The Ultimate Toronto Thread

[Dwhitman]

I bet you it will a lot of work for you to get this fixed. Hopefully they end up making it right. Keep us posted, I'll be curious to find out how this turns out.

Hey guys, need advice from people who have had issues with Harry Rosen.

I ordered two Tilford suits recently in 39R. They were stock singles, not MTM. That is, I picked the fabric and they would have it made in whatever model I wanted (I chose Ashton).

in store, the Ashton has a boc of 30'. The suits I got came with a boc of 29'.

I had the trousers tailored before realizing I got a short jacket.

So I've asked that I exchange the suits and do a do over. Now they want me to speak to their GM to talk about the issues with the suits. They don't sound too eager to replace them.

I paid full price for the suits and expected the same measurements as found on their OTR models, which I was told I was getting.

Anybody have any idea what I can expect?

 

[SonofOctober]

Anyone here have any experience with Simeone Napoli in Yorkville? Seems like a newer place....

 

[hrv123]



Anyone here have any experience with Simeone Napoli in Yorkville? Seems like a newer place....

First time hearing about them, but it looks like the carry Barbanera shoes based on their instagram. Will have to give them a look next time I'm in town.

 

[othertravel]



I bet you it will a lot of work for you to get this fixed. Hopefully they end up making it right. Keep us posted, I'll be curious to find out how this turns out.

Here's the update. spoke to the manager, and they agreed to do it as mtm so they could specify the length of the jacket to samuelsohn.

They didn't want to risk doing another made to order in case the jacket came back short again.

Long story short, satisfied with the way they handled it.

The original suits will probably end up at the outlet.

 

[casadisartoria]

Hey guys, any recommendation on the best shoe repair in Toronto?

Cheers!

Not sure about the best, but I've heard plenty of good things about Nick's shoe repair. www.nickscustomboots.com
@TheHogtownRake recommends them as well.

 

[TRINI]



Not sure about the best, but I've heard plenty of good things about Nick's shoe repair. www.nickscustomboots.com
@TheHogtownRake
 recommends them as well. 

I used them for a resoling and they did an excellent job.

 

[Firefox]

Hey guys, any recommendation on the best shoe repair in Toronto?

Cheers!

If you search back in this thread there are a number of recommendations. Nick's and Novelty are often mentioned.

Here's the update. spoke to the manager, and they agreed to do it as mtm so they could specify the length of the jacket to samuelsohn.

They didn't want to risk doing another made to order in case the jacket came back short again.

Long story short, satisfied with the way they handled it.

The original suits will probably end up at the outlet.

Glad to hear. Despite their heavy prices and "ready-to-pounce" sales staff, Rosen does tend to have decent after-sale service. I had an MTM order last year that got messed up and ended up taking several weeks longer than it should have. They gave me a store credit as an apology.

 

[boknut]

Not sure about the best, but I've heard plenty of good things about Nick's shoe repair. www.nickscustomboots.com
@TheHogtownRake recommends them as well.

Thank you! Will probably go for Nick's shoe repair!

If you search back in this thread there are a number of recommendations. Nick's and Novelty are often mentioned.

Just saw that. Nick's seems to be the go-to, thanks for the update!

 

[burgerkong]

Warning, a fairly long post! Pardon the crappy pics!

An update to my budget decent shoe search in TO, got the Brook Brothers by Allen Edmonds Fifth Street and the LodinG Nevisa cap toes in, both hovering around the $400 price tag tax in - BB's were on 30% discount ($510 minus 30% plus tax, although I was advised they raised the price to $550), LodinGs are never discounted, $330 pre tax. Will hopefully add Meermin and Septieme Largeur later the month (picking up the latter from the US).

Both makes are fairly new to me as I've never had AE's made for BB before, nor have I stepped into LodinG until a scant couple weeks ago. Starting off with the weight, the AE's weigh in at 85 grams more, possibly due to the heavier heel construction and the rubber half-sole.





While both are round toes, the AE's are far more blunt and less sleek - this could be good/bad depending on your needs/work environment/age.









Leather quality is OK - not great, but OK - on both. This would be where corners are cut, although the plasticky shine the AE's have makes it look cheap. Both exhibit similar levels of break/wrinkles, no real winner here. I suspect they will both crease easily, but that's expected at this price point.

