Lately I’ve been wearing more tailored garments and I realized that I don’t have enough dress shoes in my wardrobe. I decided my next pair would be a pair of Adelaide Oxfords. This particular style has the right amount of brogueing to keep them on the dressier side and have the ‘U’-shaped detailing that sets them apart. After carefully studying what was available within my budget I chose the Alfred Sargent Moore Adelaide Oxfords.
Nike Internationalist PRM Phantom White
This is part of a series that features items bought from the U.S. and shipped to the Philippines using the consolidation and freight forwarding service Shipping Cart. Learn more about Shipping Cart.
I’ve been looking for a new pair of classic running shoes to add to my wardrobe. After picking up a pair of New Balance two years ago I wanted something with a sleeker silhouette. I set my eyes on the Nike Internationalist, an 80’s cult model which was reintroduced in 2014 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Since then Nike has released premium versions (hence the PRM moniker) of the Internationalist that are made entirely in suede. Unfortunately, the PRM models never make it to the Philippines like many of Nike’s nicer sneakers.
One of the benefits the internet has brought commerce was the ability to sell to consumers directly. Cutting out the middleman has allowed companies to lower prices and provide greater value without sacrificing quality. Numerous companies have sprung up in the fashion industry using this business model and one of them is Brooklyn-based footwear brand GREATS.
Carmina Navy Suede Penny Loafers
Suede is one of my favorite things to wear. Compared to smooth leathers, they are softer and more pliable making them extremely comfortable. The rough texture lends it a casual charm that gains character over time. Which is why I’ve never understood people’s apprehension to suede. Continue Reading
This is part of a series that features items bought from the U.S. using Globe’s GCASH American Express Virtual Pay and shipped to the Philippines using the freight forwarding service My Shopping Box. For more information click here.
For the last two years I’ve yearned for a pair of New Balance classic running sneakers. Their handsome retro looks have convinced me that they have a place in my wardrobe. Unfortunately, the selection here in the Philippines is quite poor. Only in recent times have the made in USA and made in UK models become available but you’d have to pay ridiculously high prices. I didn’t want to spend Php 10,995 for a pair of New Balance sneakers so I fitted a pair at one of the stores to find my size with the intention of buying it online. Continue Reading
It’s been a while since my third post on Sapatero Manila. This is because I’ve been traveling and could not get my finished pair. The long gap should not be interpreted as the length of time it takes to make a bespoke pair of shoes although some shoemakers do take their time. That aside I finally have my pair and can give my thoughts on it.
Based on the fitting I felt that three things needed to be changed. The width of the shoes were too wide by a few millimeters and I preferred a closer fit. I am confident with the natural stretch of the leather so this should not be a problem. The side stiffeners hampered movement and flexibility so they had to be removed. I like my dress shoes to feel like dress shoes so it should have a thin layer of foam or none at all. In this case Sapatero Manila used a thin layer of foam as the feet need to be shielded from the holes and stitching inside. Continue Reading
After the shoes are lasted the insole and welt are attached using glue. It is after this stage when the customer comes in for a fitting. If the fit is not satisfactory adjustments can still be made. Otherwise, the shoemaker proceeds with stitching together the welt, upper and insole. I wanted a narrow waist on this pair so the welt does not extend to the entire length of the shoe. Continue Reading
Traditionally, bespoke shoes are made with a last that is made specifically for an individual. This process makes bespoke shoes expensive because creating a unique last takes a lot of time and effort. With Sapatero Manila the process is slightly different. Instead of creating a last from scratch they instead customise an existing last using the measurements and shape noted down in the first part. Layer upon layer of leather is applied and sanded down until the desired measurements and shape is achieved. The advantage to this are two-fold. Sapatero Manila is able to keep the cost down and deliver a pair of shoes in a much shorter amount of time. Continue Reading
Last summer Raymond Villanueva went to Europe and came back impressed with the quality of shoes being made there. After his trip he thought of getting into a new hobby: shoemaking. Eager to learn how to make shoes he went to Marikina, the shoemaking capital of the Philippines, and paid a factory to allow him to work there. There he learned how to make a pattern, how to skive leather and how to last — essentially how to build a pair of shoes from start to finish. It wasn’t long until he realised that given the right materials, designs and standards that Philippine-made shoes can be at par or even better than European-made shoes. With this in mind he established Sapatero Manila as a bespoke shoemaker offering shoes that lasts a lifetime, features timeless designs and above all great value. Continue Reading
Getting a pair of suede shoes has been on my mind for some time now. Suede is soft and therefore comfortable. It still looks great even when a little beat up. With those qualities I decided to pick up the Carmina Hawthorne navy suede penny loafers from Epaulet New York. I had some concerns with the sizing so I contacted Mike and he told me to size down to UK 9 (for reference I wear a UK 9.5 on my Carmina dub monks on the Inca last). The sizing advice he give was spot on and the shoe fits like a glove. The Xim last is perfect for my slightly wide feet and somewhat low arch as opposed to the Uetam last which fits slim and gapes around my arch. Continue Reading
