Life without loafers? - Page 4

CJ Merton's are quite sleek, dunno if I can do that aesthetic everyday. I'm a sucker for a rounder toe



Edited by jrd617 - 2/11/13 at 9:35pm

I like all three designs, though I can now see how you'd be tempted to do 5 different versions of the same Alden loafer. Those are pretty nice.

I prefer C&J to Alden in general, but it's all about what fits your foot the best, especially with loafers. If you're based in the U.S., I'd see what kind of price you can get if you order from Pediwear or from a UK store excluding VAT with the current exchange rates as I suspect UK and US prices were probably done when the GBP was a bit closer to $2 (if this is even worth your time of course). Ah, for the days when the GBP was at $1.40 C&J off Pediwear for less than Aldens = win).

On the other hand, the CJ Boston's are a bit stubby





Alden Leisure handeswn (Van last) is stubby too.

I think you'd be missing out by wearing 5 versions of the same loafer. That said, I really like the Copley last penny loafer. When I was in The Armoury last, they had some nice, sleek, but subdued Carmina loafers in chocolate suede.

True. I could probably get the tassel versions too.

My interest in the Copley comes from the good fit (wide forefoot, narrower heel). It's a matter of function of form, sort of. Wish they did more loafer styles on that last.

I've kind of learned that shopping for dress shoes is like shopping for ski boots; you have to stick to certain makes and models that suit your foot. Won't fit into most shoes well.

I think there's a bit loafer too, actually, but those are too "Gucci" for my tastes.

Can I ask, have you tried (or can you try) loafers from C&J, AS, or Carmina? Or Allen Edmonds, I won't discriminate.

^ Never tried anything from Carmina. What's a good model to look at?

I've come close to getting the CJ Merton's a couple times, but the chisel toe was off putting. The only CJ store is in NYC, been meaning to try it on next visit

I believe these are the shoes I tried on.

It might have been a different last, but I don't think so. They're real nice shoes. If they have them in stock when I go to HK next, I won't be able to resist picking them up.

Dressier, but the structured toe will change the way it breaks in. Part of the fun of something like the Leisure Handsewn is that it forms to the foot and fits like a slipper- the extended, structured toe changes the dynamic, and makes it feel like a typical dress shoe. Well enough if the last matches your foot decently, but it will never form to your foot in quite the same way.

Those Carmina's look pretty good with a suit ^

All this talk of a one-loafer is very .

+1.

The NYC store is very nice; I went the last time I had a reason to be in NYC. Only thing I'd note for people reading this thread is they don't have a lot of offerings in the G (wide) width and didn't have any I was looking on to try on in my size in the store when I went. If you call them in advance, they can probably get something in for you to try on.

I hate loafers. Hate 'em. Even worse if they have tassels.

Me too...



Seriously, though, loafers for life. In every flavor.

^ Nice collection!

What kind of shoe trees do you use? I've read in places that tension-mounted trees stretch loafers because of the construction. And I did have a pair tear in the back, so I wonder if this information is accurate.