MTO group for Carmina women's cordovan shoes?

[minthe]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading in here for years now but finally felt I must register to actively join the discussion. I am a (female) scientist who gradually has grown into the need and desire to dress "seriously" (not just) for business occasions. Again, for years I have been on the lookout for well-made women's shell cordovan boots/shoes (not "cordovan" colored cheap-boots or moccasins as most of the online searches yield). Since having been around my dad's fine horse hide shoes forever and loving the texture/look on small items like my watch strap and belt, I'm seriously hungry for the real thing.

In the last Carmina Shell cordovan ladies collection there was not quite what I'm looking for and now I'm curious to see if I could get a group together for a MTO shoe. I'm pretty open for the discussion about what type of shoe or boot that could be.

Looking forward to your replies!

Minthe

 

[Lesauskas]

Dear @minthe,
Probably you already have carmina shoes, but I wonder, maybe you can share your thoughts about the quality and etc.
Also I wonder what other shoe brands have lines for women. I mean real shoes brand

Year or more ago I sow that Meermin also had line for ladies, but now its gone.

Thank you

 

[minthe]

Hi Lesaukas!

No, I haven't touched Carmina shoes/boots yet but heard very good things about the quality you get for the price. I have spent quite some time researching 'real' women's shoe options. My - very incomplete - findings are:

EU:

- Vass make nice women's boots and also offer made to order shoes.
- Crockett&Jones have a women's line
- Tricker's have only limited model selection for women and are a more rugged style, but I love mine.
- Enzo Bonafe makes women's boots and offers MTO with all the options you could dream up for 1500+? euro
- I have some Grenson oxfords which I like but I wouldn't rate the quality as anything outstanding

USA:

- Rancourt have nice boots/shoes and many choices for those like hand-sewn shoes.
- White's boots (I've looked at a model through the Baker's website) ... Nick's and Wesco's have women's working style boots if you're into that
- Alden/Allen Edmonds offers some models down to small men's sizes (US 5.5 or 6 might work)
- Wolverine makes women's boots
- Cobra Rock Boots get a lot of attention if you like the Southwestern Style. Don't know if they are worth the wait and $$.

I could probably be more helpful if I knew more about the style of shoe you're interested in...

Cheers!

 

[Lesauskas]

Thank you dear Minthe for your kind and fast reply.

Actually I was looking for Chelsea or Jodhpur boots. Carmina are a bit expensive so I'm really looking forward to hear from Meermin, because year ago they had collection made for ladies. Maybe we will have some of boots on MTO.

And one more thing - you mentioned smaller sizes of shoes made for men, bet are they really the same ? Because then I think about the same size shoes for guys and ladies I imagine the lasts have to be different... What you think ?


Thank you,

 

[minthe]

If you get the lady's foot measured on a men's brannock it will sure be easiest. Men's lasts might tend to be a bit wider than women's lasts but I'm sure with a wide selection of lasts a maker could accommodate the needs of many women's feet with small men's lasts....

 

[nclfarr]

Minthe these are the brands that I have gathered. I am very confused and guidance. I am looking for a dressy long lasting penny loafer. What do you recommend to do? I am typically a size 8.5 Wide.

Allen Edmonds
Aldens
Rider
Carmina
Edwards Green
Crockett and Jones
Russell and Bromley
Church's
John Lobb
Mezlan
Septième Largeur
Vass
Meermin

 

[nclfarr]

Thank you dear Minthe for your kind and fast reply.

Actually I was looking for Chelsea or Jodhpur boots. Carmina are a bit expensive so I'm really looking forward to hear from Meermin, because year ago they had collection made for ladies. Maybe we will have some of boots on MTO.

And one more thing - you mentioned smaller sizes of shoes made for men, bet are they really the same ? Because then I think about the same size shoes for guys and ladies I imagine the lasts have to be different... What you think ?


Thank you,

Did you find what you were looking for? I'm currently on the hunt for penny loafers, riding boots, chelseas, and espadrilles

 

[nclfarr]

Just found this link. It includes all the shell cordovan models.