Review Series: Carmina Wholecut Oxfords--This is The Shoe You’ve Been Looking For
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
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Went to Barcelona a couple months back and was incredibly excited to visit the Carmina shop (similar to Mecca). I purchased a steel blue, whole cut pair that I wanted to sleep in, a brown suede Chelsea boot pair and a tan suede pair of penny loafers -all have stepped up my game. With matching belts -who needs Christmas -I'm a happy man. I must admit that when I realized Carmina was in Barcelona the incentive was even more to visit that wonderful city..
Carmina is a major step up from AE. Welcome to the dark side.
Dont know if you guys gives a damn but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all the latest series on instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother lately xD
@Lionel Elisha yea, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since november myself :)
Something I give AE credit for, is their broguing style, for it is the only brand I have seen a full brogue texture all over their shoes.
But I agree that the shapes Carmina (and TLB Mallorca) works with have a bit of a more regal look.
Not sure how you figure that. I have two pairs of the whole cut AE and Carmina. You cannot tell the difference next to each other including the feel of the leather.
Stunning job Preston. Carmina’s Rain lasted line of shoes is beautiful and timeless.
Thank you for liking my comment. I am from India and eagerly look forward to your videos. Thanks for increasing my knowledge about shoe care and maintenance.
The shape looks so natural and elegant. What a great piece of art!
I am really impressed by the way Carmina’s single mould shoes and even more astonished by the way you have explained it .
Congrats on your first Carmina. Their burgundy cap toe brogue is astounding.
Absolutely! I want a pair!
Carmina's whole cut is so beautiful.
I agree! Love them
@@TheElegantOxford
But I like Carmina's Cordovan Whole cut more.
Glad you came out and said that about Allen Edmonds. I constantly heard about their value for the price and when my first pair arrived I was sorely disappointed.
The only shoe I’d pay full price for is the walnut strand.
@@TheElegantOxford I just returned my Walnut Strands. They buckled at the ankle and I don’t have flat feet.
Thanks for the video. I completely agree with your impressions about the quality of Carmina shoes. I bought a pair of Carminas from their New York store after comparing with shoes at many other higher end shoe stores in New York. The value per price really stood out. I own many pairs of Allen Edmonds, and the Carminas are no question a higher class shoe, as you say. As I have worn them, I have come to appreciate how well they fit my feet. Solid, but supportive and comfortable.
Couldn’t agree more. I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing they were. This won’t be my last purchase.
I love the color. And ladies, Carmina makes our shoes too. Most are priced around $400+
I just finished shopping the CArmina website for the Memorial Day sale. It is very confusing on sizing with the various styles and lasts. Any tips?
Love me some Carmina's! I own 3 pairs and would love a few more :) Beautiful shoes sir!
Thanks! Can’t wait to buy more
wish the review included his opinion upon wearing them.he mentions the difference in EEE european but b4 spending this kind of coin, am anxious about the sizing of their wholecut.I wear a sz 9 usa in most shoes, but in highend shoes a 8.5 usa. My research indicates I should order a 7.5, but still don't know if this is accurate on this model,any advice appreciated.
Can you share your sizing experience with Carminas? tks
@@jewelnabq01 my first pair is made of calf skin and in the rain last. It fits true to size but I wish it had just a little more room in the toe box. I own a pair chukkas in shell and I should had sized at least half size down, perhaps a full size. I own a pair of tassel loafers in the Forrest last and I should had sized down a half size, loafers are tricky and all my shell run a little large. I own another pair of loafers and slip out a little too much. As you can tell I don't have my sizes down and that's why I stopped buying Carmina's. They are great shoes but without a store in TX it's just not a viable option.
@@nodieusa Thank you for the info. I was just checking out the Carmina website since there is a Memorial Day sale. So confusing with all the different lasts. I ended up ordering two different styles of loafers, two different sizes. My hope is that at least one works out. It looks like the return policy is not too difficult.... ..I hope. 😬
Oh my God, my love for whole cut is getting stronger and stronger. And Preston you just made my day.
Those whole cut oxfords are gorgeous. Nice to hear the good report of the build quality.
They’re 270 Goodyear.
