The men's dress style thread..

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There are certain uses where rubber might be preferable, but I think better is pushing it. Leather looks smarter, so if your going for smartest of smart, leather every time, but if its shoes you're going to be walking outdoors in a lot then rubber or a rubber stick on over the leather will be more durable.

The other good thing about leather is, that during breaking-in, it moulds to your foot shape, whereas rubber bounces back to its moulded shape, a rubber sole might be more comfortable to begin, but after a few wearings leather beats it for comfort.
 
OP
OP
wafter

wafter

I like steel bikes and I cannot lie..
Location
Oxford
The pair I mentioned are made of very good leather (mother was a designer for K’s and taught me a lot about leather and shoe quality.) They look like they’re Blake stitched with a rubber outer glued on, so not a great deal of difference in time taken.

Cool - sounds like you're well-placed to make an informed decision.

Conversely a lot of the time I'm flying blind so always try to maintain a healthy skepticism!
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
The other good thing about leather is, that during breaking-in, it moulds to your foot shape, whereas rubber bounces back to its moulded shape, a rubber sole might be more comfortable to begin, but after a few wearings leather beats it for comfort.

Wear leather soled shoes for maybe 3 months and your socks will be touching the pavement. And you will likely have fallen on your arse more than a few times too
 
Cool - sounds like you're well-placed to make an informed decision.

Conversely a lot of the time I'm flying blind so always try to maintain a healthy skepticism!

Skepticism is always a good idea, whatever you’re buying. There is a special amount of hype around Goodyear welt, which isn’t always the best method , Goodyear welted cycling shoes, anyone? Interesting to see how they’ve gone from covering up the stitches in the 1970s to making a feature of them now. Another trick to look out for, now longer the preserve of the Italians, using cheap leather “binder“ as ma called it, with an acrylic coat to make it look like better quality polished leather, even the Northamptonshire makers are doing that now, if you’ve ever had shoes split at the creases in the vamp, that’s probably what you had.
 

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
I wore my Lancashire County Cricket Club jumper yesterday.🌹 It's quite old, bought last year from the retro clothing shop I work in. Looking at the photo, it looks like I have a bit of middle age spread,🤔 but I can assure you it's just the camera angle, as I have a svelt 32 inch waist and can't even pinch half an inch, never mind a whole inch!🧐


20251009_003109.jpg
 
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Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
Wear leather soled shoes for maybe 3 months and your socks will be touching the pavement. And you will likely have fallen on your arse more than a few times too

I only wear leather soles in very dry weather! Leather and rain equals serious none traction, possible falling on the floor! I have a habit of kneeling on my top man made fibre carpeted stair as I put my mutt's harness on, with my feet supposedly steadying me on a few steps down. If I have leather soled shoes or boots on you can guarantee I will go head first as my feet slip backwards as leather soles and man made fibre carpets do not mix well!!🙄
 
Yes, DM's are seemingly poor quality these days, made more out of pleather than proper leather, according to reports. Having said that, I bought a pair in the 1990's and although quite comfortable had that 'plasticky' feel about them.🤔

Solovair, used to make DMs, now make, err, Solovair, similar to old DMs.

https://uk.nps-solovair.com/?noredirect=true
 
OP
OP
wafter

wafter

I like steel bikes and I cannot lie..
Location
Oxford
Skepticism is always a good idea, whatever you’re buying. There is a special amount of hype around Goodyear welt, which isn’t always the best method , Goodyear welted cycling shoes, anyone? Interesting to see how they’ve gone from covering up the stitches in the 1970s to making a feature of them now. Another trick to look out for, now longer the preserve of the Italians, using cheap leather “binder“ as ma called it, with an acrylic coat to make it look like better quality polished leather, even the Northamptonshire makers are doing that now, if you’ve ever had shoes split at the creases in the vamp, that’s probably what you had.

Thanks for the tips - despite needing some decent dress shoes it's not a rabbithole I'm fully committed to yet, so welcome all the help I can get!
 

Webbo2

Über Member
Hey Accy
Did you get an invite to the Cordings in store special viewing. I got one even though I’ve never bought anything from them.
 
intetresting
Did Solovair fall out with Doc Martens (or vice versa) then?

More a case of business is business, Doc Maertens had a bit of difficulty and had to go abroad for financial reasons.

Edit, it seems Doc. Martens had some of their original designs made by NPS awhile back, still to be found if you look in the right shop.
 
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Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
Hey Accy
Did you get an invite to the Cordings in store special viewing. I got one even though I’ve never bought anything from them.

No I didn't! A viewing of what may I ask? 🤔 I'm a bit put out as I must've spent 9 or 10 grand with Cordings over the last 4 years! Maybe they are taking my custom for granted slightly!🧐 🫤
 
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Webbo2

Über Member
No I didn't! A viewing of what may I ask? 🤔 I'm a bit put out as I must've spent 9 or 10 grand with Cordings over the last 4 years! Maybe they are taking my custom for granted slightly!🧐 🫤

It’s in conjunction with Berry bros and Rudd wine and spirit merchants. To be honest I would have thought they would be sending a limo to pick you up. Given what you spend with them and the free advertising they get on here.
 
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