Why buy very high quality BLACK dress shoes?

[Gdot]



We haven't met and yet you know me well.

 

[thinman]



I have a pair of black Grenson Paul Stuart captoes that are indistinguishable from my EGs.

+1. I have two pairs of the old Grenson Handgrades from Paul Stuart in (1) black and (2) dark brown calfskin and suede. I would say the leather quality and craftsmanship equals EG, though there was no antiquing done. Though I also find their lasts very appealing, EG and JL really stand out from other makers such as C&J, Grenson, etc. primarily by virtue of the finishing (antiquing). Since antiquing is irrelevant on black shoes, I've decided that I won't pay more than C&J handgrade money for black shoes. YMMV.

 

[A Y]

I have a pair of bespoke, black G&G captoe oxfords, and they're one of my favorites both for looks and comfort. There's also a pair of black AE PAs that don't get any use these days, but they were pretty good shoes, too. Wearing shoes of AE quality is already so far ahead of what's worn out there that only the nerdiest of clothing nerds will notice or care about what you're wearing.

 

[JLibourel]



Wearing shoes of AE quality is already so far ahead of what's worn out there that only the nerdiest of clothing nerds will notice or care about what you're wearing.

Well said!

 

[Gdot]

This seems a great value for a classic black shoe.

http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/benchgrade-plaintoe-balmoral.html#

And it's made and sold by forum members.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]

It's a shame that the options are more limited for the wide footed gentleman. Does G&G, EG, JL, C&J offer wide sizes, if so, how wide?

 

[itbegins]

^Anyone know who makes these? Don't say Kent Wang... I'd like to know the original manufacturer

 

[Asian Afro]



^Anyone know who makes these? Don't say Kent Wang... I'd like to know the original manufacturer

I believe they are made by DC Lewis.

 

[Gdot]



^Anyone know who makes these? Don't say Kent Wang... I'd like to know the original manufacturer

DC Lewis

 

[New Shoes1]

DC Lewis

Does DC Lewis make all of Kent's shoes? Including the benchgrade captoe balmoral? http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/benchgrade-captoe-balmoral.html

 

[Gdot]

yes - they are all DC Lewis

 

[comrade]



If this question is being asked, I would strongly consider taking baby steps up the ladder to Edward Green.

If you are in or get to Europe regularly, I recommend Ludwig Reiter.
Unfortunately, they have (had) minimal distribution in the US.


http://www.ludwig-reiter.com/

 

[poorsod]



I would consider SHAPE to be the most important design criteria (quality issues aside). For with black shoes the shape becomes almost the only distinguishing feature aside from a fabulous polish.

Boring black.

As requested by luk-cha. New vs old.

 

[fritzl]

probably, i'm not clever enough. what has the colour to do with wearing shoes of decent quality? can somebody enlighten me? pleeeaaase. many thankx

 

[culverwood]



I have two pairs of the old Grenson Handgrades from Paul Stuart in (1) black and (2) dark brown calfskin and suede. I would say the leather quality and craftsmanship equals EG, though there was no antiquing done. Though I also find their lasts very appealing, EG and JL really stand out from other makers such as C&J, Grenson, etc. primarily by virtue of the finishing (antiquing). Since antiquing is irrelevant on black shoes, I've decided that I won't pay more than C&J handgrade money for black shoes. YMMV.

Not necessarily