Working Shoe for Young Exec - Part 2

[cokiee]

You need to try around. Which means starting off with brands that have a physical presence in Singapore. E.g. Carmina, LLYR, Ed et Al, Yanko and EB at Seamless Bespoke etc

If you find yourself repeatedly getting in a situation where the shoe length is either OK but width is too tight or width is OK the shoe length feels loose, then welcome to the wide feet club.

This means you should try to look for wider fit (G or F fit depending on convention) shoes. Or regular fit shoes that are generally regarded to be on the wider side (E.g. Loake Capital last).

Specific to loafers, unfortunately makers usually tend to go narrow than wide to keep the fit snug for the average person, because the loafers do not have laces nor straps to help keep the foot in place. Hence wider feet folks will be somewhat disadvantaged.

Good luck!

AIAD, I consider myself a permanent member of your club heh. What makers/ models/ lasts have worked for you? On leave today and visited EEA thinking I might get a MTO done but it turns out on their trial shoes that the length of the last is a bit too long - one full segment of my thumb from the nail down (sorry, lousy description I know). The hunt continues.

I guess I can handle the truth lol

How about a poll for some fun? Me thinks 65 pairs

My bet is he doesn't know

Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX using GAGT

 

[All in a Day]

AIAD, I consider myself a permanent member of your club heh. What makers/ models/ lasts have worked for you? On leave today and visited EEA thinking I might get a MTO done but it turns out on their trial shoes that the length of the last is a bit too long - one full segment of my thumb from the nail down (sorry, lousy description I know). The hunt continues.


Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX using GAGT

Hey there, here's a list of lasts/models that have worked for me:

Vass F last
Loake Capital last
EG 890 last in F fit
Duggers single monk model
C&J 348 last (E fit)
EEA (unknown last for previous models)

Have stopped purchases for a year or so already and no experience with the currently popular brands like CS, Yanko, EB, AM, though would love to try.

If you surf the forums and come across models/lasts where the general advice is to size down, those are probably the ones you want to consider.

Good luck!

 

[htngwilliam]

Guys

Wanted to know how to polish the toe cap to mirror gloss. Do we need to heat up the saphir wax till it melts before we polish off with water? I presume we should cost a thin layer and keep polishing till it becomes mirror gloss? Likely 5-10 coat is needed?

 

[LegendZenify]

Guys

Wanted to know how to polish the toe cap to mirror gloss. Do we need to heat up the saphir wax till it melts before we polish off with water? I presume we should cost a thin layer and keep polishing till it becomes mirror gloss? Likely 5-10 coat is needed?

Just apply many thin layers and do not use too much wax/water each time.
The cloth used is important, some ppl swear by pantyhose for best shine.
Can also get saphir mirror gloss, you can get your mirror gloss with less layers.

There are many guides on the net, eg. https://www.hangerproject.com/blog/2017/03/20/how-to-create-a-mirror-shine/

 

[supernova]

Would anyone be interested in a brown wholecut chelsea boot? From Antonio Meccariello. I’m trying to work with yeossal on a GMTO. Great for rainy days or overseas work trips in cold weather

This design:

http://www.meccarielloshoes.it/product/pilus-prior/

In this colour:

 

[wiz]

Heart say Yes but head say NO.

It does look amazing

Would anyone be interested in a brown wholecut chelsea boot? From Antonio Meccariello. I’m trying to work with yeossal on a GMTO. Great for rainy days or overseas work trips in cold weather

This design:

http://www.meccarielloshoes.it/product/pilus-prior/

In this colour:

 

[Landreth]

Does AM accept smaller shoe sizes for GMTO? I’m a UK size 5-5.5 and I understand their smallest size is 6 for RTW

 

[thundermarch]

Does AM accept smaller shoe sizes for GMTO? I’m a UK size 5-5.5 and I understand their smallest size is 6 for RTW

Yes he does. Different widths are also acceptable.

