quote:

Originally posted by Pauline:
Hey, I don't have to wear them.

D'oh.

It seems like mens shoes are trending towards pointy these days. At least square looks roomy.

I think Zappo's has a good return policy.

I'd rather support a local store, I think.

Suddenly feeling like I shouldn't be in the middle of this, so I'll offer parting advice:

If you go with Eccos, buy them slightly snug. They use very nice, soft, stretchy leather which is extremely comfortable and which stretches to fit your foot as you break them in, more so than most other shoes. Don't buy them uncomfortably tight, but don't be concerned if they're slightly snug, laterally.

quote:

Originally posted by Splitcoil:
Suddenly feeling like I shouldn't be in the middle of this,

Nonsense. Your advice is appreciated.

Hi All;

Let me get this straight, you are suggesting that MD goes out & buys shoes from a SHOP. Have you people no concern for his feet or his wellbeing at all??

Unless the shoes are made to measure, how can they possibly fit him correctly?

My shoes are made for me by George Cleverly in the Royal Arcade.

I have 3 identical pairs of these

the first was made about 5 years ago and the last pair about 18 months ago, I rotate them so that none gets too much wear & I chose this brogue style as it goes with everything from linen suits in the summer to Levis. Because they are made to measure, they are as comforable as wearing a pair of sneakers and I have spent 16 hour days tramping the aisles of shows wearing them & felt not a thing because of these shoes.

It is not necessary, as I have done, to have the shoes made from 200 year old reindeer hide; but I just loved the romance of the story.

MD, save yourself (and your feet) and go get some nice shoes made, you won't regret it & your feet will thank you.

LN

Indeed, how can you resist a shoemaker named Cleverley?

Pointy, though.

quote:

Originally posted by LeitzNoctilux:
MD, save yourself (and your feet) and go get some nice shoes made, you won't regret it & your feet will thank you.

While having shoes made specifically for me is all
well and nice, I'm not sure there's anyone in my
area who actually does that. This may also be
beyond my budget.

"Pick up some Heel and Sole Edge Dressing, too, if you want them to be truly dapper."

Saw who the what now? Heel and Sole?

I take it the shoes are OK (except they are not shin enough for LN for his daily dose of reflectopr0n)?

Urrrr, yeah. Let me make it clear that I only offer Fashion Advice for the American Middle Class...

In America, the farther you are from the Mexican border, the less likely you are to be able to afford shoes made to order.

quote:

Originally posted by Crash:
"Pick up some Heel and Sole Edge Dressing, too, if you want them to be truly dapper."

Saw who the what now? Heel and Sole?

Heel and sole edges. The parts of the heel and sole that are visible to others when your shoe is on your foot, against the ground. You've got some scuffage there. Though I suppose Pauline is correct that polish will do. But where's the fun in that?

I guess I don't shop in the right place, but no one has offered to sell me a pair of custom made shoes, ever.

Perhaps Mr. NoctiLux can buy a whole bunch of pairs, spread out over the WGB members, instead of just one car, for one particular member's girlfriend?

I wouldn't have thought a member in good standing of the middle class in America would be able to afford custom made shoes at all if I didn't own such a pair that were made for my father in El Paso, Texas. They're a beautiful pair of quite elegant monk straps, long and narrow-looking, with a smoothly squared toe, made back in the day before that was popular, I think. I'm sure they were still expensive, but all sorts of hand-crafted goods are available in border towns that wouldn't be available elsewhere in the States, due to the much lower price of Mexican skilled labor.

I know why he had shoes custom made-- because he had awful feet that caused him a lot of problems and he was hoping they would help. As for the style of them, I have no idea what possessed my father to order such a pair of shoes. I can't imagine him ever wearing them, and in fact he probably only wore them a handful of times. He was strictly a wingtips kind of man. Perhaps it was a brief flight of fancy on his part. A little taste of living on the wild side.

At any rate, I'm not sure how talented the maker was. The shoes are gorgeous, quite comfortable for leather-soled, and fit me perfectly.

But my feet are nothing like my father's were. Not even the same size. A strange, cosmic conundrum.

I am trying to wean here, to sleep, and found your post. Rather moving, Splits.
Now, I am turning away from the screen...and shutting down my rig.

Marshdrifter, are you familiar with
The Shoe Box in Black Earth?

They've got a really nice selection of good quality, comfortable shoes.

We always pay a visit when we are in Wisconsin and usually end up purchasing 2-3 pairs of shoes each.

quote:

Originally posted by Fashionpolice:
Marshdrifter, are you familiar with
The Shoe Box in Black Earth?

No I'm not. I can't recall if I've even been to
Black Earth. Sounds like it might be a worthy
trip. I'll add them to the list. Thanks.

this beats reality tv! (haven't decided who i'll vote out yet.)

i wore my dress shoes of the moment last week for the morning tea we put on for potential new parents up at the school and bled all over them. i managed to get through our work lunch for the Melbourne Cup with my last best shoes, with their 4.5inch heel (?!) because they don't contact with my heel. since then i've been reduced to my year old silver plastic mesh & sequin slippers.

marshy, choose wisely and wear them in.

sorry everybody! i missed this last page when i replied in a hurry last night, missed the change in tone too.

splitters, my eyes mist at the thought that you can walk in his shoes. the snippets of story about your dad ring a real bell for me.

I like to keep it simple, usually just jeans, t-shirt, and a jumper of some description. I can usually be seen in a pair of battered canvas sneakers that I'm rather fond of.

I hate labels and patterns on my clothes, so most of my clothes are just plain without any frills, This has the knock on effect of making my clothes pretty cheap as well!

quote:

Originally posted by NilCypher:

I hate labels and patterns on my clothes, so most of my clothes are just plain without any frills, This has the knock on effect of making my clothes pretty cheap as well!

This is one of my pet peeves, too. I have never understood this concept of paying to advertise a clothing brand. If they want me to let the world know I am wearing their crap, then they can pay ME.

But what I find the most interesting thing about this phenomenon is that it is only the lower end of the market that feels compelled to stick their logo all over everything. For example Armani Exchange (their equivalent of Abercrombie & Fitch) has logos everywhere but the Armani Collezione (their top level stuff) does not, neither does Kiton or Loro Piana.

End of rant

LN