Polo's new Made in Italy shoes

[grimslade]

So, I noticed that the new shoes/boots (OK, boots) on the polo site are priced at $700-$800, and I'm wondering if this is just price-hiking or suggests an improvement in quality.

 

[MaxJones]

The top ones are nice. Ringo wants the bottom ones back though.

 

[lee_44106]

I know people around here poo-poo the Made in Italy version, but I like them. To my eyes and hands when I've examined them, they are every bit as good as the old C&J made version.

 

[j]

I like the bottom ones a lot. I have a feeling the crap $/Euro may have a fair bit to do with the price. For example Ducati raised prices across the board this year on all except one model, from $500 to $1000 each, which is about 5-10% on average.

Although I certainly can't imagine spending $800 on a pair of RTW boots.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I know people around here poo-poo the Made in Italy version, but I like them. To my eyes and hands when I've examined them, they are every bit as good as the old C&J made version.

Many of them do look nice out of the box, that's true. But I don't think they rival the C&Js. They're not bad shoes, but I do think they're 1) overpriced; 2) more prone to production mistakes; 3) generally using lower-quality materials. I've owned four pairs now (counting exchanges and returns) and of those, two arrived with significant flaws either in construction or in the leather itself. So my track record is pretty much 50-50 in terms of receiving shoes that were not defective straight out of the box, which is, in my mind, much too low for shoes at this price point. Combine that with the fast-wearing heels, bubbling edge dressing and other problems I've encountered with wear, and it makes me very skeptical of the line in general.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Many of them do look nice out of the box, that's true. But I don't think they rival the C&Js. They're not bad shoes, but I do think they're 1) overpriced; 2) more prone to production mistakes; 3) generally using lower-quality materials. I've owned four pairs now (counting exchanges and returns) and of those, two arrived with significant flaws either in construction or in the leather itself. So my track record is pretty much 50-50 in terms of receiving shoes that were not defective straight out of the box, which is, in my mind, much too low for shoes at this price point. Combine that with the fast-wearing heels, bubbling edge dressing and other problems I've encountered with wear, and it makes me very skeptical of the line in general.

Wow- you're tolerant.

All that- obviously crappy, and you're "highly skeptical". I'd be saying "they're garbage" by now.

 

[padronlover]

i have a pair of ralph lauren astor boots that are made in italy, the quality is top notch. i had vibram soles installed on them recently and my cobbler couldn't stop raving about them.

 

[Cid]

GVH had a bunch of RL "dress boots" over the summer - looks like they are down to just 1 pair at ~US$210 BIN now. They were going for much less than that earlier in the season. I almost pulled the trigger on a pair at ~$120 in June, but picked up a nice pair of Made in Italy chukkas for <$90 instead.

Comparing the photo you posted with what GVH shows, they appear to be somewhat different - new maker maybe?

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Wow- you're tolerant.

All that- obviously crappy, and you're "highly skeptical". I'd be saying "they're garbage" by now.

I've previously called them "crap," and even started a thread to that effect. But I appreciate the fact that they're welted, and the leather, aside from the pair that arrived with a huge blemish, isn't terrible. If they had better quality control -- or if you happened to receive the right pair -- they wouldn't be bad shoes, especially on discount. But at Ralph's retail pricepoint? Ridiculous.