Mid-Range Shoes

[odoreater]

With all the talk about Vass and Edward Green and all lately I feel kind of left out.

What options are there for quality shoes in the $300 range other than Allen Edmonds and Alden? Are there any quality English or Italian models to be had in that range?

I can't really justify spending more than that for shoes, so I was wondering what's the best I can do in that price range.

 

[Soph]

Italian:
Tramezza by SFerragamo, they make about 5 models of this highest end line, great shoes and goodyear welted, can be acquired for around 300 on ebay. In stores they go for close to 700 now used to be 600.

Zegna Coutour, by Zegna/Zefer, same process as tramezza as this is a joint venture, supposed ZEFER has its own plant, shoes on ebay only, in store easily near 600-750.
---------For the money the 2 above are very solid choices, and better than AE's and Aldens imo.

English:
Crockett and Jones makes a sub 500 shoe that's solid also I believe, but I'm no expert on them, but they get alot of good press.
Lobb's basic line on ebay you might be able to pull off around 400-500 also.

Also,
Santoni, certain select shoes on ebay marked down from the 500 range occasionally.

 

[odoreater]

Wow, the tramezzas look really nice. THese are cool:

 

[whoopee]

C&J benchgrades. Just above $300 from Plal.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by whoopee

C&J benchgrades. Just above $300 from Plal.

How do the C&J's from Plal run in sizes compared to American sizes? I wear an 11E in most Allen Edmonds, any idea what that would translate into in C&Js? I was actually thinking about ordering some of these, but I wasn't sure about the sizing.

 

[demeis]

I would recommend C&J's from Plal or Magnanni, i'm a big fan.

 

[whoopee]

I'm not familiar with AE. But the benchgrades generally run a half size down and a width wider than American sizes; I wear 8.5E UK in them and 9D US. The 348 last is a bit larger so go down an extra half size. That said, Shyam at Plal will gladly help you determine a suitable size for the particular shoes you desire.

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by whoopee

I'm not familiar with AE. But the benchgrades generally run a half size down and a width wider than American sizes; I wear 8.5E UK in them and 9D US. The 348 last is a bit larger so go down an extra half size. That said, Shyam at Plal will gladly help you determine a suitable size for the particular shoes you desire.
Exactly right. I have many pairs of A-Es and C&Js, and the half-size-down--and one letter larger--rule works well (see Whoopee's example). And good advice to consider C&J benchgrades--they're wonderful shoes. You can't beat Shyam's prices at PLal for a broad selection of new shoes, but benchgrades are on eBay all the time from top-flight English sellers like Sausages234 and Modern-Vintage, and, if you can find a style you like, you'll probably get them for something on the order of $250 or less. You could also check out Bennie's for remaining Grenson Masterpieces at $250--a real steal.

http://benniesshoes.com/grenson.htm

 

[AlanC]

Not tried them, but the Carminas and the Yankos from Spain both have some very nice models in that price range. I believe Sky Valet carries both. Also take a look at Ron Rider's various Italian shoes on the Franco's site. In fact, he can special order them for not much more than that.

 

[nerdykarim]

In my opinion (as a relatively strict bargain-hunter) I would be willing to pay $200 max for Allen-Edmonds, $250 max on Tramezzas, $300 max for Grenson Masterpieces (Bennie's) or C&J Handgrades (which isn't really possible now that Grapevinehill doesn't have any Polo C&J left). $500 max for Edward Green for Ralph Lauren Purple Label (sales, coupons, etc.) and $650 max for Vass (I won't beat a dead horse). In my opinion, these brands and prices all represent good value and are relatively easy to find on discount--all those prices are for brand new shoes.

In my opinion (now as a poor/cheap college student) I am willing to actually pay around $100-150 for brand new Allen-Edmonds.

edit: I guess my point is that if you're willing to spend a bit over $400 on a pair of C&J handgrades from P.Lal, I would try and hold out for a pair of EG from Polo. Last December (which was an anomaly) you could have gotten a pair of RLPL for that much. Even without the coupon glitch, you'd only need to add $100 or so to upgrade to Edward Green (of course, you wouldn't have as much flexibility in style choice, but I place less value on that because I don't own any of those shoes yet so it doesn't matter as much to me)

my .02

 

[zjpj83]

C&J defintiely

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Not tried them, but the Carminas and the Yankos from Spain both have some very nice models in that price range. I believe Sky Valet carries both.
Alan, can you get Carmina for that price ($300 range) at Sky Valet? Wow, that's encouraging!

 

[tiger02]

Certo from VCH, $125

 

[odoreater]

What's the word on Bruno Magli?

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by odoreater

What's the word on Bruno Magli?
Construction is not good, but I like some of the styles. You can get similar styling from Martegani or Certo. If you find a style from Magli that you really like, try to get it cheaply, at least 50% below retail, if not 75%.

Tom