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Highest-Quality Shoe Report Card (Lattanzi, Bontoni, Lobb Kiton, Berluti)

Englishtea

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THE HIGHEST QUALITY SHOES (LATTANZI, BONTONI, LOBB, BERLUTI, KITON)
REPORT CARD

I own more than 46 pairs of shoes. I am a what you call a bonafide addict for high quality shoes. Trust me when I tell you that it's an expensive habit to sustain. I don't recommend it. For the record, I've been able to support this "habit" only because I did very well during Internet bubble. The fact that I don't have a penchant for expensive bikes or cars is a good thing--for my shoe habit. I am an Englishman living living in New York City that travels frequently across the U.S. and Europe. I subscribe to a number of japanese and French shoe magazines.

My shoe collection is very impressive to say the least. My collection is a good representation of custom/bespoke, made-to-measure and the rest off-the-rack. Most of my shoes are either good-year or Blake Rapid. Over the last two years, most of my shoes have been purchased via trunk shows, factory visits or private appointments. I go to Italy twice a year to visit several factories. Frankly, I am preferring more and more to buy my shoes this way.

I have "experimented" with over 10 different brands-from Aubercy to Vass from Italian to Austrian to Japanese. Here is my personal REPORT CARD.

COLORING / PATINA
1.) BERLUTI
2.) BONTONI
3.) KITON
4.) AUBERCY
5.) SANTONI

BEST/MOST UNIQUE STYLING
1.) BONTONI
2.) KITON
3.) LATTANZI
4.) AUBERCY
5.) BERLUTI

GOOD-YEAR (HAND-WELTED) CONSTRUCTION
1.) JOHN LOBB (JAMES ST. UK ONLY)
3.) LATTANZI-BONTONI
4.) VASS
5.) KITON

LEATHER QUALITY
1.) JOHN LOBB
2.) KITON-BONTONI-LATTANZI
3.) BERLUTI

LOOK OF SOLE
1.) LATTANZI-BONTONI-BERLUTI
2.) SANTONI-KITON
3.) VASS

PRICE/QUALITY
1.) BONTONI
2.) JOHN LOBB
3.) VASS-ALDEN
4.) AUBERCY
5.) LATTANZI-SANTONI
6.) KITON

FIT/COMFORT
1.)ALDEN-BONTONI
2.)BERLUTI
3.)SANTONI
4.)JOHN LOBB-Kiton

TOP MEN'S SHOE STORES IN U.S.

1.) WILKES BASHFORD
2.) BERGDORF GOODMAN (CHANGING HANDS-SHOULD BE BETTER!!!)
3.) BARNEY'S NYC (JUST NYC)

RESOURCE LINKS
www.johnlobb.co.uk
www.bontoni.com
www.aubercy.fr
www.silvanolattanzi.it
www.vass-shoes.com
www.kiton.it
www.wilkesbashford.com
www.bergdorfgoodman.com
www.barneys.com
 

CaffeNoirVita

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for me, Kiton, Bontoni and lattanzi are the top Italian producers. Lobb and Edward Green top the list for English bootmakers...No Japanese made the list?
lol8[1].gif
 

zjpj83

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I'm glad you like shoes. You will find lots of good company here.

With all due respect, you don't need to try so hard on this forum. You have nothing to prove and nobody is judging you. Let your collection speak for itself. No need to tell us how "impressive" it is.

Welcome.
 

aportnoy

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Originally Posted by Englishtea

I own more than 46 pairs of shoes.


Wow, that is a lot of shoes. How does one ever find the time to wear them all?
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif
 

lee_44106

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pictures please, preferably on a Persian rug ala Aportnoy!
 

Englishtea

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Allow me to apologize for perhaps coming across as one who is self-promoting. It really was not my intention and is not my nature.
 

Frittata

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Originally Posted by aportnoy
Wow, that is a lot of shoes. How does one ever find the time to wear them all?
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif


lol8[1].gif
 

teddieriley

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Originally Posted by Englishtea
Allow me to apologize for perhaps coming across as one who is self-promoting. It really was not my intention and is not my nature.

Welcome. It didn't really sound like you were being pompous or anything. I think it was necessary to provide some background if you were going to undertake such a task of rating higher end shoes. Better than you making a list and leaving us to wonder what possible basis you might have to make your comparisons. In any event, thanks for sharing.

But more importantly, WE NEED TO SEE PICTURES GOOD CHAP!
 

zjpj83

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Yes - Pics of the Lobb St. James please! \t
fing02[1].gif
 

fritzl

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By the way, which Austrian makers/brands did you choose/try? And what prevented them from being on your listings?
frown.gif
PS: Would like to see the Lobb's(only)
 

zjpj83

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I just noticed - Berluti #3 in leather quality? I can't say many would agree with that one.
 

whnay.

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Edward Green not on the list?

WTF
 

gdl203

Purveyor of the Secret Sauce
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What's over 46 pairs?

47?
 

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