What I learned from taking my American Duchess shoes to a repair shop

[@morganbaldwinmiller]

Shoe repair shops are so underrated. They've saved multiple pairs of expensive boots of mine and saved ME by putting rubber on my character shoes back when I danced, and none of it ever costs something ridiculous.

[@lilmsdrummer]

About 5 years ago, my bunny Goober chewed through the zipper of my favorite leather calf boots. I was devastated. A few days later I saw a shoe repair shop right around the corner from my boyfriends house so I took the boots in there just to see if they could be repaired and a new zipper put in. I was told several days later that they were ready to be picked up and I was kind of dreading it because I was worried the repair would be really visible. But to my amazement, they were perfect. As I was talking to the guy who owned the repair shop, he was telling me most people don't even consider repairing shoes these days. So unfortunately there aren't a lot of shoe repair places out there. I think that's so sad. It's such an amazing craft. I hope more people see this video and consider taking better care of and getting their shoes fixed instead of just throwing them away and buying new. And if you're curious the boots brand new were $100.00 and the repair was $35.00. So the repair wasn't necessarily cheap, but the boots themselves couldn't be repurchased anymore, so I would have had to find a different boot. I think repairing my all time favorite boots for 35.00 to use for another decade or more is completely worth it.

[@Christine-tp5pv]

This was actually really awesome as someone who’s been waffling over buying AD shoes because of the price and wondering about sturdyness

[@Oki.J]

Mine isn’t historical, but a good leather boots gets you more than 10 years!! I wear mine off and fix them countless of times. My only problem is that I only have one pair and I wear it every day and it wears off faster

[@angelasmith5019]

Yeah I’ve ordered modern leather boots and looking into care and stuff and yes, you’re supposed to let them rest so you need two pairs at least. So now I’m wondering where I get my 2nd pair in addition to my expensive nice boots 😂😂😂

[@ibejimi]

I bought a pair of ADs and they were too tight but by the time I realized it was too late for an exchange. Took them to my shoe repair, leather conditioning, new rubber soles and stretching was $45. Absolutely worth it!

[@marisolreyes6502]

Nothing, absolutely nothing now a days are made to last, and they’re not cheap either. In 1980 I bought a couple of pair of leather boots while on vacation in Germany. Those things were so dang comfortable, fit my feet like a glove. Wore them practically every day for a long time, and occasionally throughout the years. I would get compliments on them and people would ask me where I got them. When I would tell them “I got them back in 1980 in Germany” they would get surprisingly shocked. I took them in to be repaired a few times throughout their lifetime. Last year I finally had to admit that it was time to give them up. Passed them on to my sister. She’s enjoying the. So far.

[@nixhixx]

Not NOTHING, but nothing on the broad commercial market.

[@ellieisbusy]

A great way to make those shoes go farther is to “repair” them before they’re even worn. Go to a cobbler and ask to get those rubber soles put in before your first wear - this way your shoes are ready for comfy walking and the original soles already protected. Another great thing to invest in is shoe trees. They keep the leather in the right shape and absorb moisture. Place them in your shoes after each wear and your AD will last you forever.

[@mer4975]

I know I'm commenting on an old video an you're (or anybody else) not likely to see this, but I think it's important to clear one thing up. What the shoe repair guy did wasn't resoling the boots - like you pointed out he put a layer of rubber on top of these leather soles. It's different from a complete resole - it stops them from being slippery, adds additional layer for you to wear through and hides some initial damage. You can do that on any sole - not just leather. People do that if their sole is worn and slippery, even in modern shoes (people are just less likely to bother it if they didn't cost 200$+). But once the whole sole - that is the whole leather layer starts getting damaged with time - this is when it gets serious, as you can't fix it with a thin layer of rubber on top of it anymore. The sole can either crack or get unglued from the upper and in that case you need a complete resole. The cobbler needs to separate that old sole and place a new one in its place, but it doesn't really matter that much whether the sole is leather or not, whether it's a historical design or modern. What matters is the construction - whether the sole is cemented, or stitched to the upper. And this is the bad part - AD's shoes are all cemented. The cobbler has to literally rip the sole from the upper, and it's expensive as it requires equipment many modern cobblers don't have and there's a chance of damaging the upper in the process. American Duchess', even though gorgeous and certainly made with good quality materials, are not any more repairable than any leather, good quality, cemented modern pair. I don't mean to make you feel bad about your boots, I'm here because even though I know all of that I still am considering to buy AD shoes, because their designs are god tier. I just want everyone to be informed and make the best decision for themselves.

[@margotmolander5083]

I love my Londoner’s. It was so funny though, I showed them to my mom who said “yuck, they remind me of my mean aunt!” Which is how I learned that I had a one legged concert pianist great aunt!

[@Lingonberreh]

"Never skimp on anything that separates you from the ground." is a dogma that pays off every time.

