Carmina Uetam loafer in three suede colours

As Spring and Summer will come at some point this year, I have been thinking of suede loafers for myself for the Spring/Summer time. Did I earlier mention that I wore down my C and J Cavendish Polo suede tassel loafers? Hmm, just repeating myself. I just noted that there is a shop in Stockholm that sells Carmina shoes. So I may contact them on these Spring/Summer loafers from Carmina.

Carmina "Uetam" loafers in suede, could go for all three but I think will settle with middle (Polo suede like) and the blue suede at the right end.

Photo sourced from Rugged Old Salt

Meermin - Shoes from Spain for every pocket

For quite some time there has been much talk about a Spanish shoe brand called Meermin on the Internet fora and I did not do a thing to find out who this "new kid" on the blog offering shoes at a very "reasonable" price was. Meermin was established in 2001. Some people tend to name Meermin the second Carmina, as Meermin is owned by the Albaladejo family from Carmina. The two companies hold different products and are owned by different people and running different operations. In short not a second Carmina.

Meermin offers two lines, the Classic and the Linea Maestro. The Classic collection is fully hand lasted and Goodyear welt constructed. The Linea Maestro features high end finishing. Meermin also offers made to order shoes.
Judge and review Meermin's products. I will be acquiring a few of their products during the course of the year. Please check them out and decide for yourself. Great products for a "reasonable" price.

Two toned double strapped monk in leather and suede

Two toned Balmoral Oxford boot, in leather and suede

 Austerity full brogue Oxford in a nice reddish colour

 Different offerings from Meermin

 Side laced Oxford in two tones, leather and pony hair, very interesting combination, however beautifully renditioned by Meermin. Well done

Another side laced Oxford in two tones, grained leather and suede in Balmoral style. Very nice.

A traditional single monk side strapped in blue suede

The classic tassel loafer for the Summer in brown leather

All pictures sourced from Tumblr

Carmina - Balmoral boots

As Summer is slowly ending and Fall starting a gent has to think of the heavier foot wear for the coming seasons (Fall and Winter). I have in mind an oxford ankle balmoral boot offered by Carmina (Spain), whom I blogged about here.

Carmina offers both ready to wear and made to order shoes and boots for gents and these come in a variety of lasts, colours and hide. When going made to order option the sky is the limit. My attention is on the model 80092 which is the balmoral boot with a punched cap toe and stitchings on the balmoral part, instead of punching and gimping (brogueing). The ready to wear boot is on the Forest last, which is a round last, classical, elegant and very stylish and comes in three colours (two versions of brown calf leather), including the suede version below.

Carmina model 80092 Balmoral boot in suede - Forest last - ready to wear about €400 (Euros)

Carmina model 80092 in black and brown shell cordovan, made to order versions. 

Carmina model 80092 - round last (Forest) and made to order - Navy shell cordovan and Danite sole, nice touch and the navy shell cordovan is stunning. This is the ultimate dress boot for the Nordic gents to cope with the Nordic weather. This version of the model 80092 is simply beautiful. Have no words for it. Amazing.

Carmina model 80092 in two tone (leather and suede) - made to order.

Pictures sourced from Carmina, Style Forum, The Shoe Snob and Tumblr

Summer inspiration alá Les Sapeurs (Gentlemen of Congo)

For the coming Summer be inspired by and try dressing sartorially alá the Gentlemen of Congo (Les Sapeurs) style. In one of the earlier blogs, I mentioned the Gents of Congo and their feel and attention to details and colour, men of Sartorial honour.


Well, why not try the below shown blazers and pair them with suede shoes like the ones depicted below. Oh, do not forget to add trousers, braces, belts and socks to pair the jackets. Use some colour to the trousers, so you have the Gents of Congo effect. Good luck Gents and Shoe AristoCats.

Carmina suede loafer

 Linen Summer double breasted blazer, add a pocket square to the breast pocket

 Markowski suede tassel loafer

 Two button single breasted Summer jacket/blazer

 Three button single breasted Summer jacket with patch pockets, add pocket square

Add the Sloop loafer to the above Summer jacket

Pictures sourced from the Internet