Australian Members



ar3nbe said:

I'm needing a little help on AE, last 5 sizing.

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The 5 last is long and narrow (IMO there should be no such thing as a "long" last, but that's a debate for another day). AE themselves (and those in the AE thread) recommend sizing down .5 length, and sizing up one width from your measured Brannock size for shoes on this last. I.e. if you normally take a 10.5D, go with a 10E.

I myself recently ordered some AE Fifth Aves (which arelast 5). I'm measured as right on the border of an 11B/C. I originally ordered a 10.5D in line with the above advice, but they proved to be a bit too wide, so I've gone with a 10.5C.

I have actually heard that Strands are possibly a little wider again than other last 5 shoes, but you should ask on the AE thread for that since I don't own any myself.

I'm keen to get a duffle coat (preferably a Gloverall) - plenty of time since winter is some time away. Where in Melbourne would be the best place to get a duffle?

Also, would they be cheaper to get now in the warmer months or should I wait until it gets colder?

Anyone any experience of the fit of C & J shoes (length and width) - Sydney loafer in particular? I will email some retailers to get their ideas but wonder if anyone has any personal experience.

Loafing in summer is appealing.

From memory the Sydney loafer is shaped over the 341 last, like the Westfield. It's slightly elongated with an almond-esque toe and I find it in "E" width to be true to your UK size, but I would prefer to go down half a size in length and up one in width. So, in my experience whilst I'm a 9E, I'd prefer an 8.5F so that it isn't as long. But, that doesn't work on all shoes as I end up with too much width in the heel, but that's a problem I've had with many shoes.

Pink Socks said:

Anyone any experience of the fit of C & J shoes (length and width) - Sydney loafer in particular? I will email some retailers to get their ideas but wonder if anyone has any personal experience.
Loafing in summer is appealing.

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If you can get to Herringbone in Sydney or Melbourne, you can try a pair there. I'm waiting on a pair(of Sydney loafers) from the Sydney shop to try.



thebrownman said:

Sorry ar3nbe, can't help with AE sizing, only Alden
Did anyone else watch the Obama address to parliament? I was mesmerised by how closely his jacket hugged the back of his neck and the complete lack of collar gap and the perfect symmetrical dimple in his tie knot. And then, they showed Abbott - he looked and spoke sloppily, in my opinion..

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Obama's dimple is up there with Spoo's. Same technique? I can only dream of a dimple that good

I wonder if Obama was wearing
- Canali
- Hart and Schaffer (spelling?)
- Bespoke



tobiasj said:

Obama's dimple is up there with Spoo's. Same technique? I can only dream of a dimple that good

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http://www.dimpler.com/

Hi Gents,

Quick trip report from Italy/Turkey.

The first find was Ateseta. No website, but if you find yourself in Florence or Venice, their ties are absolutely first-class. I got 4.

The second was Andrea Palombini. I met the man himself, very friendly, and the shirts are splendid, I regret that I only bought two.

As for Turkey, two things are worth mentioning: first, the markets are heaving with cheap, but well-made denim. And secondly, I had my first shave with a cut-throat razor. I have to find someone here in Sydney who can do that - it was amazing.

Anyway, that's about it.

Cheers,

eightace

I thought with cut throat shaves any proper barber can do it, but then again not many barbershops around anymore.

Lot's of Luciano Barbera stuff and Grenson on Gilt today.



ar3nbe said:

I'm needing a little help on AE, last 5 sizing. For reference my UK size is a 10, and my Euro size is a 44. I've never had an issue with width when buying standard width shoes in those sizes. If anything I have a slightly high instep (caused by a thickish top to my foot, rather than a higher than usual arch). Using the AE online measure guides my foot is just touching the 10.5 line, and the width table indicates a D width.
For a bit more info a own a pair of 026 Last Loakes in a UK10 which fit well. I also own a pair of AS 99 last UK10 which are a touch narrower than the Loakes, and which fit perfect.
If i'm looking at an AE Strand, or any AE on the #5 last do you think I should go for a 10.5D, or a 10.5E ? Its pretty much impossible to try an AEs on down here, and as we know return shipping is expensive if I get the wrong size.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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If you have a high instep, be careful of the "5" last, which is the last that the Park Avenue and the Fifth Avenue styles are made on.

