If you have ever gone shopping online for a pair of real alligator shoes, you may have had an eye-watering moment when it came to the prices that these fine shoes sell for. You might have asked the clerk "What makes Alligator Shoes so Pricey"? When it comes to luxury goods like Mezlan shoes, you can have no reason not to include alligator shoes on that list with other expensive luxury goods like fine watches and designer hand bags. What makes a product pricey is not just one reason, it may be several reasons why a certain type of product costs plenty. Alligator shoes go right into the latter because there are several reasons why they are pricey. It isn't just a fancy label sewn into these gator shoes. Read our other article,
The first reason that alligator shoes are pricey like Mauri shoes is the cost of the actual alligator skin itself. You can't just get alligator skin at any leather mill out there if you even know where there are leather mills to begin with. These fine reptile skins are only processed at certain leather mills that specialize in reptile skin tanning. Because these gator skins are essentially different from cowhide, you can't tan them the same way using the same exact tanning chemicals which is essence, cures the skins from deteriorating if not tanned and cured for use. The tanneries that create the alligator skins are experts in how to tan these fine skins and also bring out all of the best features of the skin as well that your basic leather tannery is not equipped or experienced in. They may do a fantastic job of tanning cowhide but they won't know how to do the same thing with alligator skins. Just removing the skin from the alligator is an altogether different process than skinning a cow. Read our article Why Buy Alligator Shoes to learn more.
There is great care that needs to go into skinning an alligator and different processes and chemicals so the skin doesn't get damaged in the process. It is far more fragile than the more resilient cowhide. Alligator skin requires many steps that traditional cow leather does not. Steps like liming remove the natural greases and fats that are naturally in the alligator skin. The liming process also softens the skin as well making it a bit easier to work with. After the liming comes the de-liming which in effect raises the acidity in the alligator skin after the liming initially lowered it. The de-liming also breaks down the bone and scales the skin as well making it easier to work with. The next phase is called pickling which if effect cures the skin completely and turns the skin into leather where it can be finished next. Since time is money, this dramatically affects the cost of the skin in comparison to your common cowhide. Learn how to care for alligator shoes here.
Supply is and has always been an issue when it comes to alligator skins being made into shoes. Alligators are wild reptiles and have protection rights so they are not overhunted and don't go extinct in the process. Only so many alligators per year are allowed to be killed for their meat and skin since they are not raised like cattle. Because of the limited supply of alligator skins available, there are only so many that can be tanned to begin with driving the costs sky high in comparison to cowhide leather. Only real American alligators can be considered alligator skin instead of caiman or crocodile in which there are differences.
Alligator skin is also very difficult to work with in comparison to cowhide leather and often breaks the needles on the same machines that make leather shoes. The workers who create these alligator shoes must have years and years of shoe making experience before they can even be considered for making alligator shoes. The shoe maker also must have experience in utilizing the alligator skin to make the most of the scales and matching the scales for each individual pair of shoes.
The scales on an alligator skin are different in size depending on the location of the skin, the shoe maker must take extreme care to use identical parts of the skin so the scales on the left shoe and right shoe are similar in size and appearance. Without doing so,you will have a pair of alligator shoes that has small scales on one shoe and large different looking scales on the other shoe. Not a very good match. In many ways, dealing with alligator shoes is quite similar to diamond makers who use their skill and knowledge to bring out the very best of the diamond. The same thing is true with alligator skins that are used for making shoes. The lesser pieces of gator skin may be used for smaller products such as wallets or belts if there are slight flaws in the skin that would show up on a pair of shoes.
Since all of this effort has gone into the tanning and sorting of the skins, Making the shoes themselves is also a consideration. The men and women who make alligator shoes usually have a couple of decades of shoe making experience under their belt and make these gator shoes entirely by hand. They are usually made in small work shops and not some huge shoe factory in China. That is why most of these fine shoes are made in Italy and Spain where they have a long tradition in fine hand crafted shoe making. Since these alligator shoes are made by hand, you're not going to see inferior material used in cost cutting like what is done with mass market type shoes. Everything will be made of fine leather that is not alligator skin, to begin with.
