Skoaktiebolaget – Enzo Bonafé, Saint Crispin’s, John Lobb, Löf & Tung

[TheShetlandSweater]

Quite frankly, I think part of the problem is that Skoak has been a victim of its own success. There are just so many places where you can get good and interesting shoes these days and many of these places cater to the SF consumer. Even like 5 or 6 years ago, the options were just so much more limited. Skoak was/is one of the places that really helped broaden tastes and show all the interesting things that can be done with relatively classic men's shoes.

 

[7_rocket]

For me at least, i'm at home 99% of the time because I'm working from home. My only chances to wear fun shoes/boots are trips to the supermarket. Hopefully after omicron finishes peaking here I can get back to the office a bit.

I can relate. I find out this week sometime what my company is going to do with going back to work. All I wear is a hoody and joggers these days. I do miss dressing up at times.

 

[tdes81]

My hope is that if the pandemic ever ends, we'll see an influx (more like outflux) of people excited to get out and dress up and live normal (but better dressed) lives again.

 

[djdanniedee]

This got me thinking back to my personal journey with Skoak. At the time, Carmina's were my ceiling. I would admire Enzo Bonafes from afar thinking they were too expensive for me to ever purchase, same with GG, Edward Green and STC, these 3 quite literally being unattainable / fiscally irresponsible of me to purchase.

Fast forward a few years and i've gotten quite a good collection of Carmina's, U-wing adelaides, frankenstitch, polo suede balmoral boots...was quite satisfied and understanding that this was as far up as i could punch. Then the intrigue kicked in, too many GTMO's of GG, EB went and gone over those years that i couldn't resist anymore, i just had to take the dive on a pair of EB. Suddenly EB became my norm, and i started to justify that handwelted shoes were what i needed, i couldn't go back to Carmina's.

My collection of EBs started to grow, hunter long wing boots, tarnsjo long wing boots, faux split toe derby, norvegese split toe, double monk chukkas.... and then... i just had to see what STC was... that ever so lovely, iconic, defining, long wingtip, just oh so beautiful. And then i had them. and i loved every inch of it. But then Skoak came out with a russian calf version and i just had to have that as well.

My only regret during my years purchasing Carmina's at Skoak was missing out on the deadstock kudu GG makeups. I swore to myself that if i could go back in time i would buy them all, like, no joke. And then magically, a pair of kudu thorpe was on the B&S thread, and a year later a pair of kudu isham was also on the B&S thread. My life felt... at peace, i could never purchase another pair ever again and i'd be satisfied.

Bam, Carmina is dropped and Skoak is launching their own brand. Well i just gotta support. What is this? A gmto captoe balmoral with croc facing...

Thank you @Leaves for all the great memories and for the collection i have today.

 

[kalufsen]

Thank you SkoAB! JL Prestige.

 

[DestinedToFester]

Kudu Gessis on a beautiful day off with my little daughter (post more shoe pics, people!). Been wearing them at least twice a week since I got them in september, and I’m very happy with them. Can take a good beating, very easy to condition and look better and better. Mentioned this a while a go, but they have stretched a tiny bit, meaning I could have picked half a size smaller, but that was easily adjusted with some pads n grips.



As for dressing down, or not up, because of working from home, I don’t get it. I feel so much better and more alert when dressed properly, no matter if I’m staying home all day or not. And I gladly put on proper shoes to go down the corner shop for five minutes. And Mrs aint complaining either about me not wearing sweatpants.



Sad I never got to visit the store, and sad if some of the guys working there will have to go. I have some L&T mto plans for the future though (please make that wider S last happen!) so here’s hoping the online sales will grow strong and stay that way.

 

[Kochegar]

(post more shoe pics, people!)

 

[RogerP]

Yeah I wonder where everyone is these days. So many SF members that used to be very frequent have just disappeared in thin air. Are they on reddit, Discord, Instagram? Or have a lot of the shoe guys from "back in the day" just switched their interest to other hobbies?

A bit of both for me. I've been working from home for almost 2 years now (with the briefest return to normalcy pre-Omicron). Most of my shoes and nice clothes have been gathering dust (figuratively speaking). I have had a handful of Zoom court appearances (including the Supreme Court) - but those just require robes or a jacket and tie. Shoes - heck, trousers - are optional. I have two pairs of boots that are brand new sitting in the original boxes yet to be worn. Then on the new hobbies front, I got my license, bought a motorcycle and plunged head first down that very deep rabbit hole.

 

[Zerase]

Does the sale apply on accessories as well @Leaves
If so I might send a proxy to buy some braces and other small thingies. Tempted to get a pair of boots but I just cannot motivate another buy just now, even though the Utah Kingsley screams for me to pick it up...

 

[kalufsen]

Does the sale apply on accessories as well @Leaves
If so I might send a proxy to buy some braces and other small thingies. Tempted to get a pair of boots but I just cannot motivate another buy just now, even though the Utah Kingsley screams for me to pick it up...

It does!

 

[Zerase]

It does!

Tackar!

 

[dangerous]

Tackar!

I picked up an umbrella and a few shoe trees. Going to swing by tomorrow to buy some more stuff, most likely.

 

[jischwar]

Who wants to proxy for a UK9?!? ?

 

[Pbayvip]

A small tribute to Skoaktibolaget... my first pair of Enzo Bonafe, bought in 2014, worn today..

 

[vmss]

Dear all,

I would like to start a GMTO group order for Enzo Bonafe loafer in brown Tärnsjö leather with natural outsole on 363 last. Would anyone be interested?