It’s a little off subject but .... I bought a pair of Loakes a while back, last century. I recently sent them back and used their refurb service. All I can say is wow. The quality’s was incredible like getting a new pair back, and really cost effective. Can’t beat quality shoes.
It's a little off subject but .... I bought a pair of Loakes a while back, last century. I recently sent them back and used their refurb service. All I can say is wow. The quality's was incredible like getting a new pair back, and really cost effective. Can't beat quality shoes.
I have 5 pairs of Loakes and can't rate them highly enough. For the price they are awesome. Every time I head back to the UK, I come back with a pair or two.
Not in my experience. I've recently replaced some Barker work shoes with some Loakes. And while they still welter leather sole construction and better than you normal high st retailer shoes, I prefer my old Barker shoes.
The Barker's I found broke in much easier and once broken in, you didn't know were wearing them.
The loakes on the other hand are no broken in, but seem very stiff and not as slipper like.
I got a decent discount on the Barkers, £220 ish down to about £150 ish.
Got some Eves and Gray shoes and they are nice, plus they usually have a discount or offer on and they let you send them back and try different sizes and styles.
Joseph Cheaney - different last styles so you can find the best fit - I also have Church's but for style and value for money I automatically buy Cheaney. Quality shoes don't need "breaking in". Trust me and just bite the bullet you won't regret it
I have one pair of Barkers which I wear once a year - would never buy them again
If you can get to the cheneys factory you can sometimes pick up pairs of seconds if your lucky, a mate of mine picked up a pair for less than half price because of a small defect in the leather (not you can see the mark when he’s wearing them).
Church, but sadly the quality of craftsmanship seems to have dropped off since Prada bought them.
Grenson shared a lot of their designs with church 15 years ago, never owned a pair but would consider them better than loakes. My father swore by barkers for years but had a few inferior quality ones in the 90s so moved away.
I’d also look at Charles Tyrwhitt, their shoes are Northampton made ( probably not church these days but possibly 5 years ago); their more expensive models are up to grenson quality if not church
Church, but sadly the quality of craftsmanship seems to have dropped off since Prada bought them.
Grenson shared a lot of their designs with church 15 years ago, never owned a pair but would consider them better than loakes. My father swore by barkers for years but had a few inferior quality ones in the 90s so moved away.
I'd also look at Charles Tyrwhitt, their shoes are Northampton made ( probably not church these days but possibly 5 years ago); their more expensive models are up to grenson quality if not church
And to add to my earlier comment i have recently bought a pair of Grenson via eBay - quite impressed with them in fairness, especially for what i paid for them. Not up to the quality of some of my older Church shoes, and i'd hesitate to pay the RRP of £180 ; but if I can get them at good discount prices then certainly I'd look at Grenson in future.
good money spent on beds or shoes is never wasted.
i'm from where all these shoes are made and cheaneys are what my mate swears by. they have a seconds shop (you'd never know they're seconds) and can be gotten for half price.
handmade shoes aren't cheap.
What you wear makes you what you are, I was always taught to make an effort something I didn’t really take notice of until about ten years ago. But from what I’ve experienced buy cheap buy twice is usually the way it works, for instance both my current work boots and wellies cost approximately £150 each but I used to only spend £20 on the wellies and £30 on my work boots the cheap ones would last a year if lucky but my expensive ones have lasted nearly ten years none of which have been looked after any differently and my feet are much happier as they’ve been so much more comfortable.
What you wear makes you what you are, I was always taught to make an effort something I didn't really take notice of until about ten years ago. But from what I've experienced buy cheap buy twice is usually the way it works.
I am also a fan of Loakes. Good quality and comfortable - they also last well if maintained. I have owned Churches in the past and they are superb, but I can justify the price now.
I've had several pairs of Loakes and I don't think I'd buy another pair, over the years their quality has gone downhill, customer service is excellent though.
Some of their shoes are made in India and that to me, takes away from the made in England novelty.
I bought a pair of Churchs about 15 years ago, had them resoled and the service was amazing - actually cost me more than the shoes, as I bought them in a sale at a show.
They make you feel special, like a quality watch - its not to impress others, though some notice, but how you feel. Like driving a clean car - a dirty one goes just as well, but doesn't make you feel quite so good.
After an accident my quality shoes had to be replaced, my blue Grensons were very comfortable, I did have some Loakes that never became what one might call worn it, so that new feel never wore off.
I do try to buy them when on offer, my Church brogues are quality which are not really day wear. I do prefer a stitched rather than welted sole either way I need to try them on. With an f or g fitting some of these for day wear are available, I do have shoes boxed so will not need any replacement soon.
Many Thanks. John Tht.
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