Were they the ones with an animal paw print for grips and a compass in the heel?
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Were they the ones with an animal paw print for grips and a compass in the heel?
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Came with a secret code wheel too. Even Bletchley Park couldn't crack that.
Hover Fly
He, him, his
- Location
- Besides the lake, beneath the trees
No, they were Wayfarers , made by Bata in Essex.
Badger_Boom
Veteran
- Location
- York
Its the "stylishly stuff it all in".
puff or a reverse puff I think
I used to do a conservative presidential, but I quite like the puff / reverse puff so going for that for my upcoming nuptials.
I did a variation angled peaks for years but favour a flamboyant puff these days.
Hover Fly
He, him, his
- Location
- Besides the lake, beneath the trees
Just bought a pair of these
https://www.newbalance.co.uk/pd/made-in-uk-1500--biscuit-edge-leather/U1500V1-46362.html.
https://www.newbalance.co.uk/pd/made-in-uk-1500--biscuit-edge-leather/U1500V1-46362.html.
Hover Fly
He, him, his
- Location
- Besides the lake, beneath the trees
How much!?
How much would a pair of good quality, made in England formal shoes cost? I’ve had NB before and reckon they’re worth every penny.
Chromatic
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
I bought a pair of Loake shoes for £10, admittedly they were second hand and from a charity shop but they were Loake and in excellent nick.
T4tomo
Legendary Member
Bargain.
Chromatic
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
That’s what I thought.
You’d be lucky to get them for that these days. As charity shops look up the new price and what a pair are going for on eBay/ vinted and price them in that range.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
Things to look out for:
1: Goodyear welted. A method of construction which means they can be resoled, hopefully several times. It's an indication of quality as cheap shoes are rarely made this way. The sole itself could be leather or rubber according to preference. Rubber is better.
2 Made in the UK, usually Northampton. This is pretty much a guarantee of quality. That's not to say Spanish, Indian, or Italian shoes are necessarily bad, but I once had a pair of well priced, and quality-seeming Spanish brogues which literally fell to bits. Some of the second tier makers like Loakes, Grensons etc if made in Northampton are still somewhat reasonably priced at half the price of Crockett and Jones or Church's.
3 Practicality - get rubber soles if you can, either Dainite or Commando soles, sewn on using the aforementioned Goodyear construction. Alternatively if you get leather soles your cobbler can replace with rubber when the leather wears out, which it will do very quickly. You can also get stick on rubber for the leather - cobbler will do if better than you. Even posh Crocketts, which are now £500 to £600 new (mine have nearly all been seconds or secondhand) are available with rubber soles so it's not a lower quality option, it is simply better
3. Style: Formal or with a business suit really needs black shoes and probably plainish ones rather than brogues. The most formal style is arguably plain black toe cap Oxfords, suitable for funerals or black tie, but perhaps a bit too austere otherwise. Semi brogue Oxfords are still reasonably formal but not quite as austere for everday. Perhaps the ideal wear anywhere option? Brogues or semi-brogues maybe the best choice for your stated use, be they black or tan according to your taste. Heavy "country" brogues, particularly if they have, or are later resolled with commando soles are extremely practical.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I had a pair of boots with 'Goodyear Welted' soles, out walking one day and the sole parted company with the upper at the heel.
2 things they weren't cheap and they were only 7-8 months old.....................give me a stitched on sole as opposed to a 'glued' on one anyday
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Does anyone remember cobblers shops? Could get shoes re soled or re heeled for very little cash. I efen had new soles stitched onto an old pair of Danner boots.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
There's an excellent one near me. However the days of it costing very little cash are long gone. My last re-sole, admittedly a commando which are dearer was a brutal £100 ! Dunno if I'm paying a posh Clifton tax or Crockett and Jones premium. It used to be a lot cheaper, like a lot of things I guess. I had enquired about sending them back to Crockett's but that was £240 odd, so hell no !
