Australian Members



thebrownman said:

I second joboro with Polo Ralph Lauren. If you're based in Melbourne, head to the Essendon DFO and buy polos there. You can get a reasonable assortment of colours and at times, they go on sale for $34.95. Otherwise, I'd get Lacoste. I'm not surprised you've had bad experiences with Witchery stuff. I've found the one item I've bought there to be of rubbish quality as well.

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Sorry Lacoste have been shite since the late 1980's when they stopped making them in France.

fxh said:

In the grand tradition of Melbourne inventions (KIWI was invented and made here) I bring you the Thrifty iGentts Shoe Reviver.

The Pate de Luxe Saphir Médaille d'Or shoe polish contains waxes: animal (beeswax), vegetable (carnauba wax), each with a specific technical property : to nourish, soften, add shine, protect, perfume...Linked by natural turpentine oil.

50 ml tin of SAPHIR delivered to Oz = $20+

Furniture polish from BUNNINGS contains waxes: animal (beeswax), vegetable (carnauba wax), each with a specific technical property : to nourish, soften, add shine, protect, perfume...Linked by natural turpentine oil.

250 ml tin from Bunnings = $4.50

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This sounds good, how ever I wonder, and this is before I rush out and buy a tin, I have an old pair of yard boots I willing to experiment on, but have you tried it yet?

If you are just after the Pate de Luxe you can get two 100ml tins delivered from http://www.valmour.com/ for about $25. They will ship up to 2 tins via a small air mail parcel I believe. If you add a 3rd item or any of the products that come in jars at all then the shipping is 24 Euros instead of 4.

Still not cheap but definitely not the $20+ per 50ml mentioned above.

A slightly more expensive but more flexible option is http://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/ . You can get a them delivered from there for about $13-14 a tin. Adding extra tins seems to cost and aditional 1gbp per tin in shipping and adding renovateur added 3.5gbp.

Still not $4.50 for 250ml however.



bhall41 said:

Looking forward to seeing the pics - great choice.

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I took some pics and they're up on my blog. I'm yet to wear them, but as with my other Color 8 shell cordovan they'll lighten up and the burgundy will really begin to shine with wear.

I'd love people's thoughts on a workhorse shoe (dark brown/black cap toe) that can be put into heavy rotation for someone nearing the end of their uni days (i.e. me).



thebrownman said:

I took some pics and they're up on my blog. I'm yet to wear them, but as with my other Color 8 shell cordovan they'll lighten up and the burgundy will really begin to shine with wear.

I'd love people's thoughts on a workhorse shoe (dark brown/black cap toe) that can be put into heavy rotation for someone nearing the end of their uni days (i.e. me).

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I can't review your blog at work but will do so at some stage.

Wow - cordovan shoes for a uni student: I wasn't nearly that stylish (or flush) while at uni!

Re a workhorse shoe, a black or brown oxford / cap toe would be a great choice, especially for a business environment, where you are required to wear a suit. My suggestion would be to purchase the nicest oxfords you can reasonably afford - there are many potential options, and without knowing your budget it is a bit difficult to provide suggestions. Don't forget that shoes should be rotated - this might affect your budget for any individual pair.



thebrownman said:

I took some pics and they're up on my blog. I'm yet to wear them, but as with my other Color 8 shell cordovan they'll lighten up and the burgundy will really begin to shine with wear.

I'd love people's thoughts on a workhorse shoe (dark brown/black cap toe) that can be put into heavy rotation for someone nearing the end of their uni days (i.e. me).

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Loakes get my vote for workhorse shoes. They were certainly the best option I could afford when starting up my work wardrobe. Best thing about them is that I don't even think twice about wearing them when it's raining.

Then again, if you're already rocking cordovan in uni - maybe it's time to upgrade to John Lobb City II's for work? One in black and one in museum calf should do the trick. Then get some C&J Belgraves for your beaters.

On a more serious note, given your experience with the Barrie last, how would you describe their sizing? I'm a US9.5D normally and have to go for UK8.5 in C&J's. Should I take 8.5D's on the Barrie? Input appreciated.



fxh said:

Furniture polish from BUNNINGS contains waxes: animal (beeswax), vegetable (carnauba wax), each with a specific technical property : to nourish, soften, add shine, protect, perfume...Linked by natural turpentine oil.

250 ml tin from Bunnings = $4.50

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I bet they'll create a monster water proof coating for your shoes too! I'm getting a tin tub if I go to Bunnings and trying them out fo'sho.