[@marburuu111]

As someone who has taken to the hobby of buying old leather boots and shoes from thriftstores and restoring them - I have to say that leather shoes are one of the most resilient things that exist, period. With a little bit of learning and a small investment in supplies (saddle soaps, leather dies, brushes, etc) you can completely transform shoes that are in shambles with not a whole lot of effort. It is worth getting to know how to care for your leather, particularly the shoes you wear everyday. And nothing, NOTHING, fits as well as a pair of properly broken in leather shoes.

[@elizabethrobbins8580]

My grandma, who was born in 1899, had everyday shoes that were very similar to the Londener shoes but in black. That was in the 60's. Way back when you were expected to have a pair of everyday shoes and a pair of Sunday church shoes. You replied and took care of shoes not replace them every season. Finding women's shoes that will last is impossible so American Dutchess fills a void that developed in the 50's.

[@wwaxwork]

To quote the great Terry Pratchett. "Samuel Vimes earned thirty-eight dollars a month as a Captain of the Watch, plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots, the sort that would last years and years, cost fifty dollars. This was beyond his pocket and the most he could hope for was an affordable pair of boots costing ten dollars, which might with luck last a year or so before he would need to resort to makeshift cardboard insoles so as to prolong the moment of shelling out another ten dollars. Therefore over a period of ten years, he might have paid out a hundred dollars on boots, twice as much as the man who could afford fifty dollars up front ten years before. And he would still have wet feet."

[@lorricarney4894]

I have a bit of AD problem. But I wear them daily since buying my first pair in 2015. I Love my loc cobbler. Heel caps replaced and soles built up as they wear out are something that I've just always done. I never considered people didn't know (I'm 54). Thank you for making this video! This is super valuable info that all need to know

[@lorricarney4894]

Local cobbler*

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

We have a local cobbler too! There so hard to find. Though with more people aware that a well made pair of leather shoes or boots can and will last years with maintenance that could change. People are starting to look into stainable products that will last. Hopefully more people will start learning the older skills so that we don’t lose the knowledge.

[@brandielee7971]

This is why all of my shoes are made of real leather. I almost never pay full price, but I always find quality shoes when I'm thrifting entirely because they're easy to maintain and repair. I'm very happy you posted this, because part of the reason I've held off on American duchess (other than the cost) was knowing if they could be repaired.

[@tlockerk]

A good cobbler is a Godsend these days -- more important than a tailor, as I can do or get minor alterations. Happy to live where one exists, and his 29 yo grandson has moved back to learn the trade. Maybe a good retirement choice? for me>

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’ll probably only be able to afford one pair per decade. And I already got one this decade- 2020, I got that same pair of Londoners. They’re my favourite shoe. I love them to bits. I’m a wheelchair user, so I fully expect them to last me the rest of my life. I haven’t bothered having a rubber sole added, because I don’t walk on them anyway. I figure a bit of leather conditioner is all I need to keep them happy. I do really want a pair of side buttoning boots. Even though it means having someone else do them up for me (because I definitely can’t. I can’t even tie my Londoners). So worth it though. Maybe in a few years time. I’ll have to save up for a very long time to get them, but they’re so worth it. And I figure I only really need three pairs. One pair of oxfords (already got those), one pair of black boots (I love the Camille’s with the velvet inlays, but they’re almost AU$400), and a pair of open shoes (I like the Gibsons, Maes and the Astorias). So yeah. I’ll be saving up for a while. I worry that after the few years it will take to save up, they won’t be there anymore, but it is what it is, I guess. At least I have one excellent pair of shoes that will last me forever.

[@zen_ccg]

I definitely recommend the Astoria! It's comfy and looks cute af. Also I feel you on the AUD exchange rate :')

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

Walking in shoes is definitely the single biggest contributor to wearing them out, so you should be able to wear yours for as many years as you want. You may actually find that you tire of them before you even come close to wearing them out. I feel you on the exchange rates. I’m American, but my favorite millinery supplier is British, and it’s always like 25% more with the exchange rate. It’s only a favorable exchange rate in reverse.

[@lillianmcnabb1428]

Have you ever considered getting those hooks to button your shoes for you? It may give you some better ability to button them yourself. Speaking as someone with a disability, I know how frustrating it can be to realize the limits of your ability, and whatever edge up you can get is worth it in my books.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

@@lillianmcnabb1428 it’s actually the vending part that’s a bigger issue. I’ve found getting a carer or support worker to put my shoes on for me to be the easiest solution. But thank you.

[@lillianmcnabb1428]

@@katherinemorelle7115 understandable. I'm glad you have a good support system!

[@nixhixx]

Local crafters and experts like that are such a treasure!