 

[wiz]

Does AM accept smaller shoe sizes for GMTO? I’m a UK size 5-5.5 and I understand their smallest size is 6 for RTW

For AM i went half size up from my regular UK

 

[Matrock5]

is it important to get a pair of expensive workin leather shoes etc? Can rad Russell hush puppies be sufficient? What’s e logic behind all the good Brand’s? Comfy? Nice looking?

 

[jonleelk]

is it important to get a pair of expensive workin leather shoes etc? Can rad Russell hush puppies be sufficient? What’s e logic behind all the good Brand’s? Comfy? Nice looking?

In Singapore, where majority are wearing a pair of black derby or slip on loafer as dress shoe, it doesn’t make much difference.

https://goo.gl/images/uVEu3L

If u ask them what do they think is a pair of branded shoe, Bailey will be a popular answer (something like Rolex in the watch world).

For real good brand shoes, quality is the main difference, though I will guess 99/100 will ask you “You wearing a pair of AM? Got PM or not huh?”

 

[wiz]

For real good brand shoes, quality is the main difference, though I will guess 99/100 will ask you “You wearing a pair of AM? Got PM or not huh?”

this is funny!

 

[wiz]

is it important to get a pair of expensive workin leather shoes etc? Can rad Russell hush puppies be sufficient? What’s e logic behind all the good Brand’s? Comfy? Nice looking?

I will think it is the same as why people buy jap/korean vs Conti vs Super cars

Different people appreciate different things at different price points

 

[Landreth]

Thank you Thundermarch for the quick answer and Wiz for the advice. Let me think this through before deciding.

Yes he does. Different widths are also acceptable.

 

[completenovice]

I think my choices would be quite different for this list:

3 pairs:

1) Suede chukka
- mid to darker brown, rubber soles, round toed
- Again, because of the incredible versatility, this should be the first pair
- goes with blue denim, grey denim, khaki, cotton chinos, casual linen trousers, and if you were willing to take a risk, you could even wear it with a lighter coloured, casual suiting

2) Suede or textured (embossed) calf loafers
- scotch grain / pin grain
- this pair can be lighter if you already have a darker coloured pair of loafers
- take your pick, tassel / penny / round / wholecut
- again, goes with many things, and in addition, they also go with shorts, and arguably, the only footwear you can wear sockless without looking like a fool

3) A casual / clean derby
- either a simple 3 eyelet derby or even a wholecut 4/5 eyelet derby
- plain toe
- rounded last
- suede or textured calf
- especially great with jeans

Extended to 8 pairs

4) A full brogue wingtip oxford
- either in smooth calf or something subtly textured
- round toed, mid to dark brown
- I haven't mentioned this in my earlier list but the full brogue is really versatile too.
- I think an oxford gives a smart edge to an otherwise casual outfit, and a full brogue complements it, and otherwise keeps the outfit congruent

5) A jumper boot
- If you can accept the idea of wearing a boot in SG, then you'll love how they look with jeans or chinos
- If you don't like the jumper boot style, you can consider a Galway-esque type design and use to opportunity to play with two toned leathers
- rubber soles

6) A split toe derby
- a lot of guys like this model
- casual, easy on the eyes, a million permutations possible
- goes with almost everything from jeans to standard office attire

7) A suede double monk
- many people might not agree, but amongst all the derbies and loafers and chukkas, this just adds a bit more variety and is easier to put on than a lace-up. And easy to put on is one key requirement for casual attire

8) A lazyman
- The most popular designs would be a full brogue of some sort
- again, this is for variety, and for ease-ness of putting on

Alvin, wrinkled nails, thundermarch, thank you for your responses - as expected, very expert, had to google translate extensively

Final queries before I pull trigger on some shoes;
1. Is there a more refined jump boot out there or should I get Paraboot / Heschung?
2. I saw a beautiful English style suede Antonio Mecarrielo wholecut loafer on sale in Isetan Tokyo a few weeks ago for about JPY50,000 but it is like sighting a unicorn, there doesnt seem to be a picture anywhere on the internet. Does anyone else make a good English style loafer ie without tassel, penny or string just a plain shape?
3. I notice a few choices like Belgian loafers and wholecut leather shoes with laces didn't make your top 8, are they too niche?