Thank you for the review. I’ve had my eye on these recently, as well as Cobbler Union. I’d love to hear your thoughts on those too. Keep up the excellent content.
Thumbs up for employing the phrase "sartorial journey." Great shoes, excellent shine, and superb copy. Kudos!
Bought my first pair of Carmina shoes yesterday, the OXFORDS SHOES 80137 SIMPSON.
These have to be the most beautiful dress shoes I've ever seen. I'm buying them.
I like the term wholecut. Reminiscent of the term fully fashioned. I buy sweaters in Ireland because they are fully fashioned. 1 seam in the entire sweater.. I'll remember that.. Your beautiful hands tell the story. Words are not necessary. Nice job. Beautiful shoes
One thing I like about Carmina is their range of sizes. It's so hard to find size 14UK shoes but Carmina have most of their range in this size and if they don't have them in stock then they will make them to order within 60 days.
I really enjoy my Carmina shoes. I do own wholecut in Cordovan and three others in Cordovan as well. Always love to watch your videos.
Got a pair of these last Christmas. Super shoe, quality and workmanship, just beautiful. ☘️👍🏻
I miss wearing my Carmina's, but ever since Covid, I've been working from home so I only wear sneakers and slippers all these times!
Are they confortable???
The visuals are stunning. The richness and the shape really come out. I would love to get your take on the feel and comfort after breaking them in, and spending a couple of days, weeks with them.
Man I remember when I first found your channel you were at like 30k subs, really happy for your success.
Carmina, my God, They make gorgeous shoes. I'm itching to grab some. I'm holding them in a tab, shivering like a shoe addict.
Good to see and hear you again, Preston.
Do yourself a favor and buy them. They excellent shoes
Oh God, don't be a bad influence. Lol
That's a really nice colour. It was interesting that a EEE is available, because in Australia the range of sizes has become very limited over the last year, forcing me to consider buying my future shoes from overseas.
Your detailed explanation was very helpful advice. Phil.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching
Preston - video idea: how to recover from a shine that did not turn out the way you wanted. You’ve just spent an hour or two working on shining a pair and the mirror shine is cloudy, the rest of the shoe barely is high-shine. So you put them down for a day to come back to them later. Show us how you would approach to get them where you want. Btw, great vids. Thx for putting in all the production time into them!
Awesome review and it has inspired me.
Just bought a few pair of Magnanni shoes for Christmas.
Will take them both back to Nordstrom. And will order a couple pair of Carmina shoes. They are pricier but you get what you pay for. And I particularly appreciate that Carmina makes made to order sizes for guys with larger feet. I wear size 15 and can not find quality footwear just any where. Thankfully there are a few excellent choices.
HI, PRESTON!!! So glad to see you again. I'm still working on learning to restore leather shoes. Coming along nicely! 💗Z Love your channel, P!
Thanks, Angela! You’re awesome!
There have been a lot of beautiful shoes on this channel. This is the first time I felt a jolt of envy while watching. So beautiful! 💚 Now time for me to go sort out my feelings...😑...😄😄😄
😂😂😂
Beautiful pair of Carminas. Thanks Preston
Such beautiful shoes! I love the elegant understated look. They exude quality.
I agree, John! Glad you like them
I have a pair of women's derby from Carmina. They are gorgeous and I love them so much
That’s awesome! My wife wants a pair
Great looking shoes. I gave up on Carmina becasue I have wide flat feet. I am happy that AE's are available for me.
I was quite disappointed with my experience with Carmina. Got an MTO order with a strong defect so had to send back after a month of waiting. When they attempted to fix it they damaged the leather and just offered a 10% discount if I buy another pair... incredible. I've been waiting for a reply for almost a week since their last email...
Hey, TM
This is where Allen Edmonds wins. Their customer service is second to none.
T M. I’m in the middle of my first Carmina order and it sucks! The website indicated the shoe was in stock. After a week without any shipping notification or tracking info, I contact them. Three times before I got enough of an explanation to determine they were in production. I think...
They have about a week to get a shipping notice to me before I cancel the order. Completely bush league customer service. I’m really surprised it’s so poor.
Good news is there are plenty of great competitors out there.
