The Tellman and I: A Love Story

[Vintage Gent]

It started, as most things do, so innocently. My daughter and I had gone ice skating at the Houston Galleria, hoping to escape the heat. Afterwards I went into the Ralph Lauren store, my wife and daughter watching the ice skaters who remained, thinking I would take but a brief stroll and emerge with my credit card unscathed. And then it happened. They called out, almost coquettishly, demurely suggesting I take a look. So I did. They were, as fate would have it, marked down to $349 from the original $595. But there was more--a sign offering an additional 30% off the lowest marked price. As I was crunching the numbers in my head, the salesman appeared, and suggested casually that $160 was a great price for "those shoes." $160? I looked at him incedulously, and he decamped for the cash register where he verified the price. So I brought in Mrs. Vintage Gent and daughter and tried on the shoes. So taken was my wife (in clinical parlance, we call this an enabler) that she scarcely batted an eye at the prospect of an additional hit on the credit card--this, in fact, after some $1,400 in Chan charges over the past two months. They are a truly wonderful pair of shoes, one of the finest in my modest but growing collection. I am in love.

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

It started, as most things do, so innocently. My daughter and I had gone ice skating at the Houston Galleria, hoping to escape the heat. Afterwards I went into the Ralph Lauren store, my wife and daughter watching the ice skaters who remained, thinking I would take but a brief stroll and emerge with my credit card unscathed. And then it happened. They called out, almost coquettishly, demurely suggesting I take a look. So I did. They were, as fate would have it, marked down to $349 from the original $595. But there was more--a sign offering an additional 30% off the lowest marked price. As I was crunching the numbers in my head, the salesman appeared, and suggested casually that $160 was a great price for "those shoes." $160? I looked at him incedulously, and he decamped for the cash register where he verified the price. So I brought in Mrs. Vintage Gent and daughter and tried on the shoes. So taken was my wife (in clinical parlance, we call this an enabler) that she scarcely batted an eye at the prospect of an additional hit on the credit card--this, in fact, after some $1,400 in Chan charges over the past two months. They are a truly wonderful pair of shoes, one of the finest in my modest but growing collection. I am in love.
But does your wife know that she's "enabling" this love affair that must end in tragedy? Your wife or the Tellmans? Just be sure not to put them on the bed between the two of you the way a certain shoe aficionado was wont to do.

 

[Artisan Fan]

in clinical parlance, we call this an enabler

LOL.

Sounds like a great deal as well...

 

[Alter]

I bet there isn't a dry eye in the house. I wish you all the best in your relationship.

 

[AlanC]

Congratulations--a great buy!

 

[rnoldh]

Great story and great purchase. May you wear them well!

If they were marked down to $349, and then there was a further 30% off of the lowest marked price, that should come to $244.30! So if the salesman told you they were $160, then the Gods must have really wanted you to have them.

BTW: The RL store and the Galleria are wonderful of course. But have you ever tried out the A. Taghi store, across the street. Mostly Italian clothing of course, featuring Brioni, but they will really make great deals, especially if they know you.

 

[pkincy]

The mark down I saw in July in SF at the RL store was to 229 (literally minutes after I had bought a pair from GVH for $212)!

Well after returning to Scottsdale I went to my local RL store and the Tellman's were $595! So I mentioned it and the salesman called and yes they were supposed to be $229 so that is what they marked them.

But I don't think the extra 30% off was supposed to apply. So you truly did deserve to have them.

I have taken a small dab of cordovan cream and lightly applied that to the toe cap and the sides of the heels as your wife might apply her make up. Than wiped it in and polished it. Than took Meltonian London Tan (actually a bit darker cream/polish than the Tellman) and have used that on them and they have turned out to have just the perfect amount of antiquing to them. Not as much as my Edwardian Antique EGs but beautiful nonetheless.

Great shoes!!

Perry

 

[kitonbrioni]

You did great and the wife was happy too.

 

[lee_44106]

The tellman is a lovely shoe, I got mine from GVH for something like $120. I have not yet worn them. Pkincy's suggestion of antiquing sounds great, that'll be my next project.

 

[sho'nuff]

nice prices on the tellman lee and vintage. mine were 191 total at beverly hills RL.

for some reason the tellman leather is very easy to antique, like most have seen this pic before, i have turned my tellmans into a dark burnished brown.

 

[mrchapel]

This is, by far, the best story of a shoe deal I have read or heard in recent memory. Excellent deal! Perhaps some pictures to complement the story...

 

[lee_44106]

Dior,

That color you got is just marvelous. I find the original tan a little bit to light to work into my shoe rotation, but an antique job like yours would be perfect. Like I said before, I got a project ahead of me. I find it very relaxing to shine/buff/polish and now antique my shoes.

 

[GQgeek]

That's a terrific antiquing job you did.

 

[Quirk]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

It started, as most things do, so innocently...


Great story, great deal.

 

[pkincy]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

That's a terrific antiquing job you did.


Here, here! Please describe the creams and polishes and techniques you used.

Perry