I found the shoe shine video from a few months ago: reposting here again

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]



Loakes get my vote for workhorse shoes. They were certainly the best option I could afford when starting up my work wardrobe. Best thing about them is that I don't even think twice about wearing them when it's raining.

Then again, if you're already rocking cordovan in uni - maybe it's time to upgrade to John Lobb City II's for work? One in black and one in museum calf should do the trick. Then get some C&J Belgraves for your beaters.

On a more serious note, given your experience with the Barrie last, how would you describe their sizing? I'm a US9.5D normally and have to go for UK8.5 in C&J's. Should I take 8.5D's on the Barrie? Input appreciated.

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Yeah, I was thinking the Loake Aldwych. There's not much too them, classic cap toe and it's at a price where I could get both black and dark brown straight away. They're 150 pounds on Herring Shoes. I went into McCloud shoes today and tried them on but the service I received was shoddy - they just seemed unwilling to help me and would not tell me what size shoe was on my foot. Also, they all wear some rather hideous shoes themselves, and all make the cardinal sin of thinking cordovan is only a shade of burgundy, not a specific type of leather. I'd happily buy in an Australian bricks and mortar store if they gave a reasonable service standard.

I wish I could afford the City II's - believe me, I'd have several pairs. The Belgrave's are also amazing, I like them a lot. I'm fond of the 337 last. I especially dislike the 348 on which the Hallam is based, it's too aggressive for my liking. I prefer the subtlety of a more rounded toe, which makes the 363 last an option. Ah, options..

Regarding the Barrie Last, I measure a 10D on the Brannock Device and I wear a 9.5D. I could perhaps fit a 9D or 9E, but all my Barrie-lasted shoes are cordovan and it's too tough a leather to have to stretch out. With my Barrie boots, its nice having the ever so slight roominess of a 9.5 because I tend to wear somewhat thicker socks.

Also, you coming down to Herringbone MTO evening tomorrow? And, any word on your PJ commissions?

I'll come down to Collins Street tomorrow. What exactly is going on for the launch?

Coming down to Melbourne (from Canberra) over the weekend. Any incredible bargains I should be snapping up? Anything good at Azzaro? Or should I just bite the bullet and try to get a fitting at P Johnson.....

Saphir is now available in Australia via Waproo who are the official agents of Saphir in Australia. The wholesale prices aren't too bad so perhaps you could get your local cobbler to order them. Only problem is they have minimum orders of 12 tins per colours. At the moment I could probably only buy one colour. But if we get enough interest we might be able to get several colours.

Hey guys,

I was ironing some pants the other night, having a fight with one of the creases and trying to get it just right when a thought came to me:

Why do we put creases in our trousers? Surely it would be easier to iron all pants flat without a crease.

I have done some research and the best info I have been able to find so far has been here - http://histclo.com/style/pants/trouser/style/ts-crease.html

Anyone able to elaborate or expand on this article, or point me in a direction where I might be able to find out more info?

LPS



thebrownman said:

I went into McCloud shoes today and tried them on but the service I received was shoddy - they just seemed unwilling to help me and would not tell me what size shoe was on my foot. Also,

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Sorry mate what do you mean by that ? Do you mean the pair you have tried on the shop and ask what size the pair was and they said sorry we cant tell you the size ??
I only ask as lately I hardly walk in to shops during my lunch break due to the shop assistants with a big time attitude. They will have learn that not every person walks into the store will not buy. You will have to know whats in store and if you find something you like then you will buy.

***sorry i don't mean to offend any retail sales assistant out here on this forum, But lately they seemed really pushy. Shopping is a sports that's to be enjoyed and once you come home with the purchased items you should feel like a winner not to be pushed in to a re grateful purchase.***

Sorry md2010, I didn't really make that clear. Yeah, I mean the shoe I tried on in the shop. First he put me in a size that was considerably too big, so I requested to try a half size down. With that shoe on my foot I asked, "Is this the 8.5F?" and he just wouldn't tell me. It was so weird. He referred to European sizing once (e.g. 42, 43) and was just unwilling to help or discuss fit, construction, etc. In my opinion, they're not a particularly well informed bunch there.

Yeah, some shop assistants have serious attitude and I think it's fair enough to point that out. It ***** me. I completely agree with you about the shopping experience. I am a sales assistant myself and being pushy makes no one's life easier, especially my own. If you force something on a customer, they'll just come back with issues you should have avoided, or worse, never come back and tell 10 friends how much you suck. In menswear, service is the name of the game.

Brown man, McClouds are pretty good.

I'd suggest it was possibly obvious you were only trying on to get sizes and then order online and they had you sussed.

No? yes?