Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[JohnMRobie]

Commit all sin in one goal

Museum grey
Sport coat with Oxford!
Sport coat with jeans!
Jeans with Oxford!

Would have done Chelsea but too much mid life crisis lately, so kind forcing wear Oxford here and there…

Now maybe I should talk to AM about making fake cowboy looking Chelsea…

View attachment 2312191

 

[clee1982]

That’s a great fit! Where’s the SC from?

Armoury RJ Model 3

 

[ZimYana]

A small experiment with AI: I asked Gemini to scoop up all my emails with Antonio / Angela, and write a blog post…

Assuming your spouse is accommodating, and assuming you didn’t discuss crocodile and exotic pairs with the Maestro through Gmail, I would challenge you to do the same - and share your story. 😂😂

My Bespoke Shoe Journey with Antonio Meccariello

It all started in early 2018, when I stumbled upon the exquisite craftsmanship of Antonio Meccariello. His shoes were a world apart from the machine-made, plastic-coated leather shoes my wife adored. I was captivated by their beauty and the passion evident in every stitch.

My first interaction with Antonio was through an inquiry about his seamless whole-cut boots. Angela, his customer service representative, patiently explained the intricacies of this complex design and the lengthy process involved. Intrigued, I decided to start my journey with a more manageable MTO (Made to Order) pair.

Antonio's expertise and willingness to educate a novice like me were remarkable. He guided me through the measuring process and offered valuable advice on leather choices and styles. I placed my first MTO order in February 2018, opting for a whole-cut Oxford with a light antique effect.

Throughout the process, Antonio and Angela were incredibly responsive and accommodating. They answered my numerous questions about leather types, construction techniques, and even shoe care. Their passion for their craft was contagious, and I found myself becoming more and more enamored with the world of bespoke shoes.

In June 2018, I placed my first hand-welted order for a pair of Sagittari in blue suede. Antonio's meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the shoes, from the vibrant color to the flawless stitching. However, I had a change of heart about the last and requested a switch to Argentum Round. Angela graciously accommodated my request, ensuring my satisfaction.

Later that year, I discovered the Aurum line, Meccariello's top-tier offering. I couldn't resist and ordered a pair of Aurum RTW (Ready to Wear) shoes in a beautiful dark brown museum finish. The shoes were a masterpiece, and I knew I had found my go-to shoemaker.

My journey with Antonio Meccariello has been an unforgettable one. His dedication to his craft, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, has made the experience truly special. I've not only acquired exquisite shoes but also gained knowledge and appreciation for the artistry involved.

As I eagerly await my next pair of Meccariello shoes, I can't help but smile at the thought of my wife's reaction. Perhaps one day she'll understand the allure of these handcrafted works of art. After all, as Antonio himself said, "With me, every pair one can order is special.".

P.S. Gmail and AI didn’t know the Sagittari was not changed to a round last at the end. 😜

P.P.S. As I switched to WhatsApp with the Maestro after the first three pairs, Gmail and AI also didn’t know the dozen of pairs subsequently made…

he is an amazing craftsman. i have two pair of shoes, one oxfords and the other monks he made me in 2012 and they are still as good as new today. been trying to add one more pair of boots to my collection from him but his prices have gone stratospheric since then

 

[evo87]

I can second the experience. I currently own 3 pairs from Antonio and decided just this week to get another. I wanted to see if I could get a slightly better fit and ended up talking to the Maestro on the phone for 30 minutes where he carefully explained all my options. The new pair will be semi-bespoke and I'm already anxiously awaiting their arrival (in 4 to 5 months, of course).
To be continued!

 

[clee1982]

yup, my oldest AM got to be from 2015/2016? still looks good

 

[clee1982]

Not mine

Antonio Meccariello Argentum Handcrafted Italian Leather Boots UK 10, US 11 | eBay

Amazing quality handcrafted boot. You know what these are if you are looking at this listing. These have some very light scuffs on the toe which can’t be seen unless looked at very closely, only bc they haven’t been reconditioned, which will be done before being shipped unless preferred not to...

www.ebay.com

 

[lonewitness]

I was thinking of getting a Centurion Peccary inspired by this video (shoe in the beginning)



Any advice for first time buyers?

 

[shirtingfantasy]

On peccary leather, the French also have a say:

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Just to make it clear: Maestro Meccariello has both types of “peccary” -

1. The type with linear pore pattern, with the three pores looking like a file “…”, which is the same species as the glove peccary

2. The type with triangular pore pattern, with the three pores looking like the three vertices of an equilateral triangle - that, essentially, is… pig-ccary 😆

Is one kind better than another? Hard to say. Some species of the first are considered protected species according to CITES, and most pigs we know - wild boars or domesticated pigs - are not.

For more scientifically rigorous research (on leather identification from pore patterns), look at this:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Grain-surface-of-leather-made-from-pigskin-magnification-4X-300m_fig3_289273698

 

[shirtingfantasy]

So, pulled out my pair of AM pig-ccary (wild boar, or Sus scrofa) for polishing

Textures, textures, textures!