Working Shoe for Young Exec

[Wietse]

Yeah, the Kempt collection is pretty decent. A tad more expensive than other common brands but looks pretty good. I bought a pair of the monks from the Kempt collection on Sat.

Any comments on the build quality?

 

[arcfire]

Any comments on the build quality?

Quite frankly, I'm no shoe expert and have absolutely no clue how to discern a good pair of shoes from a lousy one, other than the latter disintegrating fairly quickly from wear.

If any expert is willing to show me, kopi on me...

For me, I guess only time will tell if it will be a gd pair.

For your reference, personally I find Pedro shoes are decent for its price and design(some of it). I have over 6 pairs of leather shoes so I alternate between them so they all last for quite long. That was the main reason why I tried out the Kempt range. (and also because I loved the monks )
Others will probably beg to differ.

PS: I've had a lousy pair of shoes from a department store that split open at the edge of my ball of my feet after 2 wears. Now that is a lousy pair.....

 

[Wietse]

Quite frankly, I'm no shoe expert and have absolutely no clue how to discern a good pair of shoes from a lousy one, other than the latter disintegrating fairly quickly from wear.

If any expert is willing to show me, kopi on me...

For me, I guess only time will tell if it will be a gd pair.

For your reference, personally I find Pedro shoes are decent for its price and design(some of it). I have over 6 pairs of leather shoes so I alternate between them so they all last for quite long. That was the main reason why I tried out the Kempt range. (and also because I loved the monks )
Others will probably beg to differ.

PS: I've had a lousy pair of shoes from a department store that split open at the edge of my ball of my feet after 2 wears. Now that is a lousy pair.....

Haha, I'm no expert or indeed even an amatuer either. But I think we all know how to appreciate quality! Will be heading down myself this weekend to get the derby I posted earlier. Can't wait!

 

[arcfire]

Haha, I'm no expert or indeed even an amatuer either. But I think we all know how to appreciate quality! Will be heading down myself this weekend to get the derby I posted earlier. Can't wait!

Nice, hope you'll like it.

Honestly, I'm still struggling with the idea that leather shoes need time to break in and conform to the feet. My recollection of such shoes only applied to my SAF leather boots....

Can anyone explain to me on this? I mean, there are horribly ill-fitting shoes and ones with stiff lousy leather that will cause discomfort. But good quality shoes with decent leather will also be uncomfortable before it breaks in(from what I've read, please correct me if I'm wrong here). So how do we differentiate between the 2? Is it necessary to have to wear them to find out or can we figure it out just by visual and physical inspections right at the start?

 

[nethdale]

Hi there,

I am keen to get a pair of "double monks". However, I saw those nice and "really look like shoe" at most shopping centres, come with a high price tag. I am looking at the region of $200-280. Can you guys help to suggest where to get it apart from Ed Et Al?

Thanks in advance.

 

[J.T.M.]

If you dont care about construction/quality, I have seen it at domanchi before when walking past their storefront. Don't own any of their shoes though.

Hi there,

I am keen to get a pair of "double monks". However, I saw those nice and "really look like shoe" at most shopping centres, come with a high price tag. I am looking at the region of $200-280. Can you guys help to suggest where to get it apart from Ed Et Al?

Thanks in advance.

 

[archangle13]

Nice, hope you'll like it.

Honestly, I'm still struggling with the idea that leather shoes need time to break in and conform to the feet. My recollection of such shoes only applied to my SAF leather boots....

Can anyone explain to me on this? I mean, there are horribly ill-fitting shoes and ones with stiff lousy leather that will cause discomfort. But good quality shoes with decent leather will also be uncomfortable before it breaks in(from what I've read, please correct me if I'm wrong here). So how do we differentiate between the 2? Is it necessary to have to wear them to find out or can we figure it out just by visual and physical inspections right at the start?

I doubt leather on dress shoes needs any actual breaking in. All of mine are relatively soft and comfortable right out of the box.

IMO, the thing that needs breaking in for dress shoes is the sole. If the leather upper is uncomfortable in the beginning, I think the real issue is that the shoes do not fit well i.e. the shoe shape/last and your foot shape do not match.

 

[arcfire]

I doubt leather on dress shoes needs any actual breaking in. All of mine are relatively soft and comfortable right out of the box.

IMO, the thing that needs breaking in for dress shoes is the sole. If the leather upper is uncomfortable in the beginning, I think the real issue is that the shoes do not fit well i.e. the shoe shape/last and your foot shape do not match.

I see. I was referring to the upper. Seems like the upper is relatively stiff so it might just mean I need to wear it a few more times to soften it up at the creases. Too little feet time for my new shoes at the moment....

I've only recently tried out Blake and Goodyear welting shoes so still new to how these shoes should feel like on the 1st few wears.

 

[saininnia]

hello pros, noob question here. is ed et al goot? im in love with magnanni so.. please help if you guys dont mind

 

[Wietse]

hello pros, noob question here. is ed et al goot? im in love with magnanni so.. please help if you guys dont mind

Search the thread for any post that mentions them and see for yourself. Personally, apart from Gaziano & Girling, they are my favourite shoemakers.

