Korean Job Discussion Forums

Died By Bear · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:51 am Post subject: Jack Erwin shoes

http://www.jackerwin.com/

Anyone ever buy these? $195.00 is not a bad price for the quality. I'm looking at the Sullivan collection, specifically a pair of Jaspers or Carters. They say their sizes are big, so you have to order a pair one full size smaller.

Just wondering if anyone's bought these and what your opinion of the size/fit/quality is. Thanks

FriendlyDaegu · Joined: 26 Aug 2012

Reformed shoe nerd here. I bet the manufacturer is the same Spanish factory that makes Herring's more affordable models. Herring's low end generally regarded as a decent value (not so for the more expensive models). And the price is similar, so it doesn't look like too much of a markup. Size is UK sizing. It's a new company, but I don't see any red flags. In the US, there's been a gap in the dress shoe market between ultra-cheap and Allen Edmonds.. Everything in that space has been crap compared to similar UK prices. I hope they do well. I say go for it.

My wife convinced me a couple years ago that I have enough shoes to last a lifetime, so I'm out of the game.

candy bar · Joined: 03 Dec 2012

I used to buy expensive shoes. By the way, those are nice. Now, I'm a sneaker and T-shirt man.

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 3:59 am Post subject:

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 4:03 am Post subject:

candy bar · Joined: 03 Dec 2012

FriendlyDaegu · Joined: 26 Aug 2012

As long as you stay away from fashion brands and mass-produced shoes, you can expect better leather and workmanship as the price goes up.

Zoom in on these two similar styles and you may be able to tell the difference in the leather:

http://www.jackerwin.com/products/joe-cap-toe-oxford-espresso-full-grain

http://www.church-footwear.com/uk/en/collection/men/A13939WFF0AAB

That's what a couple hundred more buys you. The Church's are smoother, softer, thicker. Also takes polish better. Keeps getting better as you go up to about $1500. Above that you're buying customisation and exotics.

I've been away for a few years, but the American shoe circles used to regard AE as the lowest rung of acceptable brands. Maybe that will change with this company you found. I would buy them if they matched my budget. If you're going to be wearing dress shoes almost every day, it's almost infinitely better to have two or three pairs to rotate. Keep them in shoe trees and give them some maintenance and they'll last 5-10 years. If you still love them at that point you can refurbish them. I got up to around 10 pair when my wife put the kibosh on it. Everything from Church's (the ones above) to Edward Green, and I love them all.

Jeans aren't my thing, but yeah, common to dress them up with nice shoes. Looks a bit funny with plain jane oxfords but fine with wingtips & monks, especially with a medallion on the toe.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

They're hiring, fwiw: https://angel.co/jack-erwin/activity.

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:15 am Post subject:

Thanks for the responses guys. JE's are definitely in my price range, although the AE link you posted definitely caught my eye. I too have a budget minded wife that has issued stern warnings about my expanded wardrobe. I've spent too much on tailored suits, sport coats, ties, Brooks Bros shirts, and RL casual shirts & khakis in the past 7 years. I have much too much. But on the shoe front - I've neglected myself. Wife thinks one pair of nice dress shoes at an affordable price is okay, and has approved a purchase order. I just wonder about ordering shoes online vs. walking into the AE store in Austin and trying on several pairs to decide. It's so hard to pull the trigger on a pair of shoes without trying them on first!

As for the Church's shoe lineup, the Shannon is definitely my style. It's simple, and I was never a wingtip guy.

It's a tough decision for me. Comfort is important to my footsies.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Dead Bear, have you checked out Cole Haan? Their stuff is pretty nice, and in the same price range if you hit up an outlet.

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link Northway, I had not heard of them. Looks like they have stores in Korea as well. I wonder if the prices are the same in their galleria store?

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I think they're relatively new. Retail on their stuff is around $300, but outlets are usually ~$150-200. I'm guessing they'd cost something like 400,000+ in Korea, maybe more, and you're going to have to deal with the Korean problem of their largest size being a 10 (or did you forget that part?). DSW carries their stuff as well, but it's DSW, so obviously kind of hit or miss.

FriendlyDaegu · Joined: 26 Aug 2012

http://www.styleforum.net/t/97352/johnston-murphy-vs-cole-haan-vs-kenneth-cole-shoes

You get more for the money with J&M than CH. I'd say site-unseen that OP's first link knocks them all out of the park as far as value goes. Definitely try on some AE's. If comfort is most important I'd look at Rockport ($100), Camper ($200), or Mephisto ($400).

Died By Bear · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:11 am Post subject:

The Cole han is okay, but I'm going down to Austin next weekend to get measured for AEs. They're nicer shoes than either the CHs, but definitely a step below Church's. I might pick up a pair of CHs for a backup or rotation shoe, but the AEs definitely caught my eye. I like the fact that they have the refitting option, the repair option, and they don't contract that part of the business out like Rockport does. The Church's triple sole is pretty cool too. If I can ever afford a pair of those, I'd be in for a pair.

ETA: Just had a memory from university days. I was having cocktails with a group of people at JAlexander's one night, waiting for our table. There were 8 of us. The girls were talking about shoes. The guys were talking about sports. At some point in the conversation, the sports talk lulled. I heard the girls talking about "what is the first thing you notice about a man?" - it was his shoes. They all agreed wholeheartedly. Interesting I had this memory just now.

Thanks again for the help/advice Friendly, Northway, candybar. Cheers.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I'm admittedly not particularly in the know when it comes to shoes, though I can definitely tell quality when I see it. Agreed that Cole Haan aren't mind blowing, I mostly recommended them because they're pretty easily accessible wherever you are. I'm iffy about buying shoes online, particularly if I'm buying them for the quality of the leather and I'm not familiar enough with the brand to verify the quality myself (I think this is why Jack Erwin is opening fitting rooms in major cities). I'm also living in New York currently, and spending money on nice shoes is kind of a fool's errand between the general grime that coats the city, the crowds that are sure to step all over my shoes on the subway, and the endless salt during this oh-so-cold winter.

Good luck Bear Friend.