Submitted by jennycotton t3_yjukyg in BuyItForLife
I was thinking Ferragamo but it seems not so much anymore after some research. Everything is lower quality now.
Comments
jennycotton OP t1_iuqadft wrote
this is really good to remember! TY
Pnobodyknows t1_iur9rof wrote
Cobblers are really only worth it if you have a very nice pair of shoes though. I watch some Cobblers on YT and most jobs cost at least 250-300 dollars
AbnormalAviator t1_iur9xgc wrote
I can only speak from my own experience. Most I paid was $50 for patching up boot uppers that were worn all the way through...cost me about 30-40 to have soles redone. So on, so forth.
[deleted] t1_iuxjns8 wrote
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AbnormalAviator t1_iuxu2iz wrote
Red Wing is a rip off - I have a pair of their boots, but won't buy another. Locals are way more reasonable.
The only things that make them stand out, even as a shoe and boot maker, are Goodyear welting, good materials, and mass producing things in different widths - none of which they have a monopoly on, they're just the biggest company doing them.
[deleted] t1_iuxuxx9 wrote
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AbnormalAviator t1_iuxv63r wrote
Well I don't know about your area. My local cobbler in BC - like I said, one can only speak from personal experience.
[deleted] t1_iuxvt6w wrote
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AbnormalAviator t1_iuxw4ok wrote
Got those Oxfords done at Vic's Shoe and Boot in Abbotsford, BC. But I don't know if you will save anything on shipping. Good luck!
[deleted] t1_iuxy4u7 wrote
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AbnormalAviator t1_iuxylvv wrote
Sad - all my family used them. Just moved to Kamloops - so I had a patch done with the folks in Vernon recently. Will have to see what they charge when its time for a new sole.
javaavril t1_iv4i8qf wrote
A ladies pump is very different than a redwing boot (I know, I own both). I've had Prada heels done for $40 in NYC.
I will admit though, in our walking city we pay for cobblers like other places probably pay for oil changes, it's sort of a fixed rate that you just pay for maintenance every couple thousand miles.
jennycotton OP t1_iurq76a wrote
Omg...at that point I'd just get a new pair. Even for my expensive heels I don't see that as worth it personally. Thanks for bringing this up
karekatsu t1_iurreac wrote
Counter point - I got my favorite ankle boots repaired (the sole was falling out of the heel column, the flat part was fine) and buffed for less than $40. He even repainted the heel to hide a bunch of scuffs I'd gotten on the shoes over the years, and buffed the suede for me as a free service.
Don't feel like you have to go to the fashion district of new york for solid repair work - sweet old grandpas in the corner of a strip mall can do just as good and you're paying for their kid's college. Check reviews, and if all seems good then go ahead.
jennycotton OP t1_iurxjb6 wrote
oh yeah i am a big small business person when it comes to services like this. your cobbler sounds amazing! i will ask around for referrals, good idea
acouple2tree t1_iusyw9j wrote
i finally resoled my 10+ year old gucci leather flip-flops (which i originally got for $100 w/ coupons, points, & sale lol) i'm looking forward to another 10+ years out of them making them literally cheaper than plastic cheapies every year.
hammockboss t1_iuvzs3r wrote
This is good advice. Another way to find a reputable cobbler is to ask in a high-end shoe store who they recommend -- last time I moved, I found mine by calling the local Fluevog store and he's the best I've ever had.
shellz9 t1_iursbqa wrote
Those youtube cobblers are charging top price for complicated extensive repairs. It would not cost anything near that to repair a pair of heels.
jennycotton OP t1_iurxv7o wrote
phew - definitely going to utilize cobblers moving forward, to at least check out costs and make a decision. TYSM
[deleted] t1_iurtozy wrote
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jennycotton OP t1_iurxrd1 wrote
totally! i have shoes that vary from $100 -$2k+. so i'd just go care by case depending on cost of shoe and cost of repair.
javaavril t1_iv4iuoy wrote
Somehow got redirected to this.
That is not what cobblers cost. I'm in NYC and at most I've spent $60 when I really fucked up, generally 20-40usd for prevention and maintenance.
Maybe that's true in weird places that don't have any cobbler competition marketplace where people also buy pricey shoes and don't walk anywhere, but even then, that's only like Dallas? Not indicative of any real life thing outside of YouTube.