The interior of the shoes will be completely lined in glove leather which is the only way that any luxury shoe should be lined. Anything less than a full leather lining is junk for a well made pair of shoes like alligator. The shoe sole itself will also be made of full leather that is thick and durable. Shoe sole leather that you can tell has been hand carved and finished to be made into shoe soles. You will see small brass nails on the shoe sole and stacked leather heel as well belying the fact that these are hand made shoes and weren't spit out of some factory. All of these fine details takes time and time always cost money in terms of man hours which is why alligator shoes are pricey and always will be. Read more: Why Alligator Mens Shoes are the Ultimate Status Symbol for the Modern Gentleman
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If you like the way alligator shoes look and have never bought them before, there may have been a reason why you did not buy them previously. Here at AlligatorBoss.com, we will explain what makes alligator shoes special and why they are a good idea to buy them. One of the first reasons to buy alligator shoes is that they are high-end luxury shoes that are almost always handmade. You will see that Belvedere shoes have all of these features and more. What does that mean to you? First thing, being handmade means that alligator shoes are made not only of rare and exclusive alligator skin that all by itself is very expensive and luxurious. We know that alligator skin does not grow on trees and by law, only so many alligators are allowed to be killed per year for both meat and their exotic skins. For that fact alone, alligator skin is very pricey and used only to be made in hand-made luxury goods like alligator shoes.
The exclusive nature that these shoes possess is one of the reasons that makes them a luxury good to begin with. If you walk into any mall across the United States, you may be hard-pressed to find a single store that sells them. Sure they may be a few special malls that cater to the luxury buyer but those are few and far between. Those markets for the most part are in certain high-income areas that feature those exclusive designer-label stores and shops. Learn What Makes Alligator Shoes so Pricey here.
For the most part, your basic cookie-cutter shopping malls and strip malls will be eerily devoid of a single store that may even have one pair of alligator shoes in them that sells shoes. That is how rare they are. If you do find a shop that sells them, chances are they are in a very big Metropolitan city such as New York or Chicago. It is in those markets where you will find stores that sell them because there are people who like to wear them who live in these big cities. Read on: Why Alligator Mens Shoes are the Ultimate Status Symbol for the Modern Gentleman
Alligator shoes are only made in hand made shoe mills where the artisans making these exclusive high-end shoes have been literally hand crafting fine alligator shoes for years and years and some for decades. These fine gator shoes are cut by hand, sewn by hand, and cobbled together by hand. You're not going to find some big machine that is automated creating them in any way shape or form. They are completely handcrafted almost in a bespoke way. There are some of brands that actually offer custom shoe styles and colors, that is how small-time production alligator shoes can be.
Many times you may see a store that specializes in selling alligator shoes have a few completely exclusive styles that they have made only for their store and not to be seen or sold elsewhere. So, if you're a big-time fan of wearing shoes that no one else has, never mind the fact that real alligator shoes aren't seen on everyone's feet, it gives you that complete peace of mind guarantee that they are even that much more exclusive when exclusivity is your thing. It's no different than a Rolls Royce buyer can have their new car completely unique from any other Rolls on the road with a custom paint color and a completely bespoke custom interior with custom color leathers and trim finishes.
The finished product that you see look like they are luxurious shoes and hand made compared to mass-market brand shoes that are produced at a lower price point. It is no different than comparing a Rolls Royce to a Honda. You can see inside and out that there is a difference comparing alligator shoes to say a pair of Stacy Adams shoes which are quite common and seen on everyone's feet who like alligator shoes but don't have the money to play in the big leagues. .
The next reason to buy a pair of alligator shoes is simply to slip your feet into them. Feel that? It's buttery glove soft leather linings that are completely coddling your feet inside these shoes. You can feel that those shoes are fine high end luxury shoes indeed and don't feel anything like your cheaper types of shoes. It isn't just the fact that the shoes are lined in leather but that they are fully lined in glove-style leather that just feels like heaven when you put them on. It's the true hallmark of fine pair of shoes. Next time you go to one of those big box shoe stores, walk around and examine them closely. Since you love gators, read this:
You'll notice that they just seem cheaply made in comparison because they. Put your hand inside the shoes and you will be hard-pressed to find a single pair never mind several styles that have full glove leather linings inside. What you will find is that cost-cutting gone awry. If there is any leather used for the interior lining, you better believe that it is only used in the visible part of the interior which is about half the shoe lining. The rest will usually be some kind of fabric lining with some of the linings even being stiff like canvas that I can't imagine would be comfortable.
