Grenson shoes or any other suggestions? High Fashion - Younger SF members, lets hear your thoughts.

Good afternoon,
I am a new member of the forum and have been helped tremendously since joining a week or so ago. I am a 30 year old guy, and i feel as though my taste my vary from some of the older gentleman on this forum. I certainly like a more euro sense of style. I picked up my first pair of AEs the other day, and still need a black pair of shoes and maybe a light brown/tan/walnut looking pair.

I have done my homework here guys. Yes i have read countless forums on the high regard of C&Js, aldens, AEs, ect, ect...
I have learned this forum is all about finding value, and not about the name, and i respect that...

That being said, what really catches my eye are some of the Grenson shoes, such as the Rogers... I find many of them more "trendy" and "hip" if you will. What is the opinion of these shoes? I found one of two older post, asking about the quality of the shoes with mixed reviews, but that was years ago. It is also to my understanding the company is under new ownership in the past year or so?

So my question to all of you is this. Are Grensons worth the money? Im looking at $400 and under shoes, so please do not suggest anything higher. No C&Js, no AEs, or any other somewhat conventional boring shoe. Looking for something with some style. Very modern. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

You've come to the wrong place if you want to be "trendy" and "hip." Grensons are well and traditionally constructed, and they haven't been subject to the same price inflation as a lot of other brands.

That said, if your goal is to roll up to the club and get dem bitches crawlin all over you, Grensons are a questionable purchase. In that case, you might want to pick up these bad boys:



Be sure to get the matching boxers and flash them as often as possible.

More seriously: if you want to balance style and non-doucheness, try going Continental. E.g., Gravati, Martegani.

It really depends on the Grenson line. They discontinued their Masterpice (always worth the money) and Rose (sometimes worth the money) lines. A lot of the newer shoes are of lower quality, and made in India.

You can try shoes from Tim Little, made by Grenson in Northamptonshire, to Masterpeice standards. TL the man also owns Grenson now.

I've seen a couple of pairs of the recent Grenson (non-Rose, non-masterpiece) and they were pretty poorly made. I tend to fall more in line with these forums in buying mostly AE and C&J.

Outside of the typical brands, some of the more fashionable brands that are decently constructed in your price range are Bally, Bruno Magli, and Martegani, all of which can be had at huge discounts. Some of the Sutor and A. Testoni lines are decent too, although I don't know much about them.

Bruno Maglis just remind me of OJ now, but I second the vote on Bally (although I haven't seen the discounts you mention).

Excuse the self-promotion, but these Marteganis are well made and hugely discounted, as suggested.



newintown23 said:

Good afternoon,
I am a new member of the forum and have been helped tremendously since joining a week or so ago. I am a 30 year old guy, and i feel as though my taste my vary from some of the older gentleman on this forum. I certainly like a more euro sense of style. I picked up my first pair of AEs the other day, and still need a black pair of shoes and maybe a light brown/tan/walnut looking pair.

I have done my homework here guys. Yes i have read countless forums on the high regard of C&Js, aldens, AEs, ect, ect...
I have learned this forum is all about finding value, and not about the name, and i respect that...

That being said, what really catches my eye are some of the Grenson shoes, such as the Rogers... I find many of them more "trendy" and "hip" if you will. What is the opinion of these shoes? I found one of two older post, asking about the quality of the shoes with mixed reviews, but that was years ago. It is also to my understanding the company is under new ownership in the past year or so?

So my question to all of you is this. Are Grensons worth the money? Im looking at $400 and under shoes, so please do not suggest anything higher. No C&Js, no AEs, or any other somewhat conventional boring shoe. Looking for something with some style. Very modern. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Click to expand...

I can't take this guy seriously. What a joke. I find AEs and Aldens lasts to be very unappealing and boring but C&J?

Just go get a fashion piece from a fashion house instead, Prada, LV, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana. If you want a high fashion piece just get it from a high fashion house, simple.

Ebay has tons of Santonis for under $350

I thank you for your input and opinions. I find it so funny how offended some people get on such dumb things. Because i asked for a solid well made shoe, other than C&J and AE's people feel like I insulted their mother. Just because im looking for more of a fashion forward shoe if you will, doesnt mean i wear a doo rag, have a gold grill, have 22 inch chrome spinners on an Escalade. Doesnt mean i wear sneakers with Gucci written across them, so everyone can see what they are, and i dont roll up to the club to "get dem bitches" thanks. Some of you guys crack me up. Now because i asked this question, i "cant be taken seriously" haha. Ahh... Have you even looked up the shoe i was asking about? The Grenson Roger? Do you think those would look good with a gold grill and a big gold chain? These certainly look like shoes Lil wayne would be wearing.

Anyway,
For those of you who responded with some suggestions and opinions on the shoe quality, I thank you. That is why I started the thread. I was also reading some of the shoes were made in India, so i was hesitant to purchase them without inquiring with some of you first. If i did decide to step away from the AEs and C&Js, where do you propose I look? Ebay? Any particular Ebay sellers any of you recommend, or website? Thank you in all advance.

Bally & Santoni were very good suggestions. Thanks guys

I recently bought these:
http://www.grenson.co.uk/en_us/tom

The price was $135 and I still returned, cheap leather quality, finishing was terrible and just didn't feel well made in any way.

Get a pair of Trickers. You wont regret it.

Stevent - Yes, you see im glad i asked. Those shoes are something i would have purchased as well. Even for $135 huh? What a shame, because they make some attractive shoes.
Find anything similar, better made? Ill take a look into the trickers. Thanks

The trickers are very nice as well. Looking to stay under 400. Any suggestions on where to pick any of these shoes up for a bargain let me know Thanks again

So sorry i'm TL;DR'ing a lot of this. I like traditional english-style shoes, chiefly cap toes, with or without broguing, and wing tips, without italian style scary pointy toes.

I just like traditional looking shoes that are excessively well made, and I generally eschew anything fashionable or trendy (not because I'm too cool but because I'm broke and usually by the time I catch on to a fad its about three months after it went out of style). I ask about construction because its a virtual guarantee i'll be getting them second hand. I know AE's have done well for me in the past, I've been recommended church's, herring and older grensons. Am I' missing anything worth noting?

Thanks for the help, gents.

Liam