IN FOOTWEAR, APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING
"Price is forgotten, quality remains".
- French proverb -
In this day and age of "Made in China" and "Factory made", anyone can put on the market a shoe that looks great and has designs that are an exact copy of brands dedicated to craftsmanship.
This makes us wonder what is the point of paying more for that chic shoe we have our eye on, when we can get an almost identical one at a bargain price. The answer to this dilemma is simple... in the world of footwear, cheap is expensive and our feet, which are the ones that support us stoically in those very long days that our day-to-day lives impose on us, also pay for it.
TESSA. Women's double buckle in early calfskin and burgundy suede.
At Bohemian we give footwear the importance it deserves as an item that we wear for many hours, that should be comfortable and protect our feet, and also reflect our way of thinking and lifestyle. So we don't settle for just anything. We are convinced that investing in quality footwear is an investment in oneself, and that in the long run it is much cheaper than lower quality footwear at bargain prices.
When it comes to footwear, appearances can be deceiving. Copies have nothing to do with the original shoe.
With the bombardment of models available on the market today, it is easy to get confused. We may think that it is worth buying an exact copy of design "X" of the prestigious brand "Y", which is offered at a much lower price and is almost identical in appearance. Nothing could be further from the truth... In the vast majority of cases, the copy has nothing to do with the original shoe... And even if it is cheaper in principle, in the long run it will end up being expensive, because it will last much less and will lose its beauty and comfort after just a few uses. Indeed, what makes a quality shoe more expensive is the raw material and the construction method, and it is precisely these elements that contribute to the solidity of the shoe, the comfort it provides and its durability.
That is why I have decided to write this post, which I hope will allow you to identify quality footwear in the future just by paying attention to a few points. You will be able to find TOP shoes at super competitive prices, and Bohemian is good proof of this. But be wary of "quality footwear" at any price, because it is most likely to be precisely that which is conspicuous by its absence. With shoes, as with absolutely everything in life, quality has a price that is justified, as I have already mentioned, by a higher cost in raw materials and production.
Here are four points you should pay attention to in order to identify a good handmade shoe, and which will convince you that in footwear, appearances can be deceiving.
1.- Pay attention to the country of manufacture.
The first thing to look out for is where the shoe is made. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France or the United Kingdom are the reference points, although there are slight differences in terms of quality and style. The choice of Bohemian We are Spanish, we are proud to be Spanish, we like our country, and we think that the best craftsmen in the sector are in Spain. We have been committed to them from the beginning, and we will go hand in hand with them as long as we continue to find the professionalism and good work that they possess.
Tassel Loafer DANUBIO from Bohemian Shoes in burgundy calfskin leather
2.- Check or ask for the type of construction.
There are basically three types of construction, each with its pros and cons:
I will talk about the particularities of each one of them in a post that will deal specifically with this matter, so I will not go into detail in their description. To get you started and to focus on the subject at hand, which is none other than how to identify a good shoe, I'll tell you that, although a good gluing can be great in certain types of shoes (ballerinas and light shoes in general), you should make sure that your winter shoes are made with BLAKE or GOODYEAR stitching. This will ensure that your shoes are more durable and resistant to abrasion and adverse weather conditions. With another type of construction you will be cold, your feet will get wet and your shoes will not last long.
Another element of the shoe that you should look at is the sole. When you check it, make sure that the stitching is not "fake", but real. The thread should be evenly stitched, compact and not frayed. In quality footwear you will also notice that the thread is waxed, which helps to make the inside of the shoe waterproof.
3.- Quality of the leather
Just as important as the type of construction is the quality of the leather. At Bohemian we only use top quality leathers. This type of leather is supple, soft, breathable, and makes the shoe more comfortable to wear. In addition, and not least, natural leather is biodegradable and therefore eco-friendly. To give you an idea, it takes about 50 years for a shoe made of leather to biodegrade, does that sound like a lot? Maybe you'll change your mind when you find out that the same shoe in plastic takes 10 times longer... A whopping five centuries! Wearing leather means taking care of the environment, and how!
Brown calfskin and Prussian blue suede Oxford shoe model SEVERN
Obviously not all leathers are of the same quality. To identify the quality of the leather, it must be thick and soft at the same time. It is important to pay attention to this point, because many great looking shoes are made of synthetic leather. Synthetic leather does not have the same natural properties as leather, nor is it eco-friendly.
To distinguish natural leather from faux leather, look for the feel and smell. Imitations smell like plastic, while the smell of leather is very characteristic of this material. The texture is also different, as the pores of real leather are perceptible, while this is not the case with imitation leather.
4.- In footwear, appearances can be deceiving... Pay special attention to the finishes.
If we already know that it is true that in footwear, appearances can be deceiving, the finishes will give you the definitive clue. Check the external seams and the eyelets through which the laces pass. They should be reinforced and the cut should be clean.
As for the inside of the shoe, the quality shoe is lined with leather throughout, and the stitching is well defined.
So much for this little guide so that you don't get taken for a ride and you think twice before putting on anything. Opt for quality so that you can enjoy your shoes for many years in excellent condition and save in the medium term. And do it in the best of styles.
See you in the next post!
Eva Veiga - Bohemian Shoes
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