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

[siddeh]

My EG shoes are technically flawless. But I also don’t feel much “soul” in them so to speak.

That's odd - why is that?

 

[stook1]

My EG shoes are technically flawless. But I also don’t feel much “soul” in them so to speak.

There's nothing worse than a shoe with no soul. It's like a quartz watch - useless.

If you're a 9.5 we should talk... ?

 

[jischwar]

My EG shoes are technically flawless. But I also don’t feel much “soul” in them so to speak.

I don't think I understand this statement

 

[siddeh]

There's nothing worse than a shoe with no soul. It's like a quartz watch - useless.

If you're a 9.5 we should talk... ?

I hate it when my watch doesn't have a soul.

 

[miamidoc]

I don't think I understand this statement

Let me clarify by a music analogy. One can play a piece of music technically perfect. But often the nuances, imperfections or improvisational flourishes make it have “soul” or a feeling of personality. To take it back to the shoe world — the clicking is part of this personalization. Or the thickness of a midsole. Or the depth of a heel. It’s an art.

My EG are beautiful.Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t feel that connection to each pair the same as some of my Carminas. Maybe it’s why some appreciate technical perfection in footwear and others prefer a looser standard more tolerant of interpretive idiosyncrasies.

 

[JohnMRobie]

Let me clarify by a music analogy. One can play a piece of music technically perfect. But often the nuances, imperfections or improvisational flourishes make it have “soul” or a feeling of personality. To take it back to the shoe world — the clicking is part of this personalization. Or the thickness of a midsole. Or the depth of a heel. It’s an art.

My EG are beautiful.Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t feel that connection to each pair the same as some of my Carminas. Maybe it’s why some appreciate technical perfection in footwear and others prefer a looser standard more tolerant of interpretive idiosyncrasies.

I would understand this if it wasn’t about Carmina and EG given they’re both factory made GYW shoes. It’s not like we’re talking about some small bespoke maker leaving their mark on the shoe and their mistakes or personality coming through.

 

[stook1]

I hate it when my watch doesn't have a soul.

It's a good analogy, actually. Mechanical watches (mainly antique ones) are directionally accurate and have a tendency to get wonky. Huge charm. If I wanted an accurate watch, I'd get an Ironman for $20.

 

[miamidoc]

I would understand this if it wasn’t about Carmina and EG given they’re both factory made GYW shoes. It’s not like we’re talking about some small bespoke maker leaving their mark on the shoe and their mistakes or personality coming through.

Yes factory made but all those things i mentioned are not automated and are the interpretation of those making the shoes.

 

[vmss]

Yes factory made but all those things i mentioned are not automated and are the interpretation of those making the shoes.

Both are gyw and I think Carmina clicking is automated vs EG hand clicking. I believe EG has more hand work involved vs Carmina. Based on your analogy AE would also fall into this category. I think Carmina and AE are more rushed through the factory and less QC. Your analogy would have made a bit more sense with Bonafe or Vass but not with Carmina.

 

[miamidoc]

Both are gyw and I think Carmina clicking is automated vs EG hand clicking. I believe EG has more hand work involved vs Carmina. Based on your analogy AE would also fall into this category. I think Carmina and AE are more rushed through the factory and less QC. Your analogy would have made a bit more sense with Bonafe or Vass but not with Carmina.

Carmina does hand clicking. So I guess my analogy makes sense then. FFS

 

[zag73]

If nothing else, the Carmina thread is entertaining ?

 

[SirThopas]

Apologies for perpetuating the off-topic theme... I’m interested to read the line about Edward Green shoes lacking soul. I’d never thought of it quite this way before, but I can relate. I have one pair of EGs that I love and wear a lot - Dover - but the others see very little action despite my obviously having been pretty keen when I forked out the far from trivial sums they cost. I don’t really feel a connection to them. Is it maybe that they’re too refined? Is it something to do with the underwhelming experience of buying them? Is the brand a bit unengaging or fey? Is it that the sophisticated styles suit my personality or aesthetic less than I’d care to acknowledge? I don’t know.

 

[Nickd]

I get the idea, personally I love EG, but I find John Lobb a bit soulless. There’s something intangible that I really like about them, so the opposite of some of you I suppose!

 

[jischwar]

I think we all just need to wear our shoes a bit more and give them some soul?

 

[Nickd]

I think we all just need to wear our shoes a bit more and give them some soul?

But surely wearing them means we are taking some of their sole away...?