Why did the U-cap not ever become popular? I mean, in theory, it is not as conventional as a cap toe but is less risky/fancy than a wingtip (aesthetically speaking). Yet how often do you see them? Hardly ever. I think that I can count on one hand how many makers that I have seen use one in their collection: VASS, Carmina (by special request for skoaktiebolaget.se), Edward Green (below) and this Ralph Lauren (above, by Edward Green) and I believe Cleverley did one in a loafer form. It’s a question that I ask myself, ‘why do I not see more of this?’ I have done it with Balmoral boots, have done it with burgundy shoes, have done it with Saddle shoes (in a dressy form) and now the U-cap. The more questions I find, the more inclined that I am to try and revive the lacking model in question. And so far, I feel that my attempt has been okay. I have sold a good amount of Balmoral boots and Saddle Shoes, just need to work on those burgundy ones and now this U-cap! Either way, it’s refreshing to see other’s giving it a shot, even if it is just for one season. It at least means that people are getting them and brands are thinking about them. Here’s to more of the U-cap in 2014.
9 thoughts on “The U-Cap Brogue”
I have a dark brown U Cap by Carmina – similar to your model. I think it makes a nice change of pace from the more common cap toes and wing tips. Variety is the spice of the shoe rotation.
it sure is!
The EG Weymouth is a beautiful shoe! I agree that more companies ought to make the U-Cap a part of their regular rotations.
it just might start happening!
I’ve been visiting this website for quite a while, and I have been tempted by many of the shoes you show here, but I’ll be honest, more than anything right now I just want to try Carmina, but the only place where I can get them is theshoemart and well I have no idea what size I am, any thoughts? On ferragamo and Allen Edmonds I am a 7.5. Hope that helps!
They should fit somewhat similarly to AE, but in reality that is just a generalization. Carmina will have different lasts that all fit differently so I could not really give you an “for sure” answer especially as I am no expert in their lasts anyway…i only know of the Simpson one, which runs slim
Great post. I am glad this blog exists, I love the fact that is shows your journey into setting up your own business AND that you are educating your readers at the same time in what can be an expensive purchase when moving from the likes of loakes or cheaper still to something a bit more fancy.
For the next post I would love to hear a bit more about suede and if there is as much difference between leather types when purchasing suede shoes?
Also more about common fit problems and how they should fit.
Finally where or how do you perceive value in shoes? E. G. If you had identically styled shoes next to one another how achieve the most bang for you buck without getting drawn into potentially overpriced brand names.
Glad that you enjoy the blog my friend. I do appreciate it. As per the posts that you would like to see, well I am no expert when it comes to suede…the variance in quality is hard to see/understand so in reality I could not really write a fully educational post about it. The fit subject is a possibility but the real problem is that there is no right or wrong when it comes to fit. There is my idea of what is right and wrong, but in reality it is very very subjective… As per the last subject, well this I have already written about and you can find it here: https://theshoesnobblog.com/2013/01/reader-question-value-of-quality.html
thanks for that Nick! Lovely models