M
mfad16mo ago
AAE

Quality of Brooks Brothers shoes?

Looking for some thoughts on the quality of Brooks Brothers current leather shoes - bluchers, loafers, etc. They are having a decent sale right now and I could only visually inspect the pair in the store because they didn't have my size to try on (I'm interested in these: https://www.brooksbrothers.com/suede-tassel-loafers/MH00629.html). But there's a shocking lack of info. As one reviewer notes on another pair, "Only problem related to quality is the site has very little in the way of product details. I even asked the company what kind of stitching is used on the soles (a common product detail) and was told 'Sorry, we don't know.' I think they're good shoes, but based on the lack of info it's hard to know for sure. For shoes in this price range I expect better information to be available." So, does anyone know where BB is making their shoes, what kinds of leather, stitching, etc.? Or is there any way to find out? Separately, I thrifted a pair of women's black penny loafers. The only I have is that they're made in Italy. Visually, they have the "shine" that black Weejuns have. They are leather/leather as well. I don't see these currently offered through the company and would be interested in figuring out when BB last offered them in an attempt to date them.
21 Replies
rebound2
rebound216mo ago
Having heard about the dip in the quality of most Brooks Brothers products in the last several years as they've continued to change ownership, plus the fact that they have little information about the shoes, is probably an indication that they're not especially high quality. I would personally avoid their current footwear.
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
The new peal & co are being made in Italy and are not really worth it imo. The mainline has always kinda stunk
rebound2
rebound216mo ago
not trying to hijack the thread but I have some old (think 20 years old), mostly unworn suede derbies from Peal&Co that are made in England. would those also not be great? they looked very nice from what I could see, just needs a vigorous brushing and some conditioner probably
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
Those are most likely made by either Crockett & Jones or Loake (I think) and are vvv solid. The Peal & Co line was made by those two or Alden and similar makers for a very long time. During one of the recent ownership changes BB phased out these English and American makers and moved to white labeling junk from Italy while charging basically the same amount
AAE
AAE16mo ago
fascinating
rebound2
rebound216mo ago
good to know, thanks!
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
Answering some of the more specific questions in the OP: BB shoes are now generally MiItaly and are going to be Blake stitched. If you have pictures of the shoes I can try to help ID them
AAE
AAE16mo ago
Thanks!
AAE
AAE16mo ago
AAE
AAE16mo ago
This was the pair I linked in the OP and what I saw in person.
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
Oh it looks like they reduced the price drastically. They did/still sell the Peal & Co line at the same price while not having the same quality. But those are likely solid for $250
AAE
AAE16mo ago
They are $148 right now
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
easily worth
AAE
AAE16mo ago
What can you tell from photos? I am sort of new to leather shoes but I have brand new weejuns (I don’t like them) and secondhand Allen Edmonds loafers (which I like but aren’t a perfect fit) as my references. These seemed comparable if not better to my AE when I held them and tried a larger pair on. But as I mentioned was skeptical of my ability to judge so quickly.
awburkey
awburkey16mo ago
Bar none the most important quality in a shoe is how well it fits your foot. The rest about leather or construction quality is just what internet nerds can geek out about and doesn't actually matter. If they fit your feet well and are comfortable (especially loafers) then send it Specifically these the quality of the uppers I'm sure is fine, but doesn't look like anything great. They are blake-stitched, perhaps blake/rapid construction which is underrated imo. The only stylistic thing I'd point out is that the vamp looks to be long/high which is something a lot of folks dislike in loafers but if it doesn't bother you then nbd
AAE
AAE16mo ago
Appreciate the input. The vamp might workout for me (need to try smaller size) as I have a high instep. Was curious about the stitching/welt so that helps
gimp
gimp16mo ago
I personally prefer a longer vamp myself. Nothing wrong with blake stitched shoes at this price point, people are all about GYW but blake is solid up to a point far in the distance. And yes, the absolute best made shoes, bench made by an artisan who only uses the absolute best leather from perfumed cows, is entirely worthless to you if they don't fit well. :) So if these fit, rock em, price is solid.
AAE
AAE16mo ago
haha love it. Yea im going to get them at this price point assuming the smaller size fits well. Essentially the same price as new/retail Weejuns which I have found extremely uncomfortable but wanted to check for any immediate red flags since there was 0 information instore or online about them
metcarfre
metcarfre16mo ago
I bought BB mainline shoes in the fall as they had a massive (70% off) sale here in Canada. They are trash. I also bought P&Co that were OEM'd by C&J, though, and they are amazing.
AAE
AAE16mo ago
appreciate the data point. what was trash about them? did they appear similar to the photos I posted above?
metcarfre
metcarfre16mo ago
They had a stamp on the upper vamp with "BB" I think. I'll have to check when I get home. The insoles peeled off in the first wear. Just from the feel of the weight and leather, they seem cheap. But, they were $70 CAD, so 🤷‍♂️
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