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

mp1472 said:

Can anyone comment on santoni vs carmina sizing I just got some santoni which were quite big and I could 1/2 size down. ..has me a bit worried on my mto

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Santonis definitely ran at least half size large in my experience. I usually wear 5.5 EE and took 5 for Santonis

steveyoo1983 said:

Santonis definitely ran at least half size large in my experience. I usually wear 5.5 EE and took 5 for Santonis

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that's correct in my experience

We are at four people on this. Robert or Oscar last with York sole on Navy cordovan. Free shipping. If anyone has questions please let me know.



calidist said:

Got these in. I was concerned the last (Forest) would be too narrow for me (I'm normally a 8.5E US), but the 8 UK seems to fit ok. I think I could have gone TTS in these, which seems pretty strange since they are UK sized. They are my first Carmina pair (I'm an Alden guy). These match up pretty well to Aldens. The leather is slightly more rubbery and less supple than Alden's calf. The finishing isn't perfect on this pair, but neither are Aldens most of the time. Great buy and fun model!

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I purchased these pairs as well. I am a US8EE/ EEE. I went with UK 8 . Thank God I did. They fit perfectly. And no gap on the lacing. How do you size down on Carminas ??? I am yet to try on the Rain single monk.

Picked up my Cognac shell brogues on the Rain last, size 10, tried them on. Certainly I am a 9.5 in this last, but the size 10, while roomy, is not uncomfortable. Quarters don't overlap when laces are cinched. I would say that with a full-length insole, I should be fine.

Question is, how much is the shell likely to stretch? This is my first pair and I have no experience, although my guess is that shell cordovan probably doesn't stretch much.

Farfetch have a no-questions-asked return policy, and I have three days to decide whether to keep these magnificent shoes.

Thoughts?

^

Yup, shell does not stretch in my experience. I have tried stretching shell with shoe stretchers before, to no avail, so i would say you are safe...


Edit: How about some pics...

I think you might gain some give when the sole breaks in, but most say cordovan isn't prone to stretching. It may stretch a little from treeing and wear, but am unsure. How does it feel the toes, cramped or comfortable?

If it's a half size large, the creasing may run higher onto the shoe than you like, fyi.

Shell may not stretch, but it certainly moulds to your foot. Some of my most comfortable shoes are shell shoes that would probably be too tight if they were calfskin.

JubeiSpiegel said:

^

Yup, shell does not stretch in my experience. I have tried stretching shell with shoe stretchers before, to no avail, so i would say you are safe...


Edit: How about some pics...

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[adopts Linda Blair exorcist voice] In time.....in time....

steveyoo1983 said:

Santonis definitely ran at least half size large in my experience. I usually wear 5.5 EE and took 5 for Santonis

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SoGent said:

that's correct in my experience

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thanks that makes me feel better !! I'm new to carminas and dove in on the lizard monk mto I hate for it to end in tradegy 3 months from now.

I have decided to keep the Oxfords. Loose fit, but no heel slip, and still a 2-3mm gap between the quarters when laced comfortably tight.

Rush pics -



















Interestingly, these are marked as "Cognac" colour on the box. So this would be the Horween "light" cognac. Fine by me.

Got my Simpson black captoes from Farfetch today....the jury's still out. I walked around my apartment in them and I felt some pinching on my right pinky toe. I'm going to try and do the same thing the next couple days to see if it starts feeling any better. But IME so far, if my toes are getting pinched while walking around on carpet inside, it's only going to feel worse walking on pavement outside.



coxaca said:

I have decided to keep the Oxfords. Loose fit, but no heel slip, and still a 2-3mm gap between the quarters when laced comfortably tight. Rush pics -

Spoiler

Interestingly, these are marked as "Cognac" colour on the box. So this would be the Horween "light" cognac. Fine by me.

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coxaca said:

I have decided to keep the Oxfords. Loose fit, but no heel slip, and still a 2-3mm gap between the quarters when laced comfortably tight. Rush pics - Interestingly, these are marked as "Cognac" colour on the box. So this would be the Horween "light" cognac. Fine by me.

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Beautiful light cognac full brogues!

Looking great coxaca - wish mine would have fit me