Polo Darlton shoes -- just received them

[johnnynorman3]

My receipt says Darlton. The box says Marlow. Did they screw up? What is the difference, if any between these shoes. My first impression is that the Marlow's toe is a little narrower. But I could be wrong.

 

[Mike C.]

I told you that would happen. I don't know why it says Darlton, when they are actually the Marlow; the website people messed up I guess. How do you like the shoes?

 

[johnnynorman3]

I love them. I walked around in them a bit on carpet this morning, and they will break in surprisingly quickly, I think. In the store, I was always afraid to "break in" the cordovan at all when I walked around in them so I wasn't sure how quickly they'd soften up.

 

[Mike C.]

Cordovan is a pretty tough leather, I don't expect mine to break in as much as any of my calf shoes. However, they are still just as comfortable.

 

[zjpj83]

I got mine and they were labeled Darlton. I believe Darlton is the "old" name - so yours were probably made after mine. Or vice versa, not sure... Nowehre on them does it say cordovan - indeed, it says calf somewhere in the little booklet that came with them - but they certainly feel like cordovan. And, after one wearing, they are creasing with the upwards "rippled" effect. They are definitely bulky. I would rather have the Alden or BB wingtips, which are much sleeker. I probably will get those sometime, but they never go on sale, whereas these were an amazing price.

 

[djkovner]

yeah, Johnny, that's why I said these are called Marlow a couple of weeks ago. They are exactly the same shoes as the Darlton, so don't worry about it.

 

[Mike C.]

You have the Wingtip, which are the Darlton model. Me and Johnnynorman have the Blucher model which is the Marlow.

 

[johnnynorman3]

Mike C.,

Am I crazy or are the Marlows not as "bulky" as the wingtip? I put them on this morning and, while they aren't a sleek Italian shoe, they definitely aren't clunkers. They'll go fantastically with anything from jeans to a suit IMO. I'd say they are definitely sleeker than my Alden captoes from Brooks Brothers.

 

[AJL]

It could simply be a visual thing, i.e. the addition of the wing and broguing might appear a bit congested on the wingtip, in contrast to the plain blucher. Hence, "bulkier"? my .02

 

[johnnynorman3]

Maybe, but I have a sense by looking at the bottom of the sole as well that the wingtip just has a slightly more gently rounded toe.

 

[AJL]

So possibly different lasts altogether? I own neither shoe, just interested in how subtle differences can affect a look.

 

[zjpj83]

believe me, they are bulky. The soles are thick. These are a more "country" style, compared to the Alden and Brooks wingtips. I could therefore justify having both in my closet.

 

[djkovner]

You have the Wingtip, which are the Darlton model. Me and Johnnynorman have the Blucher model which is the Marlow.

I'm simply saying that the Darlton on the Polo.com website is exactly the same as the Marlow that JN3 received in the mail. Both the plain toe and the wingtip models are called Darlton on the website, but labeled Marlow on the boxes. Got it?

 

[Mike C.]

Quote:

(Mike C. @ 03 Dec. 2004, 08:53) You have the Wingtip, which are the Darlton model. Me and Johnnynorman have the Blucher model which is the Marlow.
I'm simply saying that the Darlton on the Polo.com website is exactly the same as the Marlow that JN3 received in the mail. Both the plain toe and the wingtip models are called Darlton on the website, but labeled Marlow on the boxes. Got it?
They are both the Marlow model. My mistake. However, the Wingtip model is definitely bulkier for sure. Definitely not a "sleak" model.

 

[Mike C.]

IMO the wingtip have a slightly higher toebox and are rounder.