dlf1981
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2020
- Messages
- 26
- Reaction score
- 17
Hello all. I currently have shoes from Carmina, Alden, Vass, Edward Green, and MTM by Zeb, among some other brands. I'm generally pretty leery of running far into diminishing returns with any hobby, so I am trying to take my time. My right foot being in a boot post-surgery through April will help minimize my impulsiveness 
It would be an overstatement to say I don't care about price, but I do try to be mindful of the dollar-value ratio - at least as I perceive it. Within that mindset, I find Carmina, Vass, Zeb to all be outstanding - particularly if you pick up Carminas on sale.
I'm very interested in trying something nearer to bespoke, particularly from one of the legendary high end shoemakers with all the right details and the most aggressive styles. There are RTW options from these makers in the same price range as having near-bespoke Saint Crispins, and then Meccariello's bespoke program is significantly less expensive than any other European bespoke shoemaker and requires no travel.
I will most likely be looking at a Galway or Galway-type of boot, and a double monk. For reference, these are the two I've been eyeballing:
EG Cordovan Galway
Saint Crispin's Double Monk
www.saintcrispins.com
Saint Crispin's custom last program is interesting. Roughly 250eur per test pair then 300eur to make the last, from then on you pay RTW prices to make shoes off that last. I find this option intriguing. I'm not a super difficult fit and have a few shoes - like Carmina Inca shell monks - that fit like a glove all over.
On the other end, I'm looking at Meccariello's full bespoke program for 3300eur, and I am unsure what subsequent pair cost. This involves a couple of rounds of test pairs and a custom last, all done remotely.
So wrapping all this up, I'm trying to figure out the following:
1. My gut says the Saint Crispins is the best of both worlds. I can do 2 test pairs, custom last, and the monks I want for about 2000eur - and then I have a SC last forever. It seems like the best value. Am I missing anything here?
2. Meccariello's program is interesting particularly due to the price relative to competitors and lack of travel, however I am unsure how that would yield a better result than option 1 if the process in both cases is 1-2 test pairs that I wear for a while, get a last made, then make shoes. SC will cost less, but they don't call it "bespoke" - does that matter? I don't know.
3. My third choice is to look for pre-owned RTW from a few of these brands. There are quite a few great RTW brands in the 1000-1500eur price range. Maybe as an intermediary step - then explore the higher cost programs again. This is a distant 3rd because I hate buying and trying to resell shoes and I'm already sitting on a number of pair I thought would be easy to sell off (like Viberg chelsea in bamboo suede NIB)
It would be an overstatement to say I don't care about price, but I do try to be mindful of the dollar-value ratio - at least as I perceive it. Within that mindset, I find Carmina, Vass, Zeb to all be outstanding - particularly if you pick up Carminas on sale. I'm very interested in trying something nearer to bespoke, particularly from one of the legendary high end shoemakers with all the right details and the most aggressive styles. There are RTW options from these makers in the same price range as having near-bespoke Saint Crispins, and then Meccariello's bespoke program is significantly less expensive than any other European bespoke shoemaker and requires no travel.
I will most likely be looking at a Galway or Galway-type of boot, and a double monk. For reference, these are the two I've been eyeballing:
EG Cordovan Galway
Saint Crispin's Double Monk
Double Buckle Monk with Medallion - Saint Crispin's
Evolving from the strapped sandals worn by European Monks, this style is now very much en vogue – exuding masculine elegance par excellence.
www.saintcrispins.com
Saint Crispin's custom last program is interesting. Roughly 250eur per test pair then 300eur to make the last, from then on you pay RTW prices to make shoes off that last. I find this option intriguing. I'm not a super difficult fit and have a few shoes - like Carmina Inca shell monks - that fit like a glove all over.
On the other end, I'm looking at Meccariello's full bespoke program for 3300eur, and I am unsure what subsequent pair cost. This involves a couple of rounds of test pairs and a custom last, all done remotely.
So wrapping all this up, I'm trying to figure out the following:
1. My gut says the Saint Crispins is the best of both worlds. I can do 2 test pairs, custom last, and the monks I want for about 2000eur - and then I have a SC last forever. It seems like the best value. Am I missing anything here?
2. Meccariello's program is interesting particularly due to the price relative to competitors and lack of travel, however I am unsure how that would yield a better result than option 1 if the process in both cases is 1-2 test pairs that I wear for a while, get a last made, then make shoes. SC will cost less, but they don't call it "bespoke" - does that matter? I don't know.
3. My third choice is to look for pre-owned RTW from a few of these brands. There are quite a few great RTW brands in the 1000-1500eur price range. Maybe as an intermediary step - then explore the higher cost programs again. This is a distant 3rd because I hate buying and trying to resell shoes and I'm already sitting on a number of pair I thought would be easy to sell off (like Viberg chelsea in bamboo suede NIB)
