Church's Appreciation Thread

Mr Knightley · Feb 27, 2024

Denar78 said:
Hi all, I just snapped up these beauties for a song (ie more like for a poem which doesn’t even rhyme).

These are Consuls on the 73 last.

Would anyone have an idea on the year of manufacturing, based on the box or the shoe itself?

Thanks in advance

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I had a pair of Diplomats on the same last and in an identical box. I bought them in early 2000 from a shop that was no longer going to be stocking Church's shoes and got them for a great price - £150, when the then retail price was around £250. Sadly, Church's 'damaged' them during a refurb in 2006. They replaced them with a new pair for the price of the repair (£80). I still have the replacement pair and kept the old box.

I would say that the shop I bought them from in 2000 had had them in stock for a while at the time - so late 1990s?

Great pick-up!

Denar78 · Feb 27, 2024

Mr Knightley said:
I had a pair of Diplomats on the same last and in an identical box. I bought them in early 2000 from a shop that was no longer going to be stocking Church's shoes and got them for a great price - £150, when the then retail price was around £250. Sadly, Church's 'damaged' them during a refurb in 2006. They replaced them with a new pair for the price of the repair (£80). I still have the replacement pair and kept the old box.

I would say that the shop I bought them from in 2000 had had them in stock for a while at the time - so late 1990s?

Great pick-up!

Thanks, I was very curious so I couldn’t help contact the seller. She told me that they were purchased in 1995, which confirms your answer 👍

William Kazak · Feb 27, 2024

Denar78 said:
Hi all, I just snapped up these beauties for a song (ie more like for a poem which doesn’t even rhyme).

These are Consuls on the 73 last.

Would anyone have an idea on the year of manufacturing, based on the box or the shoe itself?

Thanks in advance

View attachment 2137513

View attachment 2137515

View attachment 2137517

I just had to donate two pairs of these same shoes. I had gotten very much wear out of them both. They were cracked at the creases and one had a chip of leather off the toe. I thought some kid might need them for a job interview. I don't wear black anymore. I do have this style in tan and two in brown. I have five pairs of Church's shoes total now in both tan and brown. All are in great condition. Also, a buckskin white wingtip by Church's.

Mr Knightley · Feb 27, 2024

Denar78 said:
Thanks, I was very curious so I couldn’t help contact the seller. She told me that they were purchased in 1995, which confirms your answer 👍

Thank you! I was never sure how long the shop had been storing them - now I have a better understanding.

bengal-stripe · Feb 27, 2024

Denar78 said:
Would anyone have an idea on the year of manufacturing, based on the box or the shoe itself?

Thanks in advance

Church's was acquired by Prada in 1999. Post-Prada the shoes carried not only London, Paris, New York but also had Milan added.

That would be another pointer towards mid-to-late Nineties.

wolfdale · Mar 23, 2024

Hey guys,

Just bought these lightly used churchs for usd 360 in japan. What do you guys think? Was it a bargain? Yay or nay?

pasadena man · Mar 23, 2024

wolfdale said:
Hey guys,

Just bought these lightly used churchs for usd 360 in japan. What do you guys think? Was it a bargain? Yay or nay?

It might be good value but Church's often depressed on resale; their image took a hit post Prada acquisition, making them, IMO, often one of the great CM footwear bargains on Ebay. You are on vacation and the purchase is part of an exotic menswear expedition, so I wouldn't worry about bargain vs. value.

If it is the 73 last, you should have a pair on that last if you haven't one. It's Church's most respected last, been out of production for a while, and one of the legendary CM shoe lasts.

They are also Cape Buck, a little uncommon, and once a Church's specialty. I have three pairs of Church's in suede and am satisfied with all of them. They dress down Church's traditional rather elegant designs and construction. A pair of Church's dark chocolate suede brogues is probably my default choice for smart casual.

wolfdale · Mar 23, 2024

pasadena man said:
It might be good value but Church's often depressed on resale; their image took a hit post Prada acquisition, making them, IMO, often one of the great CM footwear bargains on Ebay. You are on vacation and the purchase is part of an exotic menswear expedition, so I wouldn't worry about bargain vs. value.

If it is the 73 last, you should have a pair on that last if you haven't one. It's Church's most respected last, been out of production for a while, and one of the legendary CM shoe lasts.

They are also Cape Buck, a little uncommon, and once a Church's specialty. I have three pairs of Church's in suede and am satisfied with all of them. They dress down Church's traditional rather elegant designs and construction. A pair of Church's dark chocolate suede brogues is probably my default choice for smart casual.

I always wanted a pair of Churchs to be honest (James Bond fan, what can I do?) and I didnt have any pair of suede shoes, only chukkas, so I think indeed it was a great addition to the wardrobe. By the looks of them its 99% chance theyre post Prada, right?

Any idea how I can find out the last?

Edit: last 81. Just checked inside the shoes.

shoefan57 · Mar 23, 2024

wolfdale said:
Hey guys,

Just bought these lightly used churchs for usd 360 in japan. What do you guys think? Was it a bargain? Yay or nay?

They are called “Edward” in Cape Buck suede and are from the esteemed old Royals range built on oak bark tanned soles and on the 002 last. A top class shoe even if post Prada but out. A bargain maybe? But good value? Certainly.

florent · Mar 23, 2024

wolfdale said:
I always wanted a pair of Churchs to be honest (James Bond fan, what can I do?) and I didnt have any pair of suede shoes, only chukkas, so I think indeed it was a great addition to the wardrobe. By the looks of them its 99% chance theyre post Prada, right?

Any idea how I can find out the last?

Edit: last 81. Just checked inside the shoes.

99% chance they are pre-Prada, they added "Milan" on the insole after the buyout

Mr Knightley · Mar 26, 2024

I followed the advice here and used Kokos of East Finchley to repair my Diplomats.

I decided to take the shoes in person to their lovely shop. We concluded that, apart from heeling, the shoes really didn't need any attention. But, after further discussion, I decided to protect the soles with a very fine rubber sole. Not a thing that I would entertain on a smooth, plain Oxford, but for a shoe with broguing I thought it would work - and they have done a cracking job. I recall Church's used to offer many of their classic styles with a rubber sole.

Total cost with a return via UPS was about £80. Some pics:

William Kazak · Mar 26, 2024

Mr Knightley said:
I followed the advice here and used Kokos of East Finchley to repair my Diplomats.

I decided to take the shoes in person to their lovely shop. We concluded that, apart from heeling, the shoes really didn't need any attention. But, after further discussion, I decided to protect the soles with a very fine rubber sole. Not a thing that I would entertain on a smooth, plain Oxford, but for a shoe with broguing I thought it would work - and they have done a cracking job. I recall Church's used to offer many of their classic styles with a rubber sole.

Total cost with a return via UPS was about £80. Some pics:
View attachment 2155969
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I wonder who in the USA is recommended for Church's shoe repair.

Mr Knightley · Mar 26, 2024

William Kazak said:
I wonder who in the USA is recommended for Church's shoe repair.

You could contact Kokos and ask if they accept repairs from the US:

Telephone: 020 8883 0876
Email: [email protected]

William Kazak · Mar 26, 2024

Mr Knightley said:
You could contact Kokos and ask if they accept repairs from the US:

Telephone: 020 8883 0876
Email: [email protected]

I would not send them across the Atlantic. I see nothing special in adding rubber to the soles of shoes. That is nothing I would ever want to do. In my experience with local cobblers they can all replace heels.

jellyroller · Sunday at 12:47 PM

For anyone who has owned Church’s polished bookbinder shoes for many years, how does their appearance hold up over time?

Church's Appreciation Thread

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