How could a pair loafer retail for $1400?

[FCS]

http://www.bluefly.com/pages....8785064

 

[jcusey]

You've got me. Maybe if the shoe were hand-welted and had extensive hand stitching on the upper, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable, but there's nothing out of the ordinary about that shoe.

 

[Pink22m]

In the October 2003 issue of Robb Report, there was an article on reversible clothing. They showed a $6,000 pair of reversible crocodile loafers from Silvano Lattanzi. Perhaps you could justify paying this price by saying you are really getting 2 pairs of loafers for your $6,000

 

[bengal-stripe]

They showed a $6,000 pair of reversible crocodile loafers from Silvano Lattanzi.

The mind boggles. How can a pair of shoes be reversible and turned inside out like an overcoat? A pair of rubber galoshes, maybe, but street shoes?

Anyone got a picture to post here? Just curious.

 

[thc]

You've got me. Maybe if the shoe were hand-welted and had extensive hand stitching on the upper, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable, but there's nothing out of the ordinary about that shoe.

I'm a big fan of A. Testoni, but I have to admit, I was surprised to see a price that high. Maybe the buckles are 24K gold? Never seen that before, but just thinking out loud...

 

[Steve B.]

They're actually monk straps, and perhaps they've overstated the retail a bit to make the discount seem higher. Testoni does have some hand made shoes that retail in that range....
The ones with more machine work sell for $500-1,000.

 

[FCS]

Steve, I think those are loafers with faux monk straps.

About Testoni's quality, I remember A. Harris mentioned that C&J actually make better shoes. How does C&J handgrade compare to Testoni's highest tier of quality? And how would it compare with Edward Green, which oxxfords cost about 40% lower than that $1400 price?

 

[AlanC]

They are nice looking shoes, though.

 

[Thracozaag]

The Lattanzi's at BG were retailing at 1800, I think they're on sale for "only" 1200 now....

 

[Carlo]

If they are made out of leather I don't get it... for crocodile I might see it - after I wrestle a croc for his hide I'd charge a fortune... must have been one mean cow to have $1400 hide.

 

[T4phage]

Originally posted by FCS:

How does C&J handgrade compare to Testoni's highest tier of quality? And how would it compare with Edward Green, which oxxfords cost about 40% lower than that $1400 price?

Comparing C&J to Testoni's norwegians is like comparing apples to oranges (to me at least) because one shoe is much more casual due to the stitchings. But quality wise, I believe that Testonis are better finished. But when comparing the finishing and polishing to EGs, EGs are better. You pay a premium for the name and the additional work on the stitchings.

 

[RIDER]

A.testoni is one of the better Italian factories, but this shoe never retailed for more than half the price they claim.

 

[naturlaut]

The Lattanzi's at BG were retailing at 1800, I think they're on sale for "only" 1200 now....

I think the originally price on the penny-loafer was $2,600....

By the way, does Testoni offer custom? I think the black-labelled Testoni goes for about US$700+.