Double Monk Conundrum

[msart84]

I've been looking for a great double monk for a while, and living in NYC affords me some excellent opportunities to find good quality shoes. However, I think the two shoes I'm leaning towards are the C+J Lowndes and the Carmina DM in the Inca last from the Armoury. I much prefer to try a product on before I buy, so that is affecting my decision as well. How do these two models compare?

Does anyone know what the retail price is of the Lowndes in the NYC store? I'm thinking about trying it on and ordering from Pl*l if it much cheaper from the latter. I do feel a tad guilty even thinking about that tactic, as it seems a bit deceptive to the sales staff, but it may need to be done. I look forward to getting some response.

 

[lostron]

don't feel guilty. Try the shoe and save some money for future purchases

 

[chogall]

C&J will make the sale regardless if you buy it from C&J NY store, Plal, Pediwear or eBay.

And if you are willing, just order from C&J Royal Arcade itself; they allow returns.

The problem w/ C&J is that they only offer E fitting in most if not all Handgrade lasts...

 

[Liquidus]

Ordering from the C&J NY store will cost about $600 + $20-30 for shipping.

Ordering from Plal will cost around $420 with free shipping. However, they are backordered until January.

Ordering from C&J in the UK will get you the shoes right away for around $420 plus $50 for shipping.

If you want the shoes soon, your best bet is probably to order 2 sizes from C&J in the UK and keep the one that fits.

 

[SpooPoker]

Personally, I think the DM from the Armoury is way better looking than the Lowndes. I prefer the Simpson last, but thats just me.

 

[Fred G. Unn]

If you're in NYC, you might want to consider the Paul Stuart Newbury too:
http://www.paulstuart.com/product_i...08&MainCatId=14&HEADERMENUID=1&SUBPRODCATID=0
Go by the Madison Ave shop and try it on. I found it runs a bit long as I'm usually a EU 43 or 43.5 and I was a 42.5 in it. A few months ago I was down to it and the Lowndes. I ended up going with the Lowndes because it fit me better but the Newbury was a really nice shoe too and is over $100 cheaper.

 

[kmarotta83]

I've owned both the Lowndes and the Carmina Inca Last DM. The Carmina has a better finish all around IMO and looks more elegant in person. The chiseled/elongated toe box of the Lowndes never worked for me. The Carmina would suit a wider foot better as well.

 

[sprout]

Lowndes is clownish. Avoid.

 

[msart84]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far. Fred, the PS looks interesting. I've never seen it before, but I pass the store everyday on my way to work and will definitely stop in to try it on sometime soon.

Kmarotta, how much longer is the toe box on the Lowndes than the Inca? For someone with a large foot (two actually) this may look off (I'm a 12US). When you say the C+J fits a wider foot better, does that mean the last simply has more room?

Sprout, what do you dislike?

 

[sprout]

The Lowndes are chiseled and snub-nosed in a way that can only be experienced in person. It is inelegant and dated.
Just pop into the C&J store, deal with their frankly trying service, and check it out. I have a large foot, not as large as yours, and even for me they just seemed freakishly long. Elven. If you're a 12, I can't imagine them not looking like torpedoes on you. No amount of trouser can conceal that elongation.

As for the Carmina Inca last, it is a bit more spread out in the ball of the foot before the end of the toebox. But be warned, everyone likes to say this model is "roomy," but it still has an aggresively rounded taper. It's not chiseled and more sinusoidal... but still. You might experience some small toe pressure depending on whether you size up or down. I wore those earlier today; they're a fine shoe, albeit a little attention-grabbing. Still, by all accounts they're more tasteful than the C&J Lowndes.

You have been warned.

 

[Cuttingboard]



The Lowndes are chiseled and snub-nosed in a way that can only be experienced in person.  It is inelegant and dated. 
Just pop into the C&J store, deal with their frankly trying service, and check it out.  I have a large foot, not as large as yours, and even for me they just seemed freakishly long.  Elven.  If you're a 12, I can't imagine them not looking like torpedoes on you.  No amount of trouser can conceal that elongation.

As for the Carmina Inca last, it is a bit more spread out in the ball of the foot before the end of the toebox.  But be warned, everyone likes to say this model is "roomy," but it still has an aggresively rounded taper.  It's not chiseled and more sinusoidal... but still.  You might experience some small toe pressure depending on whether you size up or down.  I wore those earlier today; they're a fine shoe, albeit a little attention-grabbing.  Still, by all accounts they're more tasteful than the C&J Lowndes.

You have been warned.

I've been looking for a double monk also...looks as though Carmina has to double monks, one on the Inca last and another on the Simpson last. The Simpson Last looks very similar to the Lowndes.

Carmina Double Monk on the Simpson Last


Carmina Double Monk on Inca Last

 

[17 Seconds]

Bought a pair of Sid Mashburn double monks (made by AS). Love 'em, and haven't regretted it since.

 

[kmarotta83]



Kmarotta, how much longer is the toe box on the Lowndes than the Inca? For someone with a large foot (two actually) this may look off (I'm a 12US). When you say the C+J fits a wider foot better, does that mean the last simply has more room?

sprout has already addressed this for the most part. The Lowndes in a 12US are going to look pretty elongated.

For me, the toe box on the Carmina Inca Last DM has more room.

 

[curzon]



Bought a pair of Sid Mashburn double monks (made by AS). Love 'em, and haven't regretted it since.

I have the Ramsey from AS, and I think it's a beaut.

Overall I'm very happy w/ the four pairs of AS I own; I think it's a fair yet affordable price for what's given.

 

[17 Seconds]



I have the Ramsey from AS, and I think it's a beaut.

Agreed. Can't tell much a difference from the SM ones (buckle finish, maybe?)