2/21 DROP - New, slightly imperfect Niton II, US12 by Church's of England for Prada in Dark Pearl Gr

[razl]

SOLD!

2012-01-30 edit: I have added additional pictures at the end of the listing that show the shoes compared to a pair of black calf Borrellis. I did my best to get the lighting as neutral as possible so as to give a good comparison. I believe the last 3 pictures represents the true color of the shoes the best. Note that there is some faint purple casting in the pictures which is -not- present in the shoes.

I fell in love with these about a year ago at a Prada store as the last pair that they had from the previous season. They can take the place of black shoes (see color description below) and the sleek, subtle brogue'ing is sophisticated and sharp.

They were listed as a US 12 (I'm a 10.5+) and I desperately wanted a way to make them work, but I've given up on it. Note that even though Churchs is owned by Prada, these are not the crap Prada shoes - these are fine, Made in England, Church's. In fact, they don't say Prada on them anywhere.

The color is difficult to describe; a smoky, dark gray pearl, almost carbon - but not black. Also, and this is almost impossible to capture with a photo, some sections, at some angles, and in some lighting give the appearance of different shades. They really aren't, but they can appear it (like some have discussed with calf and cordovan where certain angles and lighting conditions make sections look slightly mismatched). I've almost thought they had a two-tone quality in some conditions, and I've wondered whether it was intentional. I've never seen another pair so I don't know.

For comparison, these are one of the few I've found at retail online (no relation to me) but are in standard black: Churchs Niton II

There are 2 blemishes - 1 that is noticeable and 1 that practically isn't. Both seem to be the same sort of thing: a sort of light gray, cream colored streak that is not an abrasion (absolutely no scuff or surface texture) and appears to be on the surface. I have no idea if it can be polished/colored over or buffed out. I don't think buffing will cure it (I did some and didn't seem to change it at all) but polishing might. For me I loved the shoe so much that it didn't matter - but I can see where the more noticeable of the two might be a deal breaker for others, your call.

I have tried them on 3 or 4 times with socks and walked on a carpet, that's it. They are 13 1/4" long, 4 1/2" wide. They come with the Prada bags but no box. The writing from inside the shoe:

115 . F . 116
Q15375-0608
7743/48
NITON 11

I'm happy to provide more pics or info.

 

[Papaspollo]

How much for the cat?? Shoes are not my size

 

[razl]



How much for the cat?? Shoes are not my size

Package deal; you get the shoes, you get the cat

 

[razl]

Drop!

 

[thecentennial]

Lovely, just a tad too big..how can I stretch my feet?