Working Shoe for Young Exec

[kelvinpooh]

Anyone can comment on the quality of Doucal's shoes (can be found in Robinsons and Tangs) and whether they are value for money. The pair I had my eyes on were about close to ~$400.

Any alternative recommendations for shoes I can be physically in Singapore (as opposed to online) as I would like to try out the size and look before committing to buy.

I have a pair, bought it in 05 and still using it.

Its blake construction I believe, when I got it at half price in Tangs it represents fantastic value.

Italian style and English style got quite some difference. If you like light, comfortable, slim. Then its for you.

English will be heavier due to welt construction, they usually use thicker leather, so more long lasting, but also heavier and require more breaking in.

note: leather is thinner, so will take less bashing. I personally like the scuffed up look as I wear mine with jeans mostly.

 

[archangle13]

That is because the consumers do not buy the leather sole stitched shoes, even when they are priced cheaper.

You mean they have been taken off the shelves already?? Singaporeans don't know a good thing when they see one.

Maybe there's more money to be made for cemented/glued rubber-soled corrected grain leather shoes?

 

[Lippyt]

You mean they have been taken off the shelves already?? Singaporeans don't know a good thing when they see one.

Maybe there's more money to be made for cemented/glued rubber-soled corrected grain leather shoes?

When I went down the other day they had 2 models with leather soles under new arrivals (30% off second piece offer) and iirc a brogue and a cap toe (black and brown) model with leather soles under their clearance section.

The leather on the soles of these shoes are what I can best described as "napped". The majority of the models have glued on soles, the leather soled models are stitched.

 

[boysdontcryy]

Received the shoes today. (Sorry detractors) I think they're absolutely stunning. I have a lot of shoes, and these really take the icing off the cake. Finishing and last are impeccable. IMHO, I think it trumps many English shoemakers (even bespoke) whose shoes I've handled etc.

I was expecting the shoes to fit tight because it's so aggressive. Was in for a huge surprise. Bestetti modified the last such that the front is actually extremely comfortable given I have a wide forefoot (Could have gone a little smaller though). The arch-support was superb.

Here it is, compared with Vass' U last.

 

[staedtler_07]

Any idea where to try the sizes for Meermin in Sg?

 

[runforyourlife]

Any idea where to try the sizes for Meermin in Sg?

houses of existing owners lol.

 

[chill_pills]

hey guys, i am a fresh graduate who is starting to appreciate classic menswear. And i think i should build my wardrobe starting from the shoes.

After doing some research, I wonder if I should buy introductory level shoes first from plal or should I buy higher quality shoes online? As from my brief research, I've found out that shoes like Vass, G&G are constructed better, have better finish. I figure if a pair of good shoes is gonna last me for like 10-20 years, i might as well get the better pair first.

Buying from plal enable me to try on those shoes before buying, as for buying online it might be of little gamble since I would not be sure if the shoes last would fit well on my foot.

I got advice on starting from loake and cheaney first, but I guess no harm asking for more opinion before making such a huge investment. my budget is around RM1500 maximum.

 

[boysdontcryy]

hey guys, i am a fresh graduate who is starting to appreciate classic menswear. And i think i should build my wardrobe starting from the shoes.

After doing some research, I wonder if I should buy introductory level shoes first from plal or should I buy higher quality shoes online? As from my brief research, I've found out that shoes like Vass, G&G are constructed better, have better finish. I figure if a pair of good shoes is gonna last me for like 10-20 years, i might as well get the better pair first.

Buying from plal enable me to try on those shoes before buying, as for buying online it might be of little gamble since I would not be sure if the shoes last would fit well on my foot.

I got advice on starting from loake and cheaney first, but I guess no harm asking for more opinion before making such a huge investment. my budget is around RM1500 maximum.

Get from Plal so you can try them. To get a well-fitting pair is crucial. You ought to take the $ and invest in a couple pairs instead of ploughing them all into a pair. You need to build up a rotation. No surer way to reduce the lifespan of the shoes than to wear a single pair daily.

Check out Meermin. Pretty decent. If money is used carefully, you could buy 2-3 pairs of good shoes that should see you through a long time.

 

[hst201]

Loake 1880 and Cheaney are very decent for a fresh grad. Like BDC said, a few pairs should last you for years if you wear them in rotation. You can topy them if you think it is too costly to have them resoled.

 

[archangle13]

hey guys, i am a fresh graduate who is starting to appreciate classic menswear. And i think i should build my wardrobe starting from the shoes.

After doing some research, I wonder if I should buy introductory level shoes first from plal or should I buy higher quality shoes online? As from my brief research, I've found out that shoes like Vass, G&G are constructed better, have better finish. I figure if a pair of good shoes is gonna last me for like 10-20 years, i might as well get the better pair first.

Buying from plal enable me to try on those shoes before buying, as for buying online it might be of little gamble since I would not be sure if the shoes last would fit well on my foot.

I got advice on starting from loake and cheaney first, but I guess no harm asking for more opinion before making such a huge investment. my budget is around RM1500 maximum.

