Shell cordovan creasing: how much is too much?

[makewayhomer]

I'm trying to come to terms with how shell looks in the long term, and whether I really like the way it creases. I'm certainly sure I don't like the pic below...but this is something that happens if you don't use trees and/or wear shoes that don't fit, right? right?

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

oof. i wouldn't wear shoes like that unless i was, uh, at a fancy event in a field at a farm.

 

[distinctive]

They definitely wouldn't look like that on your feet. Plus, if those were calf, you would probably have holes and cracks all over them.

 

[imatlas]

I think those are too large for the owner. I have a pair of shell chukkas that are a little too big on me, and they're similarly creased.

 

[Spats]

You must only ask "shell guys." If they tell you they look fine like that, and that they are, in fact, highly desirable like that, you will like them.
Any other questions?

 

[weilian]

Originally Posted by Spats

You must only ask "shell guys." If they tell you they look fine like that, and that they are, in fact, highly desirable like that, you will like them.
Any other questions?

 

[Champagnelifestylenomoney]

Too much creasing. Either they are the wrong size or the volume of the shoe is too much for your feet (incorrect last size) - good shoe trees would sort these problems out over time. Finally they may have been poorly re-soled pinching the uppers (new soles needed to sort this out).

 

[deveandepot1]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

I hope my shells don't look like that next month.

 

[DocHolliday]

This is one reason I like shell for clunky round-toed shoes. I sometimes wonder what some of the sleeker shell styles will end up looking like after five years of regular wear.

 

[enigma77]

Wow I'm imagining how those shoes were when they were new. Must have been amazing.

 

[JayJay]

The shoes in the pic look as if they were too large. I have shells dating back a decade, and none looks that way.

 

[Siggy]

Ugh! None of my shells look even close to that creased. If they did, I would never buy another pair of shells.

One thing that probably plays a role is that these are monks, with no seem at all on the vamp (and they are probably too big). My shells are mostly derbies, some captoes etc. and the space for creasing is more limited.

 

[JayJay]

I like plain toe shells particularly for how they show off the creases, but the shoes in the pic show them to the extreme, IMO, and not in a pleasing way.

 

[TheFoo]

That's definitely too much.

 

[srivats]

Here is how my oldest pair of shell looks:

My PTBs usually crease a bit more since there is nothing to 'guide' the creases. Chukkas and monks will definitely crease more but that pic seems overly creased --> probably due to improper sizing. The color on them is very beautiful though.