Good Natured Advice Thread (improving a business wardrobe)

[venividivicibj]

Yeah. . . I didn't think he was asking a question as much as making a statement about the previous posters.

 

[MGoCrimson]

Noodlers,

How these shoes looking? Are the Rain lasts pretty...accommodating?
I am 8.5 UK with C&J, anyone have idea how this translates to Carminas?
http://www.carminashoemaker.com/mens-oxford-shoes/toe-cap-punched-80201

I wear 8.5 UK Rain and 9US for whatever last the Polo Marlow Wingtip is on from C&J

 

[unbelragazzo]



Well then by all means, stick to it. I don't think anyone will say it's "wrong", however I never saw weddings as formal events. If I had my preference I'd probably wear something more exuberant.

Black tie is as exuberant as menswear gets.

 

[The Noodles]

@GuP
Congratulations on your marriage. I wore a black C&J Hallam just as a FYI. I had a blast at my wedding, I hope you do as well.

 

[Joenobody0]



I wear 8.5 UK Rain and 9US for whatever last the Polo Marlow Wingtip is on from C&J

It's the 325 sized a half size up from UK to US sizing (at least when I bought mine).

 

[The Noodles]

So if I wear 8.5 UK in C&J, then what size should I get in:
1. Carmina Rain last
2. Edward Green

 

[jcmeyer]



Meermin takes forever to soften up. Maybe 10-20 wears, if not more. You can bend the sole by hand dozens of times to break them in without blisters.

You could also put the end of a broom or any stick in the heel area and push down in all directions to soften up the heel. Obviously I don't buy meermin anymore because of this. The only exception is their suede shoes, which tend to break in much faster.

Their regular line suede shoes are good value for money. Their regular line leather or their LM line leather shoes are not. You're better off buying Carmina. It's nice that Meermin LM is handwelted, but it doesn't offset the fact that shoes take forever to break in and the lack of quality control.

Yeah, I wanted to try them out for myself, and from a QC perspective the ones I received appear to be tip-top for the regular line. Honestly at that price it's cool if they aren't perfect and I'll mash the leather up good (thanks for the tips). I got ones with a rubber sole anyway so they could be the rainy day shoes. The Carminas I bought are clearly superior; those are suede - and $400 is pretty much my shoe ceiling for the moment so I'm not going any further than new Carmina or slightly-used/seconds from a higher-end line right now.

 

[GuP]

I just googled and there is a CJ store in NYC, carmina are sold at the Armoury in NY and EG are sold by some place called Leffot.

Some oxfords: http://leffot.com/shop/index.php/shoes.html?limit=all&product_type=1549

 

[EliodA]



I just googled and there is a CJ store in NYC, carmina are sold at the Armoury in NY and EG are sold by some place called Leffot.

Some oxfords: http://leffot.com/shop/index.php/shoes.html?limit=all&product_type=1549

GuP, I have a pair of patent leather captoes from C&J for black tie occasions. If you don't like to spend too much, patent leather is cheaper than calf and is traditional. Unfortunately, I can't remember the model name...

 

[heldentenor]

I'm a little bit afraid to start caring about shoes (shoes and shirts are joint lowest on my clothing hierarchy). That's actually a little of what's holding me back from buying the Carmina polo suede chukkas I really covet: I'm afraid that once I've got Carmina, my current shoe rotation--which I'm currently pretty happy with--will lose its luster.

Elio, that's an incredible wedding photo and an even more incredible dress. Do you know how they are made (the dresses)? The care and craft that I imagine went into that just floors me.

Not that Caustic needs anyone to speak for him, but I didn't get a judgmental/dismissal vibe so much as a curiosity vibe from his question.

 

[EliodA]

Elio, that's an incredible wedding photo and an even more incredible dress. Do you know how they are made (the dresses)? The care and craft that I imagine went into that just floors me.

Thanks, helden! Yeah, it's fascinating stuff, isn't it?

The dress is a modern interpretation of a kebaya, the traditional Indonesian wedding gown. My wife (a fashion designer herself) worked together with one of the country's famous kebaya designers for this one. It took almost 3 months to make. The amount of work that went into it is incredible. E.g., it features thousands of beads, all individually selected and sewn on by hand. That alone must have cost dozens of hours. The batik designs on the fabric are all specially made for this dress and applied by hand.

 

[Spandexter]



Thanks, helden! Yeah, it's fascinating stuff, isn't it?

 

Spoiler: Uninteresting stuff about wedding gowns

The dress is a modern interpretation of a kebaya, the traditional Indonesian wedding gown. My wife (a fashion designer herself) worked together with one of the country's famous kebaya designers for this one. It took almost 3 months to make. The amount of work that went into it is incredible. E.g., it features thousands of beads, all individually selected and sewn on by hand. That alone must have cost dozens of hours. The batik designs on the fabric are all specially made for this dress and applied by hand.

That dress is gorgeous. Your wife reminds me of Olla Ramlan (my wife's cousin).

 

[Bill Dlwgosh]

GuP, you can buy Vass in person in Mississauga, and don't forget about Leatherfoot. Also checkout Loding maybe as they probably compare to Meermin/AE and have a store downtown.

 

[Joenobody0]



GuP, you can buy Vass in person in Mississauga, and don't forget about Leatherfoot. Also checkout Loding maybe as they probably compare to Meermin/AE and have a store downtown.

You can buy vass, fairly cheaply, at no man walks alone on NYC.

 

[WillingToLearn]



Yes.  Should have said "don't know if that's still the percentage."  Math is hard for those in the humanities, but my calculator does work!

it's 8.5% plus a processing fee fedex/carrier will hit you with. it applies below $200 as I recently paid on a $175 loafer from meermin. if you get carmina to ship via postal service you'll likely avoid the tax. in the last month I bought a loden suede loafer from meermin for 175+shipping+duties. meermin has fixed prices in usd for u.s. customers as
shoes are partially made in China and then finished in spain, I believe. this creates some FX issues for them. I also bought some Carmina oxfords for about 350 all in. far superior in make and comfort. meermin loafers are unreal stiff and tore feet up first few wearings. I have some Carmina loafers en route and will be able to compare directly to meermin soon.