Church's Appreciation Thread

[Duke Santos]

I really enjoy polishing shoes. It's quite therapeutic, especially with a couple of glasses of wine!

Not Church's, but the polish while you drink philosophy holds true.

 

[mrjamescost]

I was willing and did pay the original price, not because I thought Church's shoes were not overpriced, but because my opinion is they were only slightly overpriced here in the UK, and are very good shoes. Better quality than C&J ( though I love C&J). But certainly I wouldn't dream of paying the new prices.

I also agree that Church’s are better than Crockett & Jones. I have been a bit of a champion for the brand these past couple of years. However, this latest development has left me feeling less than enthusiastic about saying nice things about Church’s. How can I justify trying to persuade family members, friends and acquaintances to ‘buy quality that is ethical and lasts’ with these kind of prices? Even if they opt for the ‘Outlet’ offerings, what kind of prices are we looking at there? I can just see the look of embarrassment on the store assistants face.

 

[PairOfDerby's]

Me too.

My preference for Church's over C&J is because the 173 last fits me perfectly.

I love the 173. My Graftons and Northwoods are two of my favourite shoes.

 

[PairOfDerby's]

I also agree that Church’s are better than Crockett & Jones. I have been a bit of a champion for the brand these past couple of years. However, this latest development has left me feeling less than enthusiastic about saying nice things about Church’s. How can I justify trying to persuade family members, friends and acquaintances to ‘buy quality that is ethical and lasts’ with these kind of prices? Even if they opt for the ‘Outlet’ offerings, what kind of prices are we looking at there? I can just see the look of embarrassment on the store assistants face.

Couldn't agree more. I may move over to Trickers.

 

[Isiah Tongue]

I have been moving towards Trickers and Cheaney over the past 18months. Ideally I would like to wear CJ but I find that their lasts are all narrow E width and they offer only limited models in F or G width.

I will be buying the Cheaney equivalent of the Consul, Diplomat and Chetwynd for half the price of church's but not half the quality.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

I have been moving towards Trickers and Cheaney over the past 18months. Ideally I would like to wear CJ but I find that their lasts are all narrow E width and they offer only limited models in F or G width.

I will be buying the Cheaney equivalent of the Consul, Diplomat and Chetwynd for half the price of church's but not half the quality.

The Cheaney Alfred is a great alternative for the Consul. I was looking for a very dark brown Consul but couldn't find them, so Cheaney Alfred where the option and I am happy with them.

 

[Isiah Tongue]

The Cheaney Alfred is a great alternative for the Consul. I was looking for a very dark brown Consul but couldn't find them, so Cheaney Alfred where the option and I am happy with them.

View attachment 1602443 View attachment 1602444

They look great ?

 

[mrjamescost]

The Cheaney Alfred is a great alternative for the Consul. I was looking for a very dark brown Consul but couldn't find them, so Cheaney Alfred where the option and I am happy with them.

View attachment 1602443 View attachment 1602444

I wouldn’t mind seeing a side by side comparison with the Consul, please...

 

[mrjamescost]

Couldn't agree more. I may move over to Trickers.

I have both. I find Church’s just fit better. And look better. Basically, they are better. :-/

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

I wouldn’t mind seeing a side by side comparison with the Consul, please...

Hello @mrjamescost

Here you have some side by side pictures. Both sold by Herrings, always wonderful service.

Last: Consul 173 / Alfred 125
Size: Both 10.5 UK F
Alfred: Brown
Consul: Black

- The Alfred has more "vertical space" in the toebox than the Consul
- The Alfred is a tad wider on vamp, where the eyelets start.

Both fit me great. I hope these pics help.

 

[pasadena man]

Hello @mrjamescost

Here you have some side by side pictures. Both sold by Herrings, always wonderful service.

Last: Consul 173 / Alfred 125
Size: Both 10.5 UK F
Alfred: Brown
Consul: Black

- The Alfred has more "vertical space" in the toebox than the Consul
- The Alfred is a tad wider on vamp, where the eyelets start.

Both fit me great. I hope these pics help.

View attachment 1603235 View attachment 1603237 View attachment 1603238 View attachment 1603241 View attachment 1603243 View attachment 1603244

Excellent! Very instructive, Juan Manuel. I wish people did more side by side comparisons with pix when discussing alternatives. It is as I anticipated, the Church's seems a little sleeker, a little more "City" ( no knock on the Cheaney, the models are consistent with my perception of the brands' respective styles).

 

[Isiah Tongue]

A few years ago, someone senior in Cheaney Management told me that the Cheaney 125 last is an old Church's last, close to the original 73 last in terms of fit. Having never had a 73 last I've never been able to make the comparison

 

[Mercurio]

A few years ago, someone senior in Cheaney Management told me that the Cheaney 125 last is an old Church's last, close to the original 73 last in terms of fit. Having never had a 73 last I've never been able to make the comparison

According to their website, the Cheaney's 125 last was developed in 2011 to coincide with their 125 anniversary:

125 Men

Men 125 Last Shape @ Cheaney Shoes

www.cheaney.co.uk

 

[PairOfDerby's]

A few years ago, someone senior in Cheaney Management told me that the Cheaney 125 last is an old Church's last, close to the original 73 last in terms of fit. Having never had a 73 last I've never been able to make the comparison

I have a pair on the 73 last but no Cheaney 125. The 73 last is a lot less elongated than the 173 with a rounder toe.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

Hello gentlemen,

I need advice woth the last 103. I own 173 and 100 but not 103. Your advice will be apprecited.

Regards