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A. Testoni Shoe Lines / Differences Between Them

post #1 of 12
1/25/12 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 
I'm curious how many different shoe lines Testoni currently offers and what the differences are between them in terms of MSRP and quality, as well as how to tell the difference. I know, for example, Ferragamo has three key verticals if you will, "Studio", "regular" and "Tramezza" (sp?) so I'm curious what similar differences exist within the Testoni family.

I've gotten the sense that the ones frequently offered on Gilt are from some kind of diffusion line and am specifically wondering about those offered by affiliate eHaberdasher. The MSRPs listed for most is about $595 if that helps.

Also, can anyone speak definitively on sizing? If I'm a consistent 9D in Ferragamo and vary between 8.5D and 9D in Barney's house brand shoes (need slightly smaller size in the higher end ones), what would I likely be in Testoni?
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post #2 of 12
1/26/12 at 12:27am
The only ones I've been somewhat happy with have been the Testoni Black Label. The pairs I have retail for ~1,200 to ~1,500. Since I've discovered English quality, I've abandoned Italian makers.
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post #3 of 12
1/26/12 at 6:01am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PL92106 View Post

The only ones I've been somewhat happy with have been the Testoni Black Label. The pairs I have retail for ~1,200 to ~1,500. Since I've discovered English quality, I've abandoned Italian makers.


As someone who wears both, I find this curious. Perhaps you can explain more. I am the first to speak up for traditionally-made English shoes, but they do tend to be 'heavier' (whether actually heavier or just in their feel) - although nowhere near as heavy as my old Florsheim Imperials - whereas my Testoni's and my Moreschi's are featherlight. All have their places in my rotation.

 

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post #4 of 12
1/26/12 at 6:11am
I own a pair of black-label Testoni captoe monkstraps and I'm very happy with them, though I don't wear them often. They are a little more sleek than most English shoes, but not outrageously so and the leather is very light and soft, making the shoes very comfortable. They are a US size 11.5D, a half size down from my usual size of US 12D and fit me well.
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post #5 of 12
1/26/12 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingMonkey View Post

Quote:


As someone who wears both, I find this curious. Perhaps you can explain more. I am the first to speak up for traditionally-made English shoes, but they do tend to be 'heavier' (whether actually heavier or just in their feel) - although nowhere near as heavy as my old Florsheim Imperials - whereas my Testoni's and my Moreschi's are featherlight. All have their places in my rotation.

Don't get me wrong, as I did say I was happy with the Black Labels. Very light as you said - I was happily sporting a pair for 16 hours yesterday. For years and years I only wore Italian shoes. But then I started realizing I was just paying a significant fashion premium for a given brand name for almost every pair. I discovered the English brands and just feel like more often than not they are a better value for every dollar spent than most of their Italian counterparts. Not in every case, but in general. Probably paying a "perceived quality premium" for the English kicks that is not warranted in every single case.

BTW, as far as sizing, I'm an 8.5D-9D US (closer to an 8.5 - call it an 8.65) and the Testonis fit me TTS.
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post #6 of 12
1/26/12 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PL92106 View Post

Don't get me wrong, as I did say I was happy with the Black Labels. Very light as you said - I was happily sporting a pair for 16 hours yesterday. For years and years I only wore Italian shoes. But then I started realizing I was just paying a significant fashion premium for a given brand name for almost every pair. I discovered the English brands and just feel like more often than not they are a better value for every dollar spent than most of their Italian counterparts. Not in every case, but in general. Probably paying a "perceived quality premium" for the English kicks that is not warranted in every single case.
BTW, as far as sizing, I'm an 8.5D-9D US (closer to an 8.5 - call it an 8.65) and the Testonis fit me TTS.

So do you go with the 8.5 or the 9 in Testoni?

Also, do you know, are the MSRP $595 shoes at least Italian-made, or are they the ones imported from sweatshops the world over?
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post #7 of 12
1/26/12 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimelesStyle View Post

So do you go with the 8.5 or the 9 in Testoni?
Also, do you know, are the MSRP $595 shoes at least Italian-made, or are they the ones imported from sweatshops the world over?

As you might expect, the 8.5s fit comfortably snug and the 9s fit comfortably roomy. if forced to choose, I prefer the 9s even though a shoe maker would tell me to go for the 8.5s.

Not sure where the $595 RRP are made.
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post #8 of 12
1/26/12 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinman View Post

I own a pair of black-label Testoni captoe monkstraps and I'm very happy with them, though I don't wear them often. They are a little more sleek than most English shoes, but not outrageously so and the leather is very light and soft, making the shoes very comfortable. They are a US size 11.5D, a half size down from my usual size of US 12D and fit me well.

By the way, Yoox has some of what I believe are the black-label shoes in 11.5 and 12 for under $300. Wish they had some in a 9 frown.gif.
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post #9 of 12
1/26/12 at 8:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimelesStyle View Post

By the way, Yoox has some of what I believe are the black-label shoes in 11.5 and 12 for under $300. Wish they had some in a 9 frown.gif.

Thanks. I took a look and there's nothing for me, but I appreciate the heads-up.
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post #10 of 12
1/31/12 at 5:07am

Endless has this for sale at $360 less 20%.

Any idea what line is it? Thanks.

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post #11 of 12
1/31/12 at 5:08am

Sorry, here's the link.

http://www.endless.com/Mens-Shoes/b/241993011#__ie%3DUTF8%26cAsin%3DB004QEPE2A%26fromPage%3Dsearch%26sr%3D1-32%26qid%3D1328013112071%26asinTitle%3Da.testoni~~20M46031~~20Oxford%26contextTitle%3Dsearch~~20results%26clientPageSize%3D100%26node%3D242114011%26sort%3D-price%26nodes%3D242120011%26rnid%3D242120011%26asin%3DB004QER8EM%26ref%3Dsr_1_32%26pageCode%3Dd

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post #12 of 12
2/5/12 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
One more question for those who own Testoni shoes: Are the sizes indicated on the shoe US or UK, and what width system do they use? In looking closer at the eHaberdasher selection they list a number of them as US 9D/UK 8G but to my recollection a US D is a UK F and a US E is a UK G. Just wondering whether they read the US width and got the wrong UK equivalent or vice versa. These are main line shoes (made in Italy but not Black Label).
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