[@habituscraeftig]

We have an old-fashioned shoe shop in our town and we'll be moving out into the country, soon. I've been vaguely intending to take my shoes in for maintenance, but I was a bit uncertain about it. This makes me feel much more confident. I really appreciate this video. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[@HosCreates]

do it soon, its hard to find a good cobbler to repair leather goods

[@TheTransVictorian]

Thanks for posting this! I rotate between several pairs of AD shoes daily, and while I am conscientious about maintenance, I don’t baby them. I applied rubber half soles to each pair before their first wear, and while I could’ve had them done professionally with slightly more polished results, I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with learning new things and taking an active role in keeping my shoes going strong. My only real complaints about AD shoes involves the heels. The rubber used on the caps is too hard and plasticky to give much traction (and they’re LOUD on hard floors). Cementing an additional piece of rubber soling on each existing cap helped with both the traction and noise. Each of my pairs came with the hard smooth heel caps (Bernadettes, Gibsons, and Tangos, all made at the Portuguese factory they no longer use), but that may have changed since, I haven’t yet gotten any of their newest-manufactured models. I just had to cement one of the caps back on the Bernadettes, my most often worn pair, because the original adhesive had let go. This was an interesting task, because it gave me a peek at the inside of the actual heel (hollow) and gave me an idea of the construction (the heels appear to be screwed on from the inside, a standard technique). I wish the heels weren’t hollow molded plastic, but I understand why AD went with plastic instead of wood (likely much more economical on a large scale than wooden heels, even with the significant initial cost in creating the molds, as discussed on the AD podcast several years ago). That being said, they are a much sturdier plastic than any other mass-produced high heels I’ve worn in the past. Oh…and my laces also come undone all the time, even when I double and triple check that I’m tying them properly (if the bow sits vertically instead of horizontally, it’s been tied as a “granny knot” that will come undone very quickly. Swapping how the laces overlap when starting to tie them should produce a proper horizontal bow). This isn’t a big problem on my Bernadettes; it happens occasionally with my Tango boots (understandably so, with the satin laces), but it happens multiple times a day with the Gibsons and their wider regular laces. I wonder if waxing them would help, perhaps the wax would heat up and soften from the friction of tying the knot, and slightly “lock” the laces together.

[@MattieAMiller]

I have a little shoe repair shop near me, and there have been a few shoes that man has saved. I have a pair of knee high winter boots where the inner lining separated from the outer layer, making taking the shoe off almost impossible. He basically had to undo the entire seam down both backs to fix it. he also fixed several holes in the soles of the boots that were forming and gave it new treads, all for $80. it may seem like a lot, but those boots were over $300 originally, so it felt like a steal to get them back from the dead.

[@elsa_g]

Another thing to consider is what surface the shoe is walking on. Nowadays, we walk on concrete sidewalks, which are hard and have pretty good traction because they're gritty. In the past, a lot of what they were walking on were dirt paths/roads (softer) or stone paths/roads (generally smoother). So they will wear out faster on our modern surfaces. Additionally, one of the nice things about rubber soles is that they're more grippy than leather. So while having a leather outsole can signify good quality, in some ways a rubber outsole is more practical/better quality if you don't plan to just use them as dress shoes. As long as you have something to attach new outsoles to, like a welt or in your case an existing leather outsole, you can replace the rubber many times as it wears out. Of course, people throughout history have used leather soles to all sorts of activities and in all sorts of occupations, but I don't know anyone on the jobsite who would take a leather sole over of a rubber or polyfoam one for workboots for example. (Though that probably also has something to do with the thickness of the soles available in the different materials. Don't want a nail going through your foot!)

[@lorenholmes1978]

Every pair of boots or shoes I get, before wearing them I take them to the cobbler and get a decent grippy rubber sole put on. It's way easier to repair going forward.

[@femkebeernaert]

I have the same AD Londoners... they have fit issues so I don't wear them anymore :-( I love the look of them, but my toes hate them. My newest boots are from Jobear. They suit my feet a lot better. I bought the Victorian boots with rounded toe shape, which suit my foot shape so much better. Having a good shoemaker nearby is wonderful. My own rule for new shoes is that they have to be fixable (such as having a Goodyear welt).

[@historicallyfashioned]

I just got those same Jobear boots delivered yesterday. I’m so looking forward to wearing them. I like that they come with the rubber sole pre-installed so I can wear them right away. All of my other leather soled shoes go straight to the cobbler before wearing.

[@janewhite2179]

This was so helpful! Glad to know some of those repairs and fixes are relatively inexpensive. I don't want to end up spending a lot of money just to spend a lot of money.

[@RCZeta919]

I love my AD shoes--I've worn the hessian boots nearly every time I left the house this winter! Can't wait to see your Emmas!

