The unofficial Drake's London Appreciation Thread

[Sammm]

Thoughts on Drake's first Northampton-made loafers, Drake's Charles Loafers? In the UK, it is set at £495, which is in the same price range as Crockett & Jones.

Has anyone tried the Drake’s Canal penny loafer – similar cut to the Charles but with a crepe sole, and much more affordable? It’s charmingly goofy.

 

[Faroe65]

Has anyone tried the Drake’s Canal penny loafer – similar cut to the Charles but with a crepe sole, and much more affordable? It’s charmingly goofy.

I do have a pair, they are comfortable like all other astorflex-made models, and the advantage is there is no need to break in.

 

[yungchomsky]

The new Mk IV cotton/hemp games suit:

 

[csm88]

Has anyone who has purchased the current Drake’s Paraboot Avignon (double leather sole instead of the usual rubber) have any general feedback after some real wear? I’m a big fan of the leather sole and absence of the green paraboot tag. I’ve been eyeing the mocha grain ones. I imagine they break in just as easily as those with rubber soles. I did a quick forum search but there doesn’t appear to be much chatter on them (good or bad).

 

[CasuallyWorked]

Has anyone who has purchased the current Drake’s Paraboot Avignon (double leather sole instead of the usual rubber) have any general feedback after some real wear? I’m a big fan of the leather sole and absence of the green paraboot tag. I’ve been eyeing the mocha grain ones. I imagine they break in just as easily as those with rubber soles. I did a quick forum search but there doesn’t appear to be much chatter on them (good or bad).

I bought a pair, and they are amazing, break-in super fast because of the leather. wear is good except for the toe, but I have a pair of grant stone lwb and the toe also wears pretty quick, so it seems to be my gait. I like that they do not have the paraboot tag, and the laces are also thinner.

 

[csm88]

I bought a pair, and they are amazing, break-in super fast because of the leather. wear is good except for the toe, but I have a pair of grant stone lwb and the toe also wears pretty quick, so it seems to be my gait. I like that they do not have the paraboot tag, and the laces are also thinner.

Excellent, thanks for the rundown! They seem versatile and I'm looking for a split toe shoe for casual and the office. Rubber-soled Paraboots fall shy of being office appropriate in my case, but these with a bit of neutral cream polish would work well.

 

[GabrielJF]

I bought a pair, and they are amazing, break-in super fast because of the leather. wear is good except for the toe, but I have a pair of grant stone lwb and the toe also wears pretty quick, so it seems to be my gait. I like that they do not have the paraboot tag, and the laces are also thinner.

Will parrot that. Beautiful shoe - in fact definitely my favourite pair of shoes that I own. But the toe had thinned right down after a fortnight only.

Spoke to paraboot who have a couple of repair providers in the uk and they can replace the leather sole with a thin dainite sole - the kind that looks as thin and sartorial as leather - quite cheaply. Presumably wouldn't lose the nice wood finish around the heel and side either.

 

[csm88]

Will parrot that. Beautiful shoe - in fact definitely my favourite pair of shoes that I own. But the toe had thinned right down after a fortnight only.

Spoke to paraboot who have a couple of repair providers in the uk and they can replace the leather sole with a thin dainite sole - the kind that looks as thin and sartorial as leather - quite cheaply. Presumably wouldn't lose the nice wood finish around the heel and side either.

Appreciate the feeback! Interesting about the toes though. Will probably just get toe taps put on then.

 

[Mavidpark]

Anyone ever tailor or alter their chore coat to make it bigger? After searching forever, finally was able to acquire an ALD X Drakes moleskin chore coat from FW20. I got it in an 36 (xs), but im usually a 38. The length and sleeves are perfect, but the width/chest is a little tight for my liking. Would only need a slight adjustment in my opinion. Would this worth exploring? or even possible? Or should I leave it alone.

Would love your guys thoughts. Other than, also looking to trade mine for a 38 in any color if anyone is interested

 

[hpreston]

1) Is there excess fabric in the side and center seams to let out? It’s not constructed like a suit or sport, so I’d be curious there is enough fabric to let out.

2) if yes to all above, after letting out, you will see needle holes in moleskin where the original seams were sewn…..

 

[dieworkwear]

Anyone ever tailor or alter their chore coat to make it bigger? After searching forever, finally was able to acquire an ALD X Drakes moleskin chore coat from FW20. I got it in an 36 (xs), but im usually a 38. The length and sleeves are perfect, but the width/chest is a little tight for my liking. Would only need a slight adjustment in my opinion. Would this worth exploring? or even possible? Or should I leave it alone.

Would love your guys thoughts. Other than, also looking to trade mine for a 38 in any color if anyone is interested

Highly unlikely there's enough inlay in a chore coat to make a meaningful difference in size alteration. There is barely inlay in a RTW sport coat or suit jacket's chest. I can't imagine them putting more inlay in a casual garment.

 

[Mr.Fayad&Co]

Broke: Not buying a Drake's Guayabera because it costs $300
Woke: Not buying a Drake's Guayabera because it's culturally insensitive.
Bespoke: Not buying a Guayabera because they're hideous.

They also aren’t actually guayaberas… thats a shirt with 4 pockets which does not mean guayabera

 

[Mr.Fayad&Co]

Highly unlikely there's enough inlay in a chore coat to make a meaningful difference in size alteration. There is barely inlay in a RTW sport coat or suit jacket's chest. I can't imagine them putting more inlay in a casual garment.

that’s 100% accurate, seam allowances are little to none in the places you need it the most. You can probably only lengthen the sleeves and the length of the coat but as far as the body not even a quarter inch.

 

[bztooth]

Anyone had trouble with drakes.com orders stuck in US Customs? I can't get a reply from Drake's customer service, their NYC store doesn't have much help to offer, and it's been so long DHL may return my order. Appreciate any pointers.

 

[Mr.Fayad&Co]

shop made in USA.