One of the most frustrating things about the rainy season is how easily it can ruin your leather shoes. Man, it just sucks when you need to attend an important event and your go to dress shoes has given up on you.
As I was about to attend my friend’s wedding two weeks ago, I scouted for a new pair at department stores as a replacement for my old shoes. While I’ve seen a lot of really favorable ones, the designs available at this time of the year were pretty much boring, out-of-style or just not my type. Maybe the stores are cleaning up their inventory last minute before new stocks come up in time for Christmas that’s why I didn’t find a lot of interesting pairs of shoes.
I was about to go home empty-handed when I found this from shoemaker Bristol.
Dubbed as Bristol Xavier, this glossy leather shoes go well with your suit, corporate attire, or even your school uniform, if you’re still a student. Every inch of the shoe spells style.
When I first saw it, I knew I’d buy it because of its looks. However, when I tried it on, it wasn’t as comfortable as most of my previous shoes. To be honest, it was a bit inflexible and needed a little getting used to at first. I even needed the help of a shoe horn to help me insert my feet. That’s how stiff the material was.
But was that a deal breaker? Not really.
What I discovered about it, is that the more you wear it, the more it starts to soften up. It just needs a little conditioning before the leather adjusts to the contours of your feet. “Tiis pogi” in the beginning. Haha.
Pictured below are a few more fine details of this pair of shoes. Notice the leather, the stitches, the inside and the sole of the shoes.
I wore this at our friend’s wedding at the Manila Cathedral. It’s really an elegant piece of footwear.
I bought it for a little over 4,000 Pesos. Yes guys, it’s a little pricey but I’d say that it has a much better look than most shoes you’ll find in stores this season.
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11 comments
Bang for the buck pick! thumbs up for patronizing one of our best local brand 🙂 It’s normal to have that tiis pogi period which is called break-in period which is normal for leather shoes.
You got a keen eye for details, for mentioning the sole was stitched. It’s a tell tale sign for a finely constructed shoes, it seems like its blake stitched.
Hiei – thank you for reminding me of the term “break-in” period. haha. Yes, Bristol is a promising brand.
Anyway, what other local and international brands of leather shoes are you into? 🙂
Right, Bristol makes quality shoes. Currently wearing one.
Eric – yep. Love the quality (and style) as well.
Im not really into dress shoes yet because i rarely wear a suit. And when ever i wear a suit i can still get away with my sneakers and wing tip brogues. As for the brogues i have church’s and florsheim when they’re made in the US. Local pinoy i used to have mtm glenmore.
Thanks Hiei! 🙂 When you’re coming back for a vacation here in Manila?
Sometime this summer, hopefully able to qualify again to Manila Throwdown 2016. Hey why don’t you make an article about the Crossfit scene in Pinas? It’s a growing community where camaraderie is at best along with the healthy lifestyle it promotes and lastly! We always have killer parties after a competition and summer will not be complete without a work out at the beach 😉
Hiei – wow, you’ve joined Manila Throwdown? Man, you’re good! I did a Crossfit trial once but found it harder than I thought. Although, I’m not closing the doors to it, perhaps I’ll try again soon.
Maybe you can write a guest article here on PGG about CrossFit there in the US when you get a chance. 🙂
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