Shoes, by country

[SirGrotius]

When you're thinking high-quality shoes, what characteristics do you associate with makers/brands from particular countries?

For instance, when you think:

• English Shoes
• Italian Shoes
• French Shoes
• American Shoes
• Swiss Shoes

 

[fritzl]

i think of them for instance:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/57955/austro-hungarian-school-of-shoemaking

 

[Gdot]

All below are RTW, machine welted.

English Shoes - classic styles, goodyear welted, 'proper' gentlemen's shoes, which will stand the test of time both sytlistically and in terms of durability.

Italian Shoes - expressive styles, many different construction methods, particularly blake, bologna, and moccasin, softer leather, often less durable than English shoes, fashion forward.

French Shoes - Currently extreme long lasts, special finishes, multi colors. Mostly goodyear. Dandy shoes for citified dandies.

American Shoes - Blecht (excluding Alden shell shoes which are special for their clunkiness).

Swiss Shoes - Typically well made although Bally has dipped into department store quality. Better qualilty makers very related to the Austro-Hungarian school of shoe making as noted by Fritzl's post above.