Yeah, that’s the exact dinner.

Did not spend much on the cuffed pants thou

Need to hunt for a cedar shoe tree now for the Carmina.

Honestly, even after a trip to P.Lal, I felt that this Carmina is still the best looking one at a reasonable price.

Thanks Leetan33 Glad you like em.

Long overdue, here's the double monks I picked up last month. Many may not have heard of Carlos Santos, (except for Santana) neither have I until AFPOS and Skoak started stocking them. Tried it at the trunk show in summer and I'm sold. It has a fantastic arch support, reminds me of EG and for the money, it's pretty good value.

It's on the 234 Last. I can't really compare it to the Carmina as I don't have a pair   Although I have to say the CS arc support is superb!

I have 4 Carmina lasts. My feet is a bit long and quite narrow. Low instep.

Simpson 7.5UK fits me best. Wraps quite nicely around my heel and instep, but with some wiggle room in the toes. One of their nicest looking lasts too! It's a narrow last though, so wide feet probably steer clear.

Inca in 7UK. Fits me fine, but not as good as Simpson. 7.5UK would have been too wide for me.

Soller in 7UK. Very comfortable despite it being known as one of Carmina's widest lasts. Ample toe space. It's a long last so fits me well in that respect. A little loose around the heel but not too much a bother.

Uetam 7UK loafers. I tried 7.5UK which fits me nicely in the toes but had heel slippage. So I opted for 7UK. If I don't wear socks it's fine, but with socks the toe area is cramped. This last has very low instep and little space upfront. I sold off my pair since I don't like sockless and generally just not a loafers kind of guy I guess.

I also tried on other lasts before. Rain would be in 7UK for me. Robert is a little tricky. Either 7 or 7.5. Detroit in 7 as well.

Skoak is getting rid of Carmina. Apparently not a good partner to do business with, Carmina.

I would have to scuff this up eventually 

At this price range there really isn't much else is there? I'd have to upgrade quite significantly to get something like G&G or StC. The closest is probably CS or Yanko which I've yet to try. I'm actually tempted to get a pair of CS if I see one to my liking. Need to familiarise myself with their lasts. The typical last is very round and to me not very elegant so it probably suits more casual models. But I know they have a more chiseled last.

That and Carmina's lasts are pretty fabulous, especially Simpson and Inca. Their suede is fantastic too.

Oh the heartache when the object of our affection is the interface to a cruel world. Haha.

You already have an excellent answer from bro kelvw who has more good dress shoes than I have good dress shirts. 

Anyway, I concur that you just have to accept it as wear and tear.

All my shoes have, or will have in the case of my new Loake Aldwych, either a topy or a rubber toe tip because my toe wears out much faster than the rest of the shoe. If that weren't the case, I would be happy to use the leather sole as it is.

WJ&Co is having a John Lobb shoes event this month.

Interested?

Tried a Mr Minit branch before too for a heel replacement. They did a good job. Only thing is I hated the fact that they sprayed some glossy finish on top before giving me the shoes. When I asked them why, they said so that I don't have to brush them often. I said it's my habit to brush it before and after each wearing so please ask next time. I renomat-ted them when I got home...

I did ask them about Goodyear welted resole, they said they could do it. But I got a bit nervous when they said they will insist on changing the whole welt as well and not just the outsole, regardless of the condition of the welt. Basically like a factory recraft, but without the benefit of the original last...

I'm sure cheefai7 has already reserved an appointment for the event. 

Oh really? I reserved a slot myself

See him there! Hahahaha

Agreed...but my gripe is why would a full welt replacement automatically be necessary? If they were open to not replacing it, then they wouldn't need a GYW machine.

Also, I didn't ask them directly, but since they insist on replacing the welt I assumed they DO have a GYW machine. Maybe not at that particular branch, maybe they have a central place to send more complicated jobs. IDK.

So you reckon Mr Minit hand stitches the gemming to the welt?

My interest in piqued! Someone go buy a GYW shoe at a bundle shop and send for resoling. We disect it afterwards. Lol.

Oh really? I reserved a slot myself

See him there! Hahahaha

My decade old C&J Audleys was given a quick touch up before setting out...

Actually i wear them at least 3-4 times a month. I always make sure my shoes are properly maintained. That and don't play football with them on haha

Yep they've been topyed a few years back. This is my oldest pair of English shoes and I am always impressed with their quality. This and my Lowndes double monks are the ones that I use the most often and travel with the most.

These Mantellasis are around 6 years old...

I am paying them a visit later today.

Doubt I will commit as I have some items in the wishlist that needs to be purchased first before this pair of Lobby

A pair of Septieme Largeur that's about 5 to 6 years old...

Those look fantastic! From P Lal before C&J cut ties with them?

Yes. From the good old days!

And something I got from them a few months back...