Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[NewYawker]

What was crazy to me was when I ordered a pair of Carmina monk straps from leather foot. UPS hit me up for $95 - not duties or taxes but some bullshit "processing and handling" type charge. What's crazy is they expect the money at delivery. I had to write a check while the dude is awkwardly standing there. At least with fedex I haven't really paid more than $30 in duties charges. USPS never paid anything.

 

[stevent]

Carmina Women's Bal Boot

 

[MDeKelver]

1 in 100 is a great percentage, so less than $1 per delivery.
Up in the great white north, Canpost is around 30% getting dinged. And our shoe duty rate is 18% I believe, as I haven't had
any shoes delivered to me yet from overseas.
Never any pattern or rhythm or reason, sometimes you get hit, but most times not for duty or taxes.

I've had shoes delivered from Northhampton, no duties. From the US, I get hit. I haven't ordered from Sweden, not sure. I had a Tom Ford suit come from the Netherlands without a penny of tax via the post.

So, the'll add the duty plus the taxes (HST) for the province in which you reside. Still, beats the hell out of the UPS $50 brokerage fee.

 

[Journeyman]

Leatherfoot in Toronto also stock Carmina:

http://www.leatherfoot.com/store/

 

[unipair guy]

Carmina Ruby

 

[Journeyman]

Carmina Ruby

Gorgeous photos of gorgeous shoes.

 

[underpantsandy]

sorry I'm new to this forum so not sure how to link previous correspondance to this post, but my initial post was : http://www.styleforum.net/t/241469/carmina-shoes-reviews-sizing-photos-and-more/10485#post_7607266


Thank you everyone for your comments

I ended up buying the Carmina Wholecut in black calf...

They arrived and are beautiful shoes. Unfortunately they seemed to be half a size too small so I contacted the retailer who was happy to exchange for the next half size up.

I purchased through Skoaktiebolaget... this is my first purchase via this reseller, but due to the great service I am sure it will not be my last.

I discussed the sizing issue, and provided a photo of the ill-fitting shoes with my foot inside. They suggested the correct size and were happy to arrange an exchange.

When I first placed order, I received the shoes within a week, which is exceptional considering they were shipped from Sweden to Australia . And communication has been efficient, friendly and timely.

I also picked up a wholecut in chestnut via Herringshoes. They have some brogueing/detail which differs from the simple style of the Carmina and was lucky to find them on special, as they only had one size and I was lucky for it to be my size.

These are my first wholecut shoes, and admittedly I haven't had the time to evaluate them long term for fit/quality etc, but I must say that I do find the wholecut a fine looking shoe. For my inexperienced eye, I feel the Carmina appears to be of a slightly higher quality/finish, but I could be wrong, as I do not have expertise in shoe making/evaluation.

Thanks again to all who offered their thoughts and suggestions It did help my decision making process.

 

[underpantsandy]

p.s I also found Herringshoes service to be great, The ordering process was easy and the shoes arrived fast. I cannot comment regarding exchanges etc as the shoes fitted as expected. They also included a shoe horn and shoe polish to match. Both shoes came well packaged and with protective shoe bags to store them in.

 

[underpantsandy]

Now... what to get next? I have a pair of Carmina workwear shoes on backorder from Skoaktiebolaget but will be a month or so before they are available. I will now have the Carmina wholecut, workwear and a pair of chestnut wholecut. I already have 2 pairs of RM Williams in Chestnut, one is the Dynamic Flex comfort Crafstman and the other the RM Williams signature boot also in Chestnut. What else should a gentleman have in his stable? (not counting sneakers etc). I was thinking of a semi-casual shoe/boot to suit jeans or casual trousers. Casually I do not wear black shoes.

 

[CanadaCal]

Well you certainly have chestnut covered. Something in suede, or coloured calf. Chocolate suede, noix suede, burgundy calf, navy calf?

Any boot, chukka, shoe with broguing, or double monk would fit the bill IMO.

 

[leapyourbar]

Anyone own Inca and Simpson lasts and possibly comment on their similarities? I was going to order http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/collections/uk-8-5/products/carmina-modern-classic-in-brown on the Simpson last, but I only have Inca right now. Wondering if I will be okay on the same size.

 

[underpantsandy]

Well you certainly have chestnut covered. Something in suede, or coloured calf. Chocolate suede, noix suede, burgundy calf, navy calf?

Any boot, chukka, shoe with broguing, or double monk would fit the bill IMO.

Thanks,

I have been considering a chukka boot, but not sure what colour or texture. Typically regarding pants I wear jeans or beige/camel trousers with a darker blue jacket. I have deep blue eyes so my female friends have often commented that a blue shirt or jacket make my eyes "pop" (in a good way). I have been thinking of branching out and trying navy trousers, but navy trousers are hard to match with a jacket (I'm fair skinned and light coloured jackets seem to wash-out against my complection. And I find that Navy trousers are hard to pair with darker jackets, but I admittedly don't have much experience with the potential matches for jackets that may suit.

 

[underpantsandy]

Anyone own Inca and Simpson lasts and possibly comment on their similarities? I was going to order http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/collections/uk-8-5/products/carmina-modern-classic-in-brown on the Simpson last, but I only have Inca right now. Wondering if I will be okay on the same size.

When trying on various Carmina shoes, I did find the simpson last to be far more narrow than the others I tried. I don't have so much of a wide foot but more of a high arch. I didn't have a chance of fitting the simpson but the rain last was great for my foot shape. I cannot comment on the Inca last sorry.

 

[cchen]



Anyone own Inca and Simpson lasts and possibly comment on their similarities? I was going to order http://www.skoaktiebolaget.se/collections/uk-8-5/products/carmina-modern-classic-in-brown on the Simpson last, but I only have Inca right now. Wondering if I will be okay on the same size.

I wear the Inca last, and the Simpson is way too narrow

 

[IGotId]



There looks likes there is a GMTO through Gentleman's Footwear going on with a similar make up.


I would be in for a suede version.

I've expressed interest in the GF GMTO, apparently we need 3 more people if anyone's interested.