I'm kinda 'in the same shoes'. I suggest starting with 'introductory level shoes'. The 'quality of construction' is generally highly debatable for shoes at this level, and you probably won't know the difference initially. IMO, the main reason why you would buy from Vass and G&G is that you like the style, even more than objective reasons like durability or fit.

Another reason why you should avoid buying online for your first few purchases is that you have no reference for sizing, as you suggested. So Plal is it for you. To get the correct size down for online shoe purchases, it is better to compare the fit differences between the intended purchase and shoes in a popular last that you own. From my understanding, your shoe wardrobe is empty now.

A third reason to avoid higher-priced shoes like Vass and G&G is a very obvious one. Their fit profiles are very unique, so imagine the $$$ wasted if you get the sizing wrong. Entry level welted shoes tend to have more generic lasts that fit better for a standard foot. Try gambling with the Vass U last and you will know.

So yea, Loake 1880, Cheaney, and AE are all fine in my book. Perhaps start with those?

 

[i_got_a_question_to_ask]

I got advice on starting from loake and cheaney first, but I guess no harm asking for more opinion before making such a huge investment. my budget is around RM1500 maximum.

With your kind of budget, just nice to get 2 pairs for rotation

 

[hst201]

+1 [10 char]

 

[chill_pills]

Get from Plal so you can try them. To get a well-fitting pair is crucial. You ought to take the $ and invest in a couple pairs instead of ploughing them all into a pair. You need to build up a rotation. No surer way to reduce the lifespan of the shoes than to wear a single pair daily.

Check out Meermin. Pretty decent. If money is used carefully, you could buy 2-3 pairs of good shoes that should see you through a long time.

Thanks for the advice.

How many pairs do you think I should have in my rotation? 2 or 3?

Meermin's shoes look very nice. However, I think they are only available online for me, since I'm based in Malaysia.

 

[chill_pills]

Loake 1880 and Cheaney are very decent for a fresh grad. Like BDC said, a few pairs should last you for years if you wear them in rotation. You can topy them if you think it is too costly to have them resoled.

Thanks for the advice.

How much is it usually for resoling a pair of shoes?

 

[chill_pills]

I'm kinda 'in the same shoes'. I suggest starting with 'introductory level shoes'. The 'quality of construction' is generally highly debatable for shoes at this level, and you probably won't know the difference initially. IMO, the main reason why you would buy from Vass and G&G is that you like the style, even more than objective reasons like durability or fit.

Another reason why you should avoid buying online for your first few purchases is that you have no reference for sizing, as you suggested. So Plal is it for you. To get the correct size down for online shoe purchases, it is better to compare the fit differences between the intended purchase and shoes in a popular last that you own. From my understanding, your shoe wardrobe is empty now.

A third reason to avoid higher-priced shoes like Vass and G&G is a very obvious one. Their fit profiles are very unique, so imagine the $$$ wasted if you get the sizing wrong. Entry level welted shoes tend to have more generic lasts that fit better for a standard foot. Try gambling with the Vass U last and you will know.

So yea, Loake 1880, Cheaney, and AE are all fine in my book. Perhaps start with those?

Thanks for the advice.

What you said ring true to me. Yes, Vass, G&G shoes have those really irresistible sleek look. And yes, I am just starting to build my shoes wardrobe from scratch.

I will probably check out plal for Loake and Cheaney shoes. What types (oxford, blucher) and color of shoes would you recommend? My dress code for my potential working environment will be just shirts and odd trousers.

 

[chill_pills]

With your kind of budget, just nice to get 2 pairs for rotation

I guess I would need to fork out additional money for shoe trees and shoes polishing set.

Any suggestions for quality shoes trees? Do you all still recommend the muji shoe tree?

 

[josephkjc]

I guess I would need to fork out additional money for shoe trees and shoes polishing set.

Any suggestions for quality shoes trees? Do you all still recommend the muji shoe tree?

Does Amazon do free shipping to Malaysia? If so you can get Woodlore cedar shoe trees. Cheaper and better than Muji.
I got new size M ones for sale but you are a far neighbour.

 

[josephkjc]

Any idea where to try the sizes for Meermin in Sg?

What is your size? I got a Meermin doublemonks size UK 7.5 if you want to try. I am wearing around EU size 41-42

 

[PetiaC]

Thanks for the advice.

What you said ring true to me. Yes, Vass, G&G shoes have those really irresistible sleek look. And yes, I am just starting to build my shoes wardrobe from scratch.

I will probably check out plal for Loake and Cheaney shoes. What types (oxford, blucher) and color of shoes would you recommend? My dress code for my potential working environment will be just shirts and odd trousers.

not sure plal still have c&j stock, these are good too, easy to fit.

you need a black and brown pair for starts. black oxford is the classic "serious business shoe" and brown derbys are the "casual yet smart" look. for work a darker shade of brown is more suitable than a lighter shade of brown.

 

[chill_pills]

Does Amazon do free shipping to Malaysia? If so you can get Woodlore cedar shoe trees. Cheaper and better than Muji.
I got new size M ones for sale but you are a far neighbour.

I just tried, unfortunately Amazon doesn't offer free shipping to Malaysia and the cost of shipping is almost the same price as a pair of Woodlore cedar shoe tree.

I guess I will have a look at Muji's