On the hunt for a new pair of dress shoes, likely brown oxford style. Really like Church's but out of budget ($500 max, ideally $350 or less), particularly the following styles:
http://www.church-footwear.com/it/en/collection/men/EEB0179X…
http://www.church-footwear.com/it/en/collection/men/EEB0739X…
Any budget friendlier options from fellow Ozbargainers? Ideally something that can at least be tried on in person in Melbourne.
They're garbage. Crappy leather and it peels. Glue is crap too
Am i insane, or does $500 not really seem like Mid-range??
Have a look at some Windsor Smith or Julius Marlow or Florsheim or Aquila or any number of brands that will have a dedicated store in a local shopping centre. Or try the DFOs
Well plenty, including the ones I posted are $750+ and a cheap pair is generally $50-75 so doesn't that make $300-$500 mid-range? haha.
All the ones you listed are not good. I would recommend Meermin or Loakes.
Meermin: https://www.meermin.es/in_en/?___from_store=en
Otherwise check out https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/loake
Herring should have some other brands as well that would be within your price range.
I like florsheim, comfortable and well made.
Thanks, I'll look into those.
I like Rockport or Ecco as mid-range dress shoes.
Avoid Windsor Smith and Julius Marlow
In my experience, they fall apart really quick and don't last.
From my experience, they last about 6months. I wear them monday to friday.
Bought a pair of florsheim ones for my wedding - comfortable and it looks nice (wore them for about 18 hours)
Best ones was a pair I got from Zu shoes on sale. $30-40 and it's lasted me 3 years now, just needs some polish and it'll be right as rain :)
I bought a pair of church's at last David Jones half yearly sales for just over $300, it was on sale for $400ish then take another something like 20 or 25% off. Otherwise you may try far fetch, you may find some church's at good prices. I bought a pair from them for just over $300 but I forgot to use cash reward.
Pair of Church's for $300 would be fantastic, will have to keep an eye out.
Heard some mixed reviews on CT, you recommend them though?
i wear them to work. Buy the good year welted ones for better leather or rubber sole ones for work.
If you are going to buy nice shoes in Australia, then expect to pay a premium. This country is largely ignorant about quality shoes, so we have a smaller market and higher prices. There are plenty to choose from online overseas if you are confident in your choices.
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/
http://www.pediwear.co.uk/
If you're willing to spend more money, take a trip to Double Monk in Fitzroy or American Tailors in the city. McCloud Shoes are also in the city and were offering Churchs and Loakes the last time I was there a few years ago, although more expensive than buying from the UK. Double Monk's Crockett & Jones shoes were only a bit more expensive than buying from the UK. I haven't been to American Tailors in a few years, but I do recall them selling some fancy Gaziano & Girling shoes and possibly some Carminas as well.
BTW, for shoe aficionados, the Loake 1880 are considered entry to mid range shoes. A step up is something like Crockett & Jones and then at the higher end you have something like Edward Green and bespoke lines. People who are throwing up brands names like Windsor Smith can safely be ignored.
What Kahn said is exactly right, another shop is robinsonsshoes.com
When I buy shoes I get a cobbler to put a topy sole on them. I rotate their use and when one topy sole wears down I have it replaced, the shoes then have a very long life.
Most shoes you buy at department stores or outlet malls in Australia will be overpriced poorly constructed, glued together I bought a pair of Aquila from the DFO once and was just that. It was made in Indonesia and the heel was made out of particle board.
If buying from the UK I’d email and ask the shoe store what your correct size is first as uk sizes are different and shoes can vary.
Yea, I've been looking at herringshoes.co.uk, happy to order from overseas if that's the go, just trying to figure out what brand to go with so I can find somewhere to try them on before ordering. Sounds like Loake 1880 is a solid choice though?
The Loake 1880 range is quite good but I doubt you can buy them online as most retailers don't ship them to us. Henry Bucks have them for around $600 if you want to get ripped off and McCould have them for ~$500. Manfreds Shoe Lounge also stock them and are located in North Melbourne although I've never been there.
Herring Shoes currently have free shipping and returns (order over 190GBP) which you could benefit from if you are unhappy with the fit. As Stewardo recommended, you could contact them if unsure. Out of curiosty, what size shoe are you after? Have a look at their premier and classic lines here.
I actually noticed a store on AliExpress that sell some shoes that might be decent.
The higher quality brands/lines use fancy dyes and/or dyeing methods which can't really be appreciated in black, so I'd recommend a brown of some sort. Back when I was in the market, I'd buy black shoes in the Loake 1880 range and browns in C&J or Barker/Trickers.
Yea, I'm a big fan of the Loake Aldwych (and the much more expensive Church's Dubai) but as you said finding a spot that ships to Australia is pretty difficult. loakeshoes.com.au has them for $479 which I guess isn't terrible though still a far cry from the $350 or so they'd be if I could buy from the UK.
Right now though looking like the best option I've found under $500 in that style. Would be great to hear if you have any other recommendations though, looking for a brown/mahogany shoe, probably oxford style, in size 7F (at least based on Loake sizing).
EDIT: Found a discount code for loakeshoes.com.au here on OzBargain which puts a pair at $430. Not bad. Also Carlos Santos seems to come out to around $400 AUD so not sure which is better at that price point.
Not sure if you’re still wanting posts, but you say you want brown oxfords? For the $350 range, look into Carlos Santos. This seems to be a really well regarded brand and a much better buy than Church’s, which have gone downhill in style and quality IMO.
https://www.skoaktiebolaget.com/collections/carlos-santos
I have a pair of Crockett and Jones Hallam in dark brown burnished calf. These are by far my favourite shoe, the patina they’ve developed is awesome. The cheapest you will find them is $560 on Selfridges’ site. I have seen that site do a 30% off all shoe sale before (around six months ago), which includes their CJs. My advice would be to subscribe to their newsletter if you want to try and pick up a pair for cheap in the future. Even around 600 though, they’re worth it.
Morse Point UK also sell a few CJs and have a %10 coupon for first buyers. After removing VAT, their prices are decent. I recommend your standard UK shoe size in CJs. I wear a UK10 in RMW and a 10 in CJs (most lasts fit similarly for me).
Don’t forget though that a pair of cedar shoe trees are essential to maintain the shape of your shoes. Not fun having to fork out the extra but otherwise your shoes will point up.
Awesome, thanks hadn't heard of those before.
How did you get the dark theme for this site?
Just a browser extension.
Umm what’s wrong with some hush puppies?