White's Semi-dress Boots..

[eClairvaux]

Here are some pictures of the recent White's line-up (sold a few, bought others):

I have to stress that the black chromexcel with the double sole are the most comfortable boots ever! Absolutely amazing footwear!

Wearing them on a slightly blurred day:

And my two-tone SJ's after their first winter (and some rain):

They haven't seen much wear yet, but a summer of outdoor actvities will speed up their breaking in.

 

[eClairvaux]

My new burgundy chromexcel sem-dress are in from Baker's. Here's the config and pics (first photo is more color accurate):

I LOVE them! I am thinking of getting a pair just like them. In shark

 

[bl@ster]

I LOVE them! I am thinking of getting a pair just like them. In shark

Shark?! Noice!

 

[daizawaguy]

My Bounty hunters on semi dress last after a few months...

 

[daizawaguy]

Water buffalo brown and black rough out, western sole

 

[daizawaguy]

My right ankle took ages to break in, but persistence and some mink oil softened the crease up...perfect now

 

[daizawaguy]

Cream liner

 

[daizawaguy]

The way the front is creasing, I`ve a feeling I could drop to a C width, and wear thinner socks in summer...there seems to be a lot of room around the front...any comments on the creased look? Length is fine now after first getting measured and sized by Whites using their postal form - they recommended a 10D, and I was floating around in them. Not a great service as the 9`s are perfect even with thicker socks. Whites seem to err on the larger side, and in a note with the boot claim the boot will shrink in length...what nonsense. Baker shoes have better advice, and are cheaper anyway. Great service from them.

 

[eClairvaux]

Same here. When trusting White's with the sizing, they were one size too large and too wide. They recommended 9,5 EEE (F) and I am now set on 9E's in all their different models and still have plenty of room (which I like). I guess they just like to be on the safe side.

As for your boots, it's hard to comment on the creasing, since the black rough-out hides that too well. That said, I am surprised they lined the pull-loop in the same cream liner. Did you specifically request that? Probably due to your choice of water buffallo for the uppers, which might be too thin without liner. Mine haven't had a liner inside the pull-loop (which is fine with me anyway).

 

[daizawaguy]

Good spot! No, I didn't request that, but did hear of many individual differences depending on the workman. In fact I asked for no pull tab, but got them!

Would anyone comment on a drop from D to C width, and how much that causes? It seems to me 5cm, so i future if I have excess room, I could drop a width...

 

[eClairvaux]

Well, I dropped from EE (F) to E and found that was definitely manageable. I tried D before, but they were definitely too small. So without really knowing how to measure that, I'd say those widths are substantially different, though 5cm diameter is definitely too much. It's more like 1cm, but that is already a lot, don't you think?

 

[daizawaguy]

http://www.boot.com/bsizcvt.htm#SizeTable

Oops! 5mm/0.2inches...my bad!

Thanks

 

[sammy]

Could someone post a side by side comparison photo between the standard and the swing last? I'm planning to order a pair and am trying to decide which last to get. Is there a difference in fit between the two or is it just aesthetics? Thanks!

 

[daizawaguy]

I don't have a photo myself, but a Google search and looking at the Images, will show that there is a HUGE difference. The swing reminds me, sorry to say, of an orthopedic specially made footwear, that does not look right. Thats just my personal view, but for all except those with the very widest feet, stick to the normal last is my view. as I say, thats just my personal take, but do check it out first...

 

[sammy]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to stay with the standard last. How about sizing? Do most people drop down 1/2 a size in these?

 

[daizawaguy]

Well, that does seem the consensus. I sent my foot prints to Whites, and they recommended a 10D. After 2 failed and costly orders, I`m finally comfortable in a 9D, so yes, even in Whites estimates, these run LONG...! I`m a UK 8 1/2. Pxsses me off, but at last I found my size, and a buyer for the 2 over sizes. Try Bakers - these folks are cheaper and the service is far superior. Highly recommended.

 

[sammy]

Daizawaguy,
Thanks again for your feedback. I placed my order directly with Whites. I read somewhere else that someone placed an order through Baker's and they screwed up the sizing and would not honor a refund. Therefore, I ordered directly with Whites in case this happens. Here's what I ordered:
Size 6.5D ( I normally wear a 7D in dress shoes)
Black Cherry Buffalo with red lining
Single leather midsole
Vibram composite sole
Brown midsole stain
Antique eyes and hooks
No pull tabs
Standard heel
Single stitching, close trim
Leather laces
No toe cap
Standard toe box
Standard Last

And now for the agonizing wait....

 

[daizawaguy]

Wow, that seems a great boot. Just a quick comment - as you ordered through Whites, you may want to follow up with your foot dimensions in the form off their site. As its not too late, its best to get them to confirm the size. I`m not familiar if there is a difference between US dress shoes and boots. If there is not, then you seem to be in the right range. Another reason to give the ordering form to Whites, is that if there is a size problem, you can always follow up with them to get a free replacement. May be worth a follow up call soon.

 

[sammy]

Wow, that seems a great boot. Just a quick comment - as you ordered through Whites, you may want to follow up with your foot dimensions in the form off their site. As its not too late, its best to get them to confirm the size. I`m not familiar if there is a difference between US dress shoes and boots. If there is not, then you seem to be in the right range. Another reason to give the ordering form to Whites, is that if there is a size problem, you can always follow up with them to get a free replacement. May be worth a follow up call soon.

Yes, I did send my measurements and foot tracings to Whites. They felt confident with the 6.5D sizing. I was on the border between a 6.5 and a 7 but since the arch support brings the toes further back, they felt that a 6.5 should be fine.

 

[daizawaguy]

Ah great. If you find at all the boots don't fit perfectly at day one, don't wear them outside, and get hold of whites immediately. That was my mistake. I took their word that the boot had room at the front, and would shrink with wear. I think they include a post card to this effect. What nonsense. Half an inch maximum, and ideally a quarter inch should be ideal. I had an inch, and subsequently dropped a full size. Good luck.