Working Shoe for Young Exec - Part 2

[evangel21]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the recommendations (and the great help I have had from Supernova). Below are the pairs which I have shortlisted. I am having a headache now since all of them look good. If you were me, what would you go with?

P/S: I spoke to Supernova about this and agreed with him that I will only use this black pair for my wedding and certain very formal events (probably one per year) - I will not be using this as my everyday pair so it might not be a good idea to spend too much money on it. so that the remaining amount will go to a decent brown pair which I will use everyday.

1. Enzo Bonafe

https://www.instagram.com/p/BccEzw9BVVN/

This is subject to a promotion so it is going for around 400sgd if I recall correctly. It is a really comfortable pair. The only issue is that the last is wider than other options. I am not really tall (1m68) so this might make me look even shorter. I would prefer a slim looking last ( Rain last or Simpson last).

2. Carlos Santos

https://www.skoaktiebolaget.com/collections/oxfords/products/carlos-santos-classic-oxford-in-black

This is going for a very decent price. It is the cheaper than the remaining options. The only issue is that I have not tried them on so I am not sure about the quality. Does anyone own a CS pair here?

3. Carmina

https://www.skoaktiebolaget.com/collections/oxfords/products/carmina-modern-classic-in-black

Currently this is the best option for me. this pair is not as comfortable as the EB pair but I like the style and the quality.

I am curious to try the a.meccariello pair below but Yeossal's owner has not responded to me for a few days now. He might be overseas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXHMe4VnmJs/

Guys, grateful for your thoughts here.

Hi,
Honestly at $400 that EB is a no brainer. The 74945 is a wonderful last. Possibly my favorite. It feels wider but IMO (and correct me if I'm wrong) but a wider last doesn't make you look short. Body length proportions are more affected by the fit of your clothes instead of shoes. I am 1.7m so am similar in height as you. No one said to me I looked shorter in my 74945 shoes which I have a few.

Seriously if the EB 74945 fits you then don't wait. And that price is also tempting me to get one if my size is still available.

As for CS 234 last, I've no experience with it but I gathered that most size down by half because it is a generous last with lots of volume at the toe box and instep I think. Again, I personally think EB 74945 is nicer than CS 234.

Anything by AM is good. For AM most size up by half. I do too. What's your EB or Carmina size? That AM is nice and if you have the budget for it then go for that.

 

[wrinklednails]

Hi all,

Currently looking for a pair of nice working shoes for myself.

Budget around 300 - 400, best if i can try it out at retail stores, because my feet is wide, so gotta try on to know if comfortable a not.

Thanks for your response in advance <3.

you can try Loake at Robinsons/Metro. Tangs carry shoes from makers like Grensons and Barker. There is Carmina at Capitol. Local makes you can try LLYR at suntec or Ed Et Al

 

[Emospence]

Agreed, if that EB got your size then MTL!

 

[wiz]

Better grab it before I do as I am 6.5 as well!

 

[Draculav]

EB for $400 is a steal!

 

[xiasuaykia]

you can try Loake at Robinsons/Metro. Tangs carry shoes from makers like Grensons and Barker. There is Carmina at Capitol. Local makes you can try LLYR at suntec or Ed Et Al

Got it bro! will go take a look this weekend!

Thank you and Cheers!

 

[wiz]

The shoes scene has been an improvement with good offerings coming from local players. Good job guys!

Now to fix the storage problems and how to sneak a few more into the house undetected

 

[All in a Day]

The shoes scene has been an improvement with good offerings coming from local players. Good job guys!

Now to fix the storage problems and how to sneak a few more into the house undetected

Lots of dehumidifiers and some cleaning up, if you stay in a flat with an enclosed riser.

 

[wiz]

More problems!

Lots of dehumidifiers and some cleaning up, if you stay in a flat with an enclosed riser.

