My new brogues

**Jack Daw** · 25th March 11, 01:35 PM

For the money, Johnston & Murphy make a very good wingtip/brogue. I prefer the brand to Bostonians, and a shoe repairman I know also endorses J&M.

**longhuntr74** · 25th March 11, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

For the money, Johnston & Murphy make a very good wingtip/brogue. I prefer the brand to Bostonians, and a shoe repairman I know also endorses J&M.

J&M only makes wingtips in black...I already own two pair of black ones (although I'm not happy with either of them!).

**rsvpiper** · 25th March 11, 02:28 PM

Would you consider Sanders & Sanders in the UK £140 for a brown brogue

**longhuntr74** · 25th March 11, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by rsvpiper

Would you consider Sanders & Sanders in the UK £140 for a brown brogue

RSV...thanks for reminding me. Living in the US, Sanders doesn't come up in my google searches unless I specifically put in UK and brogue. Depending on shipping costs, that may be a cheaper option. I'll look into it.

**Calico** · 25th March 11, 05:18 PM

Longhuntr74, your thread here made me get started on my quest for brown shoes. My wife is insisting on Ghillies, and I don't mind. But I want brown this pair. First I looked up the shoe you are returning and decided at that price point it was not quite what I wanted. Available for $140 at Nordstrom.

We have a "premium outlets" center 1/2 hour away, so we drove there for some shopping last night.

Rockport - very light, acceptable wingtip - in black or burgundy only. $60 (casual use only)
Bostonian - really disappointed. Feels cheap and hard.
Johnston & Murphy - again disappointed. And no brown.

Most of the browns that I did find were not the right brown. Very light tan or very burgundy/brown. And sizes were all over the board! I wear a 9 1/2 (US) and had to go as high as 10 1/2 EEE to get some of these on!

I really did not want to buy from the Internet, but I gave in and and ordered brown ghillies from Mackenzie Frain. Their buckle brogues look good, too. 95 GBP. About $200 US shipped.

I'll give my impressions when they arrive (which being overseas probably won't be soon). Oh, and they are out of US 9 1/2, so I had to go up one size. Most shoes are too narrow for me, so that would probably be necessary anyway. We'll see.

Good luck in your quest.

edit to add: Most of these shoes up to about $150 glue the leather to the sole instead of Goodyear welt. Very disgusting trend.

**longhuntr74** · 25th March 11, 06:03 PM

Calico...good feedback. You've discovered the frustration that I have, it seems.

Allen Edmonds seems to be the best bet that I've found here in the US.

In checking out Sanders...I did not find any brown/tan wingtip-styled brogues at the 140GBP price point that RSV has referred to. They have some cap-toe styled brogues, but no standard brogues. The "London" is what I'm looking for...but it is 207GBP...of course, take away the VAT, but then add back shipping and it comes out to $333...more than the Allen Edmonds.

Now I DID find an attractive possibility with the Loake 1880 line "Buckingham" which appears to be nearly identical to the Allen Edmonds "McAllister" and the Sanders "London". It is available for about 150GBP (the price without VAT added). If I were to order through Mackie & Co. with shipping of 19 GBP, the total cost would be $272 USD, delivered.

I also found Herring Shoes that have a model called the "Richmond" for 129GBP. So I may consider the Loake or Herring as an alternative. Anybody in the UK have input on Herring? Loake I've heard of. The advantage of getting the Allen Edmonds would be easier, cheaper return, if necessary...and their reconditioning service if I wear them out down the road. Decisions, decisions.

I do like the brown ghillies as well...but the inherent problem with ghillies is that the only have one use...kilt wear. If I'm going to spend money on a quality pair of shoes, it's going to be something I can wear with both pants and kilts.

**rsvpiper** · 26th March 11, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Calico...good feedback. You've discovered the frustration that I have, it seems.

Allen Edmonds seems to be the best bet that I've found here in the US.

In checking out Sanders...I did not find any brown/tan wingtip-styled brogues at the 140GBP price point that RSV has referred to. They have some cap-toe styled brogues, but no standard brogues. The "London" is what I'm looking for...but it is 207GBP...of course, take away the VAT, but then add back shipping and it comes out to $333...more than the Allen Edmonds.

Now I DID find an attractive possibility with the Loake 1880 line "Buckingham" which appears to be nearly identical to the Allen Edmonds "McAllister" and the Sanders "London". It is available for about 150GBP (the price without VAT added). If I were to order through Mackie & Co. with shipping of 19 GBP, the total cost would be $272 USD, delivered.

I also found Herring Shoes that have a model called the "Richmond" for 129GBP. So I may consider the Loake or Herring as an alternative. Anybody in the UK have input on Herring? Loake I've heard of. The advantage of getting the Allen Edmonds would be easier, cheaper return, if necessary...and their reconditioning service if I wear them out down the road. Decisions, decisions.

I do like the brown ghillies as well...but the inherent problem with ghillies is that the only have one use...kilt wear. If I'm going to spend money on a quality pair of shoes, it's going to be something I can wear with both pants and kilts.

I was looking at the Acton for £140, if they are the same quality as my braemar's and i dont see why not,you will be handing them on to your kids

and with vat at 20% now thats a good chunk off