The London Lounge

Is there any model besides the EG Malvern in canvas that members can recommend?

I have a pair of leather-and-canvas cap-toe oxfords from Grenson's Masterpiece line which are quite nice - probably not up to EG standards, but they were nice for the price. I'm not sure if they're available as standard from Grenson, but Paul Stuart should have them.

Otherwise, Romano Martegani, through Franco's - http://www.francos.com/items/shoes.asp - offers a few special-order models with canvas vamps - what do you think of your other Martegani shoes?

My first pair was a pair of fashion-foward bluchers depicted on the Franco's site:

http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=27539

My second was a special order, designed to look like this shoe:

http://www.bensilver.com/fs_storefront. ... 53&group=2

The buckle is silver, and the leather is light brown.

The construction is exceptionally durable, particularly for the special order shoe. The shoes are comfortable, though not quite as comfortable as Alfred Sargents.

For some reason, the non-special order shoe has more room in the toe box and so it wrinkles. But the three worst problems are that the leather does not breathe all that well, making the shoes warm in the heat of summer. The second problem I have is that the special order shoe was much lighter than I expected. And the third problem is that the "fashion foward" blucher looks more fashion foward the longer I wear it. I am learning about style and I realize that what seems really cool at first can evolve to appear shocking with the wrong outfit. I have to be very careful not to overdo anything with certain suits or jackets. I have worn socks that are too bright for example, and the effect, was, well, bright. The same goes for the special-order Marteganis, they are so bright I have to be selective as to when to wear them.