Black Cap Toe Oxfords

**pascs** · 15th September 11, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I see that Zee's offers Dainite soles as an option though I think their default is leather soles. Thinner = more formal, right?

And you've just reminded me that I should bring kilt hose when I go for a fitting... if they are made a bit bigger, I can put insoles in when I wear them with regular socks. Thanks!

I have some beautiful pairs of shoes like those in your pics, I'm not sure about thinner=more formal. Mine have 3 layers of leather on the sole, can look formal with a suit but great with jeans and make a lovely sound on a wooden dance floor

I'd certainly take your kilt hose when going for fitting since I'd think you normally wear quite thin socks. The shoemaker may also be able to make an insole for use with normal socks.

Anyway enjoy, great shoes really make an outfit

**CMcG** · 17th September 11, 06:20 AM

Apologies for my delayed reply; I've been out sight-seeing

For some reason I can't multi-quote more than two people in a thread, so I'll have to post over top of myself a few times here...

Originally Posted by Father Bill

<snip>
Hope that helps.

Yes Father, the diagram definitely helps. Thanks!

As for the number of eyelets, your suggestion of four over six is a little different compared to the pictures that I've been looking at... is that what you have on your shoes or is that a wish?

Anyone else have an opinion on number of eyelets?

**CMcG** · 17th September 11, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by pascs

I have some beautiful pairs of shoes like those in your pics, I'm not sure about thinner=more formal. Mine have 3 layers of leather on the sole, can look formal with a suit but great with jeans and make a lovely sound on a wooden dance floor

<snip>

Originally Posted by Father Bill

<snip>
... and a further thought just occurred to me. At 215 lbs, I hate having thin soles. If I step on a stone, I want to crush it, not have it come up through the sole into my foot. For that reason, I'd ask for a thick sole, or even a double one. I have often taken brand new shoes straight to the cobbler and asked him to add a second sole, and then put the heel back on. It's a wonderful feeling once you get used to it and looks rather manly.

My intention for these shoes is to reserve them for dressing up, so I hope I won't have to crush any rocks with them

Personally I like a thick rubber sole for both cushion and grip. The reason I'm under the impression that a thick sole (including extra leather) would be less formal is the general aesthetic of refined elegance that goes with increasing formality. It's also a question of tradition: thick, rugged soles for outdoors and thin, smooth soles for indoors.

I'm still toying with the idea of a rubber heel for a bit of traction but maybe a partial rubber heel would be enough. And those Blakey's must make quite the sound though I'm sure they protect the shoe very well!

**Father Bill** · 17th September 11, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Apologies for my delayed reply; I've been out sight-seeing

For some reason I can't multi-quote more than two people in a thread, so I'll have to post over top of myself a few times here...

Yes Father, the diagram definitely helps. Thanks!

As for the number of eyelets, your suggestion of four over six is a little different compared to the pictures that I've been looking at... is that what you have on your shoes or is that a wish?

Anyone else have an opinion on number of eyelets?

All my shoes have four. (That's four on each side of the tongue!) It's probably a matter of taste, but six start to look like combat boots to me, and it's not my image of myself.

Try the lacing; you may like it. It takes a while to figure out how to tighten them and still keep them even, but once you get it, it's not all that difficult.

As far as the rocks go, I'm even referring to something someone has inadvertently dropped on the dance floor.

**CMcG** · 17th September 11, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

All my shoes have four. (That's four on each side of the tongue!) It's probably a matter of taste, but six start to look like combat boots to me, and it's not my image of myself.

Try the lacing; you may like it. It takes a while to figure out how to tighten them and still keep them even, but once you get it, it's not all that difficult.

As far as the rocks go, I'm even referring to something someone has inadvertently dropped on the dance floor.

I will definitely try that style of lacing, thanks! And I definitely agree about the practicality of a more substantial sole...

Here's a cap toe with four eyelets that is similar to the Grenson "Bert" (5 eyelets) I posted above.

**Father Bill** · 17th September 11, 08:27 AM

Love 'em!

By the way, - in terms of purchases, while you're spending exorbitant bucks on a pair of really good shoes, also buy a pair of shoe trees. They're really quite cheap, and you only need one pair because you take them out of whatever shoes they've been sitting in and put them into the pair you're taking off. That way, as the natural body moistures dry out of the leather, the leather is already in a straighter position and will last longer with less creases to ruin the appearance of the shoes, and in the long run they more than pay for themselves so they're really free!

Bill+

Originally Posted by CMcG

I will definitely try that style of lacing, thanks! And I definitely agree about the practicality of a more substantial sole...

Here's a cap toe with four eyelets that is similar to the Grenson "Bert" (5 eyelets) I posted above.

**MacLowlife** · 17th September 11, 08:35 AM

I just got these shoes, which were made by Grenson, but may be marketed by Shipton and Heneage. They have a little decoration, but not the usual.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260844485684...84.m1439.l2649

I think they are fine for Highland Dress- dressy Highland Dress. I don't recommend them for hillwalking. I have some with no decoration at all and I prefer that, but the perfed "cap" is a nice touch, because it calls attention to the lack of a cap.

Lest anyone wonder, I think they are 100 - 200 pound shoes, not 500 pound shoes. The heel surface is all rubber and there is no visible stitching on the soles. Can someone explain- is there a welting / attachment technique that completely hides the sole stitching, or are these soles glued on, as I suspect?

(sorry for the hijack)

**mayberry** · 17th September 11, 08:57 AM

I bought these from Zappos last year, and they have been great. I only use them for dress indoor wear/dancing. They are kidskin, so not suited for any rough-and-tumble, but especially at the price (and I think I got them on sale for even less than the $55 USD they go for now) they were good value.

http://www.zappos.com/giorgio-brutin...-black-kidskin

Cheers,
John