Black Cap Toe Oxfords

[xman]

These are the ones my lass likes best so far:

Well then, it's decided isn't it? She's a tasteful lady and that means you get to think just a little less about such things, lucky you. Ignore this opportunity knocking at your peril.

[MacLowlife]

NOT captoes. If you are spending on custom, go for WHOLECUTS, which are cut from a single piece of leather and are absolutely completely plain. And you won't see another pair like them in three days time, instead of everybody having them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pal-Zileri-W...item2a0f1a6258

[thescot]

No offense to MacLowlife, I would only want plain toe in shell cordovan.

I like the second photo you offered oriinally. Traditional, not ostentatious, but very dressy. Top grain leather will take a shine you can use to part your hair. (I assume you know how to do a military shine.)

Few things look better for more occassions. My cap toes are my goto shoes for a suit, and the rounded tow--as opposed to the slightly squared toe--never go out of style. Never.

This is the pair I wear, Florsheim. I was about to order a pait of Allen Edmunds, but these came up for sale at a very attractive price, so I bough them.



Finally, I like leather soles with leather heels that have a small rubber insert on the back of the heel to keep down wear. I used to wear leather heels with a steel wedge in the back corner, but I haven't seen that for years.

[Downunder Kilt]

Finally, I like leather soles with leather heels that have a small rubber insert on the back of the heel to keep down wear. I used to wear leather heels with a steel wedge in the back corner, but I haven't seen that for years.

What you refer to as the steel wedge wouldn't be what is known as "blakey's" would they, which are still available worldwide to this day

[BCAC]

***SNIP***

Finally, I like leather soles with leather heels that have a small rubber insert on the back of the heel to keep down wear. I used to wear leather heels with a steel wedge in the back corner, but I haven't seen that for years.

When I bought my loakes I had the cobbler put on these "steel wedges" (as you call them) for me. It's quite a common job for a cobbler. I think that the problem nowadays is finding a true craftsman cobbler. Craftsmen cobblers are definately getting harder to find in France.

[mayberry]

I wasn't familiar with the term, so I looked up "Blakey's" and found their website. Shoe protectors made in Leeds for over 100 years, now available online.
http://www.blakeys-segs.co.uk/

Cheers,
John

[English Bloke]

These are flippin' gaaaaawgeous!

I want some!

By the way... Can I also have a pair in Military Tan Brown?

[Zardoz]

Cap toes are not really my style, but those are some nice looking shoes!

[CMcG]

Apologies for my delayed reply; I've been out sight-seeing

For some reason I can't multi-quote more than two people in a thread, so I'll have to post over top of myself a few times here...

<snip>
Hope that helps.

Yes Father, the diagram definitely helps. Thanks!

As for the number of eyelets, your suggestion of four over six is a little different compared to the pictures that I've been looking at... is that what you have on your shoes or is that a wish?

Anyone else have an opinion on number of eyelets?

[CMcG]

I have some beautiful pairs of shoes like those in your pics, I'm not sure about thinner=more formal. Mine have 3 layers of leather on the sole, can look formal with a suit but great with jeans and make a lovely sound on a wooden dance floor
<snip>

<snip>
... and a further thought just occurred to me. At 215 lbs, I hate having thin soles. If I step on a stone, I want to crush it, not have it come up through the sole into my foot. For that reason, I'd ask for a thick sole, or even a double one. I have often taken brand new shoes straight to the cobbler and asked him to add a second sole, and then put the heel back on. It's a wonderful feeling once you get used to it and looks rather manly.

My intention for these shoes is to reserve them for dressing up, so I hope I won't have to crush any rocks with them

Personally I like a thick rubber sole for both cushion and grip. The reason I'm under the impression that a thick sole (including extra leather) would be less formal is the general aesthetic of refined elegance that goes with increasing formality. It's also a question of tradition: thick, rugged soles for outdoors and thin, smooth soles for indoors.

I'm still toying with the idea of a rubber heel for a bit of traction but maybe a partial rubber heel would be enough. And those Blakey's must make quite the sound though I'm sure they protect the shoe very well!