Working Shoe for Young Exec - Part 2

[likehotbutter]

Overall, wonderful experience with Mr. Philip Car & Jonathan Chiang.

I dropped by the shop suddenly w/o appointment and caught them chilling on the sofa. Mr. Philip was actually preparing to set off to airport, but he quickly get Jonathan to "re-open" the show for me.

What a VIP

And we also chat about vibram/topy of soles, metal toe taps and rubber soles, which StC is all capable of doing.

And how did Philip weigh into that great debate?

 

[likehotbutter]

Sometimes i wonder where the balance will be for the rest of the outfit if i am wearing a shoe for 2k. I mean for the outfit, watch and belt or even other accessories?

You know, in our consumer driven celebrity adoring culture of today, it is often the case that Quality =/= Price. There is a blatant need to announce one's material success with flashy brands, mere superficiality.

Know what quality you want, know what to look for and you will never be shortchanged with regards to the Quality-Price ratio. And you'll be surprised how much less you could be spending when you start to discern the gems from the myriad of quick-market fashion brands out there.

This is no more evident from the fact, that the majority of the market is actually pretty oblivious to so many of the brands we often mention here, despite their quality. To the sheeple, good quality means expensive AND branded, even if its some glued monstrosity from Ferragamo's studio line.

Worst for accessories, I literally cringe seeing people spend hundreds on some corrected split grain belt with a cheap foam core just because of the BRAND...despite beautiful quality heirloom pieces been available from proper craftsmen like Equus.

Of course this will not apply if one is a brandwhore through and through.

 

[urbanturban]

Hey. I cannot imagine how it would look. Maybe you guys should settle on the makeup, and I will jump in if i like it. Count me out for now.

@thunder_march and @ballGag - have you guys firmed up your makeup?

I am now torn between my adelaide MTO and the new Meermin shell loafer. Decisions Decisions...

 

[All in a Day]

@thunder_march and @ballGag - have you guys firmed up your makeup?

I am now torn between my adelaide MTO and the new Meermin shell loafer. Decisions Decisions...

Setting the design and material aside, Enzo and Meermin quality really not comparable leh....

Is Meermin using horween shell? Internet banter suggests other shell sources e.g. jap don't quite match up to horween.

Your various choices (e.g. StC was in your consideration) definitely suggests that budget is not the issue for you and on that basis I would suggest skipping Meermin altogether. Or at least that's what I would do, if in your situation. My 2 cents.

 

[urbanturban]

Setting the design and material aside, Enzo and Meermin quality really not comparable leh....

Is Meermin using horween shell? Internet banter suggests other shell sources e.g. jap don't quite match up to horween.

Your various choices (e.g. StC was in your consideration) definitely suggests that budget is not the issue for you and on that basis I would suggest skipping Meermin altogether. Or at least that's what I would do, if in your situation. My 2 cents.

They are using Japanese shell.

I just started to wear my Meermin Balmoral boots in Hiro last (suede and calf leather). Leather quality was so-so, stitching is suspect but incredibly fitting for me. A more comfortable pair even compared to my Carmina. The balmoral boots was part of a MTO, which i pulled the trigger as i figured that this pair will not get much wear and i was willing to have a pair of balmoral boots to rotate.

I guess part of the consideration of the cordovan loafer is the lower price point and I can always do my MTO Enzo anytime. Or even St.C later. And having shoes in different designs/colours always help in rotation. Decisions Decisions.

 

[lucied]

Opinions on Allen Edmonds?

Seem to have positive reviews and quite affordable.

 

[eedwinn]

Anyone wearing Benjamin Barker shoes? Are they any good? Seems very value for money especially now that they're having sale!

 

[ston12345]

Hand-sewn welted oxfords in purple patina for corporate Monday.

Just conditioned my oxfords, rotating to loafers tomorrow!

Nice purple patina! Just curious, their website states its an extra $120 hand-sewn welting which would be the option you went for i suppose. Would you happen to know what is the default option without the upgrades?

 

[Carnage]

Overall, wonderful experience with Mr. Philip Car & Jonathan Chiang.

I dropped by the shop suddenly w/o appointment and caught them chilling on the sofa. Mr. Philip was actually preparing to set off to airport, but he quickly get Jonathan to "re-open" the show for me.

They got me fitted with a few pairs of shoes and helped me determined my fitting size, while explaining to me about saint crispin's shoe making process, methodology, re-craft & resole services. And we also chat about vibram/topy of soles, metal toe taps and rubber soles, which StC is all capable of doing.

The shoes are absolutely beautiful, perfect finishing, and very comfortable to wear and walk in, which was explained by the fact that they used some high quality leather in replacement to metal shank used in general GY-welt.

The fit is surprisingly perfect. Waist of shoes are narrower, soles beveled, and Mr. Philip said I've no need to engage their bespoke service since my feet can get into their RTW range perfectly, unless I wanna burn my money, he don't mind taking it of course. Yeah, that's what he said.

I typically fit well into UK7 for most english shoes, but for StC, my perfect size is 6.5G instead.

Basically, you may get ur fit at Leong Tailor, choose your model and colours, order tru Jonathan and it will be made & delivered for you in 6-8 weeks time. Jonathan had brought in 32 pairs of StC shoes for clients to try, and he's not pushy to make me buy anything.

Pretty much my experience as well.

Had a brief chat with Phillip without Jonathan around, he mentioned that Saint Crispin's had a agreement for 3 years that Leong T would be their rep in SEA. So that's good news, no need to hurry to grab their shoes.

He'll be back in November.

I'm a UK6.5F, usually EE width. Seems like their lasts are narrower.

From our conversations, I get the feeling they are dissuading customers from getting customs or bespoke.

