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

JohnMRobie

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So ballpark $4.5K US for MTO including shipping and duties?
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Encore

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If it was made to bespoke standard, it “seems” to make sense... as the standard products are GYW after all.
I think it’s good to have this product line, the jump between deco to GG bespoke is quite a big one, good to have something in middle.
Though, still too rich for my blood, lol

one additional benefit is that we now will be able to compare high end GYW and HW shoes in the same last.... haha
 

shoefan57

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I think it is a response to those who complain that G&G are machine welted. So they’re offering a handwelted product which allows for a narrower waist too and will have the finishing of a bespoke shoe. It is very costly but nowhere near as much as a bespoke shoe and rightly so.
No one if forced to go this route; normal MTO is still available as is full bespoke.
 

JohnMRobie

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I think it is a response to those who complain that G&G are machine welted. So they’re offering a handwelted product which allows for a narrower waist too and will have the finishing of a bespoke shoe. It is very costly but nowhere near as much as a bespoke shoe and rightly so.
No one if forced to go this route; normal MTO is still available as is full bespoke.
*Nowhere near as much as THEIR bespoke shoes. It's in the same neighborhood if not more expensive than many reputable and well respected bespoke makers in the UK, Italy or Japan.
 

j ingevaldsson

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Regarding Optimum, of course there are good bespoke makers available at this price, in the same way as there's good bespoke makers available at twice this price. I think one sort of misses the point with the range if one focus on that. As I write in my article:
"Those who really like Gaziano & Girling and find their lasts to fit good, and at the same time want to step up the game to the absolute top level of shoes, the Optimum range sure is a nice addition. Also for those who never would be able to visit England or one of their trunk shows for full bespoke, but want to get as close to that as possible with a remote order, can have their wish fulfilled now."

If I were one of those who buy several pairs of G&G's a year (there's quite a few) cause they love their styles and lasts, I would surely think about going with "only" one pair of Optimum instead. Those who are keen on the real bespoke experience still have that, and those who think that G&G bespoke is too expensive but want full bespoke would still not be their customers, so not like they loose out on anyone when adding another option like this.

I agree they could state more clearly what "bespoke standard" means, I think they assume most of their customers know (I assumed Shoegazing readers knew, but had to clarify the article), but seem to not be the case.
 

Texasmade

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*Nowhere near as much as THEIR bespoke shoes. It's in the same neighborhood if not more expensive than many reputable and well respected bespoke makers in the UK, Italy or Japan.
A lot of those makers don't travel to the US though especially the Japanese and Italian makers. Once you factor in costs of flying back and forth for fittings it Japan or Italy, you're at the same price or more.

Obviously if you live in Europe or Japan, my point doesn't apply.
 

Jona

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Seems like an all-frill revenue enhancement play. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, if that's your thing.
 

heelguy

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Plus if you are in the UK you need to tack on the 20% VAT so we are talking £3300 for those. Seems crazy to me.
 

sforum1

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Anyone who spends that kind of money for an MTO pair they need to get a little more creative in how the spend their money, IMO.
 

dench127

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This feels like all the technical perfection of a bespoke shoe without the soul, the raison d'etre.

To me, bespoke is the experience of having a dialogue with your maker.
 

CLTesquire

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Why would anyone buy Optimum over St. Crispin's, which are already handwelted, half the price, AND you can get a trial pair?

The last shape?

And I want to clarify, I love G&G and have 12 pairs (that I can remember) but this is just crazy.
 

j ingevaldsson

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Why would anyone buy Optimum over St. Crispin's, which are already handwelted, half the price, AND you can get a trial pair?

The last shape?

And I want to clarify, I love G&G and have 12 pairs (that I can remember) but this is just crazy.

Sorry, but one can't really compare StC with the make of bespoke, or Optimum then, G&G. StC sure is good, but it's much simpler in a lot of regards, not only the pegged waist and machine stitched outsole, and not close to the same level of finishing.

Optimum is mainly directed towards existing customers. Everyone has their trial pairs.
 
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CLTesquire

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Sorry, but one can't really compare StC with the make of bespoke, or Optimum then, G&G. StC sure is good, but it's much simpler in a lot of regards, not only the pegged waist and machine stitched outsole, and not close to the same level of finishing.

Optimum is mainly directed towards existing customers. Everyone has their trial pairs.

If you’re willing to explain I’d love to understand the difference.
 

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