The London Lounge

I think an important difference between C&J and Church's, on the one hand, and EG (and G&G), on the other, is the much more individualized shoes you can get through the latter via their extremely flexible MTO programs. Unless you're willing to pay EG prices, you are pretty well stuck with existing d...

I agree with NCW for winter (non-use) storage, but not for summer. In my opinion, and from the suggestions of hat sellers, the hat should always be sitting brim up on one's hat shelf, so as not to alter the brim's shape or flatten it out in any way.

I was tempted to say "anyone but UPS," but can't be sure some of the other courier services aren't just as bad. UPS begins to slim down your wallet with pretty exorbitant shipping costs, then, having now got up a head of steam, skims off more in duties and taxes than the greediest customs officer wo...

Some selected thoughts about shell cordovan from my experiences with four pairs of shoes: 1. In my opinion, Alden is mostly right, but not entirely so. Shell cordovan does require very little maintenance to remain looking good. Occasional cleaning if necessary and brushing (I finish with a soft clot...

I'm planning on having three pairs of dress trousers made up for fall/winter wear. I'd like them to be of a smooth worsted wool of around 11-oz. weight (plenty for our Vancouver winters). I'm interested in really high-quality wool here--possibly 100s, but more likely 120s to 140s. I'm planning on a ...

First a couple of comments and then a question: Comments : Good advice from RWS and Demeter regarding using the middle hole. I've found that, if you use that hole, the length question will sort itself out for you (in that the belt will extend far enough to be captured by the first belt loop of your ...

Great thread. One very interesting incidental detail: when G&G were asked by Manton for partial rubber covering on the soles, they put Topy s on. Yes,,,that's right, the oft-maligned Topys. Those, if you'll recall, are the thin sole coverings that are said to prevent the shoes from breathing, ruin t...

One way to de-formalize the cufflink look a little with sports jackets is to go with silk knots. Some men don't like them, but I do. They let you wear French cuffs effectively with a more casual jacket and add a colorful accent (provided, of course, that you have your jacket and shirt cuffs cut to t...

This may prove to be of no value, Sartorius, since you are in London and can, presumably, find some sources there at which you could see the buttons in the flesh, so to speak (in the metal?!). However, let me give you a link to an online supplier of Holland & Sherry blazer buttons (along with shirti...

A couple of points: (a) I couldn't agree more with Lancepryor's well-thought-out exposition. I too have used Topys for decades and have long ago come to the conclusion that concerns about throwing out the balance of the shoe and preventing breathing of the sole are urban myths that have absolutely n...

I like Gaziano and Girling's taxonomy of lasts in their catalog, found in the following link: http://www.gazianogirling.com/content.html Let the opening screen fade, then click on "Shoes" at the top, and then on "Made to Order" at the bottom. Finally, click on "Last Designs." Sorry I can't figure ou...

I do as a matter of fact and I love it. Jesus, you don't forget anything! But it has metal taps that click. I have the Hunt Derby as well and, like you, found the heels/soles less than optimal. Since I regarded mine as basically hard-wearing, outdoor shoes, the metal toe and heel taps and smooth le...

By "weatherproof" I assume you mean rubber-soled or equivalent. You choice will likely turn on whether you want a stylish-but-weatherproof shoe, like the EG Dover with Dainite sole, or a real mudder/slusher with a heavier rubber sole, such as the John Lobb Barros or something with a vibram or comman...

Can someone give me contact information for ordering Carmina shoes from a distance, assuming this is possible. I assume that by contacting one of their shops, one can arrange for purchase of a particular model in a particular size. But who should one contact? Thanks.

Mezlan is a Spanish shoe manufacturer--undoubtedly one of the largest in that country, if not the largest. Their shoes are generally of good quality and tend to sell in the midrange sector of the market. They're often discounted by online sellers. Actually, their shoes vary considerably in price, wi...