Finishing is inadequate on AE's by far, seems like the cost of the 'Made in USA' badge is poorer finishing. I have seen this a lot recently in tools and other things where the 'Made in USA' badge no longer automatically refers to quality. The sole edging is rather rough - even after dressing/waxing and edge ironing, comparable brands such as Carmina and Alden have relatively smooth to the point of semi glossy edges. AE's on the other hand look like rough-hide with a layer of paint over top. LodinG on the other hand have a smoother edge, but as I have no idea how the factory produces the shoes, I will need a long term test. Also, no loose threads anywhere and the stitching/welting is very clean on the LodinGs.








Welting is up next and right away, I can see that the AE welting is sloppy on the left shoe, to the point that it is close to the edge of the sole. This should have been a second, similarly the half sole also had the same issue. Moreover, the soles have been stitched aloft, whereas LodinGs are open channeled.













Without taking fit into consideration (they both fit well, so that's of no concern for me), I cannot see why anyone in the price range would take AE's over LodinG (if LodinG has a similar style). In addition, BB AE's seem to do away with the shoe bags as well - on the other hand LodinG includes individual bags as well as spare laces.

Final verdict? LodinG is a fantastic value, essentially due to the fact that one can return them locally plus you can try them on before committing. Yes, Septieme Largeur is cheaper, same with Meermin, but for a first time buyer, or one that does not know or is not willing to play the size lottery, I can't see LodinG as being a poor choice.



Did I mention the LodinGs have a slight waist? Not a true fiddleback, but it's there and the sole isn't flat - more of a ball.



When compared to my Strands, you can see that the cap differs by about 1/2".



Regarding cap toe length, they (LodinGs) crease in similar spots to my Strands, which already has a weird creasing due to how the cap toe is sewn on. You can also see what I meant by OK leather quality - the left and right shoe have vamps made from different parts of the hide. The left shoe creases beautifully, whereas the right isn't as nice.









A shot of the Fifth Avenues flexing:



Also, more evidence of cost cutting (or perhaps they weren't able to channel the rubber half sole, who knows): standard AE Strands have channeled stitching.



Brendan

 

[Viral]

those BB shoes are ******* hideous - could care less who makes them.

 

[nqtri]

@burgerkong in defense of BB shoes, I am quite pleased with my recent cap toe (park avenue) and mine doesn't have a problem with the welting. Quality wise, only time will tell but they feel solid on my feet.


On a side note, I notice LodinG has a great price on its Jodhpur boots. Better price than Meermin's MTO if shipping, duties are considered. Might as well be my reason to try out LodinG

 

[RaggedyDandy]

I also recently bought a pair of Lodings (Roma wholecuts). Without going into the same level of detail as BK, I agree with his assessment of them. I've worn them a handful of times now. First time they were a little stiff, but by the third wear they were breaking in well. The slightly elongated last takes a bit of getting used to for walking if you're more accustomed to AE-type styling - the Romas are even longer than my AE Boston monkstraps (old AE 0 last, which is one of their longer ones I think). The first day I wore them I ended up kicking my toes a little bit.

I think the problem with those BB captoes (stylistically, anyway) is the cap is too small in proportion to the rest of the shoe. It should be further back by about another width of the broguing.

@burgerkong , where in the US are you getting SL shoes? I'll be interested to read your review of them when you do get some. They were first on my list of wholecuts before Loding, but based on the timing I needed to have a serviceable pair of shoes for, I decided I wasn't willing to take the risk on sizing with shipping from/to France.

 

[casadisartoria]

Great review @burgerkong
I am not a fan of the BB's having seen them previously many times, stylistically not on par with lodings - fit aside.
I have a pair of Londing single monks and aside from the initial stiffness of the leather, they broke in fairly well.

 

[scatterbrain]

An update to my budget decent shoe search in TO, got the Brook Brothers by Allen Edmonds Fifth Street and the LodinG Nevisa cap toes in, both hovering around the $400 price tag tax in ...

Quality post.

The Loading looks a lot more elegant. I think the cap toe on the AE is too short, but is the cap toe on the Loding too long? Do you get creases on the cap when you bend down to tie your shoe?

 

[ryanginger]

I picked up a pair of Loding captoes a few months back and continue to fight with them. For a while I was keeping them at my office and changing into them there for light wear hoping that'd break them in without too much pain.. but these guys are stiff. Easily the longest break-in of any pair of shoes I've owned. I'll update my post if things change, but as of now, I'm regretting the purchase.