[Vecchio Vespa]

In the early 1980s I had several pairs of Church's shoes, cap toe oxfords, wingtip oxfords, and tassel loafers. Those and a pair of MIE Barrie wingtips have been my only experience with English shoes. I read of various people extolling English shoes, referencing other brands such as John Lobb and Crocket and Jones. Where would Church's have fit into the hierarchy in terms of quality? This is just a matter of curiosity. At 74 with three relatively new pairs of Aldens, I assume my feet are outfitted for life.

 

[Woofa]

Give this TOF link a quick look.

Current Quality of Church's Shoes

How do the current run of Church's shoes stack up against what seems to be our standard for mid-priced English shoes, C&J bench grades? I know that they are often priced pretty high. Shoe for shoe (e.g., wingtip balmoral vs. wingtip balmoral) are they of superior quality (construction and...

www.styleforum.net

I think it safe to say that church's is not at the level of Lobb or EG. It may once haven been equivalent to C&J (at least some) but most likely no longer. I have come across a few pairs in my years of thrifting and the older pairs seemed to be of very good quality but I did not see any that equated to my EG's. Hope this helps.

 

[Watchman]

This is a slightly complex discussion because the various English makers themselves have degrees of quality.

For example, Gaziano & Girling have their bespoke, then Optimum, also RTW and finally they had a made in Italy line as well.

EG has “top drawer” service along with RTW with the occasional makeups rebranded for other houses. (Ralph Lauren Purple Label)

CJ has handgrade and then RTW, but the also do rebranded shoes for the likes of George Cleverly…

So, this discussion has many and manifold nuances which factor in.

Now then, I own GG, EG, CJ and Church.

GG are hard to beat overall. EG as well. CJ are great for the money, perhaps CJ takes the “best value” prize. Church’s are far better than most give them credit for, and yet they are not as good as their past shoes were.

Overall, I favor GG. But they are very expensive and not easy to find discounted. I prefer GG for proper oxfords.

EG are wonderful smart/casual shoes but also do oxfords well.

CJ are sturdy and beautiful too. And can often be found deeply discounted…

All in all, you must try the various makers yourself and discern pros and cons accordingly. Cheers!

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Thanks, all. I loved my Barries but found the Church's of that era too heavy and stiff, and that's saying something as a lover of Alden shell tassel loafers. I really gave Church's a fair try but gave up. I am glad to know there are much better English shoes.

 

[William Kazak]

I have been wearing an assortment of Church's shoes before the sale to Prada. They work well for me.

 

[CC3]

In the early 1980s I had several pairs of Church's shoes, cap toe oxfords, wingtip oxfords, and tassel loafers. Those and a pair of MIE Barrie wingtips have been my only experience with English shoes. I read of various people extolling English shoes, referencing other brands such as John Lobb and Crocket and Jones. Where would Church's have fit into the hierarchy in terms of quality? This is just a matter of curiosity. At 74 with three relatively new pairs of Aldens, I assume my feet are outfitted for life.

Funny because I am you, still have 4 pairs of Church's Custom Grade, over years owned another 6-8 that suffered in inclement weather on trips. Also own 3 pair Alden. Church's lost me when Prada took over and the 73 last was gone. I viewed Church's = Crockett and Jones, now lower. Both have machine made and handmade (C&J "Hand Grade"). I would have bought C&J but 1) no stores, 2) width selection. John Lobb is a cut above, so is Edward Green. Since i've owned neither, cannot differentiate. I like my Aldens (donated 5 pairs when my feet changed and a bunion ... wish I had the Shell Cordovans back. But Alden lasts/styles are clunkier than Church (my Custom Grade Cape Buck suede shoes are much better than Aldens, even though the soft toe Alden suedes are among their best in my view). Also, the leather is better for Church's. Side comment AE used to be better although not up to Alden. Now, no comparison in construction, Alden far superior.