Some softer fabric linings may be passable but only for a short time because the fabric lining will wear out quickly and not last in any kind of comparison to the full leather linings that real alligator shoes use. Plus only real leather linings will do the admirable job of absorbing perspiration that the cloth fabric linings won't do. Once you experience what wearing real alligator shoes feel like, you won't have any doubt in your mind about why you want to buy a pair of genuine alligator shoes.
The last important reason why you should buy genuine alligator shoes is the sole itself. Not Soul, but sole. The sole on these shoes is completely made of shoe sole leather that is both hand carved and sewn onto the shoe upper making a complete shoe. You will see that the shoe maker uses real brass nails as well as being slowly sewn together to the upper of the shoe. The heel is also made of several layers of hard shoe sole leather that gives alligator shoes that extra bit of weight and a solid feel when you heft them in your hand. That is for a reason as well. Durability.
On lesser shoes, if you take them apart you will immediately find that the heels themselves are usually made from a plastic molding machine and that the heels are hollow as well. Imagine how those are going to hold up for the long run. They won't. You will be lucky if the shoes last the season that you're wearing them if they get used on a somewhat regular basis. That is why you will only find full leather soles and heels on alligator shoes because they are made to last for years and years and when the time comes where you want to get them resoled, the shoes are designed to let a shoe repair shoe completely recreate the sole and heels making the shoes become almost like new. That is why buying a pair of fine alligator shoes is long time investment and great choice when you like dressing with style.
Felt hats have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're versatile and stylish and add a touch of elegance to any outfit. But with so many styles and options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know which one to pick. That's where we come in. In this article, we'll break down the top 5 felt hat styles and provide tips on how to choose the perfect one for you. Whether you're looking for a classic fedora, a trendy boater, or something in between, we've got you covered. So, let's dive in and explore the world of felt hats!
Felt hats have numerous benefits, making them a popular choice for anyone looking to add some style and sophistication to their wardrobe. One of the main benefits of wearing felt hats is that they're incredibly versatile. They can be worn with a wide range of outfits, from casual to formal, making them a perfect addition to any wardrobe.
Another benefit of wearing felt hats is that they're great for protecting your head from the sun's harmful rays. Whether you're out on a hike or simply enjoying a day at the beach, a felt hat can provide the necessary protection to keep you safe from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Finally, felt hats are incredibly stylish and can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. Whether you're looking to add some personality to your work attire or simply want to elevate your weekend look, a felt hat can do just that. So why not add one (or more!) to your wardrobe today? Read our blog:
The Ultimate Guide to Men's Hats: From Classic to Contemporary Styles
Felt hats have a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries. The first felt hats were made by the nomadic tribes of Asia, who used the wool from their sheep to create warm and durable head-wear. Over time, felt hat making spread throughout the world, with different styles and designs emerging in different cultures.
One of the most iconic felt hat styles is the fedora, which was first popularized in the late 1800s. The fedora quickly became a symbol of sophistication and was worn by some of the most iconic figures in history, including Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra.
Today, felt hats are still incredibly popular and are worn by people from all walks of life. Whether you're looking for a classic fedora or something more modern, there's a felt hat out there for everyone.
When it comes to felt hat styles, there are a wide range of options to choose from. In this section, we'll be exploring the top 5 felt hat styles, including the fedora, trilby, pork pie, homburg, and bowler.
### Fedora
The fedora is perhaps the most iconic felt hat style and is a popular choice for anyone looking to add some sophistication to their wardrobe. The fedora is characterized by its wide brim and indented crown, which gives it a timeless and classic look.
Fedora hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, making it easy to find the perfect one to match your personal style. Whether you're looking for a classic black fedora or something more modern, the fedora is a great choice for anyone looking to add some personality to their wardrobe.
### Trilby
The trilby is a slightly smaller and more modern version of the fedora. It has a shorter brim and a slightly more tapered crown, giving it a sleek and stylish look. Trilby hats are often worn at a jaunty angle, which adds to their playful and modern look.
Trilby hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, including wool and tweed. They're a great choice for anyone looking for a stylish and modern felt hat.
### Pork Pie
The pork pie is a unique and distinctive felt hat style that's characterized by its flat top and short brim. It's a popular choice for anyone looking for a more casual and playful felt hat option.
Pork pie hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, making it easy to find the perfect one to match your personal style. Whether you're looking for a classic wool pork pie or something more modern, there's a pork pie hat out there for everyone.
