After my sudden enlightenment in sartorial literacy, one thing that I found most challenging is finding a pair of a good shoes

 Good shoes in Jakarta are hard to find. Sure, there are several stores that sold shoes, all overseas branded. But those with really good brand, those with brand well known in gentleman dressing industry  was truly hard to find.

 The problem, as I realized, is not just whether the sell it or not, now whether the merchant knew anything about proper man dressing, but rather on demand.

 You see, Indonesian customers, are usually driven by incorrect perception and concept of a proper dressing. In terms of shoe, we appear to have a general fondness towards moc toe, with what ever variance of shape they come, though it mostly blucher, slips on and monk straps, ugly one if I may add.

 The result of this utter misconception leads to almost every shoe store in Jakarta, stocking the all to similar collection.

 It hence become my personal conquest to find the affordable solution of my footwear needs, and in the process listed out several store that fit my classification

Linea

Linea has a several stores in Jakarta and all stores stocks more or less similar collection.  Two stores that I’m particularly inclined to visit are the Plaza Indonesia and Plaza Senayan. The prized collections are the J. Holbens and some other Italian brands that offer meticulous collection of oxford and bluchers in various model, in black and brown calf.

Linea store at Plaza Senayan (courtesy of www.plaza-senayan.com)

And while the brands are all not too familiar, at all if I may add. Gentlemen shoe lover will find the shoes are quality breeding nonetheless.

I’m not sure if it’s seasonal or not, remembering that just a couple of years ago Linea’s collection are way to dandy to my taste.

I suppose, time will tells.

 Florsheim

About a year ago I walked into the quite little store of Florsheim and look at ordinary collections that they have. To my disappointment, its all moc toe, in different shade and shapes. The staffs are ignorant and unfriendly in my opinion,  my good at other things, but knows little about shoes. To put it short, at the time, I don’t find the store attractive at all.

Couple of weeks ago, I passed through the store again, and to my surprise I found a beautiful, black cap toe oxford on the store window. That brought me enter the store to enquire more about the Florsheim in question.

On their American website I found that Florsheim received favorable review and positive feedback. The collections as it were presented consist of respectable and admirable range of classic shoes ranging from oxfords to loafers in many versions whether its cap toes, plain toe or moc toe.

It is unfortunate however, that the Plaza Indonesia’s store resemble nothing like the website. The Florsheim collections available are dull, and the one shoes that interest me the most, was apparently not a Florsheim’s but a brand called Il Primo.

Initial observation on the shoes reveal that it has a decent quality, one may expect from a an average gentlemen shoes. One that is rightly balance with a good price tag, which in my opinion is appropriate for a shoes with such construction. I will not vouch the quality until I first hand experienced it in my feet, so for the time being. I live it with that.

Now, though my experience with Florsheim is not as interesting as with Linea, I still keep the store in my watch list, hoping that they will improve their selection somehow.

Mario Minardi

Mario Minardi is a traditional Italian brand that has always been my primary choice in fine shoes.It was the branch of my two last shoes, and so far it has never disappoint me.

My first Minardi, is a black wingtip derby, with shades of brown on the side, that was bought some 7 years ago. My beloved mom choose that one for me, and the pair had been my loyal companion ever since. I first wore it on my graduation day and the last time was two years ago, when frequent worn without much care, and combined with the Jakarta’s humid air, finally took its toll.

My second is a smart moc toe slipper that I still occasional wear to the office these days.

On my last “take a look” journey to some major department stores in Jakarta, I saw several new collection of oxford from Mario Minardi. Quick enquiry to the physical attributes of the shoes reveal that it has a Goodyear welt and find a detailed stitching, which mark a quality workmanship over the shoe.

Now, it is admittedly ashamed that Mario Minardi models comes and goes as season changes. A beautiful oxford that I witnessed weeks a go, may not stay in place weeks from now, and experience wise, Mario Minardi is very keen of exploring a less conventional model. Moc toe is definitely expected when new seasons comes, wither as a loafer or as a blucher. I’m a bit pragmatist that the oxford will ever show up again, at least not with its good year welt that I ever so ceremoniously complimented. There will always be twist with Mario Minardi, which can comes is strange not so conventional stitching models, or skin type (i.e. alligator or snake). Nonetheless, you can always expect quality from Mario Minardi and whilst the model may not always cater a conservative taste like me, it will last provided a good care is employed

 What about you, what is your favourite brand and store ?

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