In my (limited) experience, it is a very "flat" last, with little vertical height. I don't consider my feet to have a terribly high instep, perhaps a little higher than usual, but when I tried on a pair of Park Aves in a normal width, I could hardly squeeze my foot into the shoe. I then tried on successive widths, ending up with something crazy like an EEE or EEEE width, to see if the extra space would give me some additional height. Even though there was a huge amount of space at the sides of my feet, when I tried to lace up the shoes the "v" in the laces was still 2 or 2.5cm wide and it felt like the top of my foot was being painfully compressed after I had laced them up.

So, in short, in my experience at least, the "5" last is not ideal for people with higher-than-average insteps.



eightace said:

Hi Gents,

Quick trip report from Italy/Turkey.

The first find was Ateseta. No website, but if you find yourself in Florence or Venice, their ties are absolutely first-class. I got 4.

The second was Andrea Palombini. I met the man himself, very friendly, and the shirts are splendid, I regret that I only bought two.

As for Turkey, two things are worth mentioning: first, the markets are heaving with cheap, but well-made denim. And secondly, I had my first shave with a cut-throat razor. I have to find someone here in Sydney who can do that - it was amazing.

Anyway, that's about it.

Cheers,

eightace

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I don't know if there if there is still a barbers on the concourse at Town Hall station its on the George Street side at the foot of the Bathurst Street steps. I used to go and get it done every once in while, during the late 80's and to mid 90's.



ar3nbe said:

I'm needing a little help on AE, last 5 sizing. For reference my UK size is a 10, and my Euro size is a 44. I've never had an issue with width when buying standard width shoes in those sizes. If anything I have a slightly high instep (caused by a thickish top to my foot, rather than a higher than usual arch). Using the AE online measure guides my foot is just touching the 10.5 line, and the width table indicates a D width.
For a bit more info a own a pair of 026 Last Loakes in a UK10 which fit well. I also own a pair of AS 99 last UK10 which are a touch narrower than the Loakes, and which fit perfect.
If i'm looking at an AE Strand, or any AE on the #5 last do you think I should go for a 10.5D, or a 10.5E ? Its pretty much impossible to try an AEs on down here, and as we know return shipping is expensive if I get the wrong size.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Sounds a like like your feet are like mine.

I have a pair of Park Avenues in 10.5D. When I first got them, I thought 'wtf?! my feet will never fit in those!'. But they did, even though they're quite snug ... but not uncomfortably so. Journeyman makes an excellent point re: high instep as well. My instep is a little on the high side.

I am half thinking of getting myself another pair of AEs from the No. 5 last in 10.5E, just to see what the difference is.



eightace said:

Hi Gents,

Quick trip report from Italy/Turkey.

The first find was Ateseta. No website, but if you find yourself in Florence or Venice, their ties are absolutely first-class. I got 4.

The second was Andrea Palombini. I met the man himself, very friendly, and the shirts are splendid, I regret that I only bought two.

As for Turkey, two things are worth mentioning: first, the markets are heaving with cheap, but well-made denim. And secondly, I had my first shave with a cut-throat razor. I have to find someone here in Sydney who can do that - it was amazing.

Anyway, that's about it.

Cheers,

eightace

Click to expand...

The Barber shop I go to does it - saw two guys being shaved this morning, one on the face, the other a full head shave. Grand Royal Barbers in Spring St - and they have another shop in the inner east somewhere as well.

Sorry team Melbourne, I can't make it tonight. Probably for the best as I'm wearing shorts a t-shirt and pink sneakers.