Quality/maker of Tim Little shoes? (Made in England)

[radicaldog]

Came across this London shop recently:

http://www.timlittle.com/shop/index.php

Lots of celebrity-related marketing nonsense, a couple of interesting designs, relatively high prices for the quality I observed (which wasn't bad, I should say). Any info on who makes their shoes? What would be a fair quality comparison? I would have guessed somewhat below C&J bench-grade.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Tim Little (the man) is a former PR man with an interest in shoes. This led him to design his own range of shoes, have them (initially) produced by Alfred Sargent and to open his own shop in London's King's Road. Maybe four years ago, he was appointed as the MD for Grenson and, I believe the production of his own label moved over to Grenson.

Tim Little's own label shoes are quite pleasant, but nothing really special. I haven't seen them for a few years, so I wouldn't know if the quality has gone up or down in recent years.

 

[caldervale]

Definitely Grenson for the English made shoes, but there are is also an Italian line and I have no idea who makes those. I have two pairs, one from the AS era and one from the Grenson era. I'm very happy with both, but they are not extraordinary shoes in any way, compared to what can be purchased on or near Jermyn Street.

The twice yearly sales (July and January) are worth looking into however, and in some sizes it's possible to get lucky on the 'bargains' section of the website.

 

[Pengranger]

I bought a pair of Tim Little "Bumble Bee" shoes a while ago.

They are a country style design and are very sturdy. The quality is at least as good as Tricker's.

 

[clausc]

I have two pairs, I would say for these (from the Black Sole collection) the quality would be similar to Grenson Rose, but a bot more expensive. Close to the C&J benchgrade, but my TL have small imperfections. I wore only twice these boots with jeans, leather is very soft, but somehow clunky (G width).

I bought them as subs (mine have no visible defects) from Sarah/retailtherapy from ebay, still available in a few sizes in their online shop

 

[rabiesinfrance]

Originally Posted by Pengranger

I bought a pair of Tim Little "Bumble Bee" shoes a while ago.

They are a country style design and are very sturdy. The quality is at least as good as Tricker's.

It appears that Tim Little's brilliant "style concept" is to put a rubber sole onto a pair Grenson "Albert", make them in dark brown and up the price. What a load of bollocks! All to do with branding.

 

[Pengranger]

Originally Posted by rabiesinfrance

It appears that Tim Little's brilliant "style concept" is to put a rubber sole onto a pair Grenson "Albert", make them in dark brown and up the price. What a load of bollocks! All to do with branding.

I had no idea about Tim Little when I bought the shoes. For £100 they were a bargain. If you like the shoes and they fit, who cares about branding?

 

[rabiesinfrance]

Originally Posted by Pengranger

I had no idea about Tim Little when I bought the shoes. For £100 they were a bargain. If you like the shoes and they fit, who cares about branding?

Bargain for a ton. What I'm on about is the 'celeb twist'. Associate a 'name' with a product, or suggest that that 'name' has 'designed' a new range and the people fall for it. Nature of things, I suppose.

Have look at this load of old bollocks:

http://www.victoriabeckham.com/

Line between high-end, quality, and high-end, fashion.

 

[JohnnyLaw]

I have a pair of Tim Little brogue boots, made by Grenson. I think my Trickers are better quality, but they're nice boots nonetheless. Worth buying if you can find them under $300, IMO.

 

[kev777]

Tim Little Black Sole Stormy Monday 360 degree storm welted double sole purchased for £60 all made by Grenson to Rose standard. I thought they were a bargain ........