[@HosCreates]

they don't offer the hessians anymore 😭

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

The first place I take any new leather soled footwear I obtain is to the local shop to get rubber grippies put on, because where I live we've got ice and slush for a third of the year! That same shop also fixed a pair of very abused cowboy boots where my little toes were poking out. It cost me about a tenth of what I paid for the boots, and it's given them years more useful life, even if they're not so pretty anymore. My biggest problem with getting my good boots to last is salt, a lot of road salt is used here and no matter what I do, my workboots are trashed after one or two years. I will get a decade or two out of a good pair of cowboy boots though, so long as I wear the workboots instead when it's salty out, or hit the good ones with a sealer before I go out and the salt neutralizer as soon as I get in. I try to do that with the workboots too, but once they start leaking where the leather upper meets the sole, as workboots are wont to do after a year of daily use, I can't do it and wear them the next day, they need a day to dry out... Essentially my wpork boots are bought assuming they're disposable (well, not completely, leaky boots become summer boots and eventually they become gardening boots once the tread wears off) because they will get wrecked by my job, but a good boot, shoe or sandal is well worth investing in. I bought a pair of SAS sandals over 20 years ago and they're still my favourite summer formal footwear, not only are they really comfy but they still look amazing. $200 sandals that lasted me 20+ years, definitely not a bad deal when if I buy cheap ten dollar sandals they're usually wrecked in a year. And way happier about that than spending a hundred bucks on workboots every other year.

[@cinemaocd1752]

I have three pairs of Modern Vice shoes which have leather soles and I've had to get rubber coverings for all of them because leather soles do not hold up to modern sidewalks, a point Nicole Rudolph made in a video. Back in the day, most surfaces weren't paved. Even modern interiors with cement floors and industrial carpeting are really hard on leather soles. Still worth getting them because the construction, fit and authenticity but I think if you are actually going to wear them out and about you need to figure in some extra money for those coverings. I have recently acquired a pair of hundred year old ladies boots that are sturdier with a sole closer to that of a workboot. They are super comfortable and sturdy and no worries about having to get them repaired any time soon.

[@dakotalee6990]

I totally feel you on the Londoners. I still wear them, but they’re definitely a bit pointier than I really wanted. I think I’d want something a bit more 30s/40s with the oxfords in the future. It’s great seeing someone else’s perspective on these shoes!

[@aubreyackermann8432]

Maybe some nice wide slacks would suit them?

[@lauraguglielmo]

I completely agree, and I'm more than willing to spend a little to keep my shoes in good shape. My brother got me a wonderful pair of brogues back in 2010 as a birthday present and they're still with me!!

[@turtle4llama]

All my shoes are leather specifically so they can be repaired. I got my husband his first pair of quality leather shoes recently and he whined about how expensive they were until they molded to his feet and he got it. I look forward to taking him to the cobbler to get them resoled in a year or so. Stepping into freshly repaired shoes that are molded to your feet, but have a brand new sole is like magic.

[@Ollie_Unlikely]

27 DOLLARS?!? My jaw literally dropped when you said that!! Small shoe repair shops for the win!!! XD I’m saving up to buy some renoirs and this information is so helpful to know, thank you for sharing! Given how expensive AD shoes are I want to be certain that I will be able to wear and repair them for many years. Like you I don’t want to keep things behind glass and I fully intend to wear them a LOT (these are literally my dream shoes lol) so this is all so good to hear. Thanks again for sharing!! Sending good wishes 💖

[@MegMarchSews61]

I just bought the Oxblood Kennsingtons this week! I didn't know they were about to be discontinued!! I'm so glad I did. I love the one pair a year policy. I'll have to stick to that now :)

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’m surprised they’re going to discontinue them- they’re not only the first pair AD ever made, they’re the reason Lauren started the company to begin with. So yeah, very surprised.

[@MegMarchSews61]

@@katherinemorelle7115 I don't understand it either. They're such a versatile shoe for reenacting etc. :(

[@kohakuaiko]

@@katherinemorelle7115 they are only discontinuing certain colors. I assume they weren't selling as well as they hoped.

[@LaDivinaLover]

I guess I JUST missed my chance at the Oxbloods then! They were my favourite color but I put off buying them because they’re so expensive. Now I feel terrible and bummed out. 😔

[@Diniecita]

I had a great cobbler where I used to live. Since moving I haven’t found one here. Im bummed, but so far I haven’t needed one. I never realized how rare they were and Im still looking.

[@insidiouschaos812]

it took me about three months of gentle wear to break in my londoners but now 8 wear them literally every day for work, except in the summer where sometimes i switch them out for a pair of blue Gingers. I have had heel caps wear completely through in the past, so I really appreciate that they send extras so if you catch them early you arent required to go to a cobbler. thinking about it, i should probably take my londoners to have the soles redone soon, winter in nj can be hard on shoes

[@Ellaodi]

I have some EXPENSIVE leather cowboys boots I got on a bogo deal, and 5 years later, countless nights at the bar, linedancng in studio and concrete, mud, and Florida rain, they're just now at the point I need to resole and tighten back up. The other pair I'm just starting to wear, and nowhere near as bad treatment so I'm expecting 10years from those. And I now have granny boots from abilene!!! And those I wear CONSTANTLY

[@zen_ccg]

If you want a recommendation, I highly recommend the Astoria. It was my first pair and I love them so much I'm going to explore getting the added bits you've shown here and my local shoe place! I have them in black and oxblood I find them comfortable to get on. The only reason I don't wear them more is because I need orthotics because my weak joints mean my arches don't stand up well on their own, and trying to find arch only insoles in Australia for a reasonable price that can be stuck into them is difficult

[@miscellaneouscell]

I have Astoria's too and I love them. I just wear them around the house so they last forever lol.

