Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[prettybasicdood]

Hi! I was hoping to get some advice. I'm a long time Allen Edmonds customer, but have recently taken a liking to Carmina (primarily due to the pics and discussion I've seen in this thread). I've been eyeing three shoes specifically:

Wholecut Oxford 910 Rain
Chelsea Boots 80216
Cordovan Balmoral Boots 80092 Forest

Now I normally wear 3E width in Allen Edmonds. Does anyone know how Carmina width on the Rain and Forest lasts compare? Is one more narrow than the other? My worry with getting an ill fitting Oxford is that the v-shape vamp will be too wide.

 

[TheLawBeard]

Hi! I was hoping to get some advice. I'm a long time Allen Edmonds customer, but have recently taken a liking to Carmina (primarily due to the pics and discussion I've seen in this thread). I've been eyeing three shoes specifically:

Wholecut Oxford 910 Rain
Chelsea Boots 80216
Cordovan Balmoral Boots 80092 Forest

Now I normally wear 3E width in Allen Edmonds. Does anyone know how Carmina width on the Rain and Forest lasts compare? Is one more narrow than the other? My worry with getting an ill fitting Oxford is that the v-shape vamp will be too wide.

I couldn't get rain to work for me. I wear an 8E on AE's 65 last. On forest I went with the EEE width and up half from my normal sizing. (So I was 7.5EEE on Forest because of Euro sizing)

 

[prettybasicdood]

I couldn't get rain to work for me. I wear an 8E on AE's 65 last. On forest I went with the EEE width and up half from my normal sizing. (So I was 7.5EEE on Forest because of Euro sizing)

That's very helpful thanks. I just saw that they make Rain in EEE. If I'm going to get their Oxfords, it would probably be in Rain because the cut looks so unique. Just hope the EEE actually fits! Sadly there's no Carmina vendor in San Francisco where I might try them.

 

[MD1969]

That's very helpful thanks. I just saw that they make Rain in EEE. If I'm going to get their Oxfords, it would probably be in Rain because the cut looks so unique. Just hope the EEE actually fits! Sadly there's no Carmina vendor in San Francisco where I might try them.

That’s a good choice, and if it does fit well take the shoes to a cobbler to stretch.

 

[stuffedsuperdud]

That's very helpful thanks. I just saw that they make Rain in EEE. If I'm going to get their Oxfords, it would probably be in Rain because the cut looks so unique. Just hope the EEE actually fits! Sadly there's no Carmina vendor in San Francisco where I might try them.

Maybe a long shot, but there's a small menswear shop called Brogue in San Carlos that might have them in stock, actually.

 

[madhat]

That's very helpful thanks. I just saw that they make Rain in EEE. If I'm going to get their Oxfords, it would probably be in Rain because the cut looks so unique. Just hope the EEE actually fits! Sadly there's no Carmina vendor in San Francisco where I might try them.

I’m an EE/EEE. Rain has too much toe taper for me; I was only able to make Forest EEE and Detroit EEE work. Really depends on what lasts you wear from AE.

 

[myster619]

That's very helpful thanks. I just saw that they make Rain in EEE. If I'm going to get their Oxfords, it would probably be in Rain because the cut looks so unique. Just hope the EEE actually fits! Sadly there's no Carmina vendor in San Francisco where I might try them.

Try looking for around your size Carmina on marketplace. Maybe someone is selling some in your area or nearby. You can just go pretend to be interested and try them on to see how that fit is. Based on that, you can decide whether you should go smaller or larger and get a better sense of you size.

 

[prettybasicdood]

Try looking for around your size Carmina on marketplace. Maybe someone is selling some in your area or nearby. You can just go pretend to be interested and try them on to see how that fit is. Based on that, you can decide whether you should go smaller or larger and get a better sense of you size.

That's great advice. I just wish the "Buy & Sell" marketplace had a location filter. Few listings seem to have the city listed ¨/

 

[KarlHungus]

Hi! I was hoping to get some advice. I'm a long time Allen Edmonds customer, but have recently taken a liking to Carmina (primarily due to the pics and discussion I've seen in this thread). I've been eyeing three shoes specifically:

Wholecut Oxford 910 Rain
Chelsea Boots 80216
Cordovan Balmoral Boots 80092 Forest

Now I normally wear 3E width in Allen Edmonds. Does anyone know how Carmina width on the Rain and Forest lasts compare? Is one more narrow than the other? My worry with getting an ill fitting Oxford is that the v-shape vamp will be too wide.

Can also try referring to manufacturer last / sizing threads such as this one to try to gauge relative to your fit in other shoes:

Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread

 

[hollandn]

New loafers from the MTO weekend arrived today. Wanted a more casual loafer. I am very pleased. Model 80578 on Genova last in Burgundy Cordovan with a hatchgrain strap to break it up a bit.

 

[MD1969]

Very stylist; great creation!

 

[Jeddie]

Has anyone ever had an issue with indents in the toe of their shell cordovans?

I've had a few indents in 1 pair, however an mto pair i just recieved has quiet a bit. What were your experiences? And did it get worse with wear?

 

[Betelgeuse]

New loafers from the MTO weekend arrived today. Wanted a more casual loafer. I am very pleased. Model 80578 on Genova last in Burgundy Cordovan with a hatchgrain strap to break it up a bit.
View attachment 1874994 View attachment 1874996 View attachment 1874997

Those look quite similar. 😜

They do look great on a more casual last, a make-up I'm considering too.

 

[hollandn]

Those look quite similar. 😜

They do look great on a more casual last, a make-up I'm considering too.

I also have a pair exactly the same as those on the uetam last and the same cordovan hatchgrain strap make up. Inspired by you !! So I blame you !!

 

[jischwar]

From a fee waiver event many moons ago