Yesterday, the famous menswear store The Armory launched its own shoe range. Made in Northampton in England, with last and designs made by the Japanese Yohei Fukuda, it can be an interesting option in the midrange.
As most probably know, The Armory has two stores in Hong Kong and one in New York. They have many strong brands in the stores, for shoes mainly Carmina and Saint Crispin’s. The Private Label range from start consists of three different classic oxford models, all in two leather choices. A plain cap toe in black and dark brown, semi brogue in dark brown and brown suede, full brogue in black and dark brown. However, these are so-called faux variants, where cap/wingtip are purely decorative, all models are made in three leather pieces (although The Armory’s product description can give the impression that theyare wholecuts, but it’s not the case), a vamp/toe and two quarters. It creates a slightly neater and more elegant impression. The last made by Yohei Fukuda is called Hajime, also this clean and and classic, with a soft square toe.
Two of the models included in The Armory’s new Private Label range.
The price is approximately €430 ($ 495), for this you get Goodyear welted shoes with closed channel in the oak bark leather sole made in the British shoe district Northampton. It isn’t stated which factory that manufactures the shoes, but when I look closer at the pictures, my guess would be that they are made by Cheaney, who is also a big producer of Private Label shoes.
Nice last that feels very versatile.
A wingtip with naturally finished sole. Photos: The Armoury
I have accidentally come across your website and am utterly impressed by the quality of your writing.
What’s your view on these Armoury shoes – in particular, the price/quality ratio? Obviously, at that price range one could buy more established brands such as C&J or Carmina.
Kevin: Thank you very much, glad to hear! Since I haven’t seen them in person, I can’t judge much about quality/price ratio.