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

[Viatu]

I got these Carmina split toe derbies on the soller last in polo suede on sale at Gentlemen's Footwear. I have one other pair of Carminas and they're on the Inca last. The soller fits similarly to the Inca in my opinion.

 

[WannabeDashing]

Hi guys, I'm looking for a new formal shoe to wear with a tuxedo and full evening dress. I've not purchased Carmina before (nor any European shoemaker) but I've been drawn to the stylings of Carmina. One issue that's held me back in the past is that I have a foot that's fairly narrow.

I can make a size 9.5B in American dress shoes work (Rancourt 115 last, Allen Edmonds), so I'm wondering if anyone could comment if you think it would be possible that the Carmina opera pumps could work for my foot? They say the Uetam last runs narrow with a low instep, which would be good for me. I'm wondering if any gaps could be remedied with a tongue and/or heel pad.

So, any guys here with a narrow foot that wear the Uetam last or something different?

 

[thefoobar]

I can make a size 9.5B in American dress shoes work (Rancourt 115 last, Allen Edmonds) ... any guys here with a narrow foot that wear the Uetam last or something different?

I'm the same size as you. Don't get opera pumps in Uetam, do it in Sineu instead on a MTO fee-waiver event. Despite its description of being low-instep, Uetam is wider and more voluminous than Sineu, and has a higher instep too. You'll want Sineu 8.5UK.

Source: have 9.5B foot, own several Sineu 8.5UK shoes including loafers, and have been fitted for Uetam in-store and found it's too voluminous and wide for my thin feet.

 

[WannabeDashing]

I'm the same size as you. Don't get opera pumps in Uetam, do it in Sineu instead on a MTO fee-waiver event. Despite its description of being low-instep, Uetam is wider and more voluminous than Sineu, and has a higher instep too. You'll want Sineu 8.5UK.

Source: have 9.5B foot, own several Sineu 8.5UK shoes including loafers, and have been fitted for Uetam in-store and found it's too voluminous and wide for my thin feet.

Thanks for this info; it's very helpful! Are you able to wear any other lasts from Carmina? I would really like a pair of wholecuts (maybe even as a more versatile alternative to opera pumps), but I'm somewhat dubious of the Rain last. Though if I went that route, I could get the wholecuts on the Sineu last I suppose.

 

[thefoobar]

Thanks for this info; it's very helpful! Are you able to wear any other lasts from Carmina?

Here are my round toe Carmina lasts:

• Sineu 8.5UK: Perfect narrow heel, low instep, asymmetric toe. Looks better IRL than pictures IMO.
• Robert 8UK: Is another long, low volume, round toe last that fits, but I've never ordered anything as Sineu is perfect for me. More symmetric toe.
• Oscar 8UK: rumored to fit similar to Robert, but I've been unable to try it. Better looking for boots because wider toe.

Chisel toe lasts:

• Simpson 8.5UK: good heel and instep fit. A little wide in the forefoot but acceptable.
• Rain 8UK: a little big in the instep, but can use tongue pad if needed. OK for boots/derbies due to instep adjustment. Not recommended for oxford/wholecuts.
• Rain D 8.5UK: better than Rain, but is a little big in the heel and instep compared to Simpson.
• In the end, for chisel toe lasts I asked them to make me a hybrid last in 8.5UK with Rain D toe and forefoot, Simpson instep and heel. It's perfect.

As you can see I'm a true 8.5UK, but sometimes if the toebox is elongated and roomy enough, sometimes I can size down -0.5 to get the narrowness I need. As a narrow-footed guy you're probably already familiar with doing that.

Spoiler: Here are some Sineu and Rain D/Simpson hybrid MTOs of mine.

 

[WannabeDashing]

Here are my round toe Carmina lasts:

• Sineu 8.5UK: Perfect narrow heel, low instep, asymmetric toe. Looks better IRL than pictures IMO.
• Robert 8UK: Is another long, low volume, round toe last that fits, but I've never ordered anything as Sineu is perfect for me. More symmetric toe.
• Oscar 8UK: rumored to fit similar to Robert, but I've been unable to try it. Better looking for boots because wider toe.

Chisel toe lasts:

• Simpson 8.5UK: good heel and instep fit. A little wide in the forefoot but acceptable.
• Rain 8UK: a little big in the instep, but can use tongue pad if needed. OK for boots/derbies due to instep adjustment. Not recommended for oxford/wholecuts.
• Rain D 8.5UK: better than Rain, but is a little big in the heel and instep compared to Simpson.
• In the end, for chisel toe lasts I asked them to make me a hybrid last in 8.5UK with Rain D toe and forefoot, Simpson instep and heel. It's perfect.

As you can see I'm a true 8.5UK, but sometimes if the toebox is elongated and roomy enough, sometimes I can size down -0.5 to get the narrowness I need. As a narrow-footed guy you're probably already familiar with doing that.

Spoiler: Here are some Sineu and Rain D/Simpson hybrid MTOs of mine.

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Thanks for all of this, it's incredibly helpful. I might look into the Simpson last (Adelaide shoe looks lovely) to try out an OTR shoe. I'll take your advice into account when/if I catch one of their custom-fee MTO specials. I assume they don't do those too often.

Your shoes look great! And I'm heartened to see that there is at least some potential out there for narrow-footed guys beyond Allen Edmonds.

Off topic, but have you tried any of TLB Mallorca's offerings?

 

[thefoobar]

Off topic, but have you tried any of TLB Mallorca's offerings?

Yes, the E width (narrow) in 8UK fits. Allan last resembles Simpson.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Oscar Calway to
Start the year..?

 

[test32323]

Like a glove (-ish, after all, nothing is perfect). Super pleased with these

Did you end up going the same size as your Oscars? 9.5UK?

 

[PACostag]

Did you end up going the same size as your Oscars? 9.5UK?

I did, I find these to be a slightly wider last than the Oscar and fit much more comfortably

 

[gs77]

MTO that came just before Christmas.
Wing tip chelsea on Rain (with commando sole).

 

[TheLawBeard]

Visited the Carmina stores in NYC. Service at the location near MetLife was phenomenal. Found out which lasts work for me and what doesn’t. Apparently I have to size up in Forest EEE but then it’s a great fit for me. Also size up in Oscar. But I’m TTS on Soller.

 

[hollandn]

Visited the Carmina stores in NYC. Service at the location near MetLife was phenomenal. Found out which lasts work for me and what doesn’t. Apparently I have to size up in Forest EEE but then it’s a great fit for me. Also size up in Oscar. But I’m TTS on Soller.

Good sizing info!!

 

[zag73]

MTO that came just before Christmas.
Wing tip chelsea on Rain (with commando sole).

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Nice boots Srbine

 

[Moostyle]

Oops wrong thread sorry!