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

[Neville Southall]

Completely agree with your statement, and your bourbon boots are fantastic. You're probably the first one on SF to pull the the trigger on this modified design. 4 eyelets/4 hooks or all eyelets, either would look equally good. If you compare to a pair of C&J boots, these are slightly taller than the Harlech for example. But this minor difference (ie. 4 eyelets/4 hooks or all eyelets) makes C&J boots appear better proportioned.

Having stated the above, I appreciate the fact that Carmina maintains its uniqueness. I've patterned all of my custom orders on similar models from C&J and Alden. The end product is always unique, and I'd rather have this minor imbalance (in my eyes at least) vs. a well executed complete clone.

I forgot to mention one important fact: your boots look ******* YUMMY. Enjoy them in good health.

 

[DL120]

It has been 50 days, which with the holidays I consider on time. Yeah 70 days is not timely.

I’m at 100 on 1, 60 on another and 35 on another ??‍♂️
In due time...

 

[DL120]

Can’t wait to see those. Are you still doing that saddle NST blucher makeup? Been looking forward to seeing those as well.

Unfortunately not at this time.

 

[serbarristan]

Color 4 532 LWB on Oscar with double JR sole. My vision for these was a 360 flat welt, but the artisans for some ridiculous reason made them a 270 welt. I'm really unhappy with that since it looks odd on a long wing, but otherwise they did a solid job. I sent Sara a message to figure out why this occurred, since every 532 on their site is a 360 welt, but I'm worried they aren't returning to the forum at this point. Color is crazy good though!

 

[budapest12]

Do they do a 360 flat welt? I’m wondering it’s only storm welt. They look great though so there is that.

 

[serbarristan]

Do they do a 360 flat welt? I’m wondering it’s only storm welt. They look great though so there is that.

Maybe not? I'll gladly take this over a quality problem. First time breaking in double JR, feels like I have a tall task ahead. Cheers.

 

[adrs1157]

Color 4 532 LWB on Oscar with double JR sole. My vision for these was a 360 flat welt, but the artisans for some ridiculous reason made them a 270 welt. I'm really unhappy with that since it looks odd on a long wing, but otherwise they did a solid job. I sent Sara a message to figure out why this occurred, since every 532 on their site is a 360 welt, but I'm worried they aren't returning to the forum at this point. Color is crazy good though!
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For what it's worth, those look incredible. I love the colour combination.

I have a pair of derbies on Oscar last that has a 360 flat welt and honestly from afar it looks like a 270 welt. For flat welts, Carmina uses a thinner thread and higher SPI on the outsole stitch, plus they stitch and trim very close to the upper. Honestly, the difference is hard to see unless you're looking for it.

360 VS 270 is much more noticeable on my Aldens because of the chunkier welt and edge work. Next to my chunky 360 flat welt Aldens, the carminas look super slim.

Were you going for a more structured lwb look?

 

[serbarristan]

For what it's worth, those look incredible. I love the colour combination.

I have a pair of derbies on Oscar last that has a 360 flat welt and honestly from afar it looks like a 270 welt. For flat welts, Carmina uses a thinner thread and higher SPI on the outsole stitch, plus they stitch and trim very close to the upper. Honestly, the difference is hard to see unless you're looking for it.

360 VS 270 is much more noticeable on my Aldens because of the chunkier welt and edge work. Next to my chunky 360 flat welt Aldens, the carminas look super slim.

Were you going for a more structured lwb look?

Exactly. Pictured the 360 flat welt Alden look but with a sleeker Carmina approach looking good on a long wing. The welt is bothering me less every time I look at the uppers. That’s really interesting about the thinner thread - all my Carminas are flat welts so I haven’t seen their storm in person. Hoping to correct that soon with a storm jumper boot!

 

[serbarristan]

For what it's worth, those look incredible. I love the colour combination.

I have a pair of derbies on Oscar last that has a 360 flat welt and honestly from afar it looks like a 270 welt. For flat welts, Carmina uses a thinner thread and higher SPI on the outsole stitch, plus they stitch and trim very close to the upper. Honestly, the difference is hard to see unless you're looking for it.

360 VS 270 is much more noticeable on my Aldens because of the chunkier welt and edge work. Next to my chunky 360 flat welt Aldens, the carminas look super slim.

Were you going for a more structured lwb look?

Fun thing I found while searching for other 270 LWB - Alden 270 LWB.

 

[stook1]

Exactly. Pictured the 360 flat welt Alden look but with a sleeker Carmina approach looking good on a long wing. The welt is bothering me less every time I look at the uppers. That’s really interesting about the thinner thread - all my Carminas are flat welts so I haven’t seen their storm in person. Hoping to correct that soon with a storm jumper boot!

I think they look fantastic. A flat welted long wing is already a more dressy look relative to a traditional American longwing. The 270 degree welt on your pair of Carminas just accentuates, in a subtle way, that distinction and I think it works well given how closely trimmed Carminas flat welts are. It's like a euro take on a classic longwing. On a much chunkier last it might not be quite as ideal but I think this makeup works well on the oscar.

 

[gld edmond]

Just got these, Adelaide's on the Simpson last in Burgundy museum, incredible!

 

[Betelgeuse]

Just got these, Adelaide's on the Simpson last in Burgundy museum, incredible!

They look really good!

 

[mugenlove]

I think they look fantastic. A flat welted long wing is already a more dressy look relative to a traditional American longwing. The 270 degree welt on your pair of Carminas just accentuates, in a subtle way, that distinction and I think it works well given how closely trimmed Carminas flat welts are. It's like a euro take on a classic longwing. On a much chunkier last it might not be quite as ideal but I think this makeup works well on the oscar.

Definitely agree. The makeup looks great! I’m sure there’s people who would happily take those off your hands ?

 

[cardsfan89]

Hi folks. I'm interested in a pair of navy shell 532s on Detroit EEE (https://www.carminashoemaker.us/mto-finished-2198/reddit-cordovan-navy-532), but I haven't tried Carmina's Detroit EEE before. It's unclear to me if I'd be able to return these if the sizing wasn't correct. Under 'Delivery and returns' it references a $35 return cost, but I also see that this shoe is under the MTO tab which I thought were not eligible for returns... Any insight is appreciated.

Also, from what I can tell in this thread Detroit EEE is wider than Forest EEE. Can anyone speak to approximately how much wider Detroit EEE is? I just purchased a pair of NSTs in 8UK Forest EEE and they're a bit snug. (For reference I wear 8.5 EEE in most Allen Edmonds lasts, with 511 and 201 being my best fits and 65 being inconsistent along my instep. 8-8.5 EEE in Grant Stone works well too.)

 

[gld edmond]

Another shot of my new shoes showing the beautiful Museum Burgundy