What I really like about Scarpe di Bianco is the fact that they have new models to drool over each season. Most shoe companies of this level don’t have such frequent new offerings, which makes it so that you have to chose from their ever-current stock, unless that is that they have a brilliant MTO program, which makes it so that you can have a new thing under the sun anytime that you wanted. But unfortunately most don’t, as it is costly not only in stock holding but time/tooling costs/materials etc to work on and thus bring out new styles with the hope that customer will also like them and thus buy. I am starting to truly understand the risk that one takes when doing this, so can definitely appreciate the fact that SB does their best to keep it fresh and current by having a few new models each season. Not that they have to worry too much because they are always making nice things that I am sure appeal to many people……such as those lovely double buckle chukka boots!
And a few MTO’s…..
4 thoughts on “Spring/Summer 2013 Scarpe di Bianco Goodness”
Pretty impressive take on the chukka boot!
What’s the leather on those tassel loafars? Seems like pebble grain on the vamp and tassels, but calfskin everywhere else.
looks like a hatch grain to me, and the toe seems like calfskin only because it is pulled tightly when lasted, but it is actually all the same leather…
Justin you are absolutely correct about great shoes coming out of countries other than England. However, I am an urban guy; I like to walk. I also enjoy the outdoors.
In shoes I need (also like the traditional English look) durability. Leather that can recover form getting wet, can take some scuffs and getting hit, pretty thick, and a substantial sole. One isn’t going to get that from Bestetti, Septieme Largeur, Corthay.
The shoes that fit that look and specs? EG, Vass, Alden, C&J, Peal, maybe Meermin
TMI explaining wardrobe below.
My wardrobe mainstays: Barbour Northumbria (this is a long jacket made of the heavyweight cotton with the old school finish of sylkoil; a very good Ralph Lauren copy of a Filson hunting jacket; for dress chesterfield overcoat; multiple pairs of custom and mto cowboy boots; Crocket & Jones Coniston; foul weather dress Peal Raywood; old church’s aniline wingtips.
While I agree with your sentiment, I think that some of what you say is a result of clever marketing. C&J’s soles are no thicker than Septieme Larguer or Bestetti for that matter. People tend to associate the bulkiness of English shoes as hard wearing. But a dainty looking G&G is going to hold up just as good if not better than it’s heavier looking counterpart. Quality of the leather is what really matters. I have seen blaked stitched Berluti soles hold up better than some GY welted ones and that is because the leather that they were using was top notch. The only one that really stands out in your list is VASS who uses a very heavy and thick sole.. But EG soles and leather are just the same as G&G, the sole thickness the same as Bestetti and SL. Corthay on the other hand, has thin soles, but very good upper leather….Some even claim that JM Weston soles hold up better than any other and they too have quite thin soles…. So, while I do believe that Tricker’s take the cake for hard wearing English shoes, I can say that these Di Bianco would last any less than any other higher end English maker if I am going to be honest….. Thanks though for you input and for always reading!