[@belindacoba5158]

The green ones are very cute too!! maybe Is there a way remove the buckle without damging them, so you can use them regular wear ?

[@kirstenlabenne8992]

I love my American duchess shoes. And am the same way. I will spurge and get stockings for once a year. So far I got two colors of Renoirs, black and white, and waiting for my three Bertie flats to be shipped out next month. I am trying to incorporate them all in my daily wear. A little difficult with my style but I’ll make it work. You are so lucky that you can repair locally, I will have to go out my way to get to a repair shop. Or just bite the bullet and start making my own.

[@hanatelige]

i recognized that shot of Pollyanna coming out from behind the changing screen so vividly but i couldn’t place her at all so i’m glad you immediately mentioned her by name so that it wouldn’t drive me crazy 😂

[@beckieleung4814]

I have the same boots in ivory! Bought them back in 2015. For ages before that, I've been salivating at button-up boots in those hundred-year-old mail order catalogues. I got a cobbler to put rubber on the sole and heel before ever wearing them outside. Anyone considering button-up shoes should know there's a good chance you might have to move the buttons yourself to make them fit right. Was a bit of a challenge for me since I'm not used to sewing buttons onto leather shoes. Lost of couple of buttons because my stitching wasn't quite good enough. But they do come with a couple of spare buttons. Would be a good idea to buy more extra buttons when buying the boots.

[@aquaaurora2747]

I also have the Renoir and Londoners. I don’t like the Londoners as the top of my foot-foot arch?- is much shallower and I cannot tighten the shoes to fit so I had to make little wool pillows with stocking pieces to pad them out so I don’t literally fall out of the Londones. It’s still a little noticeable but if I wear thick black socks it’s harder to see the gap. I’ve used the Renoirs several times and love them but I don’t have a shoe repair place anywhere near me (1 hour or less drive 1 way) so I’m scared to wear them out before I can find someone to do repairs. I’d love to get mine fitted with a full rubber sole to protect the underside instead of it being leather on pavement. I started buying jobear boots-similar styles and a lot more round toe options if you like that, and they come with rubber soles already.

[@MariahPattie]

I’ve looked into Jo Bear. They are on my list to try next. I’ll probably end up getting the brown Victorian work boots with round toes.

[@haruhideki]

I had bought a pair of the Men button boots from American Duchess, and I underestimated my shoe size and was able to return them and get another pair a size up. It was tricky to put them on at first, but it did get easier, and the extra time is worth it since they look great. They are very comfortable when I got the right size walking around. I also did scratch them a bit and it can feel bad since you don't want to mess them up, but I also want to wear them as much as I reasonably can. I just think it is more fun to wear then regular sneakers and I am looking forward to trying to get another shoe style from them when I can.

[@The_Bronze_Baroness]

I purchased a pair of AD's Astorias and the leather started to peal and reveal an cheap interface layer. The shoe lining was terrible as well, pealing away. I contacted the company, and got nothing but a blanket shoe conditioner response. Never again will I make another purchase. These manufactured during their AD's time with manufacturing in China, in the early years of their company being around. I wanted to give them a chance and see how well they would hold up, so I slowed down on purchasing too much. I'm glad I did that.

[@emilysmith2784]

Excellent video. And I was admiring the skirt the whole way through so glad a tutorial is coming soon. No rush though. I’ll wait 😉 ❤️

[@ciannacoleman5125]

My first AD shows were green Parkers & I absolutely adore them! I got blue Claremonts during the summer sale and while they aren't quite as comfortable I really like them too. I ordered cherry londoners in the summer sale too, but like you find them too pointy for my personal preference so had to return them. I now have my eye on about 6 more lol. AD has turned me into a show lover for better or worse

[@SandrA-hr5zk]

Real leather shoes are amazing. I love watching Bedo's Leatherwork doing shoe and leather repair. Rose Anvil is amazing for dissecting shoes and showing the quality of brands. There are still quality shoes being made, but you really have to dig to find these companies. They are definitely not something you'll find on most retailer shelves.

[@alexalessllc.7745]

Thank you! I have been wanting a pair of Renoirs- for all the Sam reasons! Sssssoooo glad to hear they can be fixed!!!!

[@lelaniadam]

Mariah please treat your leather shoes with the appropriate waxes and balms, they will last longer. I have a few pairs of leather shoes, I enjoy working and "handling" them when massaging the care balms into the shoes, it helps to soften the uppers and make them a little more malleable. Perhaps the Londers just need to be handled and softened a bit, maybe reach out to AD or Nicole Rudolph and ask for suggestions.

