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

[Goofy]

I missed this the first time I watched the Carmina video with Kirby Allison. I re-watched today and I am now confused. The Carmina manager talks about more volume with the Cordovan shoes (not stretched as tight on the last) but then appears to bring Kirby a larger size to try on, to which KA comments about how much roomier it is.

I have a Cordovan 8EEE on Forest that is too long and too wide, a calf 7.5EEE on Detroit that is too narrow, but perfect length. and a calf 8EEE on Rain that is a good width, but too long.

I am wondering if the Cordovan 7.5EEE would be roomier than the same shoe on calf?

The Carmina manager in the KA video also mentions about making certain lasts wider or with larger insteps by adding leather before they stretch the upper on the last. Has anyone tried this through the online MTO program? Or Can you request a 7.5 length width a 8 width?

Any help would be appreciated.

I just re-watched the YouTube video and the Carmina store manager brings Kirby his usual size in calf leather, a 9.5 US, which equates to 8.5 UK, and subsequently explains that downsizing to a UK size 8 would probably fit him better given the roomier construction of cordovan shoes. However this depends on the particular model. For example, for wholecuts downsizing half a size wouldn’t be uncommon.
Perhaps the reason why the store manger brought Kirby a size 9 in Cordovan was because they were out of 8,5?
Start watching from 14:20.

 

[nzahir]

Anyone know where to purchase Carmina shoes in Los Angeles?

 

[lartiste]

Anyone know where to purchase Carmina shoes in Los Angeles?

You will have to go either to San Diego or to San Francisco ... . Directions are here: Store Locator

 

[Betelgeuse]

Plain toe derbys

 

[gianm]

Does anyone own loafers on the Forest and Uetam lasts? Would you be willing to post a top down comparison? I'm trying to decide between the two for my next pair.

 

[lartiste]

The first pair purchased in current sale just arrived today.

 

[Neville Southall]

I have been on the hunt for comfortable, GYW, elegant looking summer shoes. Carmina’s sale led me to this (see below). At $280, what did I have to lose? Well, these are now officially my most comfortable pair of shoes. That’s hard because I didn’t think anything would top my unlined XIM suede loafers. The Maestral loafer last is sublime. No heel slippage. Rounded toe shape bordering on the almond side. Regular instep, but with the open, functional pacing you can make adjustments, as opposed to a classic penny loafer.

The real star of the show, however, is this “soft & hard” construction. I remember when @Carmina first released this. I didn’t think much of it. Now that I have them on, holy moly... they feel like sneakers. The shoes are incredibly flexible and, above all, feel way more cushioned and padded underfoot than any other shoe I’ve owned (except for maybe some Bontoni models on the gumlite sole). I’m very pleasantly surprised.

@Carmina, can we customize any model using the soft-hard construction method?

 

[harlequin782]

I have been on the hunt for comfortable, GYW, elegant looking summer shoes. Carmina’s sale led me to this (see below). At $280, what did I have to lose? Well, these are now officially my most comfortable pair of shoes. That’s hard because I didn’t think anything would top my unlined XIM suede loafers. The Maestral loafer last is sublime. No heel slippage. Rounded toe shape bordering on the almond side. Regular instep, but with the open, functional pacing you can make adjustments, as opposed to a classic penny loafer.

The real star of the show, however, is this “soft & hard” construction. I remember when @Carmina first released this. I didn’t think much of it. Now that I have them on, holy moly... they feel like sneakers. The shoes are incredibly flexible and, above all, feel way more cushioned and padded underfoot than any other shoe I’ve owned (except for maybe some Bontoni models on the gumlite sole). I’m very pleasantly surprised.

@Carmina, can we customize any model using the soft-hard construction method?
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??

 

[zag73]

Below is quite an interesting article. I had no idea Carnina had switched to plastic heel stiffeners. Can’t say it’s something that’s bothered me.

Permanent Style

What are the best cheaper shoe brands?

www.permanentstyle.com

 

[Betelgeuse]

I have been on the hunt for comfortable, GYW, elegant looking summer shoes. Carmina’s sale led me to this (see below). At $280, what did I have to lose? Well, these are now officially my most comfortable pair of shoes. That’s hard because I didn’t think anything would top my unlined XIM suede loafers. The Maestral loafer last is sublime. No heel slippage. Rounded toe shape bordering on the almond side. Regular instep, but with the open, functional pacing you can make adjustments, as opposed to a classic penny loafer.

The real star of the show, however, is this “soft & hard” construction. I remember when @Carmina first released this. I didn’t think much of it. Now that I have them on, holy moly... they feel like sneakers. The shoes are incredibly flexible and, above all, feel way more cushioned and padded underfoot than any other shoe I’ve owned (except for maybe some Bontoni models on the gumlite sole). I’m very pleasantly surprised.

@Carmina, can we customize any model using the soft-hard construction method?
View attachment 1415269 View attachment 1415270 View attachment 1415271
View attachment 1415272 View attachment 1415274

Did you went with your usual size in Mestral last?

 

[Neville Southall]

Did you went with your usual size in Mestral last?

Yup.

 

[Neville Southall]

Below is quite an interesting article. I had no idea Carnina had switched to plastic heel stiffeners. Can’t say it’s something that’s bothered me.

Permanent Style

What are the best cheaper shoe brands?

www.permanentstyle.com

I don't know if this is true. A few months ago, Trent & Heath did a youtube video where they dissected a brand new pair of wholecuts. They had full leather heel stiffeners. Also, I wouldn't trust anything Simon Krimpton says. He's a ******* tool.

 

[zag73]

I don't know if this is true. A few months ago, Trent & Heath did a youtube video where they dissected a brand new pair of wholecuts. They had full leather heel stiffeners. Also, I wouldn't trust anything Simon Krimpton says. He's a ******* tool.

I think the whole leather / plastic thing is overplayed. If c&j are leather and carmina are plastic, for me there is no difference. I have both brands.

 

[Neville Southall]

I think the whole leather / plastic thing is overplayed. If c&j are leather and carmina are plastic, for me there is no difference. I have both brands.

Also agree with this 100%.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

No wear on the new boots @George Red ? Is it warm over yonder (hence newer treads..)?
Planning on giving mine a run out tomorrow, see how the victory wears all day.