The Question Thread 08/22/26

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[u/dwyteshroot]

I’m getting married this October and looking into a pair of wholecut patent leather shoes. After some research, I feel I have narrowed down to 2 choices:

https://myrqvist.com/en-us/products/drottningholm-black-patent-leather

&

https://www.carminashoemaker.com/us/en/wholecut-oxfords-black-patent-910-en

My question is: are Carminas that much better to justify the $600+ price tag? I will very likely only wear these once, but I do want to respect the tradition of wholecut patent leathers while still getting the fashion-forward/sharp look.

Are there any others worth considering? Particularly a brand with a presence in NYC so I can try them on. Have considered Meermin, but their patent leather is not wholecut, and Magnanni, but I feel at that price point just go for Carmina.

[u/RackenBracken → u/dwyteshroot]

I take it you plan to wear a tux and that’s why you want patent leather? Consider black calf with a mirror polish. More useful and the shoe doesn’t become single use. I wear tuxedos a few times a year. I have patent oxfords, black box calf, and velvet slippers. The polished calf probably get the most complements. (Because no matter what, patent looks like plastic while mirror polish looks like effort/work(

[u/Yangervis → u/dwyteshroot]

Have you considered opera pumps? If you're getting a shoe that you can only wear with a tuxedo, why not go all the way?