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

[budapest12]

I must be missing something. I am totally baffled by why those creases are not perfectly normal looking and not particularly noticeable. Might be time for my next eye exam?

 

[budapest12]

Hopefully what is left of my eyesight will be able to appreciate the color 4 boots I ordered today... (And hopefully they don't result in any funny creasing!)

 

[huskiee]

@stook1

I was thinking exactly the same thing - trying the Detroit as a NST to get a Carmina version of the classic Alden Indy boot. I searched for examples of Detroit as NST but couldn’t find any. I’ve never seen the the Detroit IRL and some of the photos I have seen ad cordovan Chukka make it look a little clumpy.

Do you have boots on Detroit? If so can you share pics?

Thanks

I was debating very similar things so this is extremely useful, and I’ll probably go for the Detroit NST. Do you think storm welt would suit this style?

Also, for those that are on the Colour 4 shortlist did your codes waive the customisation fee? Mine hasn’t and wasn’t sure if this was meant to be a fee waive like normal GMTO or the code just gets you the 4 cordovan option.

 

[stook1]

I was debating very similar things so this is extremely useful, and I’ll probably go for the Detroit NST. Do you think storm welt would suit this style?

Also, for those that are on the Colour 4 shortlist did your codes waive the customisation fee? Mine hasn’t and wasn’t sure if this was meant to be a fee waive like normal GMTO or the code just gets you the 4 cordovan option.

I thought the GMTOs are always a fee waive? I haven't done my color 4 order yet but I can confirm later. Edit: my PM from Carmina says it should waive the customization fee. I'd reach out to Carmina for help with your code.

Most people seem to order Detroit with a storm welt. However, the last can look surprisingly sleek with a flat welt. For some reason, I feel like the welt option makes a bigger visual difference on Detroit than some others. I'll update with examples shortly since I have the handy.

Please note, these are not my shoes:

Per my notes, these are unlined flat welt ptbs on detroit.

From left to right (Detroit storm welt, Rain flat welt, Detroit flat welt).

 

[danadd94]

I was debating very similar things so this is extremely useful, and I’ll probably go for the Detroit NST. Do you think storm welt would suit this style?

Also, for those that are on the Colour 4 shortlist did your codes waive the customisation fee? Mine hasn’t and wasn’t sure if this was meant to be a fee waive like normal GMTO or the code just gets you the 4 cordovan option.

The code is supposed to remove the MTO fee (full cost -23%). If yours is not doing doing that, I would message Carmina.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Single monks today

 

[stook1]

First wear of the natural NSTs from the other day.

 

[Mr Clemson]

@stook1 These look fantastic. I think I'm going with this model for my Color 4 GMTO. Likely on the Oscar last but perhaps Forest.

 

[huskiee]

I thought the GMTOs are always a fee waive? I haven't done my color 4 order yet but I can confirm later. Edit: my PM from Carmina says it should waive the customization fee. I'd reach out to Carmina for help with your code.

Most people seem to order Detroit with a storm welt. However, the last can look surprisingly sleek with a flat welt. For some reason, I feel like the welt option makes a bigger visual difference on Detroit than some others. I'll update with examples shortly since I have the handy.

Please note, these are not my shoes:

Per my notes, these are unlined flat welt ptbs on detroit.
View attachment 1278419 View attachment 1278420


From left to right (Detroit storm welt, Rain flat welt, Detroit flat welt).
View attachment 1278424

Your absolutely right. The Detroit is usually seen with storm welt, especially on boots. Without it makes it look a lot sleeker. Agree bigger difference than on other models.

I’ll probably go for with welt for NST Boots. The look of Detroit is growing on me. I love Carmina shoes but I am always surprised how much sleeker they are in general to the English brands I tend to wear.

 

[Mr Clemson]

Your absolutely right. The Detroit is usually seen with storm welt, especially on boots. Without it makes it look a lot sleeker. Agree bigger difference than on other models.

I’ll probably go for with welt for NST Boots. The look of Detroit is growing on me. I love Carmina shoes but I am always surprised how much sleeker they are in general to the English brands I tend to wear.

Carmina's lasts are definitely sleeker/more elegant than most English brands or even American brands like Alden. Personally, I have never liked the Indy boot because the trubalance last looks like something Fred Flintstone would wear - at least on my feet.

 

[bamgrinus]

Your absolutely right. The Detroit is usually seen with storm welt, especially on boots. Without it makes it look a lot sleeker. Agree bigger difference than on other models.

I’ll probably go for with welt for NST Boots. The look of Detroit is growing on me. I love Carmina shoes but I am always surprised how much sleeker they are in general to the English brands I tend to wear.

I have a pair of black cap toes on Detroit with a flat welt, and you wouldn't think the last is casual at all. Detroit is a bit more American-styled compared to most Carmina lasts, but it's still pretty sleek.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Carmina's lasts are definitely sleeker/more elegant than most English brands or even American brands like Alden. Personally, I have never liked the Indy boot because the trubalance last looks like something Fred Flintstone would wear - at least on my feet.

I personally like the Fred Flintstone look!

In all seriousness though, Alden lasts tend to be more spacious and therefore more casual. I generally prefer the Alden lasts for my preppy taste, but I am absolutely in love with my Oscar-lasted NST shell boots. They are a little dressier than the typical Barrie Tankers but still versatile enough for me to dress up and down.

 

[Mr Clemson]

I personally like the Fred Flintstone look!

In all seriousness though, Alden lasts tend to be more spacious and therefore more casual. I generally prefer the Alden lasts for my preppy taste, but I am absolutely in love with my Oscar-lasted NST shell boots. They are a little dressier than the typical Barrie Tankers but still versatile enough for me to dress up and down.

What's funny is that I definitely have the "preppy, southern" taste and more casual look, but I don't love those wide lasts for some reason. I think it's mainly because I am fairly short (5'9") and my feet are relatively small (US8) with a normal width and a slightly narrow heel, so this makes the wider lasts look too blobby, perhaps too work boot like, in my eyes. I suppose that's why I really like Alden Grant, Carmina Oscar, and Viberg 2030, none of which are "pointy" though as personally I hate that look. I guess I'm somewhere in between. Give me a Barrie tanker and I'm fine, but a Trubalance Tanker looks like, well, a tank on my feet.

 

[stephenaf2003]

@Mr Clemson forget all that, why people be dissin Clemson football so much lately. Looks like y’all gone have to smoke some more people in the BCS Championship..lol.

 

[Mr Clemson]

@stephenaf2003 Yep, let them talk about LSU, Ohio State, Bama, etc. We like the "underdog" role. At the same time, they need to remember what my man Omar said (The Wire): "You come at the king, you best not miss."