Any good shoe buys in Paris?

[Dan G]

Will be in Paris next week. Are there any sources for the top non-Italian brands at below retail prices?

 

[stilmacher]

Below retail prices, I don't know about out of sale season. There it's unlikely but there may still be some sales. Try old England for Ed Green and don't miss Corthay and Aubercy.

 

[itsstillmatt]

IMO, there is no shoe deal better than Dimitri Gomez' Bottier line. At 1200eu they are hardly inexpensive, but the value is a very good one.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Originally Posted by iammatt

At 1200eu they are hardly inexpensive, but the value is a very good one.
If that's too much, have a look at Carmina/Albaladjo, 4 Avenue de l'Opera.
http://www.carminashoemaker.com/

 

[lasbar]

Go and have a look at JM WESTON ..Madeleine,Champs-Elysees,Rue Courcelles ,
Montparnasse,Galeries Lafayette...
Good shoes at a very good price....
Albaladejo and Carmina....
Altan ....Corthay rue Volnay....Dimitri Bottier rue Chauveau-Lagarde....Sene and many others...

 

[lambert]

There were sales at Old England (only on shoes) this week and it will end next wednesday. 50% off on Lobb. But I don't think it remains anything interesting (maybe some Tod's)

With few exceptions, sales take place only at some specific times and the really good bargains are rare.
Some brands (Weston) have the reputation to sell only defective or very unattractive shoes. Others (Altan or I think Carmina) simply don't sell at cut prices.
CJ have some interesting things.

If you want good shoes for a reasonable price (ie for less than 350 euros) you should go to Altan 5 rue Sainte-Beuve 75006 (but I am not sure that it will be open before September 15th)
Altan designs are particular, so if you're looking for more conservative shoes, go to Albaladejo/Carmina which are also very good, even if the soles are a little bit flimsy.

Weston is more expensive, has conservative but also more fashionable designs, and some people say that it's not good value for money.

Corthay and Dimitri Gomez are excellent shoes but you'll have to pay 850/1200 euros

There are also some french brands with English names who sell shoes from 130 to 300euros : Bexley, Finsbury, Loding, Emling, Bowen.

Avoid Bexley and Finsbury (even if some designs are interesting), Loding is good value for money (but IMO unattractive). Emling has attractive designs (Marc Guyot) but are overpriced (they are a good bargain at cut prices).
Bowen were good shoes, I don't know now but they are still interesting.

 

[Dan G]

Excellent info thanks. I am by nature a bargain hunter and try will be trying to stay in the 300 euro or so price range....

 

[Dan G]

one more thing...whats the price range on the Carminas? There are some nice models on the website.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by Dan G

one more thing...whats the price range on the Carminas? There are some nice models on the website.
300 to 500 euros, and the best buy at that price. Sales season, as mentioned before, is set by law in France. You will not find Edward Greens or Lobbs on sale right now. Avoid Bexley, Bowen, Finsbury and Manfield -- all pseudo-British names selling shoes of middling quality. Donegan is another decent buy at the price. Same range.

 

[kolecho]

+1 for Carmina. They have some nice new lasts in Rain (chisel) and Robert (round). They are cordovan specialists, with many colours to choose from.

 

[sho'nuff]

last time i was in Paris there was a shoe store that sold a wide variety of Loding shoes for 50-100 USD each.
they were all "goodyear" labeled on the shoes and looked a very good value for the price.

 

[Dan G]

Two more questions....are the carminas available in cordovan for 300 euros? do these prices include VAT?

 

[acidboy]

I'm sure they're not on sale, but you should check the C&J 351 last.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by Dan G

Two more questions....are the carminas available in cordovan for 300 euros? do these prices include VAT?

Prices generally include VAT; Carmina in cordovan are, I think, over 400 euros.

 

[lasbar]

if you're American ,you do not have to pay the vat or tva in France...