Yeah, what bugs me is how they have hyped up all marketing and sponsors pushing the brand and then they deliver a faulty product and don't want to take responsibility. They keep replying that they can refund me but I want the pair of shoes in conditions! They did mentioned they have scaled down their customer service team so I guess profits have been prioritized and it's a red flag
Great liking shoe Preston! Thanks for the review. My next pair!
Congrats man! Love my Carminas and those wholecuts look perfect!
Great Video, Preston! How many wears does a mirror shine polish last before you have to redo it?
Hey, Bright Blue
It depends on how you careful you are but they can last multiple wears and then just minor touch ups.
You have convinced me to purchase the exact shoes, even though they're holding a pair of crocodile loafers. The color of your whole cuts is the same as my Carmina double monks. Because of your unpretentious but cogent presentation I'm going with the whole cuts! Thank you
Have been on the edge of buying theese several times. Especially those in cordovan. From the pictures i've seen, they look absolutely stunning. Sadly the import taxes to my country are the main thing keeping me from pulling the trigger.
These are definitely even more beautiful in shell cordovan. That’s unfortunate to hear, import taxes can be a real pain.
Such a beautiful pair of shoes!!!!!
Those, Sir are very beautiful.
Very good review, thank you.
I like your idea of doing reviews! Anticipating more...thanks.
Thanks, Anthony. I have at least 4 more already coming up.
We need a TLB Mainline vs Carmina. Someone on Styleforum posted up a comparison, and the ML from TLB seems to be honest comparison to Carmina, whereas the Artista from TLB may be a step up.
"Brushing them off" ... What ...? You would have gotten a slap from every Spaniard who heard that. Glad you changed your mind. Subscribed!
Those are beautiful! It's got me looking up Carmina pricing right now.
Beautiful shoes
I got a pair of punched cap toe oxford snuff suede shoes from Carmina with the Rain last after watching one of Kirby Allison's review videos and they really are wonderful. Very comfortable fit and sturdy build (plus no weird sizing issues like with Allen Edmonds where you have to go extra wide because their shoes are too narrow). Might get some chocolate brown double monk strap suedes from Carmina next.
Can’t go wrong with double monks. Glad to hear you liked those snuff suede cap toes!
Hope to one day save and get some for my grandad. And for myself too ofcourse :)
I visited their Palma store last summer. Amazing.
I’m jealous
I have 2 pair of AE Independence collection, specifically the Hopkinson cap toe. I purchased my first pair in 2017 and the second in 2018, both on sale. If I had known about Carmine, I would have purchased these. They are the same price as AE not on sale, but a much better class of shoe. As I look at the 2021 AE sale, I believe the are going the way of Johnston&Murphy and Bostonian, making disposable shoes. I do not blame them, but attribute this to the consumer marketplace. They are not willing to purchase, maintain, and keep a quality pair of shoes.
Delighted to see and hear your reaction to a fine pair of European shoes - the design of the lasts and the construction are much more elegant than the average American shoes. The quality of Europeans shoes struck me when I moved to England where I discovered many fine shoes..
I have the exact same model from Carmina. I love them, Carmina really spoiled you, I’m jealous 🤣. The only problem I have with wholecuts is that since the leather is in one piece, sometimes if I walk a little harder, the leather would stretch and the mirror shine would crack.
I’ve got one good pair of shoes, AE Stands in Walnut, but hopefully I can get a pair of traditional black oxfords to wear for more formal events
Awesome video! I’m quite an Allen Edmonds Enthusiast, but I’m not a fan of the Park Avenue in black. I have a dark brown pair of PA (my first AE), but I will not be getting a black PA. I’m determined to get a pair of Carmina black captoe oxfords the next time I visit New York. Can’t wait!
I love Allen Edmonds no doubt but you’ll be blown away by The Carminas. They just feel really well made.
Going to their store in Madrid to see if something catches my eyr.
Excelente, carmina é top!!!
Márcio Almeida representando o brasil
vinicius jack baldner Yes man, The Elegant Oxford is the best!!!
Excellent shoe the Carmina wholecut. From Istanbul Turkey
Hey, Murat! Thanks for watching.
Are not manufactured completely in Mallorca Spain?
