How do C&J Saviles hold up?

[Merlino]

Hi all,

Went to the shops yesterday and tried on the C&J Saviles (handgrade line). I think they look great and they fit me very well which is a near miracle since I have very difficult feet. So, I'm considering buying a pair. However, I've never dropped this much cash on a pair of shoes and the leather, while it looks great, also feels much thinner and more flexible right off the bat than my only other pair of C&J (Connaught).

Does anyone know from experience how these shoes hold up? Are they worth the $$$?

Thanks!

 

[apropos]

IME the leather on handgrades are better than benchgrades, but really only you can answer the 'is it worth it question'. If you really are short of dough at present, perhaps consider purchasing them from overseas (marked as a gift) and make sure you go back to the shop to buy something else in the future because that's some bad karma to be carrying around. I say this with full knowledge of how shoes are marked up in the Northern European countries - you poor buggers.

 

[Merlino]

Thanks, it's not that I absolutely don't have the cash, it's more that I've had some bad experiences with shoes turning out not to fit too well (often they develop very unsightly creases because I'm not filling out the shoes with my misshapen feet

) and these are also about $200 more than I've ever paid for shoes so I'm a little anxious. Does anyone happen to have pics of their aged Saviles or any other handgrades (pref. black)? PS: you're right about the karma thing. This store gave me such good and honest advice that if I'm getting the Saviles I'm giving them the sale.

 

[SpooPoker]

Just wore mine the other day. They hold up fantastic, and they are super comfy (for me anyhow). Dont mind the dad jeans there

 

[Merlino]

Thanks Spoo! How old are these?

 

[SpooPoker]

Originally Posted by Merlino

Thanks Spoo! How old are these?

Im not the original owner, but Id say roughly 5 years.

 

[bleachboy]

Mine have held up well, too. These are about 4 years old and have seen a LOT of wear (like, an unusual amount, really):

 

[Merlino]

Very nice, yours too bleachboy! Thanks!

 

[NOBD]

In suède zijn ze het mooist...

 

[Merlino]

Originally Posted by NOBD

In suède zijn ze het mooist...

Maybe so, but I already own a pair of brown suede monks (the Santoni 6144) and I'm trying to expand my collection of black (read: work) shoes

 

[NOBD]

Originally Posted by Merlino

Maybe so, but I already own a pair of brown suede monks (the Santoni 6144) and I'm trying to expand my collection of black (read: work) shoes

6144 is Royal last, right? Very nice (unfortunately not for my feet).

 

[rabiesinfrance]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

Mine have held up well, too. These are about 4 years old and have seen a LOT of wear (like, an unusual amount, really):

Those look a tad too big on you. Some lasts don't work for me: 341 - bowing out at the sides; 238 - weird fit, either too small or too big, and it has an odd toe shape (C&J are clearly trying to copy RMW); 228 - feel like wellingtons. It's a difficult business getting a shoe to fit, not just feel ok on your feet. Forgotten skill, really, though C&J do work hard at it. Edward Green often don't measure your feet, or test the shoes for fit when they are on your feet, for example, which is pretty bad. Once that happens, a maker loses its lustre. Bespoke is the way to go if you can afford it.

 

[Merlino]

Originally Posted by NOBD

6144 is Royal last, right? Very nice (unfortunately not for my feet).

I think they are these days, yes. But I bought it around 5-6 years ago when the 6144 was still a part of the regular orange lining series.

 

[NOBD]

Originally Posted by Merlino

I think they are these days, yes. But I bought it around 5-6 years ago when the 6144 was still a part of the regular orange lining series.

Ah, okay. Royal is an 'old' last; could be the same.