Wildsmith shoe brand resurrected

There haven't been too many posts featuring the new models so here are some pics. I did a review of the Covent model for An Uptown Dandy - basically, I think these are good shoes that will compete well at the GBP 350-450 price range.










You can see the full interview here:

http://uptowndandy.blogspot.com/2013/10/wildsmiths-covent-return-of-modified.html

Philo - many thanks for sharing

No worries ED. This thread was running a little light on pics (of the new shoes) anyway.



PhiloVance said:

No worries ED. This thread was running a little light on pics (of the new shoes) anyway.

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Nice looking shoes . Do you mind posting pics of the sole?

Thanks Philo! I assume that's the burnt mahogany? I'm interested in their loafers, sweping monkstrap, and wholecut. Nice competitive price range in the same category as AS.



jerrybrowne said:

Nice looking shoes . Do you mind posting pics of the sole?

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Jerry, I'm not at home at the moment but there are sole pics here:

http://uptowndandy.blogspot.com/2013/10/wildsmiths-covent-return-of-modified.html



DpprDr said:

Thanks Philo! I assume that's the burnt mahogany? I'm interested in their loafers, sweping monkstrap, and wholecut. Nice competitive price range in the same category as AS.

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Dr, the box just says mahogany - I'm not sure if that's the same thing or if there's actually a separate "burnt" mahogany leather color. I would say the construction is very similar to Alfred Sargent's exclusive line - although this mahogany leather appears to have more burnishing to it than the AS Moore's that I have in Chestnut. The sole on the Covent is definitely narrower than most RTW shoes, although I still don't think its quite as narrow as the sole on the AS Exclusives. Those shoes actually had a severely tapered sole edge along the waist; the sole here doesn't have that same edge suppression, but its certainly tapered to some extent.

These are an F width which seem to fit my feet well.



PhiloVance said:

Dr, the box just says mahogany - I'm not sure if that's the same thing or if there's actually a separate "burnt" mahogany leather color. I would say the construction is very similar to Alfred Sargent's exclusive line - although this mahogany leather appears to have more burnishing to it than the AS Moore's that I have in Chestnut. The sole on the Covent is definitely narrower than most RTW shoes, although I still don't think its quite as narrow as the sole on the AS Exclusives. Those shoes actually had a severely tapered sole edge along the waist; the sole here doesn't have that same edge suppression, but its certainly tapered to some extent.

These are an F width which seem to fit my feet well.

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Thanks for the comparison. I figure there will be similarities due to the previous associations. I assume the sizing should be similar also. I actually looked at the Covent but personally not too keen on the U toe design but maybe that'll grow on me.

More burnishing sounds good since I always thought AS could have added a little more elbow grease on their shoes.

Yes, the u-tip is a bit different. I think its an interesting option to consider if you're already set with traditional wingtips in a variety of colors.

Also, my understanding is that the shoes are finished after the order is placed. So perhaps you can request more burnishing, if you so desire. But you might want to confirm that.



PhiloVance said:

There haven't been too many posts featuring the new models so here are some pics. I did a review of the Covent model for An Uptown Dandy - basically, I think these are good shoes that will compete well at the GBP 350-450 price range.

You can see the full interview here:

http://uptowndandy.blogspot.com/2013/10/wildsmiths-covent-return-of-modified.html

Click to expand...

Beautiful shoes. I love the wide hole punching with the brogueing.

Thanks Meister - I agree!

To be honest, I'd commission C&J to make classic EG styles at benchgrade standards and sell at handgrade prices.

Basically, EG styles for less money. Styles which are found further down, e.g. Loake.

I have also got a pair of Covent Derby in Burnt Mahogany calf leather. I'm very pleased with it.
I wear EG Last 82 in UK 8.5, Carmina Rain Last in UK 8.5, and found the Covent Derby in UK 8.5 slightly larger (just a little bit) but it fits my feet very well.

Shu,
Nice looking shoes! I'm usually a UK 9.5 in EG and went down to 9 (but with the F, rather than E, width), for the Wildsmith shoes. The fit is pretty good.

The soles remind me of those used in Grenson masterpiece shoes. I wonder if there is a direct connection of it is just coincidence