Fix your shoes, it's not expensive.
javaavril t1_iv4ideu wrote
That's crazy. I live in NYC and have, tops, spent like $60 at a cobbler.
Are they just making custom shoes at that point?
javaavril t1_iuqe6zs wrote
I mostly go by country of origin and construction style. Italy or east EU or Brazil. I also only buy steel shank shoes. Plastic shanks fail after a couple years. Steel shanks last at least a decade.
Giuseppe Zanotti
David Pliner
Miu Miu or Prada
Louboutin
Ferragamo classic short bowed heels, like Viva or Vera are great. Haven't tried other styles.
Also this is very dependant on how much you walk, your foot shape, posture, and local weather.
It's both a quality issue and it's care. You'll need to learn to care for the skins properly and then begin a lifelong relationship with your neighborhood cobbler for technical upkeep and sole replacement.
Edit: Adding that I only buy full skin heels with steel shanks. Calf/pig lined, natural upper, leather soles. All is repairable and super breathable. Moisture is death for how technical the structure of heels are.
I'll admit in advance that this level of construction is going to be at minimum $500usd a pair, plus about $50usd at the cobbler to Vibram the natural leather soles before you even wear them. It's cost prohibitive, but a worthy investment if it's an object of need.
jennycotton OP t1_iuqfmc5 wrote
>Ferragamo classic short bowed heels
yep! these are the ones i was contemplating. the ones i want are $850 USD. my budget is ~$1k. glad to hear there's a vote for their quality. TYSM for your help!
javaavril t1_iuqh7nl wrote
Don't get patent leather to start (or ever, blister city), and don't wear them two days in a row. Like any leather shoe they need a day to breathe with a cedar sachet inside the toe box between wears.
If where you live has hard streets, and you walk more than a normal person, get the leather soles covered in Vibram instantly and a brass toe step plate on the bottom.
That particular shoe runs quite narrow, so walk around in the store a bunch to make sure it's okay and good for you, wear for a few months (then buy many more pairs in different colors from RealReal or ebay for around $150) :)
Super classic though, if it works for your feet then it'll be great, with care, for decades.
Adding one more care thing. If you live in a place where they use salt to de-ice, when you get home in the winter, brush them with natural bristle brush (boar), then lightly wipe them down with mild vinegar/water solution to remove all salt. Otherwise residual salt will have the leather will prematurely have fails and cracking.
jennycotton OP t1_iurpcps wrote
Thank you so so much. Super valuable, you're a gem.
javaavril t1_iuv2mt0 wrote
You're welcome! I'm mostly on BIFL to learn and make small suggestions, but when I saw your question I was like "Oooo, I got this!"
jennycotton OP t1_iuxfsuv wrote
angel <3
HungryElefant t1_iuriqa4 wrote
Damn! This is such a wonderful review and guide. Exactly what OP was asking about. Amazing! And thank you!
Summoning-Freaks t1_iutccso wrote
Holy hell the markup they have in the US! I bought my pair in 2016 in Cannes for about €450 and I only needed them resoled this year, despite wearing them almost daily. The leather (the “matte” regular one) is still in great condition though, as is the bow.
Just the soles got worn out as France and Spain don’t have the smoothest sidewalks. If still consider it a worthy investment considering you don’t need to break into them again, they fit my feet perfectly, feel like slippers, and paying a cobbler is cheap than having to buy a new pair of lower quality shoes every year or so.
But shoes are a bit like bras- not every brand will have a shape/design that suits you. I find louboutins heinously uncomfortable but Fratelli Rossetti fits like a dream. Definitely shop around before buying, especially if you’re looking for a classic professional pump- there are endless options!
BortForbert t1_iuslq73 wrote
I wanted to pop in and agree with everything you’re saying and also give a shout-out to leather shoes made in Portugal. I specifically have heels, heeled boots and shoes from the brand COS that have lasted 5-10 years. I’m not sure if all their shoes are still made in Portugal (I stopped buying their clothes new because the quality was going the way of their sister-company H&M), but I can’t recommend their shoes enough, especially when they’re on sale. They use EU sizes (same sizing as French brands, not Italian sizing, which I have to size down in).
