Thoughts on Bally Oxfords

[Enfant]

Wondering what folks here think of this pair of Bally Gabriel Oxford. I have seen it in person; love its minimal look and super-lightness. Fits my wide feet better than most sharp toes shoes these days. Looks well-crafted but don't see any stitching anywhere. Between the upper and the sole is a leather strip that goes round the shoe instead of the usual stitching. It has rubber soles; no traction groves on the sole at all; just some slight circular imprint.

Don't like: the soles for everyday wear and not plain office carpet strolling; and of course, the price!

 

[flashkobalt]

Not really a fan of those, but I thought I'd share my one Bally experience...

This may get me me shot, but I bought a pair of Bally oxfords on ebay a few months ago (because they were grey in colour which I thought was cool), and I must say, I do quite enjoy them. Last is a more rounded and pointy (if that makes sense) toe, and the leather quality seems decent, but not spectacular. Still, as beaters that stand out a little from the crowd at the price I paid ($30) I'm happy

 

[CunningSmeagol]

I find scribes to be rather ill:

 

[speedster.8]

Well, if you think about it its a derby ... Not exactly scribe level. But I have 5-6pairs from Bally that i like. But the one you showed does not do anything for me

 

[Lone Wolf]

Looks like a good conservative business shoe. I've had a pair of Bally's since the 80's. Years ago they started looking a little run down and I sent them back to the company for a refurbishment. They came back looking great and I still have them in my rotation.

 

[marc237]

A relatively poorly constructed shoe. That particular model strikes me as quite inelegant. I do not see it working as a conservative dress shoe at all (I say this knowing full well that 98%-99% of the population think square toed monstrosities are perfectly suitable office wear)..

 

[Enfant]

Thanks for the thoughts. How is it poorly constructed? Won't like it if the sole breaks off after a year...

 

[Star]

So whats wrong with Bally shoes?

 

[marc237]

My experience with the lower end Bally shoes is that they are glue jobs. Consequently, the sole tends to come apart after wear and, unlike with a welted shoe, they cannot be completely refurbished. Also, the sole may separate from the upper. I have also had experience with seams opening and threads coming undone. With my better constructed shoes (A&E, C&J, Martegani, etc.,) this has not been an issue at all. Of course, top of the line Ballys and vintage, pre-taker-over, Ballys tend to be of much better quality.