Nevertheless, I exercise my due diligence and pledge to leave no shoe unturned and guess what?
I’ve Been Per-SUEDE-ed.
- Thread starter johnniegold
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #42
Package arrived from England last night. 
The package included a nice tote bag from the vendor, Burrows & Hare. Mrs Gold was thrilled about that.
The boots… not so much
The Dukeflex comes with two sets of laces, one flat and one round.
I really like the rich, deep, Dark Chestnut suede which could be called a “chocolate” suede.
My closet is beginning to look like an Astorflex showroom.
Once again, Astorflex produces finely-crafted, reasonably-priced footwear and in many of the classic styles that so many of us enjoy.
I guess I don’t have to tell you that I’m a big fan of this company.
(Later, I’ll include some pics of the Dukeflex in the wild.)
The package included a nice tote bag from the vendor, Burrows & Hare. Mrs Gold was thrilled about that.
The boots… not so much
The Dukeflex comes with two sets of laces, one flat and one round.
I really like the rich, deep, Dark Chestnut suede which could be called a “chocolate” suede.
My closet is beginning to look like an Astorflex showroom.
Once again, Astorflex produces finely-crafted, reasonably-priced footwear and in many of the classic styles that so many of us enjoy.
I guess I don’t have to tell you that I’m a big fan of this company.
(Later, I’ll include some pics of the Dukeflex in the wild.)
- Thread starter
- #43
“For the discerning.” I’ll second that.
The boots… not so much
Is that her opinion ... or yours?
- Thread starter
- #46
- Thread starter
- #47
Some socks to pair with the various shades of suede. I gotta have some navy in there as well.
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Dear Robert @johnniegold, I'm glad to see that you're in love with high quality Made in Italy footwear! Of course, I can only entirely agree. 
- Thread starter
- #49
Early in 2022, I picked up a pair of the Dukeflex chukka from Astorflex. I liked the dark chestnut suede along with the stitching on the vamp which closely mirrored that of the Crosby boot by Drake’s (as worn by Daniel Craig in the James Bond movie, “No Time to Die”).
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, one of the differences I could discern between the Dukeflex and the Crosby (other than the split-toe design on the Dukeflex and the pricing) is that the Crosby may have a bit more tapering towards the toe box thereby giving it a slightly more sleek, elegant silhouette.
Now I don’t think the more sleek, tapered look of the Crosby is worth an additional $300 outlay as opposed to the Dukeflex but then there’s the fairly-recent release of the Flizzon from Velasca.
The Flizzon is seemingly identical to the Crosby in every aspect but at less than half the cost. Except for the split-toe on the Dukeflex, they are pretty close as well.
So here’s the rub. The Dukeflex (as well as any Astorflex shoe) only comes in whole sizes while Velasca’s offerings come in half sizes. So with slightly less tapering and going up a half-size gives the Dukeflex a larger look and feel then I would prefer.
So… the Dukeflex have gone the way of Poshmark and the Flizzon from Velasca are enroute. With the proceeds from the sale of the Dukeflex and the 20% discount currently being offered by Velasca, my out-of-pocket was minimal so win-win (at least that’s what I keep telling myself
).
Having become accustomed to Velasca’s sizing with the Barbee…
… and the Redriz (picked up late last year)
I think the 10.5 US, is the sweet spot for me.
Now don’t get me wrong. I am still a big fan of Astorflex and for a more casual style shoe/boot
(i.e. the Cityflex…
… or the Greenflex),
Astorflex still offers amazing quality at reasonable prices while Velasca offers excellent quality with perhaps just a bit more refinement in the making of their shoes coupled with their outstanding customer service.
You’ll see the Flizzon when I get ‘em.
The “suede parade” continues.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, one of the differences I could discern between the Dukeflex and the Crosby (other than the split-toe design on the Dukeflex and the pricing) is that the Crosby may have a bit more tapering towards the toe box thereby giving it a slightly more sleek, elegant silhouette.
Now I don’t think the more sleek, tapered look of the Crosby is worth an additional $300 outlay as opposed to the Dukeflex but then there’s the fairly-recent release of the Flizzon from Velasca.
The Flizzon is seemingly identical to the Crosby in every aspect but at less than half the cost. Except for the split-toe on the Dukeflex, they are pretty close as well.
