Ravello shell cordovan (esp. vs. Cigar shell cordovan) - opinions wanted

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzapol 

So I have had it in my head that I want a dressy-ish boot in cigar shell cordovan for about a year now. I am finally in a position where I can afford to buy a pair. Though looking to spend less than $1000 so MTO isn't really an option.
The trouble is that I am unable to find a pair anywhere in my size that fit the bill. What I have found is a pretty cool apron toe on the plaza last in Ravello shell.
It is kind of hard to switch a year of wanting cigar to being willing to jump feet first into ravello. I was hoping to get some opinions from people about the relative merits of ravello? Whether it might possibly a better option than cigar? And what colors it really goes well with?

Have you considered the Brooks Bros shell boot in brown? I believe they're by C&J. They start out just under $1000, so they'll be less on sale.

You could email Chay Cooper @ Alfred Sargent to find out if MTO really would be more than 1K. AS does shell in dark cognac, which isn't exactly cigar, but isn't too far off. Just a thought. 

I've also wondered about the real look of ravello & whiskey, so I'm planning a trip to Alden of San Fran to ogle the cordovans while visiting my sister after Xmas.

Good luck,

Nick D.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzapol 

Thanks for the input. Decided to go for it. One upside is that I have an opportunity through my job to buy the Edward Green Westminster double monk in dark brown for a great price. Didn't want to buy two dark brown shoes in short order so going with the lighter brown ravello makes it possible for me to do both.
The boots were at Frans Boone in Holland btw. There are still a few left and I thought the other make-ups he has are really strong. $775 with the Euro exchange rate. Funny to be paying more for an American made shoe from a foreign country, but this is the price we pay for beauty.
Nick - good luck with your expedition. If you decide you need to find something let me know as I spent about a week searching the internets and have a pretty good idea of what is out there right now.

Those are nice looking boots! Thanks for pointing out that website. I thought that I had virtually ogled every cordovan shoe on the web, but that seller is new to me. I'm contemplating ravello chukkas, probably from the Shoemart. Split toes are another wish. Can you point me to any other sellers off the beaten path (not Shoemart, Alden of Carmel/SF/NY, etc.)?

Thanks,

Nick

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzapol 

Gladly Nick... though if you've been all over the web you may have hit many of these.
Definitely Unionmade in San Francisco. Blackbird/Ballard in Seattle. The Bureau in Ireland. Epaulet in NYC. Context clothing in Madison. All of these are more expensive hipster casual clothing stores, but Alden's are in among the hipsters presently. Moulded Shoe in New York does some - specializing in modified last. Frans Boone was probably the hardest one to find though (came up with them by looking through all the stockists listed on the Horween Website.
I'm sure you have looked into Ryder boots, but if not, they are doing some great looking stuff. More expensive than Alden. Franco's Clothier in Richmond, Va has the best selection. The bal boot makes me feel like I'm climbing up a rope in gym class.
If Carmina shoes haven't come onto your radar yet, you should check into them as they seem to be doing good stuff. Check out their own website. The Armoury in Hong Kong. And Epaulet just started carrying them (they have an awesome double monk in saddle shell, but it is too light for my taste). Also it appears that a store called Kian Matthew in North Jersey will be carrying them in a few months. Seems like they will become more accessible throughout next year.
I was very tempted by the NST shoe in cigar at Shoemart, but I have been really into boots for the last year and a half. The only shoe I'm looking to get is a double monk as mentioned. Unfortunately the only shell double monk I've seen is the one I mentioned from Epaulet and the color doesn't work for me.
Let me know what you end up with,
Rob

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I've checked out most of them, but a couple are new or had fallen off my radar. I don't know Context or Kian Matthew.

I was very tempted by those Carmina double monks @ Epaulet, as well as by several of their shell offerings that appear in their online catalogue (but not in their online store). I think I'm going to try the Cheaney Holyrood double monks. Septième Largeur has double monks & NSTs (w/ triple-soles) in shell at EU495-525ish including VAT, but only in burgundy (I think). A company called Meermin run by someone in the Albaladejo family that owns Carmina is apparently going to start offering shoes online, including shell. Here's the info I received:

"Our 'Linea Maestro' Shell Cordovan pairs are priced at the moment at 290€ (Hand lasted and handmade goodyear welted).