saskatoonjay
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STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.
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Additionally, saw pics of a Chinese maker with great potential. MTO handwelted using Annonay calf, 250USD. I will sample them next time in China.I know a few but to be honest Mexican manufacturers have to deal with the lack of good uppers.
The one I have seen that has nice uppers is John Doe, he has from Horween, D’Annonay among others but construction wise, I feel they can do better. Their shoes are usually around $160 and are Goodyear welted.
There is another brand that I like for daily or casual use, it’s Miles & Louie. I have a pair of boots and shoes from them and they are quite comfortable but the uppers are not the best you have seen. The last pair I bought from them, were a suede Chelsea boot, Goodyear welt for $100.
Franco Cuadra, I would definitely not recommend.
There’s a guy in León, Guanajuato that makes bespoke, you can get bespoke shoes for $10,000 pesos, that around $500 USD but you have to go to his workshop to get measured and fitted. I have seen some of his shoes, they look nice, he can do the Norvegese style but don’t expect some Yohei Fukuda level. Again, I think the availability of better uppers hold his of having a better product. You can take a look at his Instagram, I think it’s atelier amareto.
For boots, there’s another brand, Unmarked that has some interesting products, they look nice but the prices is near Red Wing. And to be honest, I would take a pair of Red Wings before a full retail Unmarked’s.
Those are the brands I know of.
I agree with you.Additionally, saw pics of a Chinese maker with great potential. MTO handwelted using Annonay calf, 250USD. I will sample them next time in China.
Those look nice.Additionally, saw pics of a Chinese maker with great potential. MTO handwelted using Annonay calf, 250USD. I will sample them next time in China.
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Care to share more information on this Chinese maker?Additionally, saw pics of a Chinese maker with great potential. MTO handwelted using Annonay calf, 250USD. I will sample them next time in China.
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I actually don't have more than their taobao store page. https://glshougongxie.taobao.com/search.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c-s.0.0.259a1f62SFrMVP&search=yCare to share more information on this Chinese maker?
Ant, I appreciate your open-mindedness. It's hard to come by on StyleForum. Respect.Obviously depending on your own point of view, this is either a subjective or objective point.
Personally, I rate AS exclusive and J Fitz at 'mid range' (don't particularly like the majority of the C&J lasts aesthetically speaking, but appreciate the handgrade).
Beyond that, there is a considerable difference in feel on the foot and in hand, and shape when you move up to Meccariello, then G&G.
I have no shame in occasionally buying second hand, or samples/seconds, so picking up a £800-£1,500 pair at, say, just above mid tier prices, even if lightly used, tends to be my typical strategy.
I have Carmina and would buy again, but there is such a difference in feel on the foot I wouldn't but them new - only used to fill a particular hole in the rotation.
Maybe that is a issue - one man's mid tier is another's aspirational.
I have no axe to grind and I'm really not a dickish elitist, so whatever one loves and works for is fantastic in my book, and I'll happily share the love of a good shoe with someone at whatever level they are at.