Moar_Cuddles_Please t1_iupy4xa wrote
Unlikely if you’re thinking stilettos. Specifically because I tend to get them stuck in sidewalk cracks and mending the tear in the leather is a pain if possible. But also usually because leather stretches over time and they’ll become a bit loose. And if you need to repair or re-dye the leather you better hope you have a standard color or a very good cobbler. They ruined a pair of bronze heels of mine when they did a terrible color match.
Local-Finance8389 t1_iupzs1y wrote
I have a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps with a three inch heel from 2005 that are comfortable and look amazing. I bought them in black and in tan. I own over 100 pairs of shoes (I shop my feelings) and they are my go to heel for looking professional. The caveat to this is that I have a very narrow foot.
Every shoe designer fits differently so your best bet is to try on a bunch of shoes. High quality shoes can be resoled which extends their lifespan into buy it for life territory.
jennycotton OP t1_iuqaozv wrote
i love jimmy choo! i am looking for a low block heel slingback but have some of their stilettos. they are amazing. love hearing that yours are 15+ yrs and still going strong!! mine aren't quite that old yet. TY for sharing this!
Local-Finance8389 t1_iuthhuf wrote
Chanel just did a flared block heel in a Mary Jane style. They also had some low and mid heeled slingbacks but I can’t remember what colors.
jennycotton OP t1_iutphfl wrote
yes the classic Chanel two tone slingbacks with a modest block heel have been on my list forever. But Chanel quality has tanked in recent years so I'm reticent
Local-Finance8389 t1_iuvyg3g wrote
Their classic stuff seems to still be good quality. It’s their trendy stuff that I’ve seen have a few issues. And if you have a good sales associate they will go above and beyond to get you a replacement.
I feel like Chanel puts out so many shoe designs, though. Which is probably why their production is all over the place. There were shoes I previewed in July. I wanted the same pair in black and white. My SA got me the black ones in July and the white ones just showed up last week. They sell out of everything because of the name but their inconsistency makes me very leery of buying the trendy stuff and so I stick to the classics. Their handbag quality remains very high though.
jennycotton OP t1_iuxfoly wrote
I had issues with a boy bag I got in 2020. for such an expensive piece i don't want to be arsed with replacements and issues. i've veered from current Chanel but i like buying 90s vintage pieces when Chanel was at its best
maritimer1nVan t1_iurk8d2 wrote
I would talk to a cobbler about which brands are easiest to re-sole. Some companies make the shoes in a way that the resole could be more than just buying new.
jennycotton OP t1_iurp6we wrote
Love this idea, TY
baconvalhalla t1_iupxf9z wrote
The style is different, but Cydwoq (https://cydwoq.com/) are fantastic- I am still wearing a pair I got 20 years ago!
jennycotton OP t1_iuqaqb8 wrote
these are very unique! thanks for sharing, browsing through them now
grrltype t1_iur2onu wrote
Obsessed with Cydwoq! Incredible quality
hammockboss t1_iuw0f1j wrote
Seconded.
ForAThought t1_iuqz8yl wrote
Yes they exist. My wife bought a pair years ago, wore them once, and they're still in the closest looking as good as the day she bought them.
ThxItsadisorder t1_iurg2m3 wrote
I would look up which companies still use steel shanks in their heels. Also there are some cobblers on YT that provide tips for giving your heels longevity!
jennycotton OP t1_iurphz6 wrote
I am always looking for my next YT rabbit hole.... :) TYSM
RunninglikeNaruto t1_iuqp63z wrote
Great question! Thanks for asking, I’m taking notes
jennycotton OP t1_iurpzo9 wrote
i'm glad. so many great suggestions here!
Sonystars t1_iur028w wrote
Ziera are my go to. They're comfort shoes too, so there is plenty of ugly on their website, but lots gorgeous ones too.
hammockboss t1_iuw15l4 wrote
PW Minor is similar... most of their stock is quite ugly, but they make one walking boot style that is elegant, comfortable and incredibly durable. Mine are 15 years, innumerable heels, three resolings and thousands of miles old, and still look good.
jennycotton OP t1_iurpp7u wrote
I love a designated comfort shoe! The ones I've tried are not long lasting. Excited to check out this brand, new to me! TY
Muncie4 t1_iuqz18e wrote
https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/kfbe17/gyw_for_women_brands_and_notes/ may help as heels means many things to many people. But know you can't shop brands....a brand can have 2 pair of heels that can be recrafted by a cobbler and may have 2 pair of heels that are disposible. If you are paying say $800/pair, you should know via the reading and/or through customer service validation that they can be recrafted. This logic applies for all shoes/brands as very few brands are 100% recraftable via a cobbler.
