When I first started buying dress shoes for work, after entering the workforce in 1988, I started out with the Florsheim Royal Imperial shoes because that is what my dad used to wear.
Afterwards, I discovered Johnston & Murphy and began to acquire many of their Crown Aristocraft and Aristocraft models, many of which I still have and wear as well as some of their beef-roll pennies and some of their more casual walking shoes from the Estate Collection (another one that has gone by the wayside, unfortunately). As time went on, I eventually discovered Aldens and that is where my loyalty currently lies.
As for J&M, over the years I heard that their excellent quality was a thing of the past. There was a time when J&M made outstanding shoes.
The following photos are a pair of J&M's from their Northampton Collection. These shoes are approximately 10 years old (maybe more). I believe that this particular collection was a short-lived attempt by J&M to make shoes along the lines of Alden and some of the other fine British shoemakers.
The quality and craftsmanship of this particular shoe is first-rate. Although I am not as familiar with the J&M line as I once was, it appears that they moved away from this type of shoe-crafting.
Too bad, really. These are a fine pair of shoes.
Afterwards, I discovered Johnston & Murphy and began to acquire many of their Crown Aristocraft and Aristocraft models, many of which I still have and wear as well as some of their beef-roll pennies and some of their more casual walking shoes from the Estate Collection (another one that has gone by the wayside, unfortunately). As time went on, I eventually discovered Aldens and that is where my loyalty currently lies.
As for J&M, over the years I heard that their excellent quality was a thing of the past. There was a time when J&M made outstanding shoes.
The following photos are a pair of J&M's from their Northampton Collection. These shoes are approximately 10 years old (maybe more). I believe that this particular collection was a short-lived attempt by J&M to make shoes along the lines of Alden and some of the other fine British shoemakers.
The quality and craftsmanship of this particular shoe is first-rate. Although I am not as familiar with the J&M line as I once was, it appears that they moved away from this type of shoe-crafting.
Too bad, really. These are a fine pair of shoes.
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