Gaziano & Girling Appreciation & Shoe Appreciation Thread (including reviews, purchases, pictures)

[DC10]

I haven’t spent money on suits or sport jackets for years. Shoes have been my thing.

It’s a hard thing to balance.

 

[heelguy]

It’s a hard thing to balance.

I am getting older (north of 60) so I have to really focus on what I will get use out of. Shoe-wise, just buying boots and other casual styles now. I don’t need more dress shoes.

 

[JohnMRobie]

It’s a hard thing to balance.

The balancing act of tailoring and shoes is, I think, under appreciated and not discussed very often. The number of guys I see with crazy nice shoes and average to lousy tailoring. I’m not sure if it’s gotten worse with the advent of IG and rise of shoe influencers but it’s certainly more noticeable. A lot of these very sleek and well done shoes I’d argue need good tailoring to carry them without looking out of place.

Even with fairly sleek tailoring I sometimes feel that my more aggressive shoes don’t balance well and they get swapped out.

 

[saurabh]

G&G Thorpe’s - Rustic Arran Grain today!

 

[Professor Χάος]

The balancing act of tailoring and shoes is, I think, under appreciated and not discussed very often. The number of guys I see with crazy nice shoes and average to lousy tailoring. I’m not sure if it’s gotten worse with the advent of IG and rise of shoe influencers but it’s certainly more noticeable. A lot of these very sleek and well done shoes I’d argue need good tailoring to carry them without looking out of place.

Even with fairly sleek tailoring I sometimes feel that my more aggressive shoes don’t balance well and they get swapped out.

I used to spend most of my money on suits, and thought that shoes weren't that important, until I realized the lower quality shoes (Magnnani and Magli) weren't durable or comfortable. Then I began buying the highest quality shoes available, without going full JL St James bespoke. Then I realized that shirts matter too...and ties...and overcoats....so I simply started buying the highest quality of everything, which has unfortunate consequences for my bank account.

Great suits deserve a superlative pair of shoes. They wear better, last longer, and get more attention from women.

 

[unprocessed]

Customized “Thorpe“. Debating between getting this customized model or a Canterbury.

 

[jischwar]

Customized “Thorpe“. Debating between getting this customized model or a Canterbury.

Huh? Where's the reverse skin stitch? Maybe I'm blind

 

[Easily Amused]

Polishing my Rioja grained footwear on a gloomy and cold Saturday.

Before...

After...

My assistant for 10 minutes...

 

[jischwar]

Customized “Thorpe“. Debating between getting this customized model or a Canterbury.

Looking more at it, this is basically their version of a Galway

 

[unprocessed]

Could anyone provide feedback on how commando sole boots feel compared to boots with a wensum sole? Do the commando soles feel noticeably clunkier or heavier?

 

[flylikeneagle]

Thorpe in rustic Arran Highlandgrain with a darker chestnut finish via Meetthehand

 

[JustPullHarder]

Looking more at it, this is basically their version of a Galway

Not a huge fan. Can’t beat the EG pattern. But same could be said about the Dover.

 

[Professor Χάος]

Could anyone provide feedback on how commando sole boots feel compared to boots with a wensum sole? Do the commando soles feel noticeably clunkier or heavier?

I've been wondering about the same issue. I want to buy winter boots. Commando soles seem appropriate, but how do they feel?

 

[flylikeneagle]

Kudu Urban Commando from Epaulet sample sale, thanks @jischwar for enabling. These are F width, wasn't sure how they'd fit but took a chance thinking I could find someone to take these off my hands given deep discount. The boots fit very well with thick boot socks, hopefully I'll be able to make these work with medium weight socks.

My goal at the start of the year was to reduce my collection to ~25 shoes so that I may wear them all on a fairly regular basis. This complete imuplse buy has definitely set me back.

 

[unprocessed]

Kudu Urban Commando from Epaulet sample sale, thanks @jischwar for enabling. These are F width, wasn't sure how they'd fit but took a chance thinking I could find someone to take these off my hands given deep discount. The boots fit very well with thick boot socks, hopefully I'll be able to make these work with medium weight socks.

My goal at the start of the year was to reduce my collection to ~25 shoes so that I may wear them all on a fairly regular basis. This complete imuplse buy has definitely set me back.


View attachment 1879928

Very nice find. Are they on commando soles? How do the soles feel compared to wensum?