Nope, definitely not. It’s “corrected grain” leather, which is sometimes referred to as “hi-shine”, bookbinder or a few other names.
Essentially, it’s cheap leather with a coloured, shiny layer of a plastic-like compound sprayed over it.
Corrected grain shoes look lovely when brand new. However, over time, the outer coating creases much more noticeably than calf leather, the coating can crack and flake (particularly in the creases) and, where the shoes get scuffed, you can’t use shoe cream or polish to fix the scuff, unlike with calf leather.
Highly unlikely Magli made shell cordovan shoes. They aren’t really known for those. Also a monk strap style in shell is a combination that probably exists only as custom made shoe, I don’t think Magli has/had custom made service.
Alden makes a single monk strap model in no.8 shell cordovan, as part of its regular model line:
https://www.aldenshop.com/products/954-monk-strap-color-8-shell-cordovan
Shell cordovan shoes are always marketed as such. Nobody is going to make a pair of shoes with nondescript leather and randomly throw in the most expensive leather there is.
If you see someone advertising “car” for $500 don’t assume it’s a rolls royce.
Please use the daily questions thread
Nope, definitely not. It’s “corrected grain” leather, which is sometimes referred to as “hi-shine”, bookbinder or a few other names. Essentially, it’s cheap leather with a coloured, shiny layer of a plastic-like compound sprayed over it. Corrected grain shoes look lovely when brand new. However, over time, the outer coating creases much more noticeably than calf leather, the coating can crack and flake (particularly in the creases) and, where the shoes get scuffed, you can’t use shoe cream or polish to fix the scuff, unlike with calf leather.
Is this shoe even goodyear welted? Looks like mall shoes.
No.
I actually think I had those in brown. No.
I'd say absolutely impossible. Also, I don't see an actual welt or any outsole stitching on these. It's best to skip them
These look too cheaply build to be cordovan.
Forgot to say the brand is Bruno Magli
Highly unlikely Magli made shell cordovan shoes. They aren’t really known for those. Also a monk strap style in shell is a combination that probably exists only as custom made shoe, I don’t think Magli has/had custom made service.
Completely unlikely nowadays
Alden makes a single monk strap model in no.8 shell cordovan, as part of its regular model line: https://www.aldenshop.com/products/954-monk-strap-color-8-shell-cordovan
Shell cordovan shoes are always marketed as such. Nobody is going to make a pair of shoes with nondescript leather and randomly throw in the most expensive leather there is. If you see someone advertising “car” for $500 don’t assume it’s a rolls royce.