[zhaohan]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy my first pair of formal shoes, something simple like a black cap toe oxford. Any recommendations? Budget $250-300. Preferably can get it by 1st week of Dec as I'm starting work then. I'm not sure about my sizes, width etc as well as its my first pair of formal shoes!

Read through the thread and seems like Loake 1880 is a popular option, but Robinsonshoes doesn't seem to have loake in stock anymore, and other online websites prices a bit outside my budget.

Any opinions on Barker, Meermim etc? Meermin looks quite good and within my budget (175 usd)

would recommend meermin for a start

 

[supernova]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy my first pair of formal shoes, something simple like a black cap toe oxford. Any recommendations? Budget $250-300. Preferably can get it by 1st week of Dec as I'm starting work then. I'm not sure about my sizes, width etc as well as its my first pair of formal shoes!

Read through the thread and seems like Loake 1880 is a popular option, but Robinsonshoes doesn't seem to have loake in stock anymore, and other online websites prices a bit outside my budget.

Any opinions on Barker, Meermim etc? Meermin looks quite good and within my budget (175 usd)

I would recommend Carlos santos (though may be slightly out of your range). Unfortunately no where to try in SG I think. Available on Skoaktiebolaget and afinepairofshoes.

I would suggest oak/dark brown oxfords in a rubber sole. The only time where black shoes make more sense than brown shoes is when you wear black pants.