[@Fuiotter]

I love the Oxfords but my feet are too wide in the front and I am not sure I want to spend this amount of money on shoes that I might then not love

[@sveme5450]

i have - both through my own shoes and through my work in theater - really come to value the relationship between a good cobbler and the health that shoes are in. also, my super cheap leather balm has saved my ass a hundred times by now

[@HosCreates]

this is helpful as I wanted to buy some American duchess but wasn't sure Id like them or if they were worth buying as the customer service was no help because according to their measurements -I am between sizes. , and they stopped selling the ones I really wanted.. and They have gotten pointier. I prefer rounded toes and my feet aren't pointy. But I love a good sturdy shoe and keep mine for 6+years. I have a good pair of cowboy boots that I spent a good amount of money on ,my heel cap needed repair after 6 years of heavy use 40 hours a week on my feet and goodness knows how many miles tread and tromped in.. . It set me back for $65 but it was well worth it because it'll last me 7 more years, I just hope my local cobbler doesn't leave this earth before then or go out of business..

[@wynnewhitten-holmes5090]

‘You live your life, I'll live mine’ 😂

[@MariahPattie]

I know some people would be horrified 😬

[@JillianBarteaux]

I have the Renoirs as well, and on the third wearing the heal cap sheered off without my noticing (as so ensued damage such as you described). I'll be looking for a shoe repair person to help me as well, but feeling a bit resentful I should have to do so with nearly new boots.

[@laurenloertscher1319]

I love my American Duchess boots, and will be buying more as soon as I have the funds.

[@tlockerk]

Just a thought, perhaps given the responses, already made, but you could always list the Londoners for sale on Poshmark, Ebay or such. There are always looking for listings.

[@frolic838]

You found a cobbler?!?!! I've been looking for one forever. Seriously.

[@EM-fh2tx]

I was wondering what on earth the tiny 'sole' caps were when I finally realised you were actually referring to the heel of the shoe.

[@meganjohnson9540]

Cheers to high quality well made things that can be repaired! Thanks for the well made videos!! ps chickens are cool too.

[@audriscarborough9309]

Great information and extremely useful! I have been on the fence about making a expensive purchase from American Dutchess. I love the boots and the ? Emma shoe. Thanks for your honesty. I'm heading to their site now. Can't wait to see so much more from you. Your talent and teaching skills are spectacular! Be healthy and happy 😊

[@dreamingfool2]

Yes, classically made shoes are made to be repaired much easier then modern shoes. Check out Bedos Leatherworks channel and see how he can bring so many worn out shoes back to life.

[@SandrA-hr5zk]

I was hoping to see his name pop up. I've been watching his channel for quite some time now. It really helps to know what makes a pair of shoes worth it.

[@sharonwerner2419]

i have a few pairs of AD shoes ,first thing I did was go get non slip rubber soles on them ,i feel better doing that well worth it.

[@Rachgraha]

This is so helpful! I’ve been wanted to the my AD shoes resoled since they have no traction but I’ve been hesitating. I’m definitely going to do it now.

[@HosCreates]

make sure to ask your local cobbler to show their work befor handing them off

[@S.J.Howland]

I'm very rough on my own shoes, too. I had stop buying sneakers because I would ruin them so fast. But I love a good pair of well made shoes. I have a few, but my favorites are my medieval moccasins I got in my teen, those have lasted forever it seems!

[@devh6168]

In previous years, my local shoe guy knew that at the end of a season I'd becoming by with two or three pairs that needed love. NYC streets are HARD on shoes and I'm tough on the equipment... heel caps, a polish and voila! Looks like new.... (I have been scolded for letting a heel get too ground down though...oops!)

[@nommh]

Have you considered covering the buckles with matching green velvet? That would make them less noticeable and they would still very much work for costume occasions.

[@craftykez]

I have two pair of old leather horse riding Jodhpur boots. And I do love my leather soled boots. I always feel good wearing them. I guess There's a bit of grounding going on whilst I wear them.

[@venlafaxinequeen421]

I hope you do a video of you dyeing your Emma boots as I’m interested in getting a pair of Renoirs and dyeing them pink like the pair at lacma, but have no idea how to do it.

[@danhurl1349]

I think my main problem with my Londoners are the bloody laces. Like honestly, they will not stay tied. I can see why Bernadette always replaces hers with ribbons because i too like my shoes to stay on my foot. Other than that that been great

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I discovered with my last pair of round, won't-stay-tied-no-matter-what-I-do workboot laces that a skate lace cut to size was PERFECT. I haven't had to do double-bows since I switched! The only challenge is the aglet, I just lace the boot with the remaining aglet and then tie a knot in the other side so it can't pull through again, but with other laces I've faked aglets with a few layers of very tightly rolled packing tape, works best if you roll the lace in the tape before you cut, and packing tape cut in half is almost the perfect length for an aglet!!