Anyway for those interested:
MTO series starts from $2200 onwards

Customized Last- $2700 onwards

Pret Last- $3000 which includes your personalized last.

And Bespoke- $6800 onwards

Did not get the chance to enquire the difference between customised and Pret Last. I'm assuming that it's due to the complexities of one's feet.

 

[SquallLH]

Pretty much my experience as well.

Had a brief chat with Phillip without Jonathan around, he mentioned that Saint Crispin's had a agreement for 3 years that Leong T would be their rep in SEA. So that's good news, no need to hurry to grab their shoes.

He'll be back in November.

I'm a UK6.5F, usually EE width. Seems like their lasts are narrower.

From our conversations, I get the feeling they are dissuading customers from getting customs or bespoke.

Anyway for those interested:
MTO series starts from $2200 onwards

Customized Last- $2700 onwards

Pret Last- $3000 which includes your personalized last.

And Bespoke- $6800 onwards

Did not get the chance to enquire the difference between customised and Pret Last. I'm assuming that it's due to the complexities of one's feet.

Thanks for such detailed information. The pricing a bit steep though. For Bespoke to be at 6.8K. With this money, can fly to Japan multiple times for bespoke shoes fitting and with 2-3k left to spare for bespoke suits...

Any idea how much to resole the st crispins? Do the shoes have to be flown back to Romania for resole and relast?

 

[All in a Day]

Opinions on Allen Edmonds?

Seem to have positive reviews and quite affordable.

For ppl in the US (whom i suspect where most of the positive reviews are from), AEs are the goto entry level GY welt shoes mainly due to easy access within their market.

IMHO, at similar pricepoints considering current exchange rates and VAT deductions on UK and EU goods, better deals are avail for UK and EUR brands.

 

[Carnage]

Thanks for such detailed information. The pricing a bit steep though. For Bespoke to be at 6.8K. With this money, can fly to Japan multiple times for bespoke shoes fitting and with 2-3k left to spare for bespoke suits...

Any idea how much to resole the st crispins? Do the shoes have to be flown back to Romania for resole and relast?

Yes they resole it to you, via Leong T. I can't remember the costs involved but it's in the hundreds. Phillip said that it would be like a brand new shoe and they would take into account how the shoe was fitted in and the way the wearer walked.

Not sure about what the above meant, I didn't clarify. Didn't know you could tell so much about a person's walking gait just by the soles of his shoes.

I mean I know stuff like being a heel striker, but I thought that was for running.

 

[koburn]

For ppl in the US (whom i suspect where most of the positive reviews are from), AEs are the goto entry level GY welt shoes mainly due to easy access within their market.

IMHO, at similar pricepoints considering current exchange rates and VAT deductions on UK and EU goods, better deals are avail for UK and EUR brands.

Never tried AE, and probably never will. Purchasing shoes is a very emotive experience. Either they "sing" to you, or they don't.

 

[All in a Day]

Never tried AE, and probably never will. Purchasing shoes is a very emotive experience. Either they "sing" to you, or they don't.

Yeah. The american shoes DNA is not everyone's cup of tea. Not mine either.

 

[analog.man]

Pretty much my experience as well.

<deleted>

Anyway for those interested:
MTO series starts from $2200 onwards

Customized Last- $2700 onwards

Pret Last- $3000 which includes your personalized last.

And Bespoke- $6800 onwards

Did not get the chance to enquire the difference between customised and Pret Last. I'm assuming that it's due to the complexities of one's feet.

I understand that most of the MTO series starts from $1,950.
The Model #108 (split toe) is $2,050 though...plus $60 for toe tip.

If you order now, delivery is targeted for mid September due to summer break in August.

 

[dark_aLLeY]

Yes they resole it to you, via Leong T. I can't remember the costs involved but it's in the hundreds. Phillip said that it would be like a brand new shoe and they would take into account how the shoe was fitted in and the way the wearer walked.

Not sure about what the above meant, I didn't clarify. Didn't know you could tell so much about a person's walking gait just by the soles of his shoes.

I mean I know stuff like being a heel striker, but I thought that was for running.

Any idea how much to resole the st crispins? Do the shoes have to be flown back to Romania for resole and relast?

Mr Philip hasn't given the price list for resoling to Jonathan yet. And yes, it will be couriered to the StC workshop to be re-crafted.

Basically all the services found on StC website can be requested via Leong T, including belt making, or using exotic leather. They will also be introducing their own cream and waxes soon.

At leong T, most of the shoes brought in are classic last. But according to Mr Philip, all the different lasts won't affect your sizing. So if you're UK 7, and want other last, you can jolly well stick to UK 7.

What a VIP

And how did Philip weigh into that great debate?

No, not VIP. Maybe there's still time and he doesn't wanna disappoint us. He's very friendly and approachable.

As for the soles, like mostly discussed online. His advice is of course, like most, either leather sole with metal tap, or full rubber soles.

 

[d3n]

just noticed my meermin monk... the heel of the sole very stiff and hard (think they use wood?), besides heel pad, what other solution to make it more comfortable?

 

[patryn33]

Yeah. The american shoes DNA is not everyone's cup of tea. Not mine either.

Fashion very subjective thing, may it be American Italian English etc fashion no right or wrong.

One thing with AE, buy at the right time factory seconds can go as low as usd$100 it's cheap

 

[13thngell]

Hi guys. Is there any place I can buy Cedar Shoe Trees under $20 and also cheap welt brushes and horse hair brush? TIA!

 

[Carnage]

I understand that most of the MTO series starts from $1,950.
The Model #108 (split toe) is $2,050 though...plus $60 for toe tip.

If you order now, delivery is targeted for mid September due to summer break in August.

Yes you are right.

I forgot to enquire about wholecuts though.

All shoes come with leather laces and hollowed shoetrees.