Barney’s New York Whole Cut Plain Toe Balmoral – $179.00 ($375)
The epitome of less is more. A whole-cut shoe is precisely what it sounds like. As opposed to being constructed of multiple pieces of leather that are then sewn together, each shoe is made from one piece. Aside from the heels, there’s no stitching on these. They’re as sleek and as smooth as it gets…
And not everyone’s cup of tea.
Some look at the tops of whole cut shoes and think they look too blank. Reminiscing of slippers, or footballs. Or slippers made of footballs. But to others a whole cut is the Jaguar E-Type of shoe world. Drop dead gorgeous in its lines and simplicity, with no serious challengers to its style throne.
These are Italian made for Barney’s, and thanks to a sale they’ve dipped into that sweet $125 – $200 range. Decent sizes are available too. An investment for sure, but not so much so that you’ll be stuck at home eating Ramen for the next two weeks.
Too blank? Or perfect? Leave you thoughts in the comments below…
I hate you with the fire of a thousand suns, Joe. Also, great find.
It’ll crease up at the toe after a few wears, but if you take extra good care of the leather…
This is a great shoe for a shorter guy, or a guy with a shorter or wider foot trying to give himself a more elongated foot and leg shape. Conversely, maybe something to steer clear of if you’re already long and lean.
Either way, it’s a nice shoe. I’d wear it, or something like it if it dropped (well) under $100. As is I’ve already got some dressy black leathers and shouldn’t be spending my money on wardrobe redundancies.
Not a fan… it reminds me of some sort of eyeless cave-dwelling creature
Good to wear with a tuxedo? The balmoral alternative to the blutchers from http://dappered.com/2010/12/black-tie-getup-the-ultimate-outfit-and-more-affordable/ perhaps.
Nice looking shoe but I owned a pair of Barney’s private label Italian made shoes years ago and they did not last that long. The heel literally came off the shoe while I was walking one time. Had that happen with a pair of Cole Haans as well.
I have some like it (another brand) and yes, they do crease along the toe even with shoe trees. But, I really like the simplicity, especially with a pair of gray slacks (without cuffs). I wouldn’t recommend them as a first/only oxford as they’re not as versatile (I can’t wear mine with jeans) but I like the clean minimalist look.
I, as always, shall take that as a compliment.
Too simple, to the point where it’s kind of ugly.
I like the plain toe shoes, as long as they are sleek and not clunky, and definitely not this shape. To me, there is something weird about the squarish toe box on a smooth shoe. Needs something…just can’t put my finger on it.
Is this logic something of a fashion truth? I ask because my gut tells me the opposite – and as a 5-8″ man with large hands/feet, I strive to look balanced.
To give an example of what I mean; these shoes would seem quite at home on, say, Russell Brand, but might look a bit elf-ish on Joe Pesci.
I like it, I just don’t often get dressed up enough to have use for it.
its ok, would you buy it over AE’s?
I wouldn’t. I’ll skimp on accessories but not on shoes.
Interesting. Without regards to the quality of the above shoe, in my short time thinking about style I tend to agree with you: I think one looks much better in a better $300 suit and <$150 shoes, than a more expensive suit and a less expensive, synthetic soled shoe. (I realize the above shoe isn't totally applicable to this.)
I think it depends on proportions. I’m 5’9″ with small-ish feet for my height (size 8) so any kind of unadorned, elongated shoe makes my feet, legs, and self look longer. My brother, on the other hand, is 6’5″ (yes, we are genetic brothers, go figure) and a shoe like this would make his already-freakishly-large feet look even more freakishly long. If your feet are particularly long already (and this is mostly a problem for taller men), I think the general rule is to try to visually break them up with something like a wingtip. If your feet are on the petite side, you can make them look longer by sticking to simpler shoe designs like this.
P.S. I think Joe Pesci would look great in these shoes, as long as he was wearing a non-sack suit to go with them, while Russell Brand would look even skinnier and more clownish than usual. But that’s just my opinion.
“Less is more” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
“Less is a bore” – Robert Venturi
Both great architects.
I’m torn. On one hand, I love the simplicity. But I also appreciate the details of a finely crafted wingtip.
Wholecuts are a little less formal than balmorals, but you could get away with them if you had a nice shine going.
I love ’em. I’m already set for basic black dress shoes, but when I decide to upgrade, I’ll almost definitely go with wholecut.
Less formal that balmorals? Interesting, I’d have thought it the other way around based on their often sleeker appearance.
Hell to the yes. Need to be very well polished though.
You’re right on about this. My size 12 feet would look like torpedos.