Deeply appreciated,

Completenovice

 

[thundermarch]

Alvin, wrinkled nails, thundermarch, thank you for your responses - as expected, very expert, had to google translate extensively

Final queries before I pull trigger on some shoes;
1. Is there a more refined jump boot out there or should I get Paraboot / Heschung?
2. I saw a beautiful English style suede Antonio Mecarrielo wholecut loafer on sale in Isetan Tokyo a few weeks ago for about JPY50,000 but it is like sighting a unicorn, there doesnt seem to be a picture anywhere on the internet. Does anyone else make a good English style loafer ie without tassel, penny or string just a plain shape?
3. I notice a few choices like Belgian loafers and wholecut leather shoes with laces didn't make your top 8, are they too niche?

Deeply appreciated,

Completenovice

Hey there,

Actually there are plenty of choices for jumper boots.

It's one of the most basic boot designs. So in this area, you're going to be spoilt for choice. The Loake Byron, Crockett & Jones Coniston, Barker Lambourne, Vass, Carmina, are just off the top of my head. In fact, any maker that does boots is likely to have a jumper design. My advice is, go with best fit, and your budget.

With regards to a wholecut loafer, J Fitzpatrick does a version of it. Called the Laurelhurst. And (don't mean to advertise) so does Enzo Bonafe.

A wholecut oxford, well, it's certainly a classic. If I were to have more than 8 choices for the "formal / business" list, it will probably be 9 or 10th. But it's something you could consider of course.

Belgian loafers, well, they are very casual. A nice-to-have, but no additional "benefit" against any other regular loafer. And they are also most typically, unlined and cemented (meaning, unstructured, with a glued outsole). This is just a personal preference, but I am naturally averse to such shoes. Even "high end" sneakers, have a side stitched rubber outsole.

 

[thundermarch]

is it important to get a pair of expensive workin leather shoes etc? Can rad Russell hush puppies be sufficient? What’s e logic behind all the good Brand’s? Comfy? Nice looking?

Nobody can decide for you what's sufficient, and what's not.

By and large, our personal buying habits and choices are very visceral, emotional, irrational experiences.

Someone who is into watches, might splurge on a 50k watch. And eat 3 square meals of instant noodles every day.

But a food lover, might spend $700 at Andre, and wear rags to work.

Spending money on shoes is very much the same. Only you can put a dollar value on what's important to you.

To answer your question. The majority of us, well, we don't put our shoes through very much. You don't need to spend a bomb on shoes. Goodyear welted, cemented, Blake, handwelted. It doesn't matter. As long as you don't lose sleep over it. You're good.

If you need to know anything specific about leather, different makers and what they do, if you're curious about construction methods, we're here for you.

 

[wiz]

Alvin, wrinkled nails, thundermarch, thank you for your responses - as expected, very expert, had to google translate extensively

Final queries before I pull trigger on some shoes;
1. Is there a more refined jump boot out there or should I get Paraboot / Heschung?
2. I saw a beautiful English style suede Antonio Mecarrielo wholecut loafer on sale in Isetan Tokyo a few weeks ago for about JPY50,000 but it is like sighting a unicorn, there doesnt seem to be a picture anywhere on the internet. Does anyone else make a good English style loafer ie without tassel, penny or string just a plain shape?
3. I notice a few choices like Belgian loafers and wholecut leather shoes with laces didn't make your top 8, are they too niche?

Deeply appreciated,

Completenovice

¥50k for AM and beautiful? Oh man you should have just bought is especially you can try and test for fit. I know I would

Why not post what you have shortlisted and we can discuss a bit? Not going to directly influence your decision but will be fun to chat about it.

 

[yang_nastyman]

i got a pair of cheap work shoes, those typical ones with like 1/2~ inch heels

not sure why but when i walk with it the front part of my ankle gets sore

are there work shoes that can alleviate such pain??

thanks bros here~!

 

[wiz]

CNY is around the corner, what will you be wearing for your visits?

This will be mine for sure