$5000 Shoe Budget - Suggestions Needed

[emptym]

I'd get a few rtw shoes that fit my foot well and try a bespoke maker.

For rtw, I think Alfred Sargent offers the best price to quality ratio. Their premier shoes (full grain uppers, goodyear welted) are 250-350 depending on where you get them (Pediwear, direct from AS, etc). Their handgrades offer quality on the level of EG for 10-20% less money. And they give you the ability to choose leathers, styles, lasts, soles, etc. Their premier range shoes can be mto for 10-20% more than their regular prices. Plus their manager, Chay Cooper is a pleasure to work with. My interactions w/ him have made me want to work for him.

I used to recommend Alden, and have a couple pairs, but I haven't been impressed by their quality control recently. I visited the SF store and the welting on pretty much every shoe was unacceptably sloppy, especially for a $400-600 shoe. I was amazed.

For an rtw or mto Italian style shoe/boot, I'd go with Martegani through Ron Rider. I'm very happy w/ a chukka and a venetian loafter I have from him.

For bespoke, I'd try DW Frommer (which I have and will report back on w/in a month or so) first. You might try Perry Ercolino, since you're on the East Coast. But he charges significantly more than DWF.

 

[Concordia]

Originally Posted by emptym

For bespoke, I'd try DW Frommer (which I have and will report back on w/in a month or so) first. You might try Perry Ercolino, since you're on the East Coast. But he charges significantly more than DWF.

Perry does fantastic bespoke work, but he is going to soak up most of the OP's budget. http://www.perryercolino.com/bespoke_shoes.php

 

[goldknots]

Originally Posted by jrd617

The Chiltern is 225 sterling on Pediwear, or $360. Us Americans get the special VAT subtracted price. Are you not an Amuuurican? (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/crockett/products/253.php)

Not a fan of the Tetbury's pointy last. Round toes all the way.
Boooo to round toes, Tetbury suedes all the way!

 

[goldknots]

And don't forget to budget for shoe trees!!!!!

 

[dreamtripper]

So here's what I've acquired so far:

-Alden cordovan plain toe blucher (Ravello)
-Alden cordovan long wing (Whiskey)
-Alden cordovan wingtip (Black)
-Alden cordovan NST boot (Color 8) - thinking of returning and geting a Cigar colored shoe like the Chukka boot
-Trickers Stow (Beechnut)
-Crockett and Jones Westfield (Dark Brown)
-Edward Green Inverness (Black)
-Church's Long Wing Cordovan (Dark Brown)

I consider most of these basic staples. I'll probably get 2-3 more interesting shoes in the next few months and call it a day - most likely a little over budget

 

[Reevolving]

How did this play out?
Based on the last post in this thread, you bought like 8 pairs of shoes one week after starting this thread?