Shoes: C&J or Carmina?

Originally Posted by chasingred

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By the way, in searching for Hallam photos, I found this thread

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=126693

The Hallam in suede.

Originally Posted by Mac

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I went to the bank today to deposit money into the card connected to my PayPal. Just awaiting an email back from The Armoury. Thanks guys. Also, any reason why The Armoury doesn't stock Carmina shoe trees? Too expensive?
I think you made the right choice as the Carminas are much better than the C&J Hallam. I owned the Hallam and still own the Carminas you have in your avatar. Hallam was sold. Carminas stay. YMMV. As far as the trees the Armoury doesn't stock them because they're not cost effective (and aren't lasted either). I was in contact with Carmina directly for a couple pairs of trees but could buy another pair of shoes for the price of the trees shipped. I went with RL trees for $55. And, as far as the leather is concerned, the Carminas I have use better leather than The C&J's I've owned (Belgrave, Finsbury, Hallam, Connaught, etc.). The [darker colored leather] C&Js seem to creak deeply whereas the Carminas I own crease like my EGs. YMMV I will probably never buy another pair of C&J but would definitely buy more Carminas.

Originally Posted by NORE

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As far as the trees the Armoury doesn't stock them because they're not cost effective (and aren't lasted either). I was in contact with Carmina directly for a couple pairs of trees but could buy another pair of shoes for the price of the trees shipped.
How do you find the fit of the Simpson last? Is a tight or wide last (generally speaking)? Another pair of shoes!? Christ.

And, as far as the leather is concerned, the Carminas I have use better leather than The C&J's I've owned (Belgrave, Finsbury, Hallam, Connaught, etc.). The [darker colored leather] C&Js crease immediately whereas my Carminas show no creasing even after wearing them several times.

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That's good, and what I wanted to hear. How are they keeping up now? Still great?

Originally Posted by NORE

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And, as far as the leather is concerned, the Carminas I have use better leather than The C&J's I've owned (Belgrave, Finsbury, Hallam, Connaught, etc.). The [darker colored leather] C&Js seem to creak deeply whereas the Carminas I own crease like my EGs. YMMV

I will probably never buy another pair of C&J but would definitely buy more Carminas.

A man who knows both! Exactly the kind of analysis I was looking for.

Originally Posted by Mac

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How do you find the fit of the Simpson last? Is a tight or wide last (generally speaking)?
Another pair of shoes!? Christ.

That's good, and what I wanted to hear. How are they keeping up now? Still great?

The Simpson last fits normally, not tight or wide. Wider than the Alcudia and slightly looser in the heel, although I don't know if my immediately stuffing size 13 trees in there exacerbated the heel widening.

They are holding up great and I haven't touched my EGs since I got them. I put them on par with Edward Green shoes at this point in time. But of course, more time will tell. With C&J I was always left wanting. Bought into the SF hype

Originally Posted by NORE

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The Simpson last fits normally, not tight or wide. Wider than the Alcudia and slightly looser in the heel, although I don't know if my immediately stuffing size 13 trees in there exacerbated the heel widening.

They are holding up great and I haven't touched my EGs since I got them. I put them on par with Edward Green shoes at this point in time. But of course, more time will tell. With C&J I was always left wanting. Bought into the SF hype

So you bought a size 12 as well? Can I ask, what width are your feet? If they fit your feet normally I'm intrigued as to how they will fit mine - and potentially save me from returning them.

Carmina are half the price of EG too.

I wear 12E in EG & bought 12 in both Carminas. yfyf can give you some idea of how each Carmina last fits as compared with EG lasts. 2 pair for the price of 1 EG? I couldn't be happier. I actually got a sale list from EG right before I bought the Carminas and still went that route. You will be pleased.

Originally Posted by NORE

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I wear 12E in EG & bought 12 in both Carminas. yfyf can give you some idea of how each Carmina last fits as compared with EG lasts. 2 pair for the price of 1 EG? I couldn't be happier. I actually got a sale list from EG right before I bought the Carminas and still went that route. You will be pleased.

Is your American shoe size a 12.5 or 13?

Nore, have you seen the Carmina shoes ever go on sale?

Voted for the Carminas - they look awesome!

The price for C&J is excellent and if you do not like them you can return or sell them here. But that's me, I cannot pass a good deal and have more than 150 shoes.

That said, I visited the Carmina shop in Palma de Mallorca last year, tried a few shoes and just bought a belt. If I could find them online at a good price, I would buy a pair. I saw them in person, know my size, and wait for a good deal (like this one).

Originally Posted by aj_del

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^^ I have 2 other shoes on the 348/358 and they look fine to my eye. But something about the Hallam didnt appeal

I have the same exact feeling. I also think suede suits the Hallam better than regular calf.

Originally Posted by Getzione

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I have the same exact feeling. I also think suede suits the Hallam better than regular calf.

This.

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

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Is your American shoe size a 12.5 or 13?

Honestly I don't know. Don't wear American shoes

Originally Posted by Mac

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Nore, have you seen the Carmina shoes ever go on sale?

Not really. At the current asking price, I think they're already on sale.

Originally Posted by Mac

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As do I. The shoes in my avatar are the Carminas.

Edit: Not sure if that was rhetorical, but I'm ******* answering it anyway!

Yeah, I meant that I had been going to ask about the make before I read the thread. Wonderful shoes. As far as SF window shopping goes, my favourite RTW make together with G&G.