AE:Park Ave :: C&J:???

[MetroStyles]

I have somehow come into the predicament of having all too many brown shoes and not enough black ones. The black ones I have are overused and dying a slow death. Need 2 upgrade.

What is the staple/sleek yet conservative C&J equivalent of the PAs from AE? My only pair of C&Js right now is a brown Hallam in 348 I believe. Perhaps something a touch more conservative in black? If it were available from Pediwear that would be a plus - not looking for the handgrade line either but one of the less expensive models. Thanks.

 

[Geoff Gander]

I think the Connaught would fit the bill. The Pediwear photos don't do it justice, IMO.

 

[aj_del]

^^ I bought the Connaught and found it a little too fuddy duddy, then got the Hallam which I sold because of the awkward shape of the toe. Now I have the Boswell (now discontinued) and am perfectly happy. I am thinking of getting the Prestwood though it is on 348/358 last. Hopefully the tow shape wouldnt be so much of a problem as it is a derby rather than oxford (makes no sense, I know)

So basically I havent found the perfect CJ captoe oxford in the benchgrade line. I bought the Grenson Rose Salisbury in black and they are really nice. A lot of people consider them as good as the CH benchgrades.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by aj_del

^^ I bought the Connaught and found it a little too fuddy duddy, then got the Hallam which I sold because of the awkward shape of the toe. Now I have the Boswell (now discontinued) and am perfectly happy. I am thinking of getting the Prestwood though it is on 348/358 last. Hopefully the tow shape wouldnt be so much of a problem as it is a derby rather than oxford (makes no sense, I know)

So basically I havent found the perfect CJ captoe oxford in the benchgrade line. I bought the Grenson Rose Salisbury in black and they are really nice. A lot of people consider them as good as the CH benchgrades.

Yes, I am trying to find something with in-between fuddy-duddiness. Perhaps a last in between the 348 and the Connaught last? Of course, if there is a maker in the same class as C&J and at a similar price point ($300s USD online), I'd be more than willing to jump ship. I assume your Grensons were pricier?

 

[aj_del]

^^ I bought them from clintof on B&S for 100 GBP shipped. It was one the best deal on a pair of shoes I have ever got along with the CJ (for RL) that Ed sold to me for 175 USD shipped. So I have had great luck with shoes at B&S

 

[Spark]

Not a benchgrade, but if you have a limited range of black shoes and want the perfect all-occsassion captoe then it's worth the incremental bump in price to the C&J Audley.

 

[kev777]

Originally Posted by aj_del

I bought the Grenson Rose Salisbury in black and they are really nice. A lot of people consider them as good as the CH benchgrades.

Totally agree they are def as good as C&J Bench Grades just a shame the Rose line is so limited

 

[MetroStyles]

I dunno guys, they look kinda bulbous on the pediwear site. Is this a busted picture? (The Salisburies)

 

[aj_del]

 

[MetroStyles]

^^ Nice shape. Toe box is not as strangely deep/tall as it appears in my pic, is it? That's what primarily contributed to my blobby comment, though I can't tell from your pic aj. Thanks.

Also a much better price than the Audley (for good reason I am sure). I am still more comfortable spending $350 on shoes than $500+. The Manhattan pavement doesn't do much to preserve them.

 

[aj_del]

^^ This is not my pic. If you want I can take a pic of the actual black shoes. But you will have to wait till tomorrow.

 

[bigbris1]

Metro, you are asking for the wrong brand. What you want (read, need) is the EG Chelsea.

 

[MetroStyles]

I doubt I can get those for under $500.

 

[jrd617]

I'd say the Bedford is closer to the Park Avenue. Less elongated than the Hallam.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I think Church's Consul is a highly underrated black captoe: