Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[clee1982]

I have CJ benchgrade on boot/chukka and would still buy CJ benchgrade for country stuff (Pembroke/Ashdown), but on the dress shoes probably not, as I feel there is always a “upgrade version of it”. Somewhat with HG as well though I would say CJ is just a solid under stated shoe. If all you ever wear is CJ it would just be fine as well.

AM dress shoe just has a lot more “something special” to it (tank heavy dressy not sure how you say it)

 

[WhyUEarly]

Each time I wear them I’m really tempted to buy higher line AM. If only they were a little more comfortable I would not hesitate even a second.

I agree Aerie is great, but I find Argentum to be so much more comfortable that I wouldn't settle for Aeris anymore. Give it a shot lol

 

[Noblekostas]

Interesting. In my opinion C&J handgrade is one of the best brands when it comes to the value for money. Excellent (for the price) leather, good looking lasts and quite ok craftsmanship. And they age beautifully... but to appreciate that you need to wear them at least a few years. Honestly I don’t see much value in a review of a shoe if you did not wear them at least a year or two. Unless you are a collector who does not care much about the way shoes age but rather is interested in the small details and only plans to admire shoes on the shelf. You can’t judge a shoe after just a few wears, real quality will show as times goes by. C&J may look a little boring, but when you will see how they look after 5-10 years you will know that they are worth the price.

On Meccariello: I own only one pair of shoes by AM and it’s just a cheap Aeris shoe... but each time I wear them I am REALLY impressed. The last shape is just beautiful, the craftsmanship is really good. On feet they look like million dollars, I mean when you look at them from two meters, even my JL Prestige don’t look as good, there is just something that makes them look very expensive. Each time I wear them I’m really tempted to buy higher line AM. If only they were a little more comfortable I would not hesitate even a second.

I have over 50 pairs of shoes now so it pretty much falls into the category you mentioned heh.

I found the AM Chisel 2 rather comfortable after 2 wears

 

[JohnMRobie]

I agree Aerie is great, but I find Argentum to be so much more comfortable that I wouldn't settle for Aeris anymore. Give it a shot lol

The price isn't all that different to jump from Aeris to Argentum either. 410 euro vs 500-550 euro for RTW. A relatively easy jump as far as they go and fairly comparable to something like the jump from CJ main vs CJ Handgrade.

I dismiss a lot of the "best value" debates about which specific brand should take the title because I think it's an unanswerable question but if you need a cap toe there is no world in which the 500 euro Equites RTW Argentum patina service shouldn't be on the list of options in every one of those discussions.

 

[Wild Strawberry Rabbit]

The price isn't all that different to jump from Aeris to Argentum either. 410 euro vs 500-550 euro for RTW. A relatively easy jump as far as they go and fairly comparable to something like the jump from CJ main vs CJ Handgrade.

I dismiss a lot of the "best value" debates about which specific brand should take the title because I think it's an unanswerable question but if you need a cap toe there is no world in which the 500 euro Equites RTW Argentum patina service shouldn't be on the list of options in every one of those discussions.

In Europe it's more like 500 EUR for Aeris vs 650 EUR for Argentum. Still quite good price and I agree that 150 EUR extra for upgrade does not sound like much... however I bought my Aeris for smth around 300 EUR (Yeossal sale ).

 

[Noblekostas]

In Europe it's more like 500 EUR for Aeris vs 650 EUR for Argentum. Still quite good price and I agree that 150 EUR extra for upgrade does not sound like much... however I bought my Aeris for smth around 300 EUR (Yeossal sale ).

Hehe I got my Argentum for for 335 Euros including shoe trees like many here and it was a steal regardless.

I find it incredibly hard to switch from the southern european style now!

 

[garigo]

How would you describe the difference between the Southern European and, say, the British style?

 

[Noblekostas]

How would you describe the difference between the Southern European and, say, the British style?

British is conservative and round (mostly) or country chunky styles (Tricker's and Grenson) and in my opinion very contemporary, classic and safe.

Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian focuses a lot on sharp lasts, patinas, almond/square toes etc.

At least that's how I see it!

Of course there are exceptions.

 

[clee1982]

well, traditional English got to include chisel last though

 

[usctrojans31]

British is conservative and round (mostly) or country chunky styles (Tricker's and Grenson) and in my opinion very contemporary, classic and safe.

Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian focuses a lot on sharp lasts, patinas, almond/square toes etc.

At least that's how I see it!

Of course there are exceptions.

To build on this great summary, I would also add that Italian shoes tend to run a bit longer. French tend to be cut even narrower in the waist and reeeeaaally lean into the patina work.

 

[JustPullHarder]

Can we get enough interest for a GMTO centurion in either vintage Annonay or peccary?

 

[clee1982]

Damn another GMTO idea!

 

[ajay199127]

Can we get enough interest for a GMTO centurion in either vintage Annonay or peccary?

Am in if it’s for an austerity wingtip lazyman ?

 

[clee1982]

ok our GMTO convergence rate is approximately zero...

 

[TC11201]

I’d be willing to do centurion GMTO in peccary. Already have too many SpTDs in a color that is similar enough to the vintage Annonay.