How Would You Rank These 7 Shoe Brands?

[Jerry52]

I'm listing them in alphabetical order...

Alden
Gravati
Mezlan
Moreschi
Pliner
Santoni
Vass

Value for money spent...quality of leather...quality of construction...likely lifetime...parameters like that

I'm throwing Alden into the mix because it's what I'm wearing now, along with a once-nice but now long-in-the-tooth pair of ET Wrights and a bought-used pair of Allen Edmonds for emergencies.

If you have some reaction about one of those on my list like "clearly doesn't belong in the company of the others" that would help.

If you have some reaction like "here you're thinking about some circa $400-500 shoes and WHY did you leave (name brand) off the list?" that would help.

But I should tell you that for this pair, I'm interested in something imported. I'd include the English brands but they're either too expensive or probably wouldn't fit my size 12-C foot.

Happy holidays,
Jerry

 

[Chris "Italia"]

Originally Posted by Jerry52

I'm listing them in alphabetical order...

Alden
Gravati
Mezlan
Moreschi
Pliner
Santoni
Vass

Value for money spent...quality of leather...quality of construction...likely lifetime...parameters like that

I'm throwing Alden into the mix because it's what I'm wearing now, along with a once-nice but now long-in-the-tooth pair of ET Wrights and a bought-used pair of Allen Edmonds for emergencies.

If you have some reaction about one of those on my list like "clearly doesn't belong in the company of the others" that would help.

If you have some reaction like "here you're thinking about some circa $400-500 shoes and WHY did you leave (name brand) off the list?" that would help.

But I should tell you that for this pair, I'm interested in something imported. I'd include the English brands but they're either too expensive or probably wouldn't fit my size 12-C foot.

Happy holidays,
Jerry


Simply No Contest.

Vass.

 

[zjpj83]

1. Vass
2. Santoni FAM (handmade)
3. Alden
4. Moreschi
5. Gravati and Mezlan
6. Pliner (never heard of them)

Edward Green and John Lobb both come in widths, though generally only through special order. I have seen more narrow Edward Greens and Lobbs than I have Vass, Santoni, etc. So don't cross them off the list.

Of those you list, Alden will be the easiest to get a narrow width in.

 

[Christofuh]

Scratch out Mezlan and Donald " Made in the Mountains of Northern Italy " Pliner

VASS and Santoni FAM are top-notch shoes. Gravati, Moreschi and Alden offer a square deal for your dollar.

 

[acidboy]

Pliners are last.... a far, far, far, far last.

 

[Jerry52]

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

The Aldens I wear are a model 757 on the special orthopedic "Trusquare" or "Truflare" last. I forget which. Anyway, besides finding another make with the correct size 12-C, it would be important I would guess to find a similarly shaped last to the Alden model 757. Probably difficult to do by mail-order.

About Vass: is there a store here in USA (or online store in USA) that does stock a fair amount of the lace-up dress Vass, especially on their "U" or "V" lasts? I understand those might be the best-fitting (closest to American) lasts.

I appreciate the advice about the English shoes. John Lobb is a no-brainer, but I doubt I'd snag one for under $500 that's the blucher/derby style I hope for.

Many thanks for your opinions.

Jerry

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Jerry52

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

The Aldens I wear are a model 757 on the special orthopedic "Trusquare" or "Truflare" last. I forget which. Anyway, besides finding another make with the correct size 12-C, it would be important I would guess to find a similarly shaped last to the Alden model 757. Probably difficult to do by mail-order.

About Vass: is there a store here in USA (or online store in USA) that does stock a fair amount of the lace-up dress Vass, especially on their "U" or "V" lasts? I understand those might be the best-fitting (closest to American) lasts.

I appreciate the advice about the English shoes. John Lobb is a no-brainer, but I doubt I'd snag one for under $500 that's the blucher/derby style I hope for.

Many thanks for your opinions.

Jerry
Vass is sold through Bergdorf Goodman in the USA. So, you'd have to be in New York to try on.

 

[Jerry52]

Yes, I did contact their shoe department manager by phone a couple of weeks ago. They are having a shoe sale but he couldn't offer a correct Vass below $500. On another thread here, somebody mentioned a couple of other dealers who stocked Vass. I might have to use the "search" to find that thread again. Then somebody else mentioned a Vass store, presumably in the USA, but didn't say where...

 

[pkincy]

Sky Valet in Wash DC used to carry Vass. Now BG is the only authorized retailer in the US. Leather Soul in Hawaii has been seriously considering carrying Vass, but as of 2 weeks ago the deal had not been finalized.

You might email Tom (email addy on his website) to check the latest. He will mail shoes and is an outstanding retailer and a member of these fora.

Perry

 

[zjpj83]

Jerry, you should also consider holding out for Edward Green's sale. They have them twice a year. They will almost certainly have your size. In European size, it would be a size 11.5D (this is the equivalent of 12C). If I were you I'd wait for the sale and buy some 11.5D Edward Greens. I think they are around 250 pounds.

 

[Christofuh]

If you speak zee German you can phone Vass directly, and explore what they can do for you. Additionally, they've got dealers in Austria and Germany who might be of help.
This is as much info concerning Vass as I can reveal. The rest is classified

 

[nighttrain7404]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

1. Vass
2. Santoni FAM (handmade)
3. Alden
4. Moreschi
5. Gravati and Mezlan
6. Pliner (never heard of them)

Edward Green and John Lobb both come in widths, though generally only through special order. I have seen more narrow Edward Greens and Lobbs than I have Vass, Santoni, etc. So don't cross them off the list.

Of those you list, Alden will be the easiest to get a narrow width in.

Wow, I live in San Francisco, and we have an AldenShoes in Union Square..I'm heading there on Friday for X-mas shopping. Will report my findings!

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by Christofuh

If you speak zee German you can phone Vass directly, and explore what they can do for you. Additionally, they've got dealers in Austria and Germany who might be of help.
This is as much info concerning Vass as I can reveal. The rest is classified

They're watching you

 

[Jerry52]

Originally Posted by pkincy

Sky Valet in Wash DC used to carry Vass. Now BG is the only authorized retailer in the US. Leather Soul in Hawaii has been seriously considering carrying Vass, but as of 2 weeks ago the deal had not been finalized. You might email Tom (email addy on his website) to check the latest. He will mail shoes and is an outstanding retailer and a member of these fora. Perry
Perry, which website is Tom at? I'm not sure who you mean. Thanks for the info, but even with the sale at Bergdorf, the Vass lace-up bluchers came in above $500. That's why I hoped there might be another US outlet.

Jerry

 

[Jerry52]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Jerry, you should also consider holding out for Edward Green's sale. They have them twice a year. They will almost certainly have your size. In European size, it would be a size 11.5D (this is the equivalent of 12C). If I were you I'd wait for the sale and buy some 11.5D Edward Greens. I think they are around 250 pounds.
Thanks for the advice about Edward Green. Is this sale from England or do they have outlets here in USA that will have the sale? I think that the Ralph Lauren Purple label shoes are by Green, is that right? But maybe you're talking about the shoes that are actually marked as Greens?

Jerry