2:57 - They're nice. I haven't purchased a Carmina, yet. I want to, though. I like their loafers over AE loafers. But when I saw those nice Strands come into frame...My attention was on those.
Hey, Mario. Those Strands are a custom order by Steve at Bedo’s Leather works. They were an experiment to see if I could add a spade sole to a pair of Allen Edmonds so they definitely look better than the average pair.
I have a video about the process if you haven’t seen it. One of my favorite pairs.
@@TheElegantOxford Definitely. Steve is a beast. I own a pair of Bartlett's from the Independence Collection. Great sale on the discontinued brown color. Basically a Strand.
Many of the lasts from Carmina are rather elongated and chiselled, which isn’t my cup of tea. I prefer Church’s. Carmina remind me of the offerings from Crockett & Jones. How can the latter compete? Perhaps a Crockett enthusiast can explain to me why they would pay more for a shoe with an open stitched, cheaper tanned sole?
That’s absolutely true. I have a pair of Crockett & Jones from their handrade line. Same features: a wholecut with closed channel stitching but the shoe retails for over $700
Carmina makes a good shoe for the price.
You should ( if you haven’t already). Review a Paul Evans shoes
Hey, Oxford boot man here. Can you please review their wholecut boots? Would love to see those?
Carmina's are nice ! But I'm partial to my Magnanni ox blood whole cuts ! That i rarely ever wear ! Lol! Looks nice on my shoe shelf !
Is there a video of you mirror shinning these?
Please do a video on width sizes, that would be really interesting to learn (it’s the first time I’m hearing about this).
Good idea!
They took 6 months to deliver and only after I complained, one week later they send me shoes that were too tight and painful to wear, no accountability at all.
Woo hoo! I can wear a G width by going up a half size as long as the last goes more straight off the ball joint towards the toe.
Good news for sure
Can we please have more of these type of reviews.Great shoe
Absolutely! More to come!
I love Carmina's - Just got into this shoemaker and already got two pairs (both bourbon shell cordovan) First, it was just a way to get some rare color shell, as I got too many pairs of color 8 from Alden. But the details of the shoes are amazing. I am going to do a MTO with blue shell tassel loafer on Forest at the next custom weekend.
Honestly, I used to own 23 pairs of AE and returned or sold them all. They are not worth $200 in my opinion. QC were extremely bad, after sold to the fashion brand around 2016. Meermin or any brand on pediwear around the same price range beats AE's QC.
I love those rare color shells. Glad carmina sells them too!
I recently visited Carmina on Madison Avenue and the customer service was first-class. Unfortunately, men with big and wide feet, may be disappointed. I have many pairs of AE in the AAA width at US size of 12.5 or 13 (depending on leather and last). I tried a range of Carminas and did not find a suitable fit. Two additional lasts were not in stock and I will try again when they are in stock. It is clear that to get some of their more elegant styles (the semi-brogue is stunning), I will need to use their custom service, if I can find a last that fits me.
EEE not AAA
Great review of Carmina Wholecuts. Naturally I want a pair, but at $700.00 a pair, I might not be getting any for a while
These are $475. The shell cordovan model is $700 and yes I agree ☝🏻
Hello ! Nice work & videos. What would you suggest to protect shoes from rain, please ? I live in a very rainy country and I don't like to use waterproofing spray, that doesn't allow leather to breath. Thanks in anticipation.
I am 100% with you on 6 eyelet shoes. I have always looked at the Military Officers Low Quarter Oxford as the gold standard for a handmade shoe. They were made by military prisoners at Leavenworth Military Prison. The military specced 10 stitches per inch and 6 eyelets.
Great video Preston and those are some very fine shoes! Thanks Carmina too!!
Hey, K!
I love 6 eyelets!
Beautiful shoes, amazing video!
Thanks Miguelo
Those really are beautiful shoes.
I want it!!!!!!!!!!!
The problem I have with carmina (as a UK resident) is that it's pretty much pointless trying to get a factory re-sole on them. The cost of shipping would be more than half the cost of the resole. So you end up having to find good local cobblers instead, which ultimately takes away from the finely finished nature of the shoe. They may be a very cost effective way into higher end footwear, but the lack of local resoling capabilities rules them out for me.
