Advantages of a $1000 Pair of Shoes

FWIW, my experience.....I've handled mostly AE, an Alden and C&J (both by BB) before running into StyleFo. Average of these items are 15+ years old. I was never into the details on craftmanship, material, sourcing and etc..All I knew was the quality label synonymous to the brands. Although I have read about JL, only at this fora that I learned about EG, G&G, Vass, Carmina, St. Crispin, Cleverly, AS etc, not to mention construction, materials, and lasts..For a while, I was so obsessed acquiring an austerity wingtip, either by EG or St Crispin. Can I afford it? Yes, which is all I cared about during the time I was contemplating of the purchase.

But the more I read and followed discussions, it occurred to me a few other questions that I should be asking. Fit? maintenance? availability? lifestyle? Well, I don;t wear suit everyday (I wish I can), I work from home twice a week. SC/trousers on days I'm in the office and 3-4 times a year in suiting when meeting with Sr. Execs. I also came to realize that acquiring those shoes does not really satisfy my needs based on my current and social environment. I guess I just don't want them bad enough. I have acquired a shell, suede and a couple of items for casual settings, which is more in tune with my current style evolution. Things might and will change, but until then.....

Now, looking back to when I started as a professional 18 years ago and wishing I had the knowledge back then, would I buy a 1000K shoe(s) ? YES I will. I try to invest on finer but fewer pieces. Other may disagree on fewer items(shoes), this is StyleForum after all.

...as a compromise on austerity brogue, I am still thinking of C&J Drummond in Beechnut as a special order. I try to ignore GDot's pictures of his own to minimize the temptation. Not sure how much longer I can manage.

bigasahouse said:

It was mentioned earlier that high quality shoes can last 20 years. I normally only wear dress shoes 2-3 times a week, so I'm not going to wear shoes down as quickly as someone who wears them twice as much as me. But will they last 40 years for me, or does the leather have a shelf life and eventually will start to breakdown after a certain amount of time no matter how infrequently I wear them?
If they're going to last me almost the rest of my life, I can better justify paying more money.
Also, another question about fit: is the crease in your shoe leather from where it bends when walking- is it supposed to be in a certain location? Does that have anything to do with good fit?

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Your mileage may vary. Shoes in a 100 shoes wardrobe with owner mostly walked on carpets will last much longer than shoes in a 10 shoes wardrobe that walks to work.

Crease should be on the vamp area between toe cap and throat line, and yes.

Geezer said:

I'm currently breaking in two pairs of very similar but not identical EGs on the same last in the same size. One pair are fine. The others are still a *****, requiring preventative band-aids on two toes. But I shall defeat them and they shall be fine.

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Oh man ... bluchers on double soles? I've got Dovers like that. What a thing, breaking those in... Hang in there, pal. It's like the gays say nowadays: It gets better.

Don't bother.
You're better off with two $500 pairs.
Better yet, 3 pairs of $333 shoes.

There is no advantage, only the good feeling when you use $1000 on your feet and everyone will be jealous.

A good fit doesn't comes with high price, except bespoke.



jk2317 said:

Oh man ... bluchers on double soles?  I've got Dovers like that.  What a thing, breaking those in...  Hang in there, pal.  It's like the gays say nowadays: It gets better.

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don't be such a p.ssy, srsly.



add911_11 said:

There is no advantage, only the good feeling when you use $1000 on your feet and everyone will be jealous.
A good fit doesn't comes with high price, except bespoke.

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not sure if serious. imo, lurk more noob.



fritzl said:

not sure if serious. imo, lurk more noob.

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well that what OP wants to here, isn't it?

High cost doesn't mean a good fit, that true.

I would go for Ludwig Reiter.



add911_11 said:

well that what OP wants to hear, isn't it?
High cost doesn't mean a good fit, that true.

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no, it isn't. btw, one fact doesn't rule out the other and vice versa. long way home, imo.



fritzl said:

no, it isn't. btw, one fact doesn't rule out the other and vice versa. long way home, imo.

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I think we should just move on, I am not going to argue with someone who has an immense knowledge on shoes, a man's 'home' is his castle.



add911_11 said:

I think we should just move on, I am not going to argue with someone who has an immense knowledge on shoes, a man's 'home' is his castle.

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alright. fair enough...

What are the additional benefits of paying over $1000 a pair for EG, JL, or Vass (hopefully I can get some sort of deal) over a $500-$600 pair like Aldens, Churchs, or C&J?

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you get to sneer at individuals who don't give a rat's arse that you're wearing a pair of $1000 shoes

but seriously, I see no additional benefits to owning higher end shoes. if you can afford them then great, but I see nothing wrong with the mid-tier shoes you've listed.

being born in Felgueiras (Portugal's shoe makers capital) all i can say is...

Gorecki said:

being born in Felgueiras (Portugal's shoe makers capital) all i can say is...

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Please, elaborate.