Johnston & Murphy Signature Series Dress Shoes- Are They Very Good?

[Jerry52]

Hi,

I'm on my feet at work all day- I have "flat feet."

I spotted these Johnston & Murphy shoes at their shop at the Charlotte, NC airport.

My dad LOVED Johnston & Murphy dress shoes but that was back in the 1960's.I think that Johnston & Murphy has changed ownership maybe more than once since then...

These Signature series shoes sure were beautiful, and very reasonably at $225 per pair. Supposedly they are repairable (by Johnston & Murphy) so wouldn't technically be a "disposable" shoe and I noted that they are made in Italy.

But I wonder if they compare to shoes by Alden or Allen-Edmonds for example, which typically are at least $100-150 higher.

I suppose that truly you get what you pay for, but just wanted your expert feedback...

Otherwise, I'm leaning toward trying for a blucher/derby lace-up from Santoni, Gravati, Borgioli, Moreschi -something like that. However they will probably cost nearly $400. I just wonder if they are definitely better-constructed than the Johnston & Murphy Signatures?

My goal is beautiful leather, foot protection, style and durability. Unfortunately, I've never personally seen shoes by Gravati, Borgioli, Moreschi and only one pair by Santoni, so I have no frame of reference. However, I am pretty familiar with the quality of Alden and Allen-Edmonds. Maybe I ought to be smart and get one of the American-made Aldens or Allen-Edmonds, but I'm fascinated by European things, so I thought that if they are still decent shoes Johnston & Murphy might offer the best of both worlds- American shoe company with shoes made in Italy.

Jerry

 

[xarope]

I saw a pair at the outlet shop in Orlando, they were a size 8 1/2 black ankle boots, but were tighter than other 8 1/2s non-signature ones that I've tried, so unfortunately I didn't buy it (I think they were $150, discounted from $225).

I don't know about quality wise long term, these had leather soles with a rubber part heel, some fancy cushioned insole, they were certainly nicer than the other two pairs of boots (one as single monk strap) I ended up buying.

 

[Jerry52]

Thanks for your reply. Evidently not too many people here have an opinion about these J&M shoes...

One shoe store is recommending "disposable" Ecco or Joseph Siebel dress shoes for my foot comfort, but I'm really leaning toward "classic" repairable types, even though the Eccos and Siebels could be had for half the price.