### Homburg
The homburg is a classic and sophisticated felt hat style that's characterized by its stiff brim and indented crown. It's a popular choice for anyone looking to add some elegance to their wardrobe, and is often worn with formal attire.
Homburg hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, including wool and fur felt. They're a great choice for anyone looking for a timeless and classic felt hat option.
### Bowler
The bowler is a distinctive and quirky felt hat style that's characterized by its short brim and rounded crown. It's a popular choice for anyone looking to add some personality to their wardrobe, and is often worn with casual or semi-formal attire. In America, the Bowler is also known as a Derby hat.
Bowler hats are available in a wide range of colors and materials, making it easy to find the perfect one to match your personal style. Whether you're looking for a classic black bowler or something more modern, the bowler hat is a great choice for anyone looking for a unique and distinctive felt hat.
When it comes to felt hats, there are a wide range of materials to choose from. Some of the most common felt hat materials include wool, fur felt, and straw. Each material has its own unique characteristics and benefits, and choosing the right one can make all the difference in the look and feel of your hat.
Wool felt hats are a popular choice for anyone looking for a durable and versatile felt hat option. They're available in a wide range of colors and styles, making it easy to find the perfect one to match your personal style.
Fur felt hats are a more luxurious and elegant option, and are often worn with formal attire. They're made from high-quality materials and are available in a wide range of colors and styles.
Straw hats are a great choice for anyone looking for a more casual and lightweight felt hat option. They're perfect for summer and are often worn with beachwear or casual attire.
Choosing the perfect felt hat style for your face shape can be a bit of a challenge, but there are a few tips that can help make the process easier. First, consider the shape of your face. If you have a round face, a fedora or trilby with a narrower brim can help elongate your face. If you have a square face, a softer and more rounded hat, such as a pork pie or bowler, can help balance out your features.
Next, consider the size and proportion of the hat. A hat that's too small or too large can throw off the balance of your outfit and make you look awkward. Make sure to try on different sizes and styles to find the perfect fit for your head.
Finally, consider the color and material of the hat. Some colors and materials may complement your skin tone and hair color better than others, so it's important to choose a hat that matches your personal style and overall look.
Choosing the right size and fit for your felt hat is crucial to ensuring that it looks and feels great on your head. Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect size and fit:
- Measure your head circumference with a tape measure to get an accurate measurement of your head size. Make sure you measure right where the hat is going to sit on your head. Some hats come in standard hat sizes such as 7 3/8 whereas other hats will come in sizes such as Large. Using a hat size chart is key to finding out which size hat you will need.
- When trying on hats, make sure to try on different sizes to find the one that fits the best. A hat that's too tight or too loose can be uncomfortable to wear and may not look great on your head.
- When wearing your hat, make sure it sits comfortably on your head and doesn't slide around or feel too tight. Adjust the hat as needed to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. If the hat you chose is slightly too big, don't worry because you can always add a little piece of foam strip underneath the hat band to make your hat fit better. You can get foam strips from any hardware store for very little cost.
Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensuring that your felt hat looks great and lasts for years to come. Here are a few tips to help you care for your felt hat:
- Store your hat in a cool, dry place to prevent it from getting damaged or warped. The best way to store it is in a box.
- Avoid getting your hat wet, as this can cause it to lose its shape and structure.
- Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any dirt or debris from your hat.
- If your hat gets stained or dirty, take it to a professional cleaner who specializes in hat cleaning and maintenance.
When it comes to styling felt hats, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your new accessory:
- Wear your hat with a classic trench coat and ankle boots for a timeless and sophisticated look.
- Wear your hat with a casual denim jacket and sneakers for a more relaxed and modern look.
- Dress up your hat with a formal suit or blazer for a special occasion or event.
- Experiment with different hat styles and colors to find the perfect one to match your personal style.
Felt hats are a timeless and classic wardrobe staple that can add a touch of style and sophistication to any outfit. Whether you're looking for a classic fedora or something more modern, there's a felt hat out there for everyone. By understanding the different felt hat styles and materials and how to choose the perfect size and fit, you can find the perfect hat to match your personal style and elevate your wardrobe to the next level. So why not add a felt hat to your wardrobe today and see the difference it can make?