 

[arcfire]

Kinda had a mishap with polishing my shoes recently. Here's what I did and what happened:

1) Applied Saphir renovateur. Wait 10 min and buffed off.
2) Applied light amount of wax with cloth in circular motion.
3) Applied second coat, same as above.
4) Dabbed a little water on cloth and applied circular motion on waxed area.

At this point, I noticed that certain areas on the shoe where I've applied wax on felt rough and the area became dull and matte unlike the other areas which shined up. The dull area had a texture like after you rub the glue residue that is stuck on a surface after removing a sticker.
It feels like wax but somehow the texture is not the same. Its also impossible to rub off or remove. The more i rubbed, the tackier it became.

Only way I could make it look better was to buff it quickly and lightly with a cloth. There was less tacky feel but any attempts to put any wax or run a cloth with slight water on it will turn it dull and tacky again immediately.

Can any expert explain this and how to remedy so that I do not unknowingly destroy my shoes?

Thanks.

 

[saininnia]

Search the thread for any post that mentions them and see for yourself. Personally, apart from Gaziano & Girling, they are my favourite shoemakers.

alright thanks bro. forgive me as this thread is way toooo long and many brands are just as alien to me. looking at g&g trust edetal is a good buy. many thanks!

 

[yang86]

anyone wanna share shipping for a shoe valet kit with box?
about $125 sgd, 1 slot.
pm me.
thanks!

 

[archangle13]

I see. I was referring to the upper. Seems like the upper is relatively stiff so it might just mean I need to wear it a few more times to soften it up at the creases. Too little feet time for my new shoes at the moment....

I've only recently tried out Blake and Goodyear welting shoes so still new to how these shoes should feel like on the 1st few wears.

The first few wears always feel like absolute sh*t. My first experience with GY welted shoes was really wtf.

Leather upper can be stiff if the leather used is very thick, or the design is such that there are many layers of leather at the usual crease points. I would assume full brogues have the stiffest uppers. At least my full brogue was initially stiffer than my wholecuts. I guess stiffest leather is shell cordovan.

But like I said, the sole is really the main source of discomfort for new shoes, at least for me. If the sole doesn't bend, the upper can't really bend much also. Felt like I was walking on stilts with new shoes.

 

[PetiaC]

Kinda had a mishap with polishing my shoes recently. Here's what I did and what happened:

1) Applied Saphir renovateur. Wait 10 min and buffed off.
2) Applied light amount of wax with cloth in circular motion.
3) Applied second coat, same as above.
4) Dabbed a little water on cloth and applied circular motion on waxed area.

At this point, I noticed that certain areas on the shoe where I've applied wax on felt rough and the area became dull and matte unlike the other areas which shined up. The dull area had a texture like after you rub the glue residue that is stuck on a surface after removing a sticker.
It feels like wax but somehow the texture is not the same. Its also impossible to rub off or remove. The more i rubbed, the tackier it became.

Only way I could make it look better was to buff it quickly and lightly with a cloth. There was less tacky feel but any attempts to put any wax or run a cloth with slight water on it will turn it dull and tacky again immediately.

Can any expert explain this and how to remedy so that I do not unknowingly destroy my shoes?

Thanks.

If first time polishing you will need more base layers of wax before you can
start spit polishing. I start with 6 layers for new shoes.

You need time for the layers of wax to dry before you start to apply another layer. Or else subsequently layers will remove the previous layers.

You were rubbing a wet cloth onto the wax layers and rubbing them off instead of adding on layers of wax with the aid of water to help smooth the wax layers.

 

[Carnage]

I see. I was referring to the upper. Seems like the upper is relatively stiff so it might just mean I need to wear it a few more times to soften it up at the creases. Too little feet time for my new shoes at the moment....

I've only recently tried out Blake and Goodyear welting shoes so still new to how these shoes should feel like on the 1st few wears.

Bullocks, leather is stiff right out of the box. I'm referring to the uppers. They have to be seasoned by wearing them. Any bespoke shoemaker will tell you the same thing.

 

[Carnage]

Guys, what's the right fit for shoetrees?

I'm using the woodlows, and they are almost fully compressed when fitted into my shoes. And after 1 weekend of having my shoetrees inside them, they feel wider on the sides. Are they suppose to be that quick?

 

[Carnage]

Hi there,

I am keen to get a pair of "double monks". However, I saw those nice and "really look like shoe" at most shopping centres, come with a high price tag. I am looking at the region of $200-280. Can you guys help to suggest where to get it apart from Ed Et Al?

Thanks in advance.

There are some shoes at Benjamin Barker, some of them are supposedly GY welted.

 

[gambireu]

Guys, what's the right fit for shoetrees?

I'm using the woodlows, and they are almost fully compressed when fitted into my shoes. And after 1 weekend of having my shoetrees inside them, they feel wider on the sides. Are they suppose to be that quick?

Hi Carnage,

I believe this recent article from a suitable wardrobe might answer your question.

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2013/11/if-tree-fits.html?m=1

 

[SquallLH]

For those who needs a good deal for AE shoes, Amazon's having 30% off if you key in the code 30shoes1. Note that Global free shipping only applies for 70% of the models offered there. Better to order two and return the one that's a dud if you don't want to end up like me... Am gonna sit this one out but you guys have fun!