So here’s the rub. The Dukeflex (as well as any Astorflex shoe) only comes in whole sizes while Velasca’s offerings come in half sizes. So with slightly less tapering and going up a half-size gives the Dukeflex a larger look and feel then I would prefer.
So… the Dukeflex have gone the way of Poshmark and the Flizzon from Velasca are enroute. With the proceeds from the sale of the Dukeflex and the 20% discount currently being offered by Velasca, my out-of-pocket was minimal so win-win (at least that’s what I keep telling myself
).Having become accustomed to Velasca’s sizing with the Barbee…
… and the Redriz (picked up late last year)
I think the 10.5 US, is the sweet spot for me.
Now don’t get me wrong. I am still a big fan of Astorflex and for a more casual style shoe/boot
(i.e. the Cityflex…
… or the Greenflex),
Astorflex still offers amazing quality at reasonable prices while Velasca offers excellent quality with perhaps just a bit more refinement in the making of their shoes coupled with their outstanding customer service.
You’ll see the Flizzon when I get ‘em.
The “suede parade” continues.
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As I am very happy with my suede chukkas from Thursday Boot Co., I've been thinking about getting a pair of suede Chelsea boots from them. Would go with a darker color than my chukkas.
- Thread starter
- #51
I may have to try TBC. They have a wide selection and the reviews are always positive.
- Thread starter
- #52
The Flizzon by Velasca arrived today from Italy. I am quite pleased with the construction, fit and style of this shoe which replaced the Astorflex Dukeflex.
This chukka boot fits just the way I had hoped (quickly tried them on wearing tube socks but I wouldn’t wear such a thick sock with this boot) and the silhouette is a bit more refined than the more bulbous-shaped toe box of Dukeflex.
Also arriving today is the exchanged X-mas gift from my kids.
A pair of Tasman by Uggs. Not sure how much time these will take away from my Town View Leather moccs (
) but they are certainly a welcomed addition to the suede collection.
This chukka boot fits just the way I had hoped (quickly tried them on wearing tube socks but I wouldn’t wear such a thick sock with this boot) and the silhouette is a bit more refined than the more bulbous-shaped toe box of Dukeflex.
Also arriving today is the exchanged X-mas gift from my kids.
A pair of Tasman by Uggs. Not sure how much time these will take away from my Town View Leather moccs (
) but they are certainly a welcomed addition to the suede collection.
Robert @johnniegold what do you think of these brand new Derby shoes by Velasca? Honestly, I find them strikingly beautiful!
- Thread starter
- #54
A very handsome shoe indeed. This is the same shoe as the Cartee with the only difference being the soft rubber sole of the Galupp as opposed to the para rubber sole of the Cartee.
Having experienced both types of soles with the Barbee and Flizzon models (para rubber-which is their crepe sole) and the Redriz (soft rubber), I’m leaning towards the Galupp as it may be a bit more versatile.
Perhaps this spring when they run another 20% off sale.
Edit: another difference between these two shoes is the suede. The Galupp has greased suede leather while the Cartee is soft suede leather.
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Fred Perry Dawson Mid, Nut Flake.
- Thread starter
- #56
As the Dukeflex did earlier in this thread in January of 2023, the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea boot has gone the way of Poshmark, just a little over two years to the day I purchased them.
Out of the 4 pairs of Astorflex shoe/boots that I have purchased over the years, this is the second pair of Astorflex that I have sold.
As with the Dukeflex, I thought the Bitflex were comfortable and well-constructed.
But, once again, without offering half sizes, the Bitflex tends to run big and look a bit larger when coupled with a rounder, somewhat bulbous, toe box which gives these shoes a bigger (wider) silhouette.
And so the Astorflex Bitflex are off to another owner who will hopefully use and enjoy them more than I did.
Out of the 4 pairs of Astorflex shoe/boots that I have purchased over the years, this is the second pair of Astorflex that I have sold.
As with the Dukeflex, I thought the Bitflex were comfortable and well-constructed.
But, once again, without offering half sizes, the Bitflex tends to run big and look a bit larger when coupled with a rounder, somewhat bulbous, toe box which gives these shoes a bigger (wider) silhouette.
And so the Astorflex Bitflex are off to another owner who will hopefully use and enjoy them more than I did.
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