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If you have never held a pair of crocodile shoes in your hand. Take a real good look at the skin itself. Crocodile skin has been tanned by the very best tanneries to ensure that this skin is simply the best. The skin is a luxury product because only so many crocodiles can be killed each year. This keeps the rarity of the skins at high levels. You will never find poor quality shoes made with crocodile skin because of this. It’s just too precious an expensive not to be made into luxury footwear. That is why crocodile skin is made into luxury products like fine footwear and bags that often come with steep price tags. It is the type of thing that tells people you appreciate quality.
If you are reading this blog post about crocodile shoes, chances are you a man of style. You care how you dress, and you dress to impress. Crocodile dress shoes will certainly help that out. Much of the premise of these luxurious dress shoes are about style with their generally sleek looks, not to mention texture. As a style minded man, you may like to wear different color crocodile shoes to match your various color suits and ensembles. You simply love to make an impression when you get dressed and show people you are a man of style. From matching your suit to your dress shirt to your tie, crocodile shoes will always be part of the equation for a complete ensemble. Belvedere shoes makes great looking crocodile shoes. Learn the difference between alligator and crocodile shoes here.
Since crocodile footwear are almost always high quality. You know that you own and wear these artfully created shoes for years to come. They are always made from the finest crocodile skin, glove leather interiors and of course full leather soles and stacked leather heels. You can feel immediately the moment you hold them in your hand that these shoes are seriously well made and made to last. Full leather soles and heels last a very long time. Synthetic material shoes or shoes with synthetic soles simply can't take the abuse like a full leather shoe can. They are nothing like most mass market shoes that you can tell corners were cut all over the place to save money like cheap synthetic soles, fake lined interiors and cheap leather uppers that you can tell won't last. It's not that way with real crocodile shoes. Mezlan shoes are another fine brand to consider.
The thing you will find about crocodile shoes as well as other gator shoes is that for them to be of high quality. They will certainly be fully hand made by highly skilled shoe makers who have been making fine shoes for years and years. The average shoe maker that is deemed skilled enough to make a pair of crocodile shoes will have at least 10 years under his or her belt. They can literally make the shoe entirely by hand. They cut the crocodile skin piece by piece. The shoe uppers once fashioned will get stained to the color they need to be by hand as well. Imagine with the initial cost of crocodile skin letting someone make them. Crocodile skin would be getting ruined left and right. That is why you can only let highly trained and experienced shoes makers make crocodile skin.
The comfort that you find when you first slip on a pair of crocodile shoes is not by accident. Let your feet be your guide and you will notice that the interiors of any pair of crocodile shoes are completely lined with buttery soft leather. Not partially but fully. Your silky sock-covered feet will fully appreciate the way a pair of crocodile shoes feel. Feet have thousands of nerve ending in them. From the soles of your feet to each toe. Your feet are going to immediately know the deal when you put them on. Like pure heaven. These are generally Italian style or made so they aren't clunky like you would find with a pair of thick-soled wingtip shoes. The Blake construction that most crocodiles are made with allows a thinner sole that makes the shoes easier to walk in and lighter on your feet.
Crocodile shoes are certainly handmade luxury shoes. If you have ever seen any of the YouTube videos out there. You will find the shoemakers first pen the style of shoe on a shoe last which is the foot form they use for making the shoes and then take pieces of paper that put them on the last to see how they will lay. They will hand cut the crocodile skin with razor-sharp knives into all the shoe upper parts and start to lay them out before they sew them into the shoe upper. There are also a lot of nails that are hammered by hand into the bottom of the shoe upper into the shoe last for forming the shape of the crocodile shoe upper as well. There is no machine that can duplicate what these highly skilled shoemakers can do when they are making a pair of crocodile shoes. It's why you only see a handful of shoe makers such as Belvedere, Mezlan, Los Altos and Mauri making crocodile shoes.
One thing that can always be said about crocodile shoes is that they are most often unique. You’re just not going to see everyone wearing them. Certainly not in any office environment. Go into any bank or large sized law office and try to find one man wearing a pair. You can’t. It is partly because it has to do with style. Style is frowned upon in those places. You’ll see men wearing suits and shoes of course but they wear them as a uniform. Not to express their style. That being said. The fashion-forward style that crocodile shoes are all about is for your time. Not theirs. Got a party to go to where you want to showcase your style, these are the shoes to wear. You just won’t see everyone wearing them. Most people are afraid of standing out or drawing attention to themselves. When you’re not one of those guys, crocodile shoes are perfect for you.
