J Crew Ludlow Shoes...Alden make?

[Subutai]

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans on the thread!

So, someone initially posted a tidbit on the Alden thread about J Crew's new Ludlow shoes that got me curious. I decided to do a little research and re-post the thoughts here to reach a larger audience (those outside just the Alden thread) and gain some insight.

It appears as though just yesterday J Crew released a new line of Ludlow shoes to go along with their suits. They currently have only two models, a LWB and a PTB. The GQ description is, "Both combine American and Italian components, and most importantly, they're Goodyear-welted in Massachusetts, so you can get them resoled over and over. For a shoe with that kind of craftsmanship, you'd normally be looking at a price tag around $400-$500."

The models offered are Alden's two most popular, and the last looks very much like the Barrie last. Further, they're goodyear-welted in MA. Finally, even the colors are similar as the brown is described as "cigar." (This may be very common, but I most closely associate it with Alden's Cigar Shell Cordovan.)

Anyway, just wanted to get some thoughts. Interesting to note that the Ludlow shoes go for around $300 which puts it at AE prices for a GY welt.

Some light reading below for those interested:

http://www.gq.com/style/blogs/the-gq-eye/2013/11/j-crew-ludlow-shoes.html

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/j-crew-ludlow-shoes-1113

 

[YRR92]

They look almost... corrected grain. Note that J. Crew doesn't say anything about "calfskin."

 

[Subutai]

Fair point, they do have a bit of that plastic look to them, but I find online photos to be unreliable. You're right though, it is telling that "calf skin" or "full grain" isn't mentioned anywhere.
Still, I'd like to see them in person or hear from someone who has. I'm willing to pay the premium for Alden's Shell offerings, but find their prices too high otherwise (of course that hasn't kept me from picking up some CXL models...)

 

[NefariousSabatour]

Jesus, I couldn't even get past the first line:

"J. Crew's Ludlow suit is pretty much the standard for what qualifies as modern men's style today."

 

[YRR92]

Jesus, I couldn't even get past the first line:

"J. Crew's Ludlow suit is pretty much the standard for what qualifies as modern men's style today."

I just scanned those articles for the links. The point of those magazines is airbrushed pictures of women and handy examples of very bad shirt collars.

 

[Subutai]

Jesus, I couldn't even get past the first line:

Haha, that actually made me lol; I'm unfamiliar and uninterested with the suits so can't comment.

And yes the articles are biased and mostly non-informative, they were simply the best of what came up while trying to research the line.

Here's a link to the shoes on the site:
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~09494/09494.jsp?color_name=cigar-brown

 

[Patrick R]

"Please note: This item can not be sold in or shipped to California."

Well that doesn't make me very comfortable with the product. What regulation does this shoe fail to be excluded from sale in CA?

 

[motosacto]

They are NOT "Goodyear-welted in Massachusetts"! A Goodyear Welt is a component they bought from a Massachusetts supplier. If you read the product description carefully, you'll see that the manufacturer location is "import". J Crew ships materials (e.g. Harris tweed fabric) to China for many of their products. Their online ads usually don't identify the country of origin, which I think is despicable.

The fact that the GQ article claims they're made in Massachusetts makes their ad copy, er I mean article, just another case of questionable journalism...

 

[lee_44106]

That GQ article is written by an idiot.

That J. Crew shoe is being sold through deceptive advertisement statements, trying to obfuscate its origin of manufacture (likely India or China) and sell to naïve buyers.

If that shoe is truly made in the US, J. Crew would have plastered that fact all over the place.

 

[YRR92]

Logistically, I don't know how one can ship a goodyear welt overseas (a bon-welt could be done, of course).

Somebody who's a better menswear blagger than I should get a sample pair and a hacksaw, because I'm curious now.

 

[Mike147]

Says it's imported... That says it all. If it was made in Italy/England/etc it would denote the country.

So what you're getting is a $318.00 shoe made that's likely made in China and made to look like the Alden long-wings they sell in another section of their website. $318 for these shoes is very very steep.... I'm willing to bet they cost less than $100 to produce, including delivery to the US.

I bet they'll sell like hot cakes

 

[SpooPoker]



"Please note: This item can not be sold in or shipped to California."

Well that doesn't make me very comfortable with the product. What regulation does this shoe fail to be excluded from sale in CA?

You cant ship python or sell python skin in CA. Maybe they are snakeskin?

 

[Subutai]

FWIW, below is a pic that another member posted in the Alden thread comparing the Ludlow's to another barrie lasted shoe. He also mentioned the fit is very similar.

I'm sold that these are at least worth exploring.


Originally posted by Organika: http://www.styleforum.net/t/85589/the-official-alden-thread/67860#post_6771039

 

[Organika]

This upper is not a corrected leather. You will really notice this in person. Has a soft hand and accepts shoe polish as a calf skin should that does not have a coating. You will really notice this on the Brown color-way as my brown pair even darkened a bit when using a dark brown polish. Actually a good bargain once you see the insole and the full grain lining used on these shoes. Nowadays, it seems impossible to find shoes with real leather insoles/GYW construction for under $500. They always focus on the upper/lining, outsole etc, and neglect to mention what was used inside of the shoe.

 

[Hawisher]

This upper is not a corrected leather. You will really notice this in person. Has a soft hand and accepts shoe polish and cream as a calf skin should that does not have a coating. You will really notice this on the Brown color-way as my brown pair even darkened a bit when using a dark brown polish. Actually a good bargain once you see the insole and the full grain lining used on these shoes. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find shoes with real leather insoles/GYW construction for under $500 [≈ Basic iPad, 2011]. They always focus on the upper/lining, outsole etc, and neglect to mention what was used inside of the shoe.

Allen Edmonds, maybe?