Working Shoe for Young Exec

[All in a Day]

Just wanted to say a great big thanks to all you shoe gurus / enthusiasts. Have been reading this thread and took me about a week to pore through the 476 pages. What a wealth of information! Thanks for sharing all that wisdom!
After reading through all your ideas, am going to pull the trigger and start off with a black cap toe oxford. Have taken the advice and went down to Robinsons to get an idea of what my sizing is. I tried on a Loake Hilton Size 8and it fitted very nicely, was told its an F width. Also tried the Loake Strand Size 8 but it felt a little too snug / tight for comfort.
Am going to start off with a Meermin, Hiro last. Based on you guys' experiences with the Hiro last do you think a size 8.5 would be a better idea. Am sorry if this has been asked to death already, I might definitely have missed things while reading through the thread.
I will definitely also email Meermin for an opinion. If I remember correctly did one you trace an outline of your foot and provide them with measurements? Think it was bro alvinquah, if yes, which measurements should I measure out and provide them?
Thanks in advance!

Loake hilton is on mayfair last, which is known to be slightly more generous than capital last which the strand is based on. Moreover, hilton is a derby whereas strand is an oxford, so the hilton will fit easier on the instep.

From what i know, hiro last is less generous than capital last. Going up 0.5 on meermin hiro last may help compensate. But it depends where u feeling the 'tightness' and also run a risk of heel slip if 8 is already the correct length.

 

[thundermarch]

Loake hilton is on mayfair last, which is known to be slightly more generous than capital last which the strand is based on. Moreover, hilton is a derby whereas strand is an oxford, so the hilton will fit easier on the instep.

From what i know, hiro last is less generous than capital last. Going up 0.5 on meermin hiro last may help compensate. But it depends where u feeling the 'tightness' and also run a risk of heel slip if 8 is already the correct length.

Thanks for the advice AIAD.
Much appreciated. The tightness is mainly in the toe box area actually.
In that case do you think i should not be considering the hiro last?

 

[J.T.M.]

Any feedback between alfred sargent bench grade and carmina, which would u go for?

Carmina for value. If you are looking at AS bench grade you might as well get a c&j.

Pediwear.com has good deals every now and then.

 

[osirisx]

Any reason why you only want shoes that qualify strictly as Oxfords?

Hmm.. I dun have many pairs of shoes and Oxford is like the most formal and fits many occasions, it also looks sleek and simple??

 

[archangle13]

Hmm.. I dun have many pairs of shoes and Oxford is like the most formal and fits many occasions, it also looks sleek and simple??

Yup this is exactly what I am talking about... If you know what looks formal, why would you bother with definitions i.e. what qualifies as Oxfords?

I suggest getting what looks formal, sleek and simple to your eyes. Most people here aren't particular about dressing anyway. Good luck for your search!

 

[All in a Day]

Carmina for value. If you are looking at AS bench grade you might as well get a c&j.

Pediwear.com has good deals every now and then.

Good deals for c&j? Anyway c&j tend to be too narrow in general which is why not really considered. Leaning towards carmina for value too.

 

[All in a Day]

Thanks for the advice AIAD.
Much appreciated. The tightness is mainly in the toe box area actually.
In that case do you think i should not be considering the hiro last?

U might want to hear alvin quah's opinion. He owns shoes in hiro n capital lasts. However he has narrow feet. But at least he can give u a 1st hand comparison in relative width of both lasts.

 

[thundermarch]

U might want to hear alvin quah's opinion. He owns shoes in hiro n capital lasts. However he has narrow feet. But at least he can give u a 1st hand comparison in relative width of both lasts.

Bro thanks again for your advice. Would be a major bummer if my feet aren't suitable for meermins. Guess I'll be doing more research on suitable lasts.

 

[iamneverenough]

Archules?
Someone recommended before, also thinking of getting a pair from them, my current shoe the sole gonna come off soon

Btw is a black belt with khaki pant & shoe a nono?
Most belts I came across are black and dark brown with the occasional grey, hardly any matching color

Is that like some local brand???

Google it and seems it's an online store, no physical store to try on their shoes?

 

[osirisx]

Is that like some local brand???

Google it and seems it's an online store, no physical store to try on their shoes?

Seems like it, on a rare occasion they have open house
Sent them a query still waiting for a reply

Otherwise moi will get a cheapcheap $70 shoe from orchard, geox out of budget

 

[osirisx]

Yup this is exactly what I am talking about... If you know what looks formal, why would you bother with definitions i.e. what qualifies as Oxfords?

I suggest getting what looks formal, sleek and simple to your eyes. Most people here aren't particular about dressing anyway. Good luck for your search!

OK I get your point, just get one which I like and not get caught up with the technicalities eh

 

[cheunghowai]

I've a shell cordovan from Carminas which are my bad weather shoes for HK (sadly not used often in Singapore) and they are great. You wont regret them,

I would be interested to know what other shoe makers are you looking at? And also for Shell? Because i only seem to know that Carminas are well known for Shell so i would love to learn more shoemakers.

Congraz bro!

anyway I am not in a hurry to get their shell. Maybe after their shell supply stabilized. Am looking at others shoe makers in the meantime

 

[All in a Day]

I've a shell cordovan from Carminas which are my bad weather shoes for HK (sadly not used often in Singapore) and they are great. You wont regret them,

I would be interested to know what other shoe makers are you looking at? And also for Shell? Because i only seem to know that Carminas are well known for Shell so i would love to learn more shoemakers.

OT here but how did your commissions with KS go?

 

[All in a Day]

Also Alvin, if you find a shell model you like, pull the trigger quickly. Shell cordovan supply is getting shorter and shorter. I was about to pull the trigger on a pair of Carmina ruby shell captoe from Unipair when my wife hit me with baby-news.

Hey ballgag, prices at unipair are fair? Hows the shipping charges?

 

[BallGag]

Hey ballgag, prices at unipair are fair? Hows the shipping charges?

In general, the prices on skoak are better, but Unipair has a wider selection and they usually stock smaller(Asian) sizes. I'm not sure if they are still offering free shipping, but they used to.

 

[All in a Day]

In general, the prices on skoak are better, but Unipair has a wider selection and they usually stock smaller(Asian) sizes. I'm not sure if they are still offering free shipping, but they used to.

I emailed them, shipping is usd30. Wondering how do u manage on a site in korean?

Think skoak prob a better deal

 

[BallGag]

I emailed them, shipping is usd30. Wondering how do u manage on a site in korean?

Think skoak prob a better deal

Well most of the site is in English, and they also have a thread on SF where they're pretty responsive; they respond to emails very quickly too. Can't beat skoak prices though.

 

[cheunghowai]

Hello,

Its turning out fantastic! I only have myself to blame for no being able to commit to go down for fittings because of work. Waiting for my second fitting now. But overall very satisfied and impressed.

Regards
Ho

OT here but how did your commissions with KS go?

 

[osirisx]

Is it normal for a new shoe to be stiff?

Just wore my shoe for the first time today, the back keeps rubba against my foot (Achilles tendon) area, caused abit of pain and discomfort
does it require some time to break in?

 

[urbanturban]

My shoes are still stiff after wearing for a number of times. But it should not be uncomfortable.