Working Shoe for Young Exec - Part 2

[DT1212]

Hi,

I am quoted $100 from Mason & Smith to install metal toe tap. Would be interested to know what causes the huge price difference.

 

[All in a Day]

Do you have pictures of how they look? I am interested too.

Check out this thread.. someone posted before within the last 2,3 months

 

[wiz]

Recalled it was supernova for either his AM or Corno Blu

 

[nkapped]

Sorry - don’t have any pics readily available but it’s a fairly standard metal toe tap which involves shaving off the top part of the sole and fixing a semi-circular metal piece with small nails. Will try to take a photo later.

Do you have pictures of how they look? I am interested too.

 

[derkaiser94]

Sorry - don’t have any pics readily available but it’s a fairly standard metal toe tap which involves shaving off the top part of the sole and fixing a semi-circular metal piece with small nails. Will try to take a photo later.

Thank you. Just called Ed Et Al about it and seems like they have increased the price. Was quoted $50 and will take 3-5 working days to complete.

 

[Quantom]

Could I trouble anyone who has had their rubber half-soles done by Sole-mann take a picture of their done soles and post it to this thread?

 

[san-junipero]

Quick reply anyone?
Recently realised that holes are starting to appear on the leather soles of my GYW shoe. Is it still possible to topy the soles or is it too late?

 

[thundermarch]

Quick reply anyone?
Recently realised that holes are starting to appear on the leather soles of my GYW shoe. Is it still possible to topy the soles or is it too late?

Probably best to resole.

 

[completenovice]

Wiz,

Hope you had a good CNY. I got some Antonio Meccariello shoes, posting as promised ........ as always all feedback and advice most welcome and thanks to everybody for helping me!

Some things I learnt in the process of buying these;

1. Go slowly! These shoes have a very forceful character. My crappy photos do not do justice to the extraordinary quality impression and they are without doubt the best I have ever owned in my life. However like anything very special, it can take a little bit of time to understand them. They hug your feet comfortably in a way normal shoes do not. Shapes are authoritative. Brown colours in particular are patinated therefore the same pair of shoes can appear very different ranging from striking in daylight to very subtly contoured indoor / at night. Yeossal photos in Singapore conditions are a good guide. To help a bit more, the photographs below have accurate colour rendition in outdoor slightly overcast Singapore conditions yesterday
2. Aeris range is a superb entry point if, like me, you have no experience with higher level shoes. If these things ever go on special you should move very fast - still not exactly cheap but how often do you get to buy a Lamborghini for the price of a Toyota? Returned a few pairs with extreme reluctance because of my big feet. In this group, the wholecut is really a work of art which has to be seen to be believed.
3. Sizing takes some effort to get right. After trying on my usual size of UK9.5, I sized up to UK10 for all lasts. The difference in toe width between lasts is a significant comfort factor. I lined them up and photographed them side by side to give you an idea of the variations for the same size shoe. Yeossal were extremely responsive and very patient and helped me out with some no fuss returns until I got it right. It made a big difference to me that they are local and can add a personal touch to help you sort things out - will definitely do business with them again.
4. Get shoe trees and topy them - you are going to want to keep these for a very long time .....

Shoes shown are;

• Argentum Dux Decanus balmorals, chisel 2 last, on special for $677
• Argentum Dux Principes 3 black captoe oxfords, hawksbill last, also on special for about $700

Both without shoe trees - mistake!

Verdict:
I expect that the population of Singapore will increase once bros start getting their hands on these.

I am going to buy some more before you do

 

[wiz]

Very good write up @completenovice !

Yes cannot agree more on the charm of AM. Photos is one thing but once you touch and wear them they are clearly of a diffferent level + yeossal is simply amazing for a retailer

I may try Aries for the next pair of AM but noticed they may be different in sizing but hey yeossal is their to help

Get those shoe trees if you can, they are simply lovely!

I cannot get enough of the Decanus and Equties (which I wore twice last week). Quite rare for me, yes too many pairs than I should..

 

[wiz]

Was at a Church’s store.

Me: Is this GYW?
Staff 1 look at Staff 2: Yes
Me: or are these hand wet?
Staff 2: Yes and hand stitching

.....

 

[arcfire]

Wiz,

Hope you had a good CNY. I got some Antonio Meccariello shoes, posting as promised ........ as always all feedback and advice most welcome and thanks to everybody for helping me!

