Views on C&J for RL?

[IJReilly]

I recently saw the Marlowe wingtip in a local store, and quite liked what I saw. While the aesthetics of the shoe are quite pleasing, I don't know anything about the construction quality of RLs shoes. Supposedly the Marlowe is made by C&J, but is to the same quality standards as their own brand? I suppose I will be paying a premium for the RL brand, but it might be worth it, as C&Js own cordovan shoes are actually even more expensive.

Is there any consensus view on these shoes?

 

[forseti6]

As far as I can tell the quality is exactly the same. I own RL by CJ and just CJ, all in cordovan, and the quality seems the same. As a matter of fact, you can often get RL by CJ cheaper than CJ due to their large discounts when they have their sales.

 

[Frankie22]

As far as I can tell the quality is exactly the same. I own RL by CJ and just CJ, all in cordovan, and the quality seems the same. As a matter of fact, you can often get RL by CJ cheaper than CJ due to their large discounts when they have their sales.

Ralph generally demands quality at an elevated level from their 3rd party partners. Not sure if this is the case with CJ, but know it to be true with regard to rancourt... I have a pair of calf skin loafers from ralph that are nicer than the actual branded version of the show.

 

[othertravel]



Ralph generally demands quality at an elevated level from their 3rd party partners. Not sure if this is the case with CJ, but know it to be true with regard to rancourt... I have a pair of calf skin loafers from ralph that are nicer than the actual branded version of the show.

The RL exclusive models are nice, but don't notice an improvement in quality. All the RL CJs I've handled have open-channeled soles. Some CJ for BB shoes have closed-channel soles.