Hey, Shrink
I would personally recommend an artisan cobbler over a factory job if you have the money. Someone like Steve at Bedo’s Leatheworks or Jim McFarland are 2 of the best cobblers in the world.
Check out some of their work you will be absolutely blown away. They do much better work than the factory.
@@TheElegantOxford As mentioned, I'm in the UK. I'm not paying $100 to ship my shoes several thousands of miles away to be re-soled. We have several competent cobblers here in Edinburgh that do a fine job with most welted shoes. But I wouldn't be comfortable giving them my G&G's ;)
I'm not sure if perhaps theres more of an issue over in the US, but find the factory repair jobs from Crockett, Alfred Sargent and Gaziano to be beyond criticism.
Carmine's whole cut is soooo gorgeous! I have 3 pairs of Carmina's I have 2 oxfords tan and black, and I have a balmoral boot, I never liked the whole cut, but when you reviewed it, I took my word back, those are beautiful, I'm not a fan of Allen Edmonds, they're design is bulky and the heel of Allen Edmonds, it's not well shaped, I know it's an American design which Allen Edmonds really does, I do have one pair of cap toe Oxford from Allen Edmonds, my dad liked it so I gave it to him lol, over all the pair that Preston got is gorgeous!!!!
I love Carmina’s Balmoral Boot. That’s next for me for sure.
Can’t go wrong with Carmina at all! Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more
The Elegant Oxford As always!
It makes me sad I do not get to see these types of shoes on men where I live. Maybe a glimpse here and there...but not nearly enough. My father owned one pair (not Carminas) when he worked in management and I remember him shining them. I would watch him when I was young!! I think that is what has drawn me here.
Too true. I hope to be able to influence men to shine their shoes so we can see better footwear in the future.
Now i want one..
Preston, some people use wet towel and an iron to reduce creasing on sneakers. Do you know this method as well? Do you think it is possible to use the same method on formal leather shoes? Since I have a steam generator for ironing clothes, can it be used instead of iron to decrease the creasing?
Hi, Barbara from Italy, love your videos.I see that Saphir makes a cream to get the mirror shine. Why do you use the pate delux instead? Thanks
Very nice video, Preston. What is the last? It looks like Rain last.
Just found this video. I wear a 9 or 9.5 E in Alden and 9.5E in AE. Carmina has so many lasts, and Euro, so very confused as to which last/which shoe would be appropriate for a guy with a wider foot.
Looks great
I’m EE in US. Do you think the EEE will be comfortable?
Should I wear dark blue jeans with this pair if shoes ?
Nice review. Loving the depth in that orange! Where did you get those shoe trees?
These are Saphir shoe trees that I hope to sell soon at my store. Stay tuned
Beautiful shoes !❤
Very nice pair of shoes! One day I hope I will get my feet into a pair of Carminas. Did you put rubber sole protectors on them?
Congratulations on your new pair! Don't forget to mention to lotion them even before you try them out. I had the unfortune to try my new AE before lotion and they wrinkled immediately. Are these blaked stitched? And why did you brush them off at first?
Hey, JM. These are Goodyear welted
What is the colour of the edge? Brown or chestnut?
Hi! What's the name of this color? I believe this is WHOLECUT OXFORDS 910 in TERRA color, am I right? Or maybe it's TANNED color?
After you applied the Saphir Renovateur did you get the mirror shine with the existing finish or did you also add some wax?
great vid thanks
Great review Preston.
Can you recommend a good edge dressing?
Hey, J WS
If you need black, feibings roller stick is hard to beat. For neutral, Allen Edmonds is the only company that actually does a neutral edge dressing
Which last are these shoes? Rain?
Could you do a review on Paul Evans or Beckett simonon?
Hi!
Is me again! What do you do for laces to last longer? Or fix from their issues?
Carmina had a sale which provided a matching belt and cream. I bought 3 pairs. 1 pair size UK 10 arrived, but the other 2 @ UK 9.5 are being "manufactured for me." Waiting patienly on the others to test the size, then exchange as needed. If I may, I have a question about ridding water marks. I have Crocket & Jones cordovan derbys and got caught in the rain when I didn't recently wax them. The bumps on the leather won't go away with renovateur. Should I buy and try a deer bone? Thanks..