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

[Paul902]

I'm curious to know your brannock size and the Soller size you went with.

I measure US9.5D, normally wear US9.5, and on these I went with UK8.5. The fit a touch snug just behind the ball of my foot and have a bit of room elsewhere, on my fairly low volume, low instep foot, but I think it is the best size Soller for me.

 

[nibbling_totoros]

Has anyone had any experience with Carmina's kid leather?

I'm really tempted to pick these up:
https://www.carminashoemaker.us/mens-derby-shoes/wingtip-derby-kid-leather-80584

They are exactly the aesthetic I'm looking for. However, I've never handled kid leather before. Would love to get any insight! Are they considered weaker than calf skin (more prone to scuffs)? Can I take care of them the same way as calf skin?

 

[peppercorn78]

Has anyone had any experience with Carmina's kid leather?

I'm really tempted to pick these up:
https://www.carminashoemaker.us/mens-derby-shoes/wingtip-derby-kid-leather-80584

They are exactly the aesthetic I'm looking for. However, I've never handled kid leather before. Would love to get any insight! Are they considered weaker than calf skin (more prone to scuffs)? Can I take care of them the same way as calf skin?

great screen name.

 

[zag73]

Anybody know how the oscar lady compares to the rain last?

 

[usctrojans31]

Has anyone had any experience with Carmina's kid leather?

I'm really tempted to pick these up:
https://www.carminashoemaker.us/mens-derby-shoes/wingtip-derby-kid-leather-80584

They are exactly the aesthetic I'm looking for. However, I've never handled kid leather before. Would love to get any insight! Are they considered weaker than calf skin (more prone to scuffs)? Can I take care of them the same way as calf skin?

Word on the street is that they are indeed weaker and crease much more

 

[laufer]

Word on the street is that they are indeed weaker and crease much more

Indeed, kid leather is more delicate than calf.

 

[Jazzmenco]

We have Carmina for Paul Stuart today, trick question can you name the last?

 

[Paul902]

Is it the first last?

 

[Jazzmenco]

I prefer the last...first

 

[Shawl Lapel]

Cool little uptick on the broguing by the facings. @Jazzmenco these aren't the pair that everyone thought were Rain but were really Simpson are they?

 

[Jazzmenco]

No these were made on the Delon last that has been discontinued. I can't believe you still remember that episode. That was quite a while back. I'm still pissed that they wouldn't admit it...so obvious. But they do work (although a little snug) so it's water under the bridge.

 

[clee1982]

Paul Stuart had them all more than 50 off at certain point, I remember it fits large, didn’t buy it because I just don’t get the shell bug, maybe on boots and lingering/PtB, but definitely not dress shoes

 

[Doktor Corn]

I just ordered wholecut chelseas in navy museum calf. I picked Rain last since it fits exactly spot-on in the Jodhpur's I got a few months ago, but I'm wondering if the ankle support is going to be comparable without the strap. I'm normally a 9E US and the very slight pinching at the instep for the first dozen wears and the nearly exact dimensions otherwise made me wary of trying a different last, but could I have gone with something like Buger or Simpson?

 

[jet-stream]

I just ordered wholecut chelseas in navy museum calf. I picked Rain last since it fits exactly spot-on in the Jodhpur's I got a few months ago, but I'm wondering if the ankle support is going to be comparable without the strap. I'm normally a 9E US and the very slight pinching at the instep for the first dozen wears and the nearly exact dimensions otherwise made me wary of trying a different last, but could I have gone with something like Buger or Simpson?

If you had instep tightness with Rain, Simpson is not for you. Much lower cone and narrower heel.
Buger is pretty much a chisel toe Inca - I don’t know Buger well but do know Inca. I think Inca has a bit more room in the toes, slightly lower instep, and somewhat smaller heel than Rain.

Based on your description I’d probably stick with Rain, especially for a Chelsea. It is one of Carmina’s most generous-fitting lasts, so I don’t think you will have much more room in other lasts unless you size up. Detroit may also work well, but I’d prefer the aesthetic of Rain for a Chelsea.

 

[Doktor Corn]

If you had instep tightness with Rain, Simpson is not for you. Much lower cone and narrower heel.
Buger is pretty much a chisel toe Inca - I don’t know Buger well but do know Inca. I think Inca has a bit more room in the toes, slightly lower instep, and somewhat smaller heel than Rain.

Based on your description I’d probably stick with Rain, especially for a Chelsea. It is one of Carmina’s most generous-fitting lasts, so I don’t think you will have much more room in other lasts unless you size up. Detroit may also work well, but I’d prefer the aesthetic of Rain for a Chelsea.

Thanks, I figured as much. I ultimately chose not to go with cordovan because of all this; every mto shoe I get there's this risk that it won't fit and whenever I stumble on something that works I stick to it. I wish it were possible to alter the last width for other shapes besides Rain.