Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[mackmittonz]

I stopped by the Paris shop during our recent vacation and had a great time talking to the store manager about Carmina's offerings and ended up buying four pairs of shoes (cordovan oxfords, black calf jodhpurs, and 2 pairs of boots for my wife). The manager was a really friendly guy and even gave me a cordovan polishing lesson once I showed interest in cordovan. If you're ever in Paris, I highly recommend you stop by the Carmina shop. They have some offerings that aren't available on the web site and the customer service is second to none. The cordovan oxfords in the pictures below were on the Alcudia last. These are definitely my favorite shoes in my collection thus far.

Picture of a shoe in the shop demonstrating the construction of a Goodyear welted shoe.

 

[Mr. Moo]

^that pair is gorgeous.

Guys,

Has anyone ordered from the Carmina web shop? If so:

1) How fast did you receive an in-stock pair?
2) Were you charged a customs fee?

Thank you!

 

[mymil]

Now I know what to ask for for my birthday!

 

[bullswin]



^that pair is gorgeous.
Guys,
Has anyone ordered from the Carmina web shop? If so:
1) How fast did you receive an in-stock pair?
2) Were you charged a customs fee?
Thank you!

1) 2 business days
2) no

I've only ordered once through the Carmina web shop, so I'm not sure if my experience is representative. btw, Betty was quite friendly when communicating with them via email.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Excellent news, thanks. Did you happen to ask if they can make a MTO pair, and if so, how long would it take/what is the upcharge from their online pricing for in stock pairs?

On the other hand, do they have other, in stock shoes that are not listed online?

 

[justinkapur]



Just thought I'd share some side-by-side pics of three different lasts -- Forest, Robert, and Alcudia. The dark brown Robert and dark brown Alcudia were purchased from The Armoury; the black Forest was purchased from Carmina's website. I sized down a full size from my typical US size for all three. Of the three, the Robert is the roomiest -- it works for a variety of insteps, while you pretty much need to have a low instep for the Forest and Alcudia to work (or else the lacing area will probably be too tight). They're all quite snug, but super comfortable -- as if they're hugging my feet (sometimes they need a little bit of warm-up time before the pinky toe agrees). (apologies for the not so great iphone pics.) From left to right: Alcudia, Robert, Forest Alcudia on the left, Robert on the right: Robert on the left, Forest on the right:

Now you need to buy the Simpson last so you can compare all of their lasts

 

[bullswin]



Excellent news, thanks. Did you happen to ask if they can make a MTO pair, and if so, how long would it take/what is the upcharge from their online pricing for in stock pairs?
On the other hand, do they have other, in stock shoes that are not listed online?

I'm mostly ignorant on these two questions. I've seen some folks here mention that they've asked Betty about MTO (basically, anything they make that's not available on the web store) and I think it's doable and the upcharge is maybe in the ballpark of 50 euro.

Regarding your latter question, I'm not sure.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Thank you very much. I feel OK ordering from them based on your experience. Now, I need to figure out whether Forest, Robert or Inca is best for my foot (wide forefoot/instep). You mention that Robert is the roomiest, but the Armoury said that Inca/Forest is the widest. So... not sure based on that info...

 

[bullswin]



Now you need to buy the Simpson last so you can compare all of their lasts

haha. I guess I've sort of been working my way backwards, but that was intentional for a couple reasons:

- I'm a fan of rounder/almond toe shapes
- it seems like a high percentage of the sizing issues that have arisen have involved the Simpson last

Going forward, I wouldn't hesitate to get any of the same lasts again, but if I had to choose just one, it would be the Alcudia.

 

[bullswin]



Thank you very much. I feel OK ordering from them based on your experience. Now, I need to figure out whether Forest, Robert or Inca is best for my foot (wide forefoot/instep). You mention that Robert is the roomiest, but the Armoury said that Inca/Forest is the widest. So... not sure based on that info...

The Robert is just the roomiest of the three lasts I've tried (the other two being about their narrowest). It sounds like you definitely should aim for either the Rain or the Inca.

 

[Mr. Moo]

reason #34 I love SF.

 

[mymil]

They definitely have styles available that are not pictured on their webstore. If you ask Betty, she will most likely list a few options that most closely resemble what you requested.

Regarding lasts, Betty told me that Forest is wide, Rain is "comfortable," and Simpson and Alcudia are narrow. Of their more uncommon lasts, Oscar is wide like Forest, and Deia is much narrower than the Inca. (Unfortunately she didn't compare the Inca to those first four.)

 

[Gdot]

If you go to their main website (not the ecommerce section) you will be able to see all of the makes that they offer as RTW. They are each clearly numbered.

Send them the detailed information, product number and size requested and they will let you know if they have them in stock.

I find that if you are clear and decisive you will get better service via email than if you approach without having done your research.

 

[Gdot]



^that pair is gorgeous.
Guys,
Has anyone ordered from the Carmina web shop? If so:
1) How fast did you receive an in-stock pair?
2) Were you charged a customs fee?
Thank you!

Not from the ecommerce site - but direct via email of models selectef from their general website.

Shipping was fast (about a week).

This was a large order, 8 pairs, somehow no customs was added.

 

[Gdot]



I stopped by the Paris shop during our recent vacation and had a great time talking to the store manager about Carmina's offerings and ended up buying four pairs of shoes (cordovan oxfords, black calf jodhpurs, and 2 pairs of boots for my wife). The manager was a really friendly guy and even gave me a cordovan polishing lesson once I showed interest in cordovan. If you're ever in Paris, I highly recommend you stop by the Carmina shop. They have some offerings that aren't available on the web site and the customer service is second to none. The cordovan oxfords in the pictures below were on the Alcudia last. These are definitely my favorite shoes in my collection thus far.
Picture of a shoe in the shop demonstrating the construction of a Goodyear welted shoe.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Beautiful. Carmina certainly deserves their reputation as being specialists in shell shoes.