Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[moixet]

New color for the 80184 boots at carmina shoemaker store

 

[th6252]



Thanks, that helps a lot. With belts isn't the rule your trouser size +2"? So if you have wear a 34" waist you need a belt 36" to the center hole. If Carmina's 36" is only 34" to the center hole that's really small. If you wear a 34" waist you'd need to order a 38" or something in Carmina, right? Or am I messing this up?

In my experience, yes. I'm a 34 waist, and even wear 33 depending on the cut of the pants, and the supposed size 36(90) was a size too small which is why I'm trying to sell it for a size 38/95.

 

[Sactogeoff]

Thanks, that helps a lot. With belts isn't the rule your trouser size +2"? So if you have wear a 34" waist you need a belt 36" to the center hole. If Carmina's 36" is only 34" to the center hole that's really small. If you wear a 34" waist you'd need to order a 38" or something in Carmina, right? Or am I messing this up?

Don't do that. Grab one of your existing belts and measure from your most often used hole out to the tip of the buckle. That's what I did. I measured 86cm. I ordered 90cm belts. They fit fine. My "winter weight" will put me in the center hole. My summer weight will put me on the next to the last hole. But I plan to wear all of them for a while and then shorten.

 

[bamgrinus]

I'm not a huge fan of the second keeper loop on the Carmina belts...I think the fact that it's so far out looks odd. But luckily the design of the belts makes it really easy to remove.

 

[sdfzs]

To me the rule of thumbs for Carmina's belts is to take a Allen Edmonds belt and add 2" to get the same size. I run a 34" waist, takes 36" Allen Edmonds belt and Carmina's 95cm i.e. 38" fits perfectly

 

[cowsgomoomoo]



I'm not a huge fan of the second keeper loop on the Carmina belts...I think the fact that it's so far out looks odd.  But luckily the design of the belts makes it really easy to remove.

Same thoughts. Had them removed after few wears.

 

[MoosicPa]

The Carmina U wing balmoral boot in museum burgundy on the rain last w/ leather sole from Gentlemen's Footwear.

 

[ecwy]

Took part in Carmina's MTO off their own site for the U wing boots in Brown Vegano and Snuff Suede on the Rain last (http://www.carminashoemaker.com/mto-finished-2198/u-cap-boots-80387) end Nov, early Dec last year. Took the chance to try the EEE width rain last which doesn't really feel much different on first try. I actually emailed Betty to verify if this was done on the EEE which she confirmed.

QC wise, this pair is one of the better ones I have received from Carmina. Can't find any issues beyond some dark streak marks on the inner heel area.

P.S. pics after being polished by me.











Bonus cat pic

 

[MoosicPa]



Took part in Carmina's MTO off their own site for the U wing boots in Brown Vegano and Snuff Suede on the Rain last (http://www.carminashoemaker.com/mto-finished-2198/u-cap-boots-80387) end Nov, early Dec last year. Took the chance to try the EEE width rain last which doesn't really feel much different on first try. I actually emailed Betty to verify if this was done on the EEE which she confirmed. QC wise, this pair is one of the better ones I have received from Carmina. Can't find any issues beyond some dark streak marks on the inner heel area. P.S. pics after being polished by me. Bonus cat pic

Nicely done ecwy, I like the suede shaft, add some texture to the boots look! Wear in good health!

 

[bm93]

Took part in Carmina's MTO off their own site for the U wing boots in Brown Vegano and Snuff Suede on the Rain last (http://www.carminashoemaker.com/mto-finished-2198/u-cap-boots-80387) end Nov, early Dec last year. Took the chance to try the EEE width rain last which doesn't really feel much different on first try. I actually emailed Betty to verify if this was done on the EEE which she confirmed.

QC wise, this pair is one of the better ones I have received from Carmina. Can't find any issues beyond some dark streak marks on the inner heel area.

P.S. pics after being polished by me.











Bonus cat pic

Don't you have a similar pair of captoe calf/suede balmoral boots? I believe your images were my inspiration to get the MTO back up again so I can get myself a pair.

Also, your polishing job (and photography) is superb. Would you mind sharing how you go about polishing your shoes?

 

[ecwy]



Don't you have a similar pair of captoe calf/suede balmoral boots? I believe your images were my inspiration to get the MTO back up again so I can get myself a pair.

Also, your polishing job (and photography) is superb. Would you mind sharing how you go about polishing your shoes?

Yes i have something similar - the 80450 balmoral boot model. But I'm a sucker for boots and balmoral boots

Polish wise nothing special. Just slowly build it up with light layers of polish and water using a cotton rag. Just be careful to not use too much wax or water at one go. Less is more and take the time to build it up.

I did light brown polish over the whole boot as a base then used dark brown polish for the toes and heels.

 

[peppercorn78]

Did your boots come with larger size boot bags? I just got some Chelseas and they came with the regular shoe size bags. Way too small, and they don't fit.

 

[MoosicPa]



Did your boots come with larger size boot bags? I just got some Chelseas and they came with the regular shoe size bags. Way too small, and they don't fit.

Yes mine came with a larger sized bag for the boots. Contact your retailer and see if they have any available.

 

[ecwy]

FAIK, they have 2 shoe bag sizes. One normal sized one for shoes, chukkas, short boots etc. Another boot bag for balmoral boots, jumper boots.

 

[Darkside]

@ecwy

The shoes are amazing but those photographs are out of this world!