[@tashacano3324]

I really love the idea of repairing things instead of just getting new ones too. It's always bothered me how that works

[@SirFrederick]

I usually have to replace heels (wear through two layers in one corner) every year on my 18th Century reenacting shoes.

[@curiouslywoven9737]

Thank you. I have been waffling over the years about buying AD shoes, especially because pointy toes are very uncomfortable for me. Will definitely be looking closer at the Renoir boots. How is the arch support in them for you?

[@MariahPattie]

It’s fine for me, but I have good arches so I’d look for a more informed opinion. I forgot to mention, the Kensington’s are really comfortable, so I guess it just depends on your foot shape. I’m only looking at round-toe shoes from now on. That’s why I picked the Emmas over the Hartfields

[@Jaeler9]

I am half tempted to ask for the address of your shoe repair shop because there is none around me at all and I want to take care of my boots! Scratch that. Wholey tempted. All the temptation!

[@DaileySewsStuff]

I feel you on the video editing. For me, getting started with a new video is hard and editing is really hard. Actually recording the video is fun.

[@EmeraldVideosNL]

First thing I did when I received my Londoners: I brought them to a shoe repair shop and had them fit rubber soles. I found the hard thing with those shoes is to keep the colour. Transparent shoe shine works fine, but the colour on the ankles can weather away pretty fast when driving a car a lot on a daily basis (especially with manual gearbox working the clutch a lot). The colours on the shoe are hard to match once it has weathered away to the blank leather. I'm managing to keep my cherry Londoners OK with a light purple and black on the darker areas, I'm probably the only one who notices it but they are not quite the original colour that they were. And the ankle.places where the colour was completely gone, never last more than 2 weeks before they are bare once again. So keep in mind folks, don't drive a car in them on a daily basis.

[@raevynwoods9403]

I have the Londoners in red and I love how they look, but my feet are really not made for the narrow toes (and also not for the high heels) so I wear them very little... I wish they fit better because I am absolutely in favour of the idea of spending a bit more on good (leather) shoes that can actually be repaired and will last a long time. I do think that you can also make modern cheaper shoes last a lot longer with some care. I have some simple cheap leather boots that I got before I got principles and more money to spend, and with some leatherwax a few times a year they still look good!

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

I have a similar issue, I love mine but i don't wear them much at all because they rub my heels and pinch my toes. I was worried about the width when I ordered them but was assured by many that going up a size would fix the issue. Nope. I'm really sad because for me with exchange and shipping they were $400.

[@Tyrysa]

@@asilverfoxintasmania9940 Take them to your local cobbler, they should be able to stretch them out some in your problem areas.

[@michaelaberry1276]

I have a pair of 1970s does Edwardian boots from my auntie (I don't think they've been worn for decades), when I got them all I needed was to spend £12 on getting them resoled

[@tiredthesbian]

Stop because this is making me want to buy a pair right now and I don’t need more shoes or have money 😭

[@adriennebradywalker680]

Aaaaand I just purchased my first pair, *lol*. Gibson's! So excite!

[@Lain-404]

I got a pair of the londoner's and while I love the look of them, they absolutely murder my feet. Its been a struggle to break them in, and I still haven't despite owning them for over a year now... No matter what I do, I always come away with multiple blisters TwT

[@39houndsteps]

Hmmm yes. I just look at the shape of them and think “pain”. The leather looks stiff and the toe narrow. 58 years of shoe buying means I am finally fairly good at identifying a problem shoe just by sight🤦‍♀️

[@HosCreates]

good to know , I like the look of them but they are to pointy for my rounded feet

[@sandiemable]

What size are the Londoners, and how much would you ask for them? I use Brahmin leather cleaner/ conditioner on my handbags and shoes. Your shoes will last forever! xoxo's Sandie

[@catherinebailey2131]

The shape of the toe box is as important as the size and width of the shoe. You can have two pairs with the exact same size and width, but one will fit better than the other, depending upon whether your foot shape more closely aligns with a more rounded toe box, or a pointed toe box. Your black boots have a round toe box, while your brown shoes have a pointed toe box. That may have been why you did not find the brown shoes comfortable. Great video on why quality footwear is more economical in the long run. Thanks!

[@stephaniehorne6692]

Exact same thing happened to my boots! I just haven't found a cobbler yet who I trust to work on them. 😕

[@HosCreates]

ask around online and around you and ask to see the cobblers work.

[@SparkleFeyed]

I really appreciate this video. This has been on my mind for a long time as I move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. I had no idea what it cost to repair shoes, but I did find a shop that still does that. This information is very useful for me in my decision making. I also love the renoir's ❤❤❤ Thank you so much for this video!!!!

[@jjudy5869]

When you have feet literally shaped like Birkenstocks, you don't buy without trying them on. Plus, everyday-run-of-the-mill doesn't work either. You own maybe 3 or 4 pair, they are high quality and you know where the local cobbler is at. It's cheaper in the long run and your feet don't hurt.

