Deciding between Shoe Brands

[EinnUlfr]

Hi all,

I'm going to buy 3 pairs of shoes, and I'm debating between 4 brands (price range of ~£450 per shoe). Would appreciate guidance from anyone here

I'm going to buy 2 loafers (one calf black one suede brown) and a chukka boot. I'm trying to get the most bang for buck here

Brands I'm debating buying from: Yearn Shoemakers, Vass, Carlos Santos (hand grade where possible) and TLB Artista. Also open to any other suggestions. I was contemplating Enzo Bonafe but think it will be too expensive.

I'm London based so I wont be able to try any of these except for Yearn and maybe Carlos Santos

 

[Kingstonian]

Does not make any sense when there are so many brands you can actually try on in London.

If money is tight Berwick offer good value loafers and chukka boots.

Berwick

Berwick

www.discountshoesales.com

 

[EinnUlfr]

Thanks. £450 per shoe can still get you some good shoes in London (Carmina etc), but my main issue is for that amount, you can get much better value from places outside of the UK

 

[wozniak]

I am new to fine shoes, but I will never again ever buy a fine shoe online unless I can find a store to try them on. There are too many different types of lasts out there. Even within the one brand I have settled on - certain models/lasts don't fit me or fit me but at a different size.

 

[comrade]

You might check out Sanders and Sanders for moderately priced English shoes:

Sanders & Sanders Ltd | High Quality English Shoes & Boots

The very best in English elegance, and exports to over thirty countries across five continents.

www.sanders-uk.com

 

[Woofa]

I am new to fine shoes, but I will never again ever buy a fine shoe online unless I can find a store to try them on. There are too many different types of lasts out there. Even within the one brand I have settled on - certain models/lasts don't fit me or fit me but at a different size.

This is good advice and doubly so when buying loafers where you can't really make do if it is a little big. If you can't try on I would make sure you can easily return.
I have a couple pair of Vass I got from NMWA. No loafers but I like them.
How about Crockett jones.

 

[ValidusLA]

Crockett and Jones is pretty close to your price range indeed.

Of the one's you listed, Vass is easily the best constructed shoe.
You can probably try some on at this shop in London since they are listing online:

Vass Shoes - Derby Collection

Discover the Vass Shoes - Derby Collections

www.ascotshoes.co.uk

They have P2 and F lasted models, which are Vass' most "normal" lasts.

Once you know your sizing - I have found P2 and F convert fairly true to UK sizes, you can order directly from Vass. I assume you can order VAT free to UK (we can to US - and its a huge pricing boon).

 

[EinnUlfr]

Crockett and Jones is pretty close to your price range indeed.

Of the one's you listed, Vass is easily the best constructed shoe.
You can probably try some on at this shop in London since they are listing online:

Vass Shoes - Derby Collection

Discover the Vass Shoes - Derby Collections

www.ascotshoes.co.uk

They have P2 and F lasted models, which are Vass' most "normal" lasts.

Once you know your sizing - I have found P2 and F convert fairly true to UK sizes, you can order directly from Vass. I assume you can order VAT free to UK (we can to US - and its a huge pricing boon).

Thanks for this. Problem is they don't have loafers that I can try on in my size. I don't think I can say if the oxfords fit me, the loafers will as well given there is very little adjustment you can do to a loafer.

I'm thinking of either going C&J (perhaps Handgrade) or going all out and getting EG/G&G.

 

[ValidusLA]

Thanks for this. Problem is they don't have loafers that I can try on in my size. I don't think I can say if the oxfords fit me, the loafers will as well given there is very little adjustment you can do to a loafer.

I'm thinking of either going C&J (perhaps Handgrade) or going all out and getting EG/G&G.

Yes, loafers are a bit of a problem.

Even in C+J loafers are a problem (I'm half a size down on Cavendish compared to others for example).

C+J Handgrade is maybe slightly better than Vass in quality, but the price difference is greater than the quality difference.

EG is great, but thats like 3x the budget you listed.

 

[EinnUlfr]

Yes, loafers are a bit of a problem.

Even in C+J loafers are a problem (I'm half a size down on Cavendish compared to others for example).

C+J Handgrade is maybe slightly better than Vass in quality, but the price difference is greater than the quality difference.

EG is great, but thats like 3x the budget you listed.

Yeah I know - that's why I dont prefer C&J. I was looking into Yearn as they seem better made than Vass, but no suede options / no chukkas.

Re EG, I keep saying if I'm not getting the "best" ie C&J and will most probably upgrade in the future when I can travel, why dont I get the best now and save the difference?

Hurts the wallet a lot more, but could make sense if my only choice is EG or C&J Hangrade (Or Yearn?)

 

[Eucris]

Hi all,

I'm going to buy 3 pairs of shoes, and I'm debating between 4 brands (price range of ~£450 per shoe). Would appreciate guidance from anyone here

I'm going to buy 2 loafers (one calf black one suede brown) and a chukka boot. I'm trying to get the most bang for buck here

Brands I'm debating buying from: Yearn Shoemakers, Vass, Carlos Santos (hand grade where possible) and TLB Artista. Also open to any other suggestions. I was contemplating Enzo Bonafe but think it will be too expensive.

I'm London based so I wont be able to try any of these except for Yearn and maybe Carlos Santos

Don't overthink this or compromise on quality. Take a trip to Northampton and visit the EG and C&J factories. Whilst you are at it consider visiting Paul Sargent in nearby Rushden.

 

[ValidusLA]

Yeah I know - that's why I dont prefer C&J. I was looking into Yearn as they seem better made than Vass, but no suede options / no chukkas.

Re EG, I keep saying if I'm not getting the "best" ie C&J and will most probably upgrade in the future when I can travel, why dont I get the best now and save the difference?

Hurts the wallet a lot more, but could make sense if my only choice is EG or C&J Hangrade (Or Yearn?)

Yearn is not better than Vass.
Vass is, construction quality wise, arguably better than anything listed here besides EG.

The question with Vass is whether you like the styling.

 

[EinnUlfr]

Yearn is not better than Vass.
Vass is, construction quality wise, arguably better than anything listed here besides EG.

The question with Vass is whether you like the styling.

I thought Yearn would have comparable quality to Vass given they are entirely handmade + materials seem relatively high quality.

Agree as construction doesnt always = good looks. For example, I think the EG Piccadilly Loafer is the best penny loafer on market looks wise.

I might only get 1 shoe for now which is the EG Piccadilly Loafer and wait a few months to reevaluate. Dont think Chukkas from Vass make sense so will have a browse in London / EG?