Charles Tyrwhitt Shoe Sale - Should I?

[prady]

There's been tons of CT Shoe threads and always get a mixed response. I'm in market for 2 pairs and definitely don't have a lot of money to spend. CT is running 25% sale with free shipping and I thought of picking up 2 shoes. Does SF recommend spending this amount on CT Shoes?

Black Flemming Oxford Shoes

http://www.ctshirts.com/Black-Flemming-Oxford-shoes?q=retmn||ML060BLK|||||||||||||

Not Calf Leather

Original Price - $199
Discount Price - $149.50



Tan Kirkby Brogue Shoes

http://www.ctshirts.com/Tan-Kirkby-brogue-shoes?q=retmn||MP027TAN|||||||||||||

Calf Leather

Original Price - $239
Discount Price - $179.5


I am not sure if these are worth the money but I thought i'll take a second opinion. I'm going to CT store in NY to get correct sizing for the shoes as I have heard their sizes are way off.

 

[prady]

no one?

 

[Ianiceman]

Not sure about the shoe quality but I advise you to call the shop before going to be sure they have your style in your approximate style. The main shop in Times Square is closed due to fire damage and I can't believe the other two in NYC will have much room for extra stock of shoes. I enquirerd about a suit in the Masison Avenue shop and everything they had was out on the racks, they didn't have anything behind the scenes and shoes are notoriously greedy for stockroom space

 

[prady]

You are absolutely right about this. I went to the one on Madison Ave to find my correct shoe size before I order but they have no shoes in store. That store is smaller than my living room. Anyway, I really wanna know if these shoes are worth $150 and $180. I know some SFers have bought some CT shoes before and I just see lukewarm response all around. But SF does seem to be inclined towards expensive shoes and I wanted to stay under $200 so I thought this might be good.

 

[MacGuffen]

I don't know if this matters to you, but the brogue seems to be finished in the UK and not MADE there. The more expensive shoes advertise with being made in the uk.

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Meh. I'd probably pass on those. I thought most CT shoes were made by Loake, but since the top shoes aren't calf, and neither is made in the UK (brogues are "finished in the UK") they clearly are made to the standards of one of Loake's lower lines, which you can probably get for that price any time you wanted. The stitching on the cap toe looks pretty wide so it's not particularly elegant, and the the brogue is missing the broguing around the opening. I would save up a bit more and get something from Loake's 1880 line like the Aldwych and Buckingham.
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=7&shoeid=2388
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=7&shoeid=2393

Also, I have no idea what other shoes you have, but a tan wingtip balmoral isn't terribly practical. A darker brown wingtip blucher would be much more versatile.

 

[prady]



Meh. I'd probably pass on those. I thought most CT shoes were made by Loake, but since the top shoes aren't calf, and neither is made in the UK (brogues are "finished in the UK") they clearly are made to the standards of one of Loake's lower lines, which you can probably get for that price any time you wanted. The stitching on the cap toe looks pretty wide so it's not particularly elegant, and the the brogue is missing the broguing around the opening. I would save up a bit more and get something from Loake's 1880 line like the Aldwych and Buckingham.
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=7&shoeid=2388
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=7&shoeid=2393

Also, I have no idea what other shoes you have, but a tan wingtip balmoral isn't terribly practical. A darker brown wingtip blucher would be much more versatile.

Thanks for your help Fred! Well TBH I don't have a great shoe collection and I'm trying to build them up. I pick Tan over brown because sometimes I can pull the Tans off with my jeans as well (I know Bals are not for jeans ) because of limited shoe collection I have.

Second, I love the shoes you put the link for but they end around $300 per shoe. Isn't that a little too much for Loakes? I could probably get AE Park Ave for a couple bucks more.

 

[othertravel]

These are the Loake ones, but they're still not a good value.

http://www.ctshirts.com/men's-shoes...227brn|||||||||||||&sortBy=Price (Descending)

 

[Fred G. Unn]

$275 to the US for the Loake 1880 line is pretty reasonable. US retailers like Sky Valet usually sell them for $370: http://www.skyvalet1.com/Loake-Aldwych-Black_p_115.html
I think they are on par with AE construction wise, but I prefer the looks of the Aldwych to the AE Park Ave because I think the stubby cap toe on the PA looks odd and I'm not a fan of 6 eyelet balmorals.

I don't know if you've seen this thread but wurger does a great comparison of black cap toes: http://www.styleforum.net/t/362365/the-quintessential-dress-shoe-black-cap-toe-oxford/0_30

I have a tan wingtip balmoral (C&J Clifford) but honestly it doesn't get worn nearly as much as my dark brown wingtip bluchers (RL Marlows). A dark brown wingtip blucher is one of the most versatile shoes you can own IMO. If you're just starting to build a quality shoe collection I'd get that before a tan bal. I wear my Marlows with everything from jeans to suits and that's not something you can do with a tan wingtip bal. Just my $0.02.

 

[othertravel]



Thanks for your help Fred! Well TBH I don't have a great shoe collection and I'm trying to build them up. I pick Tan over brown because sometimes I can pull the Tans off with my jeans as well (I know Bals are not for jeans ) because of limited shoe collection I have.

Second, I love the shoes you put the link for but they end around $300 per shoe. Isn't that a little too much for Loakes? I could probably get AE Park Ave for a couple bucks more.

If you don't mind spending a little bit more money, you can grab a pair of C&Js from Brooks Brothers during their next corporate sale.

 

[prady]



$275 to the US for the Loake 1880 line is pretty reasonable. US retailers like Sky Valet usually sell them for $370: http://www.skyvalet1.com/Loake-Aldwych-Black_p_115.html
I think they are on par with AE construction wise, but I prefer the looks of the Aldwych to the AE Park Ave because I think the stubby cap toe on the PA looks odd and I'm not a fan of 6 eyelet balmorals.

I don't know if you've seen this thread but wurger does a great comparison of black cap toes: http://www.styleforum.net/t/362365/the-quintessential-dress-shoe-black-cap-toe-oxford/0_30

I have a tan wingtip balmoral (C&J Clifford) but honestly it doesn't get worn nearly as much as my dark brown wingtip bluchers (RL Marlows). A dark brown wingtip blucher is one of the most versatile shoes you can own IMO. If you're just starting to build a quality shoe collection I'd get that before a tan bal. I wear my Marlows with everything from jeans to suits and that's not something you can do with a tan wingtip bal. Just my $0.02.

Show me one brother, considering my extremely limited Shoe knowledge I will take your 2 cents over my dollar anyday lol..

 

[prady]



If you don't mind spending a little bit more money, you can grab a pair of C&Js from Brooks Brothers during their next corporate sale.

How often does that happen?

 

[Fred G. Unn]



Show me one

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Or maybe something mid-brown or with a bit of red. These are "Tobacco" and "Mahogany" respectively and either would be more versatile than the tan CT shoes.

 

[othertravel]



How often does that happen?

I think March 20.