Well, if you're operating on such a budget, then "cheap" loafers may be your only option. You've developed champagne taste on a beer budget. But I get it. I'm in the same boat.
Well Rancourts are not cheap (price or quality) but they're not champagne (ditto AE), so there may be hope for me.
Which Rancourts do you have and how are they as re. fit, quality, stretching and anything else?
It makes no sense to buy cheap. You have to replace cheap things more often, because the quality is not comparable. In the end, you spend more than if you buy a quality product in the first place. Modern day Weejuns are crap, don´t buy them. If you can´t spend a lot of money, i´d buy Sebago Classics. They´re way better quality than Weejuns. Qualitywise, I would never buy below these. Even better, and not that much more expensive are Allen Edmonds (Kenwood). These are my recommendation. If you take care of them and clean them properly, they will last for many years, given that your rotation ist big enough. That´s an important thing. Even the most expensive Aldens won´t last very long, if you wear them every day. And my last meddling: Use shoetrees and invest in good shoe care products like saphir or burgol. Even Kiwi is quite good.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALDEN-TASSEL-LOAFERS-BURGUNDY-CALFSKIN-SIZE-UK-7-5-US-8-/351760945899?hash=item51e69612eb:g:cysAAOSwbYZXYqAE
Could be a bargain while you wait to find the right pennys
Waldens are unavailable although perhaps they can still be found. But I suspect I prefer the Rancourts in the combination suggested i.e. pinch pennies with a custom leather sole. (Or I could just get the JS.)
The Rancourt Weejuns look ok but I'm not mad keen.
Those are the ones I want, but with a leather sole.
What is your price range for a brand new, spic'n'span pair of loaves?
I don't know exactly. Maybe if I tried on some that were stupid money and fell in love then I'd just pay whatever the hell they cost, however as I'll be buying online: the JS Rancourts are 260 which as far as I'm concerned is a hell of a lot for loafers, but I would be tempted if they looked superb in action. More than that is only if I get desperate. I already have 2 pairs of so so loafers so there is no point in getting another pair unless I'm happy with them. All the loafers considered so far have decent leather and construction - my only concern is their not being too heavy, having a long enough vamp to resemble the proto loafers in the OP, and not being too expensive.
I hear you.
Pity you didnt ask this question last week as I think you've talked yourself into the JS Rancourts and he was giving 20% for Father's Day!
Damn. I've been in loafer denial for some time.
But I may prefer the colours I can get direct from Rancourt.
Wish me luck: JS is currently offering 30% off this weekend so I have ordered their Rancourts in burgundy. If they work out then I will be getting rid of all 3 of my other pairs of loafers. Not so good for my bank account but at least beneficial to my wardrobe (and feet).
Check out the better French copies of US styled loafers. If you know your stuff then you'll like them.
PS - The original marketing of Wejuns was as "Resort Wear", before the mass market ''Collegiate'' marketing vibe...
- This still ties the shoe to the beloved North Eastern US 'Establishment' in origin, but also, instantly, to the majority: Their copyists: The aspirational.
The Menswear element of ''Ivy'' actually came before all the College Boy marketing.
''Resort Wear'' is the missing link for this forum. It's how 'Ivy' (Shit name, if you actually know about these clothes) got to be Menswear.
It was all deeply middle class aspirational.
A fact, is that.
- Go and howl.
I'm an "Ivy Guru", me...
Top Trumps !
x
Fairmount look good. Sale on right now… I like these:
http://www.fairmount.fr/PENNY-MOC-II-LEZARD-MARRON/64558226.html?catalogParam%5BtopicId%5D=78589266
And of course the regular colour are beautiful.
http://www.fairmount.fr/PENNY-MOC-II-CUIR-MARRON/39525176.html?catalogParam%5Bfamille%5D=46371029
http://www.fairmount.fr/PENNY-MOC-II-CUIR-NOIR/39525136.html?catalogParam%5Bfamille%5D=46371029
Last edited by Chief Brody (2016-07-04 08:28:44)
Last edited by Yuca (2016-07-04 10:56:21)
Hehe!
I only have one pair of beefs... The rest are tasseled or pinched. The Fairmount above is quite elegant looking for a beef roll penny.
I am seriously considering the Lizard skin. I had promised myself no new acquisitions until I get the pile of alteration work done but...I am weak.
Anyone here speak French? Are they actual lizard skin or just facsimiles?
Last edited by Chief Brody (2016-07-04 11:30:19)