Really well made, timeless shoes

[Methenyouplus4]

I'm after some classic shoes (ballet pump/ loafer/ simple heel etc) that are lovely quality. Any ideas where I should be looking for well made footwear (but nit really distinctive/ high fashion)?

My thinking is that I might be able to get a lovely shoe in the sale (so paying £80-100 for a pair that would usually be say £170?)

Only place that came to mind was Jones the boot maker, bought a lovely pair of suede boots from there a few years back and seem really well made.

Actually, scrap Jones, just looked at there sale stuff and all looked really frumpy.

Definitely pop into Russell & Bromley. They have very classic but stylish loafers that are comfortable and well made. Their shoes last a long time and are easy to re-heel if necessary. The only problem may be that their most classic styles don't always go into the sales. They also don't do sales online - only in stores.

It may also be worth trying LK Bennett although I tend to buy higher heels from there and more classic everyday shoes from R&B.

Yes to R&B.

The shoe fixing man I go to (I keep him busy, and after seven years we know each other well!) tells me that of all the shoes I've brought him to fix, the best made have been Michael Kors and Karen Millen. Better than posher brands, he reckons.

By the way, in terms of quality, I have some shoes from Jones and in my view they don't really compare to R&B for quality and longevity so in the long run it may be worth worth splashing out on a better pair if you possibly can!

I have bought R&B shoes on eBay before. If you are not sure of sizing then perhaps pop into a store to try some on and then see if you can find anything similar on eBay. In my experience there are quite a few nearly new or new pairs that come up for sale.

May be a bit far to travel but the shoe shops in Berlin were the best I've ever seen ( and I love shoes!!)

Have a look at Grenson and en brogue. Mainly flat shoes but very nice, some quite expensive but en brogue has links to lots of other sites. Clarks have Orla Kiely in their sale - something different. Hobbs also have some nice styles. Also have a look at its got sole website - their sale has just started.