AE Dryden vs. Loake Norwich

[Joel_Cairo]

All this talk about CT's Cherry wholecut has really piqued my interest in getting a pair of shoes with toe medallions, but I dislike CT's enormous handlebar-moustache looking design. I much prefer Loakes original Norwich. However, Zappos has the AE Dryden for a bit less money. My concern is sleekness though. Im wondering if maybe the faux-cap-toe perfing on the Dryden will widen the toe (What I'd really love is an AE wholecut on the 8 last, but alas...). Zappos's sole shot makes the toe look like it as right angles to it (though AE's own picture looks better). Can anybody who knows both the Loake Norwich and the AE Dryden, or anything else by AE on the #2 last (Burton, Saxon, etc.) comment as to the sleekness of the Dryden, as compared to the Norwich, which I find quite nice. Thanks!

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

All this talk about CT's Cherry wholecut has really piqued my interest in getting a pair of shoes with toe medallions, but I dislike CT's enormous handlebar-moustache looking design. I much prefer Loakes original Norwich. However, Zappos has the AE Dryden for a bit less money. My concern is sleakness though. Im wondering if maybe the faux-cap-toe perfing on the Dryden will widen the toe (What I'd really love is an AE wholecut on the 8 last, but alas...). Zappos's sole shot makes the toe look like it as right angles to it (though AE's own picture looks better). Can anybody who knows both the Loake Norwich and the AE Dryden, or anything else by AE on the #2 last (Burton, Saxon, etc.) comment as to the sleakness of the Dryden, as compared to the Norwich, which I find quite nice. Thanks!

The Westgate wholecut is on the #8 last, no?

 

[Joel_Cairo]

Originally Posted by grimslade

The Westgate wholecut is on the #8 last, no?


it is indeed, but I'm jonsing for a toe medallion (though neither the Norwich nor the Dryden are wholecuts perse)

 

[Vintage Gent]

I own the Norwich and have seen the Dryden. If sleekness is your concern, go with the Norwich.

 

[NoVaguy]

I love AE, but don't like the look of the last which the Dryden is on. I would either get Loake's Norwich, or bite the bullet and get the Westgate, which does look good to me.

All this depends on fit. If one of them fits better or worse, that would be the only tiebreaker...

 

[Joel_Cairo]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

All this depends on fit. If one of them fits better or worse, that would be the only tiebreaker...

that's definatly true. I can try the Dryden on lots of places, but does anyone know which (if any) american b&m retailers carry Loake?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

that's definatly true. I can try the Dryden on lots of places, but does anyone know which (if any) american b&m retailers carry Loake?

Tywhitt is the only one I know of, and they've got only one store, in NYC.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

Tywhitt is the only one I know of, and they've got only one store, in NYC.

They've got two stores. But they're both in NY.

 

[AlexP415]

I'm wearing the Dryden in "brandy" right now. The toe is slightly squared-off, but the shoe, to me, still appears quite sleek for an AE. If you can get them at a discount (which one usually can), I would do the Dryden any day.