Should I or shouldn't I buy... (clothing item)?

[bsyde82]

I've decided to commit to the Gucci bit loafer, the classic black version. However, then I browsed around and have discovered numerous brands that also make an almost identical black bit loafer (for much cheaper). Brands include Horatio (although sold out), Henderson Barraco, and Vinny's. They seem like decent quality and aren't cheap either, but based on current prices/sales, I could get one of the above and another pair of shoes (looking on farfetch right now with their 15% extra off) for the price of the Gucci's.

 

[kjb]

I've decided to commit to the Gucci bit loafer, the classic black version. However, then I browsed around and have discovered numerous brands that also make an almost identical black bit loafer (for much cheaper). Brands include Horatio (although sold out), Henderson Barraco, and Vinny's. They seem like decent quality and aren't cheap either, but based on current prices/sales, I could get one of the above and another pair of shoes (looking on farfetch right now with their 15% extra off) for the price of the Gucci's.

Blackstock & Webber has a nice horse bit, croc embossed.

The Mason Horse Bit Loafer, Onyx Croc

The Mason is named after my little cousin. He's 7 years old and has no clue how ******* cool that is. Not real croc... It's embossed... But still looks great.

www.blackstockandweber.com

I think a difference could be if you want to own the “original” or not, or if a certain style speaks to you. I doubt the quality or anything is *that* much different between the Gucci’s and the others. But maybe you like the shape specifically or something like that (the 1953s have a rounder shape while those Horatio's look more square, the Vinny’s and the B&W seem to have a more substantial look with the thicker sole). If all those things put together really matter to you, get the 53s. If not, then maybe you save some money and get whichever other version you like best.

 

[dieworkwear]

I've decided to commit to the Gucci bit loafer, the classic black version. However, then I browsed around and have discovered numerous brands that also make an almost identical black bit loafer (for much cheaper). Brands include Horatio (although sold out), Henderson Barraco, and Vinny's. They seem like decent quality and aren't cheap either, but based on current prices/sales, I could get one of the above and another pair of shoes (looking on farfetch right now with their 15% extra off) for the price of the Gucci's.

I think each horsebit loafer can be good on its own grounds. But if you're buying something because you want a cheaper version of the Gucci, you will end up being disappointed because it'll live in the shadow of the thing you actually want.

I think Carmina makes a nice one

HORSEBIT LOAFERS 80746 XIM

HORSEBIT LOAFERS IN BLACK FUNCHAL...

www.carminashoemaker.com

 

[bry2000]

Get the Gucci loafer. You will still want it even after getting the cheaper imitation.

 

[DoubleDouble]

Any idea how far in the future the next seasonal sale is at The Rake? Contemplating getting this shirt at full price.
View attachment 1624552

Now I want this shirt even more ? though it's the pants that make the outfit here, and those are probably vintage (?) knowing Mark.

 

[K. Nights]

I've decided to commit to the Gucci bit loafer, the classic black version. However, then I browsed around and have discovered numerous brands that also make an almost identical black bit loafer (for much cheaper). Brands include Horatio (although sold out), Henderson Barraco, and Vinny's. They seem like decent quality and aren't cheap either, but based on current prices/sales, I could get one of the above and another pair of shoes (looking on farfetch right now with their 15% extra off) for the price of the Gucci's.

To quote the great philosopher Radric Delantic Davis:

"Now that Gucci's home, it's over for you Gucci clones"

 

[bsyde82]

I think each horsebit loafer can be good on its own grounds. But if you're buying something because you want a cheaper version of the Gucci, you will end up being disappointed because it'll live in the shadow of the thing you actually want.

I think Carmina makes a nice one

HORSEBIT LOAFERS 80746 XIM

HORSEBIT LOAFERS IN BLACK FUNCHAL...

www.carminashoemaker.com

thanks for the rec, didn't even think of Carmina and I like that price point. I'm a total shoe noob so what would you say is the difference between that Carmina and the Henderson Baracco if any? I never heard of the latter brand until searching for this type of shoe. The price point seems to suggest decent quality and looking at internet pics, they look pretty much identical.