Ordinary-Meeting-701 t1_iuqz3kx wrote
My Michael Kors shoes have lasted forever and are not super expensive!
ilovestoride t1_iur61kb wrote
My wife swears by her manolo's and jimmy choo's. Manolo's are good even after 8 hours on her feet.
Ok_Knee1216 t1_iurdesx wrote
Bally
jennycotton OP t1_iurpgmy wrote
I forgot about them! TY.
Prior-Ad-5353 t1_iush137 wrote
I will start this by saying: I am from Montana, where we're not always the most fashionable, but I like to take pride in the way I dress and try to make fashionable but weather appropriate decisions. Sorel. I own 12 pairs of Sorel boots, wedges & sandals. The first pair of Sorel wedge booties I purchased around 6 years ago and I wear them 3 to 5 times a week during the "winter" here (in quotes because winter can be September through April where I live) and they are still in great shape! I liked those boots so much I bought a black pair of lace up sandal wedges and same goes for those. Still I'm great shape 4 years later. Not only have they held up well, they're COMFORTABLE! Maybe it's just my feet, but the way they make their wedges is perfect. Wedges are typically more comfortable but I still feel it at the end of the day but not with Sorels! They have funky styles at times but I love them!
Call-Me-Ky t1_iuqa1mn wrote
What happens to your shoes? It can be cheaper and more frugal to get them fixed at a cobbler or the like, instead of getting new shoes.
From scrapes on the back of heels, glue coming loose on the toe or some, re-capping heels, and refreshing the sole, etc; I have saved many shoes for a longer life.
I find that leather helps.
jennycotton OP t1_iuqabw9 wrote
nothing has happened. i am just seeking opinions on durable heels.
Materva t1_iuqw625 wrote
I believe Louboutin shoes can be repaired by a cobbler.
jennycotton OP t1_iurpwkf wrote
Yes you're right. I have some but they are so uncomfortable. Beautiful though :)
redneckhotmess t1_iurbwvo wrote
San Antonio shoes or Clarks. Both are BIFL. Pricey, but worth it.
howdoyoudo212 t1_iuujzt0 wrote
My manolos are 10yrs old and still going strong. Black pumps which have been resoled once
foodieholic t1_iuq5nxh wrote
I love my Sergio Rossi pump
[deleted] t1_iuqnwkj wrote
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rhialitycheck t1_iutwg90 wrote
My chunky heels from Terra Plana were purchased in 2006 and are still going strong.
Umble-Varrior t1_iuubiap wrote
Vanelli
D_Tixi t1_iuul2qx wrote
I've heard European made heels are BIFL. And some brands from Spain. I suggest searching "comfortable European heels reddit" on Google. So far I've seen then have a heel but nothing stiletto type at least from my small research, but if you take longer than 10 mins to look you can probably find something.
RavenclawProf t1_iupxgc2 wrote
Vionic
jennycotton OP t1_iurqfxz wrote
I guess people don't believe in Vionic? I upvoted. I've seen them mentioned elsewhere and wanted a pair of sandals from them at one point...price is good to try them out IMO!
Henri_Dupont t1_iurhfof wrote
Women's high heel shoes cause bunions by design. They do not allow enough room for the toes. Look at them - nobody has toes that point that sharply toward the middle of the foot, unless their feet have been destroyed by these foot-stranglers. They cause shortening of the calf muscle, until you can't stand properly on bare feet.
I don't care how well made a high heel shoe is, it is not BIFL if it causes medical problems later in life. I wish women would revolt and simply refuse to wear them.
Platywussy t1_iurn2hp wrote
OP didn't ask if you think she should wear heels. Women can wear heels if they want to.
jennycotton OP t1_iuroy5y wrote
I wish men would not tell me what I should and should not wear. But here we are.
AbnormalAviator t1_iuq8vzg wrote
I love to preach the message that cobblers still exist - and they can repair just about anything! So if you have a favourite pair, and they are worn out - try a cobbler. You may be surprised.
I've never paid more than two digits for repairs (mind you I only wear leather shoes, and not heels).