When you reach your place in life, you are secure with yourself financially and as a person. You learn to appreciate the finer things in life. From luxury cars to fancy watches. You like to buy the best for yourself and like people to acknowledge your place in life. Crocodile mens shoes are the type of footwear that will show people immediately that you can afford the finer things in life whether they like it or not. You know about the fine craftsmanship that goes into the luxury items you treat yourself to and you like to talk about it to your friends and acquaintances. What looks better than you get out of a late model Mercedes Benz or BMW with your crocodile shoes being the first thing that people notice as you're stepping out of your car? Those finely polished crocodile shoes combined with your luxury automobile will always get noticed and not be quickly forgotten.
When we talk about the quality of crocodile dress shoes. Long-lasting is always in the cards. One of those features is that these shoes can be re-soled. Depending on how often you wear them. The full leather sole on a fine pair of crocodile shoes will probably last you several years. When the soles start to get worn and soft on the bottom. There is no need to discard your pricey shoes. You can take them to your local shoemaker and he or she can hand craft another leather sole for your beloved crocodile shoes ensuring that you can wear them for several more years. Crocodile shoe are made the old-fashioned way with the intent of being able to put new leather soles on them. Most shoes in the old days were very expensive because they were all made by hand. When you were able to afford a pair, you were quite fortunate. The shoes were designed to be re-soled with fresh new shoe leather. Try doing that with a mass-produced pair of shoes and you’ll quickly find out that they can’t be re-soled. When they wear out, it’s time to throw them out.
Although many mass-market shoe makers try year after year. They simply can not fake authentic-looking crocodile skin. The texture on real crocodile skin is natural and unique. Naturally, every crocodile is different from the other and may have some differing features to their skin. You can’t fake that on mass produced shoes. The texture has ridges that go into certain directions that you have to feel with your hand to appreciate. The scales will have a certain direction that they go in. Think of snake skin and you get the idea. This is nature. You just can’t mimic this with a pressing stamp machine and ordinary leather. The shoes themselves will also be poor quality in comparison to authentic crocodile shoes. You won’t usually find hand made construction. You probably won’t find full leather linings either. The shoe soles and heels will certainly be cheaply made in comparison to a real pair of crocodile shoes.
Alligator shoes for are not just men's shoes made out
of alligator skin or reptile skin. How they are made is simply more fascinating once you learn about the process. The craftsmanship
that goes into making a pair of alligator shoes for men are simply above and
beyond what you would ever find in a pair of mass-market shoes. If you are curious minded, you may have inquired How are alligator shoes made? These
shoes take along time to make with all of the additional steps that just
aren't used on factory shoes. Steps like hand cutting and matching the
alligator skins for each part of the upper. The sleek designs are
Italian style and more.
The men and women who handcraft these
fine reptile shoes have been doing so for at the very minimum 10 years.
That is how long they need to be hand making shoes in the Italian
methods. Many of the craftsmen that make alligator footwear have been
doing so for dozens of years. They usually have been making regular
leather dress shoes for a dozen years by hand before they are even
allowed to make any of the exotic reptile shoes. Find out more
Each alligator
skin is completely scrutinized for its texture and scales and any
defects before a single blade touches the skin. Because of the rarity of
alligators themselves, only a certain number are allowed to be killed
each year for their skins and their meat. It is the primary reason that
out of all of the exotic animal skin shoes, alligator shoes are
generally the most expensive reptile skin shoes available and why they
are prized above all others including crocodile shoes. Even if you take
the very same style of shoe and make one out of alligator skin and one
out of crocodile skin, the cost of the alligator skin being pricier will
make the alligator shoes more expensive that the crocodile shoes.
Once
the skins are chosen for the particular style, The shoe maker starts to
take cardboard or paper forms and lays them down on the skin to start
cutting up the alligator skin into the designated shoe pieces that make
the upper part of a shoe. This is a very slow and tedious process
because one small mistake will ruin the piece of the skin and that piece
of the skin won't match the other pieces of skin that are going to be
used for that particular pair of alligator skin. No mistakes are
allowed.
If you have ever noticed that some reptile church shoes
have large scales used on them and some have smaller scales used. This
is at the discretion of the shoe designer himself. The shoe designer
designates how the shoe is supposed to look and in some shoes, they want to
use larger scales from the skin, and other styles, the designer feels
that the smaller scales will generate that look that he/she is going
for.