[@HosCreates]

I have rounded foot shape in my toe area , this is good to know, which ones do you own ?

[@jjudy5869]

@@HosCreates Darby's(lace-up) (discontinued) these have been re-soled 3 times since I bought them back in '93, Arizona(sandals), Boston(mule/slide), I've also got a Mary Jane style I don't see on the web-site (probably discontinued). Good luck finding shoes that fit and don't make your feet hurt!

[@SkipperJane]

Yay for Team Emma Boots. I ordered them in Oxblood and I’m excitedly waiting for them.

[@feed8647]

My first and oldest pair of leather boots was purchased in 2013, I am now n the second heel (wich where like 4€ a pair) and as long as they do not fall off of my feet I will continue to wear them. Leather for me just lasts so much longer than ´vegan leather´aka plastic....

[@miss-petrolea]

I have been hesitant to go for American Duchess shoes because I need a fairly wide shoe with a low heel, as I need to wear orthotics. As you have several pairs, do you feel the AD shoes tend to be narrow or wide in the front section? And how are the inner soles? Can they be taken out to create a flat bottom surface for my orthotics?

[@MariahPattie]

Mm. I do feel like they run small and narrow. I half-size up and that works. But they fit differently, depending on the style. I don’t entirely understand what you mean about the inner soles. There is no separate pad that slides in and out if that’s what you mean.

[@miss-petrolea]

@@MariahPattie thank you, that's very helpful! And yeah that's exactly what I meant about the inner soles. Sounds like I'm out of luck for these particular shoes :(

[@Tyrysa]

@@miss-petrolea I've got a few pairs of AD shoes as well, and the inner sole is fairly flat. I just inspected the pairs that I have, and none of them have arch support built in.

[@miss-petrolea]

@@Tyrysa Thank you :)

[@UnderdogSMO]

I just got my first pair of boots that are made to be resoled and long lasting a few weeks ago :)

[@alexandria3583]

the emma boots are so cute, i also love the renoir boots. ive had my eye on those and the tavistock boots. if i could get as many pairs as i wanted id get the hartfield boots, and both the renoir and tavistock button boots. maybe someday ill be able to afford a pair. im glad you made this video though because ive wanted to see how good they actually are from someone who isn't directly involved in the company

[@MariahPattie]

I think it mostly comes down to your foot shape. Some are just going to fit better than others. Also, a tip if you are only buying one pair: make sure they aren’t discontinued or clearance, so you can easily do a size return. My first Renoir pair was my regular size 7, but they were way too tight and I had to send them back for a 7.5. Learning curve, I guess. Everything I’ve bought since then is a 7.5.

[@Hope-un5wv]

Elves and the shoemaker buckles

[@susanaperez3643]

I had shoes lasting 10 or more years on a regularly. I wear a UK size 2 ( EU 34) shoes and for me it's a nightmare find woman shoes, so I tend to invest into It and not to buy just for display. It's nice to see how good items age.

[@gittevandevelde2208]

2,5 here and feel your pain. The brands who make my size don't fit in terms of shape mostly and I also need to wear Orthotics. I hate shoes.

[@k2lar]

Thank you for a great, honest review!

[@juliadouglas872]

The buckle may look better if you tone down the brightness of it.

[@makeda6530]

I hope you find a moment to breathe in all that's happening behind the scenes. This was a great video.

[@Kairi98503]

This is making it harder for me not to get the regency boots, since I need new daily shoes (mostly work, which is at a hotel) but I am just worried that they won't be comfy because my Bernadettes are murder on my feet and I worry that historical shoes just might be like that? Or maybe it's the heel? I donno.

[@MariahPattie]

I feel like that’s a common complaint with that shoe style. My Renoir and Kensington’s are really comfortable, which is why I’m sticking to round toe shoes from here out.

[@michellecornum5856]

Good to know!

[@shalec6704]

As someone who has also purchase the Emma boots…. Where are they??? I want them!

[@MariahPattie]

I thought they were shipping in March, but I checked the preorder schedule and now it says May. So it must have been delayed.

[@polkadot8788]

I'm scared to wear the button boots out because I only have 2 spare buttons left and if I loose more than 2 I'm stuck. And yes...knowing me that will happen.

[@dusa-]

Please do a video about dying the boots yellow! I'd love to dye some boots pink.

[@MariahPattie]

Planning on it!

[@danacandella5416]

For all the Bernadette fans, here is a little secret. She has impeccable posture. Change your posture, and it will change your life.

[@fuzzycat63]

I have been thinking about buying a pair of American Duchess shoes and you've sold me on it. Now I just need to decide which style to get. I do have to ask: are they supportive? I need lots of arch support.

[@MariahPattie]

I would say not very. You’d probably want to add an insole, which means you’ll definitely need to size up.

[@starsun6363]

I would also suggest getting a bigger arch than the one they offer in the shop. I got one for my arch, and while it's helped it's definitely not enough.