 

[htngwilliam]

Anyone knows where I can get Saphir Gloss Wax Polish? Apparently there is no stock at Tangs

For colored version, will it be a problem if our shoe color and the polish color is different? Sometimes difficult to get 100% matchung

 

[evangel21]

Anyone knows where I can get Saphir Gloss Wax Polish? Apparently there is no stock at Tangs

For colored version, will it be a problem if our shoe color and the polish color is different? Sometimes difficult to get 100% matchung

Can try Taka, LLYR or Straits Establishment, both of which are at Suntec.
You can get the color closest to the shoe color.

 

[wiz]

Have a recent interest in suede shoes, do you normally size down half for suede as they ‘stretch’ a bit more? Also are there different grades of suede which are the better ones? Thanks

 

[hiroom]

I just bought a pair of mahogany Loake 1880s, for this price range is there any point in using Saphir wax/creams? If so, is the Saphir mahogany ok to use with Loake's mahogany?

 

[keithrocks22]

Working shoe for young exec

Hi, how long does a typical good pair of shoe last?

 

[wrinklednails]

Anyone knows where I can get Saphir Gloss Wax Polish? Apparently there is no stock at Tangs

For colored version, will it be a problem if our shoe color and the polish color is different? Sometimes difficult to get 100% matchung

Can always go for the neutral 'colour'!

 

[jnpy3093]

Hi. Would like to check is anyone familiar with Meermin Elton last? I'm normally a size 41, and I wear UK 7.5 for Carmina Rain but UK 7 for Carlos Santos 234. Which size shld I get for Meermin? Many thanks.

 

[htngwilliam]

Can always go for the neutral 'colour'!

Sure. That is assuming our color don’t fade

 

[thundermarch]

Have a recent interest in suede shoes, do you normally size down half for suede as they ‘stretch’ a bit more? Also are there different grades of suede which are the better ones? Thanks

There are 3 main groups of suede.

1) Split suede - these are the most common and lowest quality. Many makers we are familiar with use it. The "split" portion is obtained after a hide is split down thinner and the upper half with the grain is sold off as full grain leather (the good stuff). The split suede is the leftover. Given that splits do not have the grain surface, they are also much more stretchable.

2) Reverse calf - or for that matter, reverse anything (but it's usually calf). These are full grain hides, with the entire grain surface intact, but it is used flesh side outwards so you get the nap of the suede on the reverse side of the grain. This is desirable suede and Antonio only uses this. Or nubuck. These are much less stretchable than splits.

3) Nubuck - These are also full grain hides, but used with the grain size out, but with the grain surface sandblasted and buffed to raise a nap. Nubuck is especially desirable when you want to have the nap of suede, and also the unique textural features of an exotic hide like croc, etc. Given that the grain surface is intact, the tensile strength is also much superior to splits.

 

[All in a Day]

There are 3 main groups of suede.

1) Split suede - these are the most common and lowest quality. Many makers we are familiar with use it. The "split" portion is obtained after a hide is split down thinner and the upper half with the grain is sold off as full grain leather (the good stuff). The split suede is the leftover. Given that splits do not have the grain surface, they are also much more stretchable.

2) Reverse calf - or for that matter, reverse anything (but it's usually calf). These are full grain hides, with the entire grain surface intact, but it is used flesh side outwards so you get the nap of the suede on the reverse side of the grain. This is desirable suede and Antonio only uses this. Or nubuck. These are much less stretchable than splits.

3) Nubuck - These are also full grain hides, but used with the grain size out, but with the grain surface sandblasted and buffed to raise a nap. Nubuck is especially desirable when you want to have the nap of suede, and also the unique textural features of an exotic hide like croc, etc. Given that the grain surface is intact, the tensile strength is also much superior to splits.

Wonder why most shoemakers don't seem to offer nubuck options when it comes to dress shoes.

From what is shared, it would appear to be a superior option to split suede and I am presuming nubuck isn't prohibitively more expensive since we do see nubuck (at least based on labeling) used quite extensively in much lower priced casual shoes.

 

[All in a Day]

Hi, how long does a typical good pair of shoe last?

IMHO, depends mainly on the frequency and extent of your wear, and to a lesser extent, your shoe care maintenance regime.