Non-Rule "Rules"

[unbelragazzo]



Of the high end British RTW guys, Lobb has, hands down, the ugliest collection. Some of those shoes are uglier than what Kenneth Cole does.

I agree...I remember when I first started learning about really high end shoes and the different brands and Lobbs were like the final stage of enlightenment, or at least the most expensive one. But every time I saw them, my reaction was something between "meh" and "definitely not"...I'm sure the level of craftsmanship is amazing, but their styling is just not for me.

 

[Fuuma]

I don't like English shoes

I'm glad RJ is talking about Massaro though, which I guess you could consider English but the designs are anything but. I tried bumping the thread a couple weeks ago but no one cares about that very nice brand.

 

[Kuro]



I've spent some time talking to Philippe Atienza, who ran the Lobb Paris bespoke atelier, now that he is at Massaro, and he agrees with us about the Lobb Paris RTW designs, which got more gimmicky (sorry :foo and even uglier around the time he was leaving. Ironically, the RTW shoes he has designed for Massaro are some of the most beautiful RTW shoes around, and some of the most beautifully finished.
Lobb RTW's ugliness isn't completely new though -- the Campus and Lopez are some of the fugliest penny loafers imaginable.

I saw some at the salon in some in very odd (or let's say French) colors...

Bespoke samples are superb though.

 

[fritzl]



I don't like English shoes

no need to hide.

 

[TheFoo]



I don't like English shoes
I'm glad RJ is talking about Massaro though, which I guess you could consider English but the designs are anything but. I tried bumping the thread a couple weeks ago but no one cares about that very nice brand.

I think they are just too high-end and too unobtainable.

 

[Lear]

I know many taller blokes fudge it by having a much shorter rear tie blade. I can't do it though. I have to have the two blades at roughly the same length.

Lear

 

[sugarbutch]

Another one: No double-monks

 

[ColdEyedPugilist]



I've spent some time talking to Philippe Atienza, who ran the Lobb Paris bespoke atelier, now that he is at Massaro, and he agrees with us about the Lobb Paris RTW designs, which got more gimmicky (sorry :foo and even uglier around the time he was leaving. Ironically, the RTW shoes he has designed for Massaro are some of the most beautiful RTW shoes around, and some of the most beautifully finished.
Lobb RTW's ugliness isn't completely new though -- the Campus and Lopez are some of the fugliest penny loafers imaginable.

Is it just RJ Man now or doth the RJ Man Bear Cat yet live?

More importantly, is he back to stay?

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Throw me in the "EG trumps other RTW brands" camp. Sure, there are exceptions (like the Phillip II, which is amazing), but the majority of RTW designs from places like Lobb, G&G etc. are far too stylized.

Would love to learn more about Massaro. I always thought of them as a maker of women's couture shoes.

 

[ctp120]

I'm a pretty massive EG fan, though to be fair, I've never owned any of the other top RTW brands--haven't felt the need to. I will say, however, that the Anthony Cleverly Bodie is perhaps the best looking shoe I've ever seen in person, at least in terms of shape.

 

[unbelragazzo]



Another one: No double-monks

+1. This was the straw that broke the camel's back and finally convince me to absolutely never get any (sorry too lazy to download and repost pics right now):

http://ivorytowerstyle.tumblr.com/post/18517016167/howtotalktogirlsatparties-nick-mcclish

 

[hendrix]

Nah double monks can be nice.

Just cos some bloggers are wearing them in a terrible way doesn't mean you can't wear them well.

 

[Fred G. Unn]



+1. This was the straw that broke the camel's back and finally convince me to absolutely never get any (sorry too lazy to download and repost pics right now):
http://ivorytowerstyle.tumblr.com/post/18517016167/howtotalktogirlsatparties-nick-mcclish

To be fair, those are actually single monks, although does it even count as a single monk if one can't even be bothered to buckle the strap? 2nd pic is an abomination on all levels.

 

[unbelragazzo]



Nah double monks can be nice.
Just cos some bloggers are wearing them in a terrible way doesn't mean you can't wear them well.

You may be right, but it was just one of those moments where I was just like....****...I want to do whatever it takes to avoid looking like THIS guy.....

 

[unbelragazzo]



To be fair, those are actually single monks, although does it even count as a single monk if one can't even be bothered to buckle the strap? 2nd pic is an abomination on all levels.

ok, you are right, but double monks would only exacerbate the #menswear **** show that is those fits. There are some normal people that wear single monks that have never visited Tumblr or SF. For double monks, I have my doubts.