Tell me about these shoes...

[Rassillon]

First post so I hope this is the right place.

Apologies if not.

I am trying to learn a bit more about these shoes I got from my dad. For health reasons he has no need for business wear and so we have cleared much of it out.

He gave me a couple pair of new shoes.

Royal tweed
By cheany of England
A division of churches english shoes
Premium grade
Lase 277G size 11

Tassels loafers

1 pair black
1 pair maroon

Both brand new.

I wear a size 12 US

Are they good shoes?

I know UK sizes are a little larger than US...
Will these stretch enough to fit me?

Should I keep them or try and sell them on ebay or something and buy something else.

What would they be worth?

Appreciate any insight... I tried looking up the maker's website but they didn't seem to have anything comparable.

An additional note, my dad traveled to the middle east a good bit so probably bought these during one of his trips when he stopped over in England. He can't remember but I estimate it was somewhere between 8-20 years ago.

Anyway thanks in advance!

 

[maxalex]

As you seem to be in possession of the shoes, you would be the best authority on whether they fit. Don’t expect them to stretch much, although they will soften and break in over time.

As to the quality, Church’s are good mid-level shoes, mostly Goodyear welted. I don’t know what they’d be worth on eBay. “Maroon” could mean cordovan (horsehide) which are generally more expensive.

With shoes, “new” means never worn outside of a carpeted shoe store—any scratches on the sole means technically not new, if you decide to sell them. But “almost new” is still valuable.

 

[Rassillon]

Thanks for the info. I've tried them on but they are pretty tight. Probably won't risk damaging them and just get something that fits properly.

Yes, they have no scratches on sole and still had the cardboard inserts.

Also, yes, I think cordovan sounds correct... not brown or black.

My dad would do that sometimes... buy shoes but then just always wear his standard shoe which was a lace up and he had several of the exact same shoe.

Again, thanks for the info.

 

[ValidusLA]

Cordovan is a material, and often is presented in a maroon or burgundy color. Cordovan is unlikely to stretch much at all.

Church's are solid mid grades as stated. If they fit and you like them, I'd keep them.

UK 11 = US 12. Though not sure of standardization 20 years ago.

 

[Rassillon]

Validus,

Thanks for the info.

I'm thinking the shoes are too narrow. I have wide feet and usually have to buy E width shoes.
I don't think they are B... just standard width... that is why I was curious about stretching.

Thanks for the tip on cordovan... just looked it up and read an article about it. Learn something new everyday.

I do like the shoes and they have a bit of sentimental value but not enough to walk around in pain lol. Plus my dad is pretty practical and would expect me to get something that's functional.

As a follow up question, if you read this.... would Allen Edmonds be a comparable quality shoe... wanting to get something that will last and be able to be repaired over time.

 

[zippyh]

Those were made by Cheaney from when they were owned by Church's. Oddly, today Cheaney is separate from Church's Shoes but owned by two Church family members.

A Cheaney G is considered wide. F is their medium width although for other UK brands like Crockett & Jones, E is medium.
277 seems to be an older loafer last not currently used.

I'd rate today's Cheaney a step above Allen Edmonds but no idea what they were like 20 years ago.

 

[Rassillon]

Zippyh,

Thanks for your input, it's really helpful.

Would you think the G would equate to a US D or E? I'm usually an E or EE depending on shoe. I have some cheap lace up shoes that are E but my boots are EE (US sizes) ...

This is actually way more interesting than I thought it would be.... didn't realize shoe company info would be so un-boring... lol

 

[ValidusLA]

I would say 20 years ago AE > Cheaney in terms of quality. Very different styling.

AE is not what it used to be. Lots of "modern" designs. Direct to sale business model. Sewing uppers in the Caribbean. Lots of production defects.

In the end it comes down to styling where you should look.