 

[gdl203]

Blackstock & Webber has a nice horse bit, croc embossed.

The Mason Horse Bit Loafer, Onyx Croc

The Mason is named after my little cousin. He's 7 years old and has no clue how ******* cool that is. Not real croc... It's embossed... But still looks great.

www.blackstockandweber.com

I think a difference could be if you want to own the “original” or not, or if a certain style speaks to you. I doubt the quality or anything is *that* much different between the Gucci’s and the others. But maybe you like the shape specifically or something like that (the 1953s have a rounder shape while those Horatio's look more square, the Vinny’s and the B&W seem to have a more substantial look with the thicker sole). If all those things put together really matter to you, get the 53s. If not, then maybe you save some money and get whichever other version you like best.

I have the B&W and they're heavy and leather is thick and stiff. I think of my B&W loafers (but especially these croc embossed ones) as something closer to a Timb 3-eye lug than a traditional loafer. They're proper ****-kickers.

 

[MeatFish]

thanks for the rec, didn't even think of Carmina and I like that price point. I'm a total shoe noob so what would you say is the difference between that Carmina and the Henderson Baracco if any? I never heard of the latter brand until searching for this type of shoe. The price point seems to suggest decent quality and looking at internet pics, they look pretty much identical.

I have both Gucci 1953s and Carmina bit loafers (not the ones linked, but the Armoury's version), and I'd say Carminas leather and hardware feel better than what I have on the Guccis. If I didn't score a good deal on them, the Xim loafers would have been the clear choice

 

[bsyde82]

I have both Gucci 1953s and Carmina bit loafers (not the ones linked, but the Armoury's version), and I'd say Carminas leather and hardware feel better than what I have on the Guccis. If I didn't score a good deal on them, the Xim loafers would have been the clear choice

shape wise are they pretty much identical?

 

[MeatFish]

shape wise are they pretty much identical?

I haven't handled the Xim last irl, but from just comparing 1953s in hand to the picture of them on the screen, it looks spot on

 

[tdes81]

thanks for the rec, didn't even think of Carmina and I like that price point. I'm a total shoe noob so what would you say is the difference between that Carmina and the Henderson Baracco if any? I never heard of the latter brand until searching for this type of shoe. The price point seems to suggest decent quality and looking at internet pics, they look pretty much identical.

Bonafé makes great shoes as well (I much prefer them to Carmina in terms of quality), and these are on sale:

Enzo Bonafé Horsebit Loafer Black Calf

Enzo Bonafè Horsebit Loafer in Black Calf with brass hardware. That's as classic as classic gets! Style reference 2695. 40530 last Moccasin construction Fully leather lined Single leather sole F-width (standard width) Made in Bologna, Italy For an extensive size comparison list please follow...

www.skoaktiebolaget.com

If you're going for that 1953 gucci horsebit loafer look, these are very close and the construction and leather would be way better.

 

[dieworkwear]

thanks for the rec, didn't even think of Carmina and I like that price point. I'm a total shoe noob so what would you say is the difference between that Carmina and the Henderson Baracco if any? I never heard of the latter brand until searching for this type of shoe. The price point seems to suggest decent quality and looking at internet pics, they look pretty much identical.

I don't have any experience with Henderson's shoes, so I can't say. The one pair of Carminas I own feel nice (they aren't horsebits, but they're loafers). I generally like the company's styles and think they offer really solid products for the price.

 

[Treble]

Really wish Gucci did the 1953 loafer in plain brown or pebble. That fake ageing on the non-exotic brown model they have done for the last few years looks awful, at least on the ones I have seen in person.

 

[Nbarbar]

For the price I don't think you can beat Carmina. I own both the Carmina and Gucci loafers above the the quality is far better from Carmina.

The Gucci are classic though and I wear them just as much.

As others have noted, ( and as someone with 13 grey loop wheeler sweatshirts ) sometimes it's best to spend more and just get the one you really want vs the cheaper imitation.