Australian Members - Page 1637

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffrey Firmin 


What there wearing on the Strip is not applicable in Sydney.

Perhaps, have you visited the Shire recently?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince of Paisley 


LOL how does Rockpool B&G get on that list? Seriously that place is a wanker's paradise not a cheap eat. And Spice Temple is upmarket Asian/fusion... $25 would get you one mouthful of pork belly and a contemptuous stare from the waitress.

Next you'll be telling us Tetsuyas does tightarse Tuesdays.

I think Rockpool B&G has started some sort of new lunch menu for cheap (relatively), which is supposed to be decent. Having said that, I've never been there so I can't personally vouch for it.

Wilbur's Place at Potts Point is pretty awesome for lunch - mmmm, pulled pork sandwiches. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by meister 


So you saying that - despite the fact all the top stores use Hayel - and that he and his son are both master tailors - you are not satisfied? Gimme a break.

Do you have proof of which stores use Hayel? Yes, he likes to brag about Harrolds, etc.. but half the tailors in Sydney like to claim they handle the alterations for Harrolds... Also, I should just add I have actually had very little experience with Hayel himself, all my alterations have been handled by his son. Anyway, I saw something last week that will ensure I shall not return and I am on the look out for another tailor. Apparently mastertailor.com.au is the rocks pop-up store for Casa Adamo out in Leichardt so I will check him out and see if he can correct some of the mistakes made @ Hayel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrownman 

Nicholas D C, it's not really fair to make comparisons between Carmina and Meermin. Both are at very different price points. FWIW, I think Carmina shoes are excellent.

Sure - I guess what I was asking was whether there was something overt or tangible to understand in the difference of price; e.g. the materials with which either brand's shoe was constructed or the quality of the welting. I've been reading both the brand's websites but they don't tend to go into exhaustive detail about the specific leathers they are using. I guess I subscribe to the law of diminishing returns with this sort of stuff, so was curious as to whether there was something super-obvious that I was missing in looking at various shoes by Meermin or Carmina to attempt to 'justify' spending that extra dosh. I guess the first obvious thing between the 160 euro double monks and the Carmina ones would be bench-grade versus hand-grade construction. But even still something like this (http://meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=2050) is also hand-grade, yet significantly cheaper than this (http://www.carmina.telemaco.es/articulo.asp?idarticulo=3640219), so I'm just trying to figure out if there's anything in the 'objective' category that would make me choose one over the other.

Having said that, I actually subjectively prefer the Carminas, and I suspect they probably use nicer leather (although their web-store is very uninformative in that regard). 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffrey Firmin 


No subway is not good or cheap so Thai, Indian or Mod Oz

Cheap under $25 for a main.

And its so hot I am contemplating wearing shorts to David Byrne tonight

chat thai, mamak, ippudo, fratelli all spring to mind

good indian gone from city now

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaypee 

In and around the city - El Bulli, Misschu, Momofuku, Longrain, DJs food court, Mamak, Rockpool Bar & Grill (or spice temple), Din Tai Fung

misschu, mamak and DTF yeah... the others good luck ... DJS food court aint open for dinner..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas D C 

What're the opinions on Meermin versus Carmina in terms of shoe quality? Any appreciable difference (e.g. leathers used, quality of welting) or can't really go wrong with either? Tempted to try out a Meermin Double Monk style shoe and for 160 euros (inc. VAT, which would be taken out upon shipping to AU) it seems like a fantastic deal.

ive tried meermin standard line, LM and MTO ... the MTO are OK at best but really im not that impressed - i would have invested my money alot better buying one GOOD pair of shoes than 3 pairs of shoes Im not happy with... 

What dont I like about meermin?

1) they all creak/squeak as i walk 

2) ugly creasing emerging on my MTO's

EDIT: But they were cheap and as they say you get what you pay for ... just dont go in thinking they are on the same playing field as C&J or carmina etc ... id say slightly better than a Herring

Ah very interesting, thank you for the information. So as I understand it, the quality of leather used affects the way in which the shoes crease -  the better the leather the less defined, or etched, the creasing. The squeaking seems a bit worrying - is that caused by the way in which the sole has been constructed or leather rubbing on leather? 

I have had 4 pair of Meermin Classic line (bought 2 pair, 0.5 size too small, re-ordered same 2 styles).

One of the shoes in my first order squeaked, none of my current ones do. My impression of the leather is that it is quite good - substantially better than equal-priced Herring at least, although I think the leather in my first order was slightly better, at least in the brown ones.

As detailed in my places both on and off this forum, there are quality control issues, such as:

I had longitudinal wrinkling on the toe cap of my first order - not particularly obvious, but noticeable looking a little closer

Badly offset/crooked medallion punching

A batch in June/July suffered from splitting soles (since resolved I believe)

A little rough with some finishing i.e. large cuts on the edge of the sole where the welt ends, edge dressing marks on the upper.

Having said that, when my purchase priorities swing around to footwear again I won't shy away from buying from them again based on this, as it seems the customer service in rectifying any manufacturing faults is excellent, and I think what I have at the moment are damn good shoes for the money ($200/pair landed)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie's Wardrobe 


Interesting rob, I've found my meermin MTO almost on par with my carminas. No squeaking and no funny wrinkling either. I think the olfe last usuits my foot almost perfectly though.

Nic DC, when comparing the 2 it's worth noting you can really only compare the linea maestro of meermin with Carmina IMO. Comparing the cheaper classic line isn't really something I'd do, because they are at opposite ends of the scale in price, with Carmina wearers reporting almost none of the issues that meermin classic line have had. I just wish meermin would bring out some RTW linea maestro that wasn't on that pointy new ray last.

Very strange that they haven't done this yet. The new ray appeals to a very small amount of people and fits even less.

I've got one of those "recommend me X item of clothing" queries that everyone on here is a big fan of. Rest assurd I've searched for a substantial amount of time on here and beyond without avail. Should such a question offend one's taste, please skip this post.

I'm really interested in longwing/brogue boots in a relatively sleek last. Boots like the Grenson Fred or anything Trickers are just too bulky/round for my taste. Mr Gerry Nelson's famous RL Lindricks or these would be beautiful:

Unfortunately both are too pricey for me (appreciate it's because they're both shell), but I'm really struggling to find alternatives. Additionally, tracking down a Lindrick boot at the moment is a daunting task given they weren't resupplied this year. Epaulet is sadly all out of non shell Carmina boots in my size 10.5UK. The Crockett and Jones Skye is great, but appears to be nigh on impossible to find online. None of the usual Carmina stockists have longwing boots either in my size. Does anyone have any suggestions of smaller suppliers of stated boots or alternate similar shoes?