Creases on Shoes Feedback

amitmshanker · Apr 11, 2014

I just bought a pair of Steve Madden "Dewke" shoes in brown. I understand it has a leather lining and insole, which is kind of confusing to me. Anyway, after wearing the shoes, significant creases began to show up on the top of the shoe, particularly the right one. The picture in this post is after three wears. Is this creasing excessive? If so, should I just return the shoe or is it something that I should just deal with? If not, how do I care for the shoes from here on out?

Thanks

Claghorn · Apr 12, 2014

If you are able to return them, do so. But not exchange. Refund, save for a while and get better shoes. That is what bad leather is going to look like.

When you do get better shoes, also get shoe trees to slip inside them when you take them off.

cbbuff · Apr 12, 2014

Claghorn said:
If you are able to return them, do so. But not exchange. Refund, save for a while and get better shoes. That is what bad leather is going to look like.

When you do get better shoes, also get shoe trees to slip inside them when you take them off.

+1

amitmshanker · Apr 12, 2014

I do have shoe trees that I had been using with them (I don't know if you can see them in the bottom of the picture, but they're there), but I guess that might just go to show that the leather is particularly poor quality, if it looks like that even with the shoe trees.

Thank you for your help. I bought them from Zappos and was able to return them. Can you recommend a better quality shoe company? Is Allen Edmonds good quality?

Claghorn · Apr 12, 2014

E and Meermin represent two excellent brands at which to start buying good shoes. Meermin is a little cheaper, their construction isn't quite as sturdy, they aren't made in America, but their lasts and finishing are more attractive. AE is very well made, in the US, with very good customer service. A little dull though.

Regardless, at a low price point, those two brands are your best bet.

amitmshanker · Apr 12, 2014

Thank you for the recommendations. You mentioned that they're shoes at a low price point, and I've seen on some other threads that many people get them at Nordstrom Rack or something for $150-$200. For up to a $400 or $500 shoe, could I get a significantly better shoe, or would I be better off sticking with one of these two brands?

Claghorn · Apr 12, 2014

It depends. How often do you intend on wearing them? If often, you'd be better off getting two shoes for 250 bucks each so that you can rotate them. If this is something you'd wear 3-4 times a month, then you might look into Carmina or Crockett & Jones. Bare minimum, your shoes should get 24 hours of rest between wears. It let's the leather recover. One of the best things about buying nice shoes is that if you take care of them, they last a very long time. This isn't true for cheap shoes. You put shoe trees in those (the most important element of care) and that's what happened. For example, this is my oldest pair of shoes. 7-8 years, heavy use. Allen Edmonds, so on the low end of "good."

amitmshanker · Apr 12, 2014

Oh wow. Those look in great condition. Good job to you for taking good care of them and to Allen Edmonds for making durable shoes.

I plan on wearing them probably two to three times per week. Should I consider that often, for the purposes of how many shoes to buy, and at which price point to buy them?

Claghorn · Apr 12, 2014

At that price point, get two pairs of AE. Wear each twice a week. Make sure you use shoe trees. Get decent cream to keep the leather hydrated (once a month is generally enough). Chances are in a few years, you'll add one or two more shoes to your rotation. A few years later, a few more. In 7-8 years, your first two will look like mine do now. But definitely get two to start off if you can afford it (to keep them from aging too quickly. Leather really needs time to recover...48 hours if possible, 24 in pinch). And with heavy use, AE over Meermin.

Your best bet (especially in terms of being able to find factory seconds at Nordstrom's Rack or the like) would be a pair of Park Avenues and a pair of McAllisters, both in browns, the darker the better (as they'll be able to go with suits as well as chinos and odd trousers).

If you'll be wearing suits a lot, maybe switch out the brown Park Avenues (the first) with black.

jas0nt · Apr 12, 2014

I would recommend a pair of Loake 1880's over AE's. AE's lasts look clunky and unappealing whereas Loake looks a lot more elegant and sleek.

Staffer18283 · Apr 12, 2014

Claghorn said:
It depends. How often do you intend on wearing them? If often, you'd be better off getting two shoes for 250 bucks each so that you can rotate them. If this is something you'd wear 3-4 times a month, then you might look into Carmina or Crockett & Jones. Bare minimum, your shoes should get 24 hours of rest between wears. It let's the leather recover. One of the best things about buying nice shoes is that if you take care of them, they last a very long time. This isn't true for cheap shoes. You put shoe trees in those (the most important element of care) and that's what happened. For example, this is my oldest pair of shoes. 7-8 years, heavy use. Allen Edmonds, so on the low end of "good."

Wow those have almost zero creasing. If it wasn't for the darkened insole, it would be very difficult to tell apart from a new shoe.

Claghorn · Apr 12, 2014

Loake 1880 isn't a bad option, but I'm unfamiliar with their construction/durability, so I didn't recommend it.

Their standard captoe is less attractive than the Park Avenue.

But these are more attractive than the McAllister:

amitmshanker · Apr 12, 2014

Great! Thank you all for your responses. They've been very helpful.

stylish_raven · Jul 7, 2018

thats not a normal crease. it should not be so visible as of yet. Try some restoring product but it should be replaced.

stylish_raven · Jul 26, 2018

Claghorn said:
Loake 1880 isn't a bad option, but I'm unfamiliar with their construction/durability, so I didn't recommend it.

Their standard captoe is less attractive than the Park Avenue.

But these are more attractive than the McAllister:

Creases on Shoes Feedback

Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Senior Member

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Classic Menswear Featured products

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: