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

othertravel said:

June 25th.

But I would also recommend finding a proxy who's in Spain or Portugal and have them check Cortes Ingles (it's a department store). They have regular sales on Carmina's that go as low as 200 euros or less.

That store has the best deals I've ever seen. Pal Zileri suits for 200 euros, Lanvin/RL/PZ/Corneliani ties for 20 euros. It's an amazing place to shop at end of season.

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Nice tip. If they only had them available on the on-line store

Does anyone have experience with both the Carmina Rain last and the Vass U last? I want to buy a black cap toe and I really like the Old English from Vass on the U last. But if a Carmina Rain-lasted version looks pretty similar I may consider it.

I haven't dealt with the u-last before but most people usually go up half a size from their TTS size, so the U-last is probably closer to the Simpson last than the Rain last.

ktown said:

Does anyone have experience with both the Carmina Rain last and the Vass U last? I want to buy a black cap toe and I really like the Old English from Vass on the U last. But if a Carmina Rain-lasted version looks pretty similar I may consider it.

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I'd say U is more like Simpson. Not sure if these really help, but here they are.

ktown said:

Does anyone have experience with both the Carmina Rain last and the Vass U last? I want to buy a black cap toe and I really like the Old English from Vass on the U last. But if a Carmina Rain-lasted version looks pretty similar I may consider it.

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Here we go. From left to right in the first picture (sorry for the crappy pictures): U (EU41,5), Rain (UK7,5), Simpson (UK8).





The U-last is the black Old English plain model you're contemplating. If U-last or Rain fits you good, Simpson will not fit accordingly. If you require high instep, don't consider Simpson. If you're feet are on the wider side of the spectrum, choose U-last as the waist is wider. And for the record, in terms of quality/price ratio, Vass is definitely a better investment. Actually, Vass may be the best investment on the market in terms of quality/price ratio.

Can't see the pics at work but I'll check later on tonight. Thanks! I'm definitely leaning more towards Vass. I will probably buy from Ascot rather than the group MTO because they're the same price, it's in stock now, and I can return it if it doesn't fit.

I disagree with above - Enzo Bonafe shoes are just as good and just as reasonably priced. Also, they have a great MTO program.



MGD83 said:

I disagree with above - Enzo Bonafe shoes are just as good and just as reasonably priced. Also, they have a great MTO program.

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Isn't Bonafé pricier? Also, Vass' MTO program is great too, and cheap. They'll even abstain from the MTO charge of the changes are minor from what they offer as standards, which are alot. I've never owned any Bonafés so I can't compare. Obviously my conclusion is derived from my experience (C&J, Vass, Carmina, AS, G&G, E&G). Might have forgot something.

DonRaphael said:

If you require high instep, don't consider Simpson.

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FWIW, that's not true in my case - I went up a half-size from Rain for my Simpson-lasted shoes (bals no less) and they fit me great, even with a high instep.

halfnhalfnhalf said:

FWIW, that's not true in my case - I went up a half-size from Rain for my Simpson-lasted shoes (bals no less) and they fit me great, even with a high instep.

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Well, there you go. My experience is that Simpson don't fit me (as) well as the U-last because of the instep. From the three lasts mentioned above, U fit me the best. It hugs my foot. Rain pinches my pinky toe and Simpson, well something is just off compared to the U-last.

ktown said:

Can't see the pics at work but I'll check later on tonight. Thanks! I'm definitely leaning more towards Vass. I will probably buy from Ascot rather than the group MTO because they're the same price, it's in stock now, and I can return it if it doesn't fit.

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No problem. Better?

As you can see there's a great variation in color between the two Carmina shoes. Although both are Dark brown (Natur Marron). The Carminas have been used appr. 6-10 times. The Vass is 4 years old and frequently used.

been wearing these rain lasted chelsea boots a lot lately, breaking in nicely

My favourite purchase from recent wedding trip to Italy/Paris.

Carmina double monks in shell (no. 4?)

Store in Paris was incredible, great service from sales assistant (Miko), not intrusive when browsing and she even polished my shell riderboot chukkas for free which had been savaged by the uneven cobbles in Rome/Milan/Paris over the preceding 3 weeks, even before i had made a purchase.

Would not hesitate to go back and spend a tonne of cash there. Was also keen to get to Septieme Largeur but was running out of credit card after carmina.

I am not sure if that is some variation of burgundy but I want it!



unipair guy said:

I am not sure if that is some variation of burgundy but I want it!  

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I suspect that it's ruby shell cordovan, the same material used for these balmorals:

http://www.shop.carminashoemaker.com/articulo.asp?idarticulo=4334252