cheap sources for Lobb or Green

[Guest]

I wondered what are the cheap sources for Lobb RTW or Green RTW? When does JL in NYC have sales? I already know about eBay and that is impractical (poor selection).

[Mark Seitelman]

There are few sales of these shoes.

Neither Saks nor Jay Kos place Greens on sale. Greens were available on sale whenever a store discontinued carrying them. E.g., the Oxxford Store and Bergdorf placed their stock on sale when they discontinued the line. Therefore, finding Greens on sale is purely a matter of luck.

Lobb RTW is placed on sale at the Lobb store on Madison Avenue. Generally, the sales are seasonal, such as the summer and winter sales. I believe that I have also seen Lobbs for sale in Bergdorf in its end of season sales.

[TVD]

Even at "sales" prices, John Lobb (Paris) RTW is no more than about 30% cheaper than normal. Choice is near non-existent, unless you like their rubber soled leisure experiments. I have found that JL often suffers from stock-outs even at full price, the number of shoes reaching the sale is very limited. They do slip in seconds during sale time (a circular "S" stamp inside, if I recal correctly).

Having said this, the last time I went to the St Germain store in Paris, I saw a marvelous lace up boot with bevelled sole on sale, alas in a deep reddish brown. I would have been happy to buy it in black for business, but it seemed too formal for leisure, so I passed. Still €650, if I remember correctly.

I have heard rumours they have a factory outlet for seconds in Northampton. Never met anybody who actually visited it.

[bengal-stripe]

Most Northampton shoe manufacturers (Lobb, C & J, Tricker’s) have an outlet shop within their premises. By the fluctuating nature of the available stock, I cannot see them dealing in mail-order, let alone have printed lists. Edward Green (unless things have changed with them occupying larger premises) does not have shop facilities, but I’ve heard from members here (Peter Chong, Lance Pryor) who visited EG’s factory and were able to buy shoes at outlet prices.

Northampton is a beautiful medieval town, a good hour by rail away from London and well worth a visit, (so is London and the entire UK).

Edward Green’s store in Bulington Arcade has a sale twice annually (late June, late December). I know that quite a few “styleforum” members have e-mailed the store, got a list of available shoes in their particular size and placed their order this way. It helps if you know your EG styles and lasts, then a reply like “Ladbroke, 606, burnt pine” makes perfect sense.

Hope that helps - Rolf

[dan328]

I've purchased several pair of EGs on sale at Saks. I don't know how often they're put on sale there, though.

EGs have been put on sale at the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Ave 2 or 3 times in the last 18 months.

dan

[Will]

During the EG store sales, shoes are half price, that is 225 pounds ex VAT. They have a reasonable range of their more conservative models and colorings in most sizes.

If you need a pair of black oxfords, you will usually find them. But if you prefer a pair of dark brown monk straps, it's not likely.

[mpolanthan]

If you need a pair of black oxfords, you will usually find them. But if you prefer a pair of dark brown monk straps, it's not likely.

It's still possible though. I've purchased a Yardley monkstrap in dark oak and a Westminister double-monkstraps in chestnut during EG sales.

[BenedictSpinola]

David,

If you can make it to the UK, then you'd be able to visit the factories, as suggested by Bengal Stripe. Edward Green doesn't have a shop as such, but you can arrange to visit (by appointment only). John Lobb has a store in the factory - the shoes sell for between 50GBP (casuals) up to GBP350 ("vintage" with shoe trees). I think it unlikely that either would entertain the possibility of posting shoes, but there is no harm in trying.

I think that your best bet is the Edward Green store during the sales. Provided you can find a last to fit your feet, it is my humble opinion that you can't really go wrong with Edward Green.

Spinola

[Guest]

Thank you for the excellent survey. Were I to walk into Lobb NYC today, what would I pay for their shoes? What is the difference between the two lines of shoes and their separate price levels (I mean amongst Lobbs)?

[bry2000]

Lobb Lopez (their signature loafer) is $960. Phillip II is around $1280.

[pchong]

Hi all,

I have dealt with Jean Lack of John Lobb (j.lack@johnlobb.co.uk), for the last 5 years. She will accept orders by post, and will mail the shoes to you. Provided, you know which lasts work for you. You need to be aware that the same size shoe in a different last will fit differently.

I visited the Northampton store above the factory twice, and have ordered by mail more than twice - I have a total of 9 pairs of John Lobb shoes purchased from the factory outlet. All but one pair are marked as seconds - with a small stamp within a circle with the mark "S" or "R". But in the 8 pairs, I cannot detect any flawa in the shoes that a week on the pavement wouldn't have put on.

They will sell you shoes at the Northampton factory for Edward Green as well. When I was there, Suzie Jones sold me a couple of pairs. These were not seconds, and the prices were about the same as they would offer at their Burlington Arcade store during the biannual sales. GBP300 for a pair, including shoe trees and cloth covers.

See this article:

http://people.timezone.com/pchong/Northampton.htm

[mpolanthan]

FYI, JL in Manhattan will be holding a sale from Tuesday Sep 7th to Sat Sep 17. I'm guessing the usual 30%-40% discount on select models will be in effect.

[tteplitzmd]

Please see my posting re: my visit to Budapest Vass shop for further information.