Let's say the shoe being created is perhaps a sleek wingtip
style, It is more likely that smaller scale pieces of the alligator
skin will be used for the upper part of the shoe. Now if the shoe is
going to have a plain toe style, It is more likely that the designer
will choose the bigger scales of the skin to be used to highlight the
fact that these shoes are fine alligator men shoes. Sometimes the scales
will arranged in a straight manner and other times the scales will
diagonal on a pair of men's alligator shoes.
Once all of the
pieces are cut for that particular pair of gator skin shoes, It is now
time to start putting the pieces of this reptile puzzle together. The
shoe artisan starts to sew all the pieces of the alligator skin together
to form the outside upper part of the shoe. The left shoe and the right
shoe. These shoes are all made one pair at a time.
The next
step is the glove leather lining of the shoes that needs to cut,
measured and sewn together. In exotic skin shoes the leather is usually
very thin and fine calfskin leather which is known for it's fine and
supple texture and comfort when they are used as a shoe lining. It is
often the very same leather that is used in the making of the very best
leather gloves.
Now once the leather lining has been completed,
it's time to put the lining together with the outside alligator upper.
These are sewn together and then put on a special form called a shoe
last which gives the shoes their distinctive shape. The lasts change
from year to year and many times style to style. A wood artisan usually
hand carves these shoe forms to create the actual shape of the shoe. A
pair of shoes lasts needs to be made for each and every size that the
shoes are going to be made in.
Once the full upper part is put
onto the shoe lasts, they need to settle and form to that shoe last
shape. Usually over night. While that is going on, the soles of these
fine luxury shoes need to be created. Yes created. The shoe craftsman
takes heavy duty shoe sole leather and starts measure out how many shoe
soles are going to cut out of this thick durable leather. He/She takes a
steel shoe sole cutter which is like a cookie and cutter and carefully
places it on the shoe leather where they take a hammer and cut out the
leather soles of the shoes to be used for these alligator shoes. The
same process is used for making the stacked leather heels as well.
Once
this is done. the craftsman takes the pieces of the heel and glues them
together. and takes the sole which may be a couple layers of shoe sole
and glues them together as well. Once they heel and sole are dry, it is
time to take them and glue the heel to the sole and use small brass
nails as well for a more secure fit as well as add some hand made style
to the shoe soles. It's a subtle reminder that these gators were made by
hand. Usually a small brass plaque is nailed to the shoe sole as well
stating that the shoes are genuine reptile skin shoes.
Now that
this is done, it is time to get the shoe uppers ready for the soles.
This requires using many small nails that are nailed into the bottom
perimeter of the shoe and then bent over providing a stable surface of
the bottom of the shoes before the hand carved and crafted leather sole
is be sewn into place. On most alligator loafer shoes, the Blake Method
of construction is used to attach the sole to the upper part of the
shoes. The Blake method is usually used because it provides a sleeker
look for the shoe than say the Goodyear Welt method.
The
craftsman takes the upper which is now upside down and places it onto
the shoe sole sewing machine and slowly sews the leather sole onto the
upper of the shoe. There are two method of attaching the shoe sole to
upper and that depends on the style of shoe. Some leave the stitch work
visible and some shoe soles have the stitch work rendered invisible. On
this method, the perimeter of the shoe sole is carefully sliced and
slightly pulled back and then sewn onto the upper.
This is a slow and tedious method and you will generally see this
done on only the very best and expensive alligator lace-up shoes. It's a
step that takes a very long time and it is the reason that most
alligator shoes don't have it used because of the dramatic man hours it
would add to the cost of the shoes. Once this is done, the pulled back
part of the sole is then pressed and glued back into place.
Now
if you thought at this point that they would be ready for the market
place, you would be incorrect. Depending on the style of the shoe, It is
time for for the finish. Although the alligator skins used are already
dyed and cured, depending on the style of the shoe, they may have extra
finish on them. The finish can range from a simple wax polish from
either a clear color or the color of the shoes, to a burnished finish.
The shoes may even have a seem edge finish that is burnished as well for
a unique or stylish look.
