Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[DonRaphael]

half size too big for you?

Sorry, are you asking me?

 

[Encore]

Sorry, are you asking me?

Yeah, just out of curiosity lol,

 

[DonRaphael]

Yeah, just out of curiosity lol,

Haha, no, the fit is just fine. But trying to reduce my collection as this particular make up is redundant.

 

[clee1982]

Selling a pair of AM shoes. It's the Birch model from The Sabot in size UK8, brown calf, soft square. Comes with lasted shoe trees, box and shoe bags. Worn 3-5x. Shoot me a message if you're interested. Attached is a picture of the model. Thanks.

not my size, oh well...

 

[BomTrady]

If you wanted to spend close to $1800 (from last I remember), he does the sample GYW shoe to nail down the fit. This is if he could not make over to the states.

His Aurum is essentially his Bespoke minus the personalized last. So, the construction and craftsmanship is truly bespoke level. I can not differentiate between my Aurums and my Bespokes.

The StC's I have also purchased. I could not recommend them enough. Having said that, my vote goes to Meccariello due to the sole work (handsewn soles vs machine soles by StC).
StC do actually have Aniline leathers.

The fit for both is almost the same (I was fitted by Philip Carr but had my feet measured by Meccariello). AMs fit slightly better due to the personal measurement, but it is not much of a difference honestly. Probably get an even closer fitting if I opted for a personalized StC last.

Personally, I like @clee1982 suggestion about nailing down sizing differences amongst the different lasts. It would provide me (others as well) an economical opportunity to sample several RTWs without the need of return postage to Italy.

I don't believe the fit is the same at all. St Crispin's will give you a much closer heel fit than AM. Some people like that large heel fit that you get with AM and some have complained that St Crispin's are too tight for their heels; it depends on your feet and is completely personal - you have said this yourself (just look at pics yourself and you can see the tall heel structure of AM and the curvature of SC. To be fair to AM, Lobb, although providing a tighter overall fit, does have a high heel structure too). And St. Crispin's are hand welted. For me, it's very difficult to compare shoes, except with respect to very specific points. I like all my shoes, AM and St Crispin's and I like them for different reasons. All of us that purchase different brands will rank them differently. But I say again, I know what my St Crispin's will look like 5 years from now - better. I just bought my AM's and haven't seen any pictures of 5 year old AMs yet. That's not a criticism of AM in any respect. I am not necessarily talking about the heel cup. I am talking about the heel height and how it doesn't curve as it moves upwards. But I must say, I do like AM shoes.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Again I base my fit on the Aurum and Bespoke (Hand welted shoes), which happens to be tighter across the whole shoe (from heel to tip). This is a preference and request. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the AM RTW fits like. Never owned one.

With regards to fit, I was referring to how both manufacturers fit my feet. I like the feel of being "locked in" which the Saint Crispin's does a good job with, and from my conversations with Antonio I expressed this in the construction of my shoes. Which would ultimately, in my case, make them similar (tight heels, slim waists, minimal leather across the vamp). The AMs consequently fit better because they are MTM & Bespoke. Hard pressed to find a RTW fit better than a Bespoke or MTM shoe.

Having said that, there is no disagreement with regards to purchasing different brands to either achieve a preferred look or shoe feel. Ultimately, you purchase various shoes to experience the varying perspectives of that respective shoemaker as it pertains to how the shoe is structured around your feet.

So my EG Dovers, fit and feel differently than my StC Derbys and SpT. You know going into a pair of Alden Barries double soles that you will be wearing a pair of weights on your feet. Alternatively, I put on a pair of Paolo Scaforas and I feel like Fred Astaire.. Like I can float around the dance floor.

Coincidently enough (or not coincidently), that is the beauty of trying different shoe makers. You decide who and what works best for you. Should the time ever come when the individual is prepared to take the Bespoke plunge, they would have all the required knowledge of how their shoes should fit. Which makes it a personal experience/decision.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

But I say again, I know what my St Crispin's will look like 5 years from now - better. I just bought my AM's and haven't seen any pictures of 5 year old AMs yet.

The other issue I have is providing estimations on longevity (not that you are broaching this specifically, but others do generally). With regards to longevity, you always have to factor in a myriad of variables. Thus, you can not even really compare how my pair of AMs would look to yours.

Variables such as: environmental factors come into play, location, how many shoes you own, your weight, your gait, shoe care regime, usage, length of time worn within a given day, pets (dogs love shoes).. I feel like it is almost impossible to classify or quantify that.

A few factors tend to be indisputable. Price, construction, kind of leather, come to mind. These factors tend to be tangible and objective. Accounting for these factors, AM really provides exceptional value over many many brands. I truly feel like you get your money's worth with his shoes. Personally feel there may be a handful (perhaps 5 or 6 brands at most) which can rival his product (in the $500-$1000 price category). When we enter the $1000-$2000 price category, there are just impeccably well made shoes (hard to make a wrong choice at this price point unless you do RTW shoes... My Dovers be damned hahaha).

 

[unprocessed]

My new pair of Principes 2 Argentum, which were originally caffe tostato and then recolored to Ambra, which looks like a nice burnished cognac color.

The Hawkbill last is much roomier and longer than I expected. Seems to be a much more generous fit than the soft square. I also don’t think the hawksbill looks as round and clunky as I thought it would be, it’s still a very elegant last.

 

[clee1982]

I don’t particular worry about how AM looks after 5 year, all my shoes of at least CJ BG level looks fine even after 10 years...

 

[woofmang]

My new pair of Principes 2 Argentum, which were originally caffe tostato and then recolored to Ambra, which looks like a nice burnished cognac color.

The Hawkbill last is much roomier and longer than I expected. Seems to be a much more generous fit than the soft square. I also don’t think the hawksbill looks as round and clunky as I thought it would be, it’s still a very elegant last.

Very nice!

 

[evangel21]

My new pair of Principes 2 Argentum, which were originally caffe tostato and then recolored to Ambra, which looks like a nice burnished cognac color.

The Hawkbill last is much roomier and longer than I expected. Seems to be a much more generous fit than the soft square. I also don’t think the hawksbill looks as round and clunky as I thought it would be, it’s still a very elegant last.

Ambra looks like a very interesting color. Would love to see some outdoor shots of that color.

 

[unprocessed]

Polished up my Ambra Principes. There was a lot of excess polish on them, and removing it with some neutral Pommadier cream seems to have brought out the lighter yellow/caramel tones, making the color look brighter. Love the different shades of cognac and brown.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Polished up my Ambra Principes. There was a lot of excess polish on them, and removing it with some neutral Pommadier cream seems to have brought out the lighter yellow/caramel tones, making the color look brighter. Love the different shades of cognac and brown.

They look fantastic! You really brought out the color on these.

 

[unprocessed]

Sorry to bump up an old post, but was curious what color these are. Looks very similar to my burgundy which is very dark. great mirror shine!

My attempt at mirror shine

View attachment 1296353

 

[peanutbutterjellychoo]

While everyone shares about their recent Aurums and Argentum Handwelted acquisitions, let me be a bit of a downer and share my latest acquisition which arrived a few hours ago- the humble Aeris and from Meccariello outlet no less. ?