Some things I learnt in the process of buying these;

1. Go slowly! These shoes have a very forceful character. My crappy photos do not do justice to the extraordinary quality impression and they are without doubt the best I have ever owned in my life. However like anything very special, it can take a little bit of time to understand them. They hug your feet comfortably in a way normal shoes do not. Shapes are authoritative. Brown colours in particular are patinated therefore the same pair of shoes can appear very different ranging from striking in daylight to very subtly contoured indoor / at night. Yeossal photos in Singapore conditions are a good guide. To help a bit more, the photographs below have accurate colour rendition in outdoor slightly overcast Singapore conditions yesterday
2. Aeris range is a superb entry point if, like me, you have no experience with higher level shoes. If these things ever go on special you should move very fast - still not exactly cheap but how often do you get to buy a Lamborghini for the price of a Toyota? Returned a few pairs with extreme reluctance because of my big feet. In this group, the wholecut is really a work of art which has to be seen to be believed.
3. Sizing takes some effort to get right. After trying on my usual size of UK9.5, I sized up to UK10 for all lasts. The difference in toe width between lasts is a significant comfort factor. I lined them up and photographed them side by side to give you an idea of the variations for the same size shoe. Yeossal were extremely responsive and very patient and helped me out with some no fuss returns until I got it right. It made a big difference to me that they are local and can add a personal touch to help you sort things out - will definitely do business with them again.
4. Get shoe trees and topy them - you are going to want to keep these for a very long time .....

Shoes shown are;

• Argentum Dux Decanus balmorals, chisel 2 last, on special for $677
• Argentum Dux Principes 3 black captoe oxfords, hawksbill last, also on special for about $700

Both without shoe trees - mistake!

Verdict:
I expect that the population of Singapore will increase once bros start getting their hands on these.

I am going to buy some more before you do

Great writeup! We need more of these here.

Enjoy those beauties!

 

[joshua182]

Was at a Church’s store.

Me: Is this GYW?
Staff 1 look at Staff 2: Yes
Me: or are these hand wet?
Staff 2: Yes and hand stitching

.....

Goodyear hand welted and then futher stitched by hand good sir! Its all hands on deck for this shoejob!

With a budget for church shoes, look at c&j and carmina instead.. more spent on materials, less on marketing sounds good to me..

 

[wiz]

Great writeup! We need more of these here.

Enjoy those beauties!

Agreed always welcome to see write outs. I am sure you would have added some to your collection. Can we have a write up as well

 

[wiz]

Goodyear hand welted and then futher stitched by hand good sir! Its all hands on deck for this shoejob!

With a budget for church shoes, look at c&j and carmina instead.. more spent on materials, less on marketing sounds good to me..

I am in HK was excited to see a “nice” shoe store, unfortunately the lack of knowledge by the staff disappoint the experience...

As an amateur was not impressed by the shoes

 

[evangel21]

I am in HK was excited to see a “nice” shoe store, unfortunately the lack of knowledge by the staff disappoint the experience...

As an amateur was not impressed by the shoes

Go check out The Armoury (if you haven't already) and Prologue Hong Kong. Prologue carries Yanko and Zonkey. Some Zonkey on sale I think

 

[Emospence]

Goodyear hand welted and then futher stitched by hand good sir! Its all hands on deck for this shoejob!

With a budget for church shoes, look at c&j and carmina instead.. more spent on materials, less on marketing sounds good to me..

Even those 2 aren't particularly good value unless on sale

 

[wiz]

Go check out The Armoury (if you haven't already) and Prologue Hong Kong. Prologue carries Yanko and Zonkey. Some Zonkey on sale I think

Would love to check them out if time permits

 

[wiz]

Took these instead of the regular running shoes for holidays. 3 full days of walking and the condition of the shoes came out better than expected. Toes a bit sore on the side.
Style over comfort

 

[joshua182]

Even those 2 aren't particularly good value unless on sale

You mean pay retail price for Carminas and C&Js and etc? Do people even do that?

They are almost perpectually on sale somewhere on the interwebs.. Carminas are going at under $400 sgd on Skoa right now. Who pays “full” price for these anyway?

How do you define value anyway? A standard oxford shoe from carmina uses about us$100+ worth of leather alone. their margins arent high, at least based on the prices i pay.