The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[hentaisan]

are the bordeaux and oxblood (in shell cordovan) similar in color? which one is closer to color 8?

 

[agedashidofu]

are the bordeaux and oxblood (in shell cordovan) similar in color? which one is closer to color 8?

They're both one and the same (essentially color 8.) It's just that Horween's color 8 sometimes come out quite dark (like oxblood) and sometimes come out quite lighter purplish (bordeaux.) Horween's shell colors really vary depending on the batches. I've owned 3 color 8 and they all don't look the same (they were acquired years apart from each other.) If you look at a few pages back where I've posted the pictures of my shoes - they're the darker version of color 8 - closer to oxblood / eggplant color. I recall a few years back they were more purplish than eggplant / oxblood in color.

 

[Concordia]

In calf, there is Bordeaux and oxblood. In shell, there is bordeaux. That last color is basically the #8, although not quite as dark or massively polished as Alden does it. It's between the two calf colors, but a bit closer to the bordeaux.

My guess is that if you knew how to do it and wanted to, you could polish it to be more like the Alden oxblood/eggplant/dark purple color.

 

[hentaisan]

They're both one and the same (essentially color 8.) It's just that Horween's color 8 sometimes come out quite dark (like oxblood) and sometimes come out quite lighter purplish (bordeaux.) Horween's shell colors really vary depending on the batches. I've owned 3 color 8 and they all don't look the same (they were acquired years apart from each other.) If you look at a few pages back where I've posted the pictures of my shoes - they're the darker version of color 8 - closer to oxblood / eggplant color. I recall a few years back they were more purplish than eggplant / oxblood in color.

oh ok...and are their brown/cognac shells the same as well? what about saddle shell? I ask because on their color chart they have only black/cognac/burgundy on their color chart but I've seen much more than that

 

[griffon_id]



Me (all regular widths)
Carmina, Rain & Forest: UK7,5
Carmina, Simpson: UK8
C&J, 348, 337 & 341: UK7,5
G&G, GG06, TG73 & MH71: UK8
Vass, U & F: EU41,5

Based on this your size should be EU40. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advise. Would that be also eu40 if goes k last?

 

[agedashidofu]

oh ok...and are their brown/cognac shells the same as well? what about saddle shell? I ask because on their color chart they have only black/cognac/burgundy on their color chart but I've seen much more than that

Basically the below are Horween's colors for shell:

1. Color #8 - sometimes called Bordeaux (if comes out lighter purplish) or oxblood (if comes out dark purple.)
2. Cigar - Really dark brown
3. Cognac - Brown (darker shade but lighter than cigar.)
4. Saddle - light brown / tan (if you're lucky sometimes they come out orange-ish.)
5. Brandy - very similar to Saddle (couldn't really tell much difference between the 2) Carmina used to source brandy but decided to go with saddle since they're so similar.

6. Whiskey - very light brown / natural (if you're lucky sometimes they come out yellow-ish.)
7. Navy - Dark Blue
8. Green
9. Ruby / Red (it's not lipstick red, but rather darker shade of red)
10. Ravello - My favorite - Red brown (very very rare.)
11. Dark Cherry - difficult to describe, but color is between ruby and color 8 (bordeaux)

Confused? Me too - Horween's color is just so inconsistent. So much so that GG actually hates them - since the color never match to their specs.

 

[agedashidofu]

Thanks for the advise. Would that be also eu40 if goes k last?

I think the general consensus here is that you would wear the same size between U & K Last (though K is more constricting in the toe box.) I recently took a risk myself trying the K-last in the same size. Luckily it worked out fine. If you read 5 - 6 pages back we discussed the U vs. K shape / sizing. K is a tad roomier in the instep, but more constricting in the toe box

 

[joiji]

Quote:
I think there's also 'natural' shell, which is lighter again than whiskey/saddle/etc.

I've found the main differences between the different hues of each colour of shell are the undertones:

Of dark brown shell, congac is a simple brown, whereas cigar has olive undertones. Similar differences exist between saddle and whiskey. There are also just general colour variations between batches.

If you want a particular colour, ask Rezso to match the shell to it. I asked for a dark burgundy when I ordered and received that.

 

[DonRaphael]



Thanks for the advise. Would that be also eu40 if goes k last?

I don't own anything in K-last, but I believe concensus is you should keep your U-last size.

 

[leicadokyu]



Sounds like you would be a 43.5 in u last for vass. Sizing up half is not a bad idea if your foot is a little wider than usual.

Forgive me but i think i had measured my foot wrong so i re-measured it. Does this look like it'll fit in EU 43, U Last now? Thanks!

Instep: 7 9/32 inches - 18.5cm
Waist: 6 11/16 inches - 17cm
Ball: 6 inches - 15.23cm
Length: 11 inches / 27.94cm

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Oxblood u-cap from NMWA:

 

[agedashidofu]



Latest acquisition, a pair of Old English II in plum museum calf, F-last, single Dainite sole. Lovely shoes! The leather is a bit less mottled than my pair made with Ilcea leather, as been discussed before, more towards what Lobb calls misty calf. For those who like more mottled finish, it's good news that Vass will buy from Ilcea from end of May again. The waist work with the rubber sole is really nice, they've trimmed it off to the sides a bit to create a small bevelling and a bit like a HAF-sole look. What surprised me though is that the hold heel is in rubber, the heel base as well. Never seen that before, a bit of a shame that you can't polish up a shine on that part, but we'll see how it will function. Enough babling, here's some pics: [COLOR=A74345] [/COLOR] [COLOR=A74345] [/COLOR] [COLOR=A74345] [/COLOR]

Spoiler: MORE PICTURES HERE!

-

Very nice!!! Would you know if this is Haas or Bonaudo museum calf?

 

[Slickman]

^ those are a friggin masterpiece, plum looks like a mix btwn oxblood and bordeaux w/ some antiquing

 

[NAMOR]



Oxblood u-cap from NMWA:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

how do you like these? versatile? i imagine you wear them with cords, chinos, and denim?

 

[hentaisan]

Me (all regular widths)
Carmina, Rain & Forest: UK7,5
Carmina, Simpson: UK8
C&J, 348, 337 & 341: UK7,5
G&G, GG06, TG73 & MH71: UK8
Vass, U & F: EU41,5

I think I should be the same size as you based on Simpson and Rain sizing.

Did you find there being a difference between U and F lasts?