Brown Church Brogues

[Sp!ke]

I have pretty much decided to splash out on a pair of brown Church shoes since everywhere is dressing down now and smart casual seems to be king.

Trouble is, I can't seem to find any one selling them locally (kingston) and I am loathed to take a trip into London if I can help it? Does anyone know of a stockist or perhaps suggest similar alternatives.

I'm looking for something that will last me a good length of time so more concerned about quality that cost. Loakes seem about half the cost but are they as well constructed or are they the better buy.

 

[Simon_M]

My lovely wife treated me to a nice pair of Church brown shoes at Christmas. This is the first time I have ever owned a pair of shoes that cost over £200 (so no doubt some will call me a tramp) but as soon as you pick them up you can see where the extra cost is. They are beautifully made and really heavy, they take a while to bed in but are supremely comfy and will supposedly last a lift time.

Some say quality has gone downhill since they were taken over by Prada, but to me they are beautifully made and a nice change to paying £185 for a pair of shoes still made by a child in Indonesia.

Well worth a travel card and a trip to Lomdon, but the number of outlets has swelled drastically recently. They also have an outlet store at Bicester Village that is supposed to be good, shoes there are generally £100 less, but I think lunch at Carluccio's may be off the cards for now.

S

 

[st13phil]

While Church make excellent shoes, be aware that (as with all shoes) their standard last shapes may or may not suit your feet. For example, I find Barker shoes supremely comfortable but I cannot buy a pair of Loakes that don't rub or pinch.

My advice would be to go to a specialist retailer who stocks a few of the better brands and to try on different makes and styles to see which are comfortable and which are not, rather than seeking out one particular brand based solely on quality reputation.

 

[Charles Morgan]

My experience of Church shoes was poor, I had at one point a pair for each day of the week, but the soles are thin. On one famous occasion I took a 2 year old suede pair (worn about 40 times) back to have the internals repaired at my expense and the shop refused to send them off as they were too badly damaged! That was the last time I touched them.

If you want a really good pair of stoutly made brogues at similar prices, Trickers, or more expensively, Robinsons. Lower priced alternatives such as Barkers or Loakes are fine too. I always get commando soles as they last an awful lot longer and your feet don't get wet, nor do you go flying on polished floors.

Church used to be a great firm, now I think it is a luxury brand without the quality that the price suggests.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I meant to write Edward Green not Robinson, some weird mental processing there!

 

[Giantvanman]

Fed up with replacing work shoes regularly, I switched to Trickers, favouring their Keswick which has a double leather sole. My only regret was not doing it years earlier because the quality is superb and they are relatively easy to get resoled/heeled…..cheaper if done a local cobbler than Trickers themselves but to be fair, Trickers do a total rejuvenation for the price.
The uppers remain in excellent condition and my work shoes ere subjected to a lot of abuse weather wise as well as a lot of miles.
I never found a problem with the grip of leather soles (I prefer the look over the Commando) so I did not need to have sacrificial rubber 'soles' fitted over the leather.
You may not WANT to do into London but one trip to Jermyn Street is all you will need. Trickers is at one end (with a nice restaurant opposite), Church in the middle.

Edit: When you are spending this much on a pair of shoes, it makes sense to try them on because the lasts differ from company to company and each manufacturer has a choice of lasts when you are at this end of the market.

http://www.trickers.com/mens_collections.htm
Keswick is in the Country Collection
Trickers Shoes | Country Shoe Collection

 

[boxbrownie]

Trickers

 

[MicB]

I buy from and recommend Duckers, Oxford.

Mic

 

[acej]

I where churches and I still have pairs from many moons ago. Always been good for me.

John Lewis deliver or you can pick up from waitrose if you can't get to a shop.

Happy feet!

 

[renault12ts]

While Church make excellent shoes, be aware that (as with all shoes) their standard last shapes may or may not suit your feet. For example, I find Barker shoes supremely comfortable but I cannot buy a pair of Loakes that don't rub or pinch.

My advice would be to go to a specialist retailer who stocks a few of the better brands and to try on different makes and styles to see which are comfortable and which are not, rather than seeking out one particular brand based solely on quality reputation.

I'm the opposite, my one and only Barkers wrecked my feet...never again. And since then have only had Loakes for the past 25 years.

 

[alzieboy]

TRICKERS SHOES

Do they do Finance or PCP deals

 

[brucemillar]

Church for me and I use their re-furb service which has the shoes come back like new. I have two pairs of church's brogue lace up boots (they look like victorian skating boots) both now over 25 years old and still going strong. That along with some Churches Oxford Brogues.

That said I am very tempted to try some Grenson Fred Boots. They look very comfortable and get very good reviews (from what I have seen)

 

[GordonTarling]

IMHO, you can't beat a nice pair of Clarks.

 

[flango]

I had a pair of Church that didn't last very long now for shoes I wear Oliver sweeny and boots RM Williams had a pair of Rm's 6 years now worn every other day and been resoled and heeled inc refurb free of charge once wouldn't wear anything else now it's just false economy

 

[Sp!ke]

I meant to write Edward Green not Robinson, some weird mental processing there!

Wow!

I didnt realise I would have to pay in installments for a pair of these.

 

[Charles Morgan]

The leather quality is flat out gorgeous, lots of depth and figure. The others are all fine, but wearing the Greens gives me that feel good factor in spades.

Anyway everything good is now bought on HP!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Pediwear if you know what you want, or a member here has a shop I think, Gizze maybe?

 

[Mike Walker]

I have to admit to a bit of a shoe fetish and have quite a number. Bought some CHurch's Oxfords a while back which are beautifully made but never felt quite right. Took them to the branch in CAnary Wharf who offered to stretch them which they did and now perfect. They asked where I purchased them originally - Jermyn Street - and was told they had been measured incorrectly- doh!

I also have Loakes with the rubber sole which are superb in winter, Bass Weejuns in black and brown leather and suede too. A pair of brogues from Brooks Bros in dark red with rubber soles too but no Tricker's yet! Now I have more time a visit to Northampton is definitely in order too!

 

[Palfrem]

There's a Church's outlet at Bicester Village or these chaps are good if you know your size.

Church, Church's Shoes, Churches Shoes, Herring Shoes, Loakes, Loake Shoes, Barker, Cheaney, Tricker's, RE Tricker, Sebago, Jeffery West, Men's shoes

 

[st13phil]

I'm the opposite, my one and only Barkers wrecked my feet...never again. And since then have only had Loakes for the past 25 years.

Which illustrates my point perfectly - the best shoes are the ones that fit your feet!