Church, Crockett and Jones or New & Lingwood?

[GodAtum]

Hi all,

I'm a new shoe buyer and wondered what you would recommend in terms of quality and price? I'm looking for formal black lace-ups with a max budget of £500.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

C&J

 

[Izhitsa]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

C&J

Yes; the OP might want to consider Audley or Belgrave.

 

[culverwood]

Or Whitehall if he can still find a pair. I was going to give the link in the shoe pictorial index but the imageshack problem has hit there too; there's a picture at this link http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milano/5208/cj1.htm

 

[GodAtum]

Thanks for the replies, I just remembered about shoemakers called WS Foster and George Cleverley, what are they like?

 

[GBer]

C&J Hand grade easily under 500 quid (Pediwear, PLAL, shoesnorthampton)
Never been a fan of Church's polished binder leather (herringshoes, net-a-porter)
NL, no idea, don't have

If you were willing to spend an extra 100 or so, you can consider Gaziano & Girling (edwardsofmanchester.co.uk), Edward Green (on sale), or John Lobb (on sale).

There is a large level of difference in quality between EG, JL, GG vs C&J, which I believe is worth it on sale.

Additionally, if you are outside of the EU, you can generally get your VAT reduced.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by GodAtum

Thanks for the replies, I just remembered about shoemakers called WS Foster and George Cleverley, what are they like?

Bespoke makers. One of these costs about as much as 5 or 6 C&J's.

 

[GodAtum]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Bespoke makers. One of these costs about as much as 5 or 6 C&J's.
They do ready to wear shoes: http://www.wsfoster.com/shop/Ready+t...Albemarle.html

Originally Posted by GBer

If you were willing to spend an extra 100 or so, you can consider Gaziano & Girling (edwardsofmanchester.co.uk), Edward Green (on sale), or John Lobb (on sale). There is a large level of difference in quality between EG, JL, GG vs C&J, which I believe is worth it on sale.
How much is the sale?

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by GodAtum

They do ready to wear shoes: http://www.wsfoster.com/shop/Ready+t...Albemarle.html
Foster's RTW is made by C&J or EG, depending on the model. Also, N&Ls RTW is made by C&J currently (I believe).

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by rebel222

Foster's RTW is made by C&J or EG, depending on the model.

Also, N&Ls RTW is made by C&J currently (I believe).

N&L is made by C&J, bench grade I assume (just guessing base off price)?

 

[Tidybeard]

OP, Church's get a bad rap on SF but they are very good shoes.

That said, with £500 I'd get on the train to Northampton and go to the Lobb factory shop. Less than £500 and a league above the others. You're not guaranteed to get the style you want but you'll have fun looking.

 

[alexSF]

Originally Posted by clee1982

N&L is made by C&J, bench grade I assume (just guessing base off price)?
Yes Benchgrade, sometimes with channeled soles Their shoes are made also by Alfred Sargent (Premier Range I think) and Grenson (Masterpiece Standard)

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by alexSF

Yes Benchgrade, sometimes with channeled soles

Their shoes are made also by Alfred Sargent (Premier Range I think) and Grenson (Masterpiece Standard)

what's Materpiece Standard, is it the same thing as Grenson Masterpiece which is for Paul Stuart?

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by Tidybeard

OP, Church's get a bad rap on SF but they are very good shoes.

That said, with £500 I'd get on the train to Northampton and go to the Lobb factory shop. Less than £500 and a league above the others. You're not guaranteed to get the style you want but you'll have fun looking.

I don't think Church got a bad rep, it's just not as loved here at their retail price range.

 

[alexSF]

Originally Posted by clee1982

what's Materpiece Standard, is it the same thing as Grenson Masterpiece which is for Paul Stuart?

Yes, these are the same model, for example

http://www.paulstuart.com/product_in...SUBPRODCATID=0

http://www.newandlingwood.com/product.php?id=134#