Working Shoe for Young Exec

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archangle13

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How do we tell if the shoe on display is using corrected grain or not? If it's been worn for a while it might be easier to tell but what about a brand new pair?

Honestly, I can't know for sure if you tested me on unknown shoes.

So far, I can only assume from the plastic-like shiny look and the absence of a strong leather smell (yes I'm crazy enough to sniff new shoes). I wonder if there are tell-tale signs if you flex the leather...

For now, I just go by brand reputation. Pricey brands are usually more well-known, enough to have their quality discussed online. So you'd know what kind of leather is used through insider info or dissatisfied customers. Cheap shoes (perhaps below $200) are simply too cheap to cover the material cost of full-grain leather. If cheap shoes use full-grain leather, then there would be rave reviews online e.g. Meermin.

In a nutshell, if you can't tell the difference, research online. :)
 

kingcarlos

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Just went to Edetal to get my MTO shenton II and I must say I'm pretty satisfied with the finished product and the fit, which is snug and comfortable. Though they ran out of the saphir shoe cream for my colour, anyone know where to get it in singapore?
 

boysdontcryy

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Continuation ... (sorry for the long lag time. Busy).

Yesterday, he sent me pictures of the shoes with the initials punched into them





He said that he’d painstakingly hand-polish the shoes (anybody who has spent time polishing shoes will know that to get a gleam throughout the entire pair of shoes is no small feat, and will take several hours).





 

boysdontcryy

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I reminded him I wanted flat laces.

The completed shoes, ready for dispatch:

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archangle13

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I have the same qns but is he not interested in sharing the info

Haha it's obviously an ego thing. Probably doesn't want to lose his shoes' exclusivity. :s13:

But since his are not true bespoke, those interested in similar offerings can look at shoes by Antonio Meccariello. AFAIK, he offers one of the cheapest MTM, only slightly more expensive than Vass, starting at 450 euro. You can send him your best fitting shoes, or send him all your foot measurements, and he can modify one of his lasts for you. IMO, this guy is one insanely-skilled artisan, and can apparently do any kind of welt. There's definitely a Berluti and Bontoni feel right there.

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There is an interesting 16-page thread on Styleforum here:
Antonio Meccariello Shoes
Caution, expect extreme shoe porn if you click this. :s13:
 

boysdontcryy

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I have the same qns but is he not interested in sharing the info

Haha it's obviously an ego thing. Probably doesn't want to lose his shoes' exclusivity. :s13:

I'm frankly surprised at such comments. How does one impute 'ego' and 'exclusivity' into not sharing information about a picture of a pair of Japanese shoes (that I don't know who made up) that was sent to my Italian shoemaker, Bestetti.

One is welcome to try Bestetti. His shoes start from approximately 800 GBP (~1600 SGD).

(If you check my tumblr/instagram, you'll see that the name of the shoemaker is as plain as day.)
 
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archangle13

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I'm frankly surprised at such comments. How does one impute 'ego' and 'exclusivity' into not sharing information about a picture of a pair of Japanese shoes (that I don't know who made up) that was sent to my Italian shoemaker, Bestetti.

One is welcome to try Bestetti. His shoes start from approximately 800 GBP (~1600 SGD).

Well, the question was totally ignored, until attention was drawn to it. One can only guess the reasons, and is entitled to do so in the absence of information.

Now, you are saying the pictures are of Japanese shoes and the real shoemaker is not Japanese but Bestetti? Frankly, is confusion the intent here?
 

boysdontcryy

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Well, the question was totally ignored, until attention was drawn to it. One can only guess the reasons, and is entitled to do so in the absence of information.

Now, you are saying the pictures are of Japanese shoes and the real shoemaker is not Japanese but Bestetti? Frankly, is confusion the intent here?

... I was in the market for a pair of shoes and my friend was raving about this shoemaker and after inspecting a couple of his shoes, I figured I’d use him.

I sent him this picture of a pair of Japanese shoes and told him I wanted my shoes to look similar except that he should obviate the eyelets, have it made in brown. I also asked that my initials would be punched in the front of the shoes in place of the regular medallions. That was non-negotiable without which there would have been any deal.


Read the original post.

Where did I say that the shoes are made by a Japanese?

One is indeed entitled to make an assumption, though unless one can credibly trace the logical sequence for making such an assumption (and explain why the various other plausible alternatives are ruled-out), I'm entitled to my opinion that such an assumption is baseless.

Why? Let's look at this logically. Just check out my tumblr/instagram to see if I mentioned the name of my shoemaker. Now, if I intended to keep his name secret for some kind of 'ego-boost' or to maintain 'exclusivity', why'd I share his name there?
 
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patryn33

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Why? Let's look at this logically. Just check out my tumblr/instagram to see if I mentioned the name of my shoemaker. Now, if I intended to keep his name secret for some kind of 'ego-boost' or to maintain 'exclusivity', why'd I share his name there?

Thanx for sharing, took u awhile to post it. Didn't SIC into your tumblr or Instagram. Yea u are entitled to opinion or what not. Enjoy your shoes, while everyone go enjoy their weekend. Lol

I just Don't make enough to wear a $1.6-3k shoes.
 
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KennyDagrish

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bdc usually im a fan of your shoes but the one you commissioned is a monstrosity...

just look at the side profile...
 
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