Hi, for myself (an ungodly size 31.5-32) and my boy (a reasonable 26), I’m looking to invest in some shoes that can look nice and be ready for care rather than tossed out. I was recently stateside, and twice I bumped into friends wearing Allen Edmonds, and I like the idea of something that’s closer to Buy it for Life than seasonal.
What would you all recommend, at least for my son?
7 comments
Your size you will have to go full-on custom and it won’t be cheap (said as someone with size 45/30/12 feet who wishes he could more easily spend too much money on shoes here)
I’m only 28.5 and I always buy dress shoes overseas, either back in the US or when I had (in the before times) business trips to the UK, Australia or HK. Even when you go to “Men’s Isetan” in Hibiya or Shinjuku, they’ll only have a few choices around 28 or 29. Casual shoes/sneakers are generally not an issue.
You can buy AE shipped and taxes paid on their site to Japan, it will probably end up being about half the cost than domestic options and maybe better quality.
Allen Edmonds used on メルカリ can be good value. There is reasonable supply at 26, unfortunately you’re basically out of luck above 31…
What price range are you looking at? Tricker’s shoes, made in the UK, will send to Japan. I’ve ordered a couple times off their websites, and even after paying the customs duties (around 3600 yen for a pair IIRC), it was cheaper than buying them in Japan. Plus there is much more selection on their two websites (regular and outlet), and there are occasional sales as well. Styles range from “dressy casual” to regular dress shoes. Sizes go up to size 13 UK (UK sizes are one size larger than US, so size 13 UK would be size 14 US). You could have them repaired and/or resoled at any of the higher-end department stores with shoe repair services or even a decent regular shoe repair shop.
https://www.trickers.com/row/
https://www.trickersoutlet.com/outlet_row/
There is a dedicated store in Minami Aoyoma in Tokyo as well.
https://www.trickers.com/row/trickers-tokyo-store-japan
I get what you’re trying to do… but have you ever seen a cobbler here before? I’d be more concerned about finding that first than finding a shoe that can be cobbled. Also check prices on that type of service…. seems like something that can be overly inflated to a particular demographic quite easily.
Regal are a higher quality Japanese brand that have a re-soling system, so through the store you can send it back to the factory for a resole.