Some alligator designer footwear that
go toward the more trendy look will have a hand painted finish that the
shoe artisan does by carefully and gently using a special leather paint
to bring out the scales of the alligator leather and high light texture
that skin has. It is sort of like using a contrasting color grout on a
tile floor to draw more attention to the scales and texture. Sometimes
it seems to give the shoes an almost two tone look. It is usually done
on light colors such as tan with brown contrast or grey with a black or
off black contrast.
On a burnished finish, the artisan will take
steps to employ the extra polish or even a leather dye to give the shoes
a burnished look. The burnished look can be as simple as a darker shade
of polish added to the toe cap of the shoe. Sometimes a flame is used
from a Bunsen burner to give the alligator leathers a certain look that
the designer created for the style of that particular mens shoes.
Once
this extra finishing and polishing is completed, the items are all
lined up and are ready to sorted and boxed ready to be shipped to the
distributor that will then ship them to special store that sells
high-end shoes for style minded men such as AlligatorBoss.com. It is all of these reasons what makes alligator shoes so expensive.
There are a dozen or so shoe companies that you could buy real alligators shoes from, what sets Mauri apart is that the styles they create have a more sleek and high-fashion look to them. While other alligator shoe makers simply make Italian style shoes that are simply made of exotic skins, Mauri takes them to the next level with sleeker designs, bolder colors and fancier fashion looks completely designed for the point of getting you noticed when that is what you seek for your sense of style. Men who like to dress in a flashier manner when they go out are usually the type of customer who become a fan of wearing Mauri shoes.
Since, Mauri is a fashion house brand, they release entirely new collections twice a year. Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. You will never see them make the same style shoe the following year. It is always a completely brand new collection to keep things fresh and keep Mauri fans craving more.
]]>For anyone who recently came across the Mezlan shoe brand recently and asked "is Mezlan a good brand?", the answer is that it is one of the best. Mezlan shoes are entirely made by hand by highly skilled shoe artisans who make each pair of shoes one at a time. The quality of the leather used in their shoes is second to none. Each shoe artisan who makes their shoes needs a minimum of 3 years of apprenticeship before they can make shoes on their own. It is a long time trade that often gets passed down from father to son.
The quality and fit of Mezlan shoes are every bit as good as bigger Italian shoe designers that generally cost a few hundred more for a comparable style. All of the shoes are made in one specific factory to keep quality at its highest level and uniform consistency. Since they are exclusively made by hand, Mezlan's feature quality touches that you only find in hand-constructed shoes. Things like being made of full leather from top to bottom. When a shoe is made of leather inside and out, that generally tells you that the shoes are good and made to last. Lesser quality shoes will use synthetic materials like cloth or vinyl which simply isn't as durable as fine leather. Mezlan shoes also have a full leather lined interior for superior comfort and sweat absorption. Try finding that in a cheap pair of shoes. You can't. Another feature that makes Mezlan shoes a good brand is that the soles are full leather and handmade to be resoled. That ensures a long-lasting pair of shoes and that you can get them resoled and where them for several more years. These are all the features that make Mezlan a great shoe brand. Read our other blog post: Why Mezlan shoes are must have for every stylish gentleman here.
]]>They are produced in a small factory that employs veteran shoe artisans who are trained in the Italian methods of shoe making. In order to produce the very best quality shoes, the shoe artisans must apprentice for several years before they are allowed to make shoes on their own. The reason is simple. Making fine shoes is not easy, and using expensive materials like real alligator skin is never taken lightly. There simply cannot be any mistakes made when it comes to the cutting and stitching of these fine skins.The Italian shoe makers that train the apprentices ensure that the craftsmanship that makes Italian shoes famous is passed on from generation to generation. Each pair of shoes that Belvedere makes is checked and re-examined to make sure that the quality is simply second to none. Their demand for the very best is why you can rest assured that you are buying a high-quality,
high-end product. For more information, read the blog post: Are Belvedere Shoes Good: Exploring the Quality and Comfort
]]>Mass market shoes can have hundreds of employees in a factory with some people manning one section of production and others manning other sections of shoe production. On a hand made alligator shoe, the entire shoe is generally made from start to finish by either one or two people who know all the steps on how to make them. Belvedere and Mauri are two designer brands that specialize in making exotic skin shoes like alligator. They both use the old-fashioned Italian methods of shoe-making that guarantee you a top-quality shoe that not only looks great on your feet but feels great on your feet. For more information, learn what makes alligator shoes so expensive here. Read our other blog post:
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