Shoes: Where do you buy proper shoes on a budget in and around Kuala Lumpur - Tips and more (Updated)

Where do you buy proper shoes on a budget in and around Kuala Lumpur.

This was a question asked by a few of you readers via private message either through email or through Facebook. Most of you who ask this question are usually first time 'proper shoe buyers'. This would mean that you want to graduate from the usual square toe or sharp upward pointy toe shoes that you usually see on sale everywhere. You want these 'proper shoes' but you do not wish to pay a lot of money for them.

These days it has become harder. There are less departmental stores (like TANGS, Parkson's, Isetan etc) that bring in shoes worth getting nowadays. Choices are limited and the quality isn't that great also compared to the price you pay at times. The price range for proper shoes now range from RM400 to RM1000.

Where to buy them?

The days where you can get bargains like what I used to get are over. I have never found anywhere that sells blake-stitched or welted shoe that costs under RM300. You could buy a stuck on or glued sole shoe, but you're talking proper shoes. An investment that could last a decade or so. You need many pairs to make glued shoes last due to rotation (and luck). So you are limited to a few places.

Isetan (KLCC, The Gardens, One Utama)

Try searching for the brand Mario Minardi – These are made in Indonesia and feature blake stitched as well as Goodyear welted. You can see the stitching on the sole and inside. The quality and shape (last) of the shoe is decent and there is some hand finishing in terms of colouring on their brown/tan shoes. Prices are from RM699 unless there is a sale.

Clarks (many stand alone stores in major shopping malls or in departmental stores in the malls)

Not something most shoe snobs would recommend these days. When I started work in the 1990s, Clarks was still made in either Italy or England (where the brand originates). But you're on a budget. Try looking for their traditional brogue and cap toe models. All are either made in India and China but they offer a reasonable outlay for glued shoes in the traditional styles (with entry level leather). There are some Goodyear welted models out there occasionally. These cost in the RM450 or thereabouts for the welted ones (average quality and with bookbinder leather 95% of the time– treated and not natural calf leather). The normal stuff go for around RM350. You could buy them, but do not expect the glued stuff to last years these days. Suitable for wider feet too.

Tangs (One Utama)

Only the Tangs in One U has a decent, not fantastic collection of shoes marked 'made in Italy'. This does not mean quality per se. It means that they are finished in Italy which isn't a bad thing. There is some nice fashion forward styles thrown in with the traditional ones. The brands aren't well known ones as the buyer from Tangs must usually visit shoe trade fairs overseas and buys a few brands. You get unknown brands at relatively good entry level prices. Some have quite good leather with some brushed on dye (for brown shoes) and the leathers are usually calf. Low grade for the RM399 versions and the higher up ones that sell for over RM500 to around rm1000 (if any, depending on the collection brought it) are usually quite unique. The problem with Tangs is that there is no consistency in the stuff they bring in. But I do like to wait for clearances. Last pairs go up to 70% off. Some nice basketweave loafers could be found occasionally. But the problem with Tangs is their product range inconsistency. Not the first choice to hunt for shoes if you're in a hurry.

PLAL Store

This is the quintessential men's shoe store in the whole of Malaysia. They sell a lot of proper shoes from Barker, Loake, Cheaney and some Gaziano&Girling, Sutor Mantellassi in the mix. The Loake entry level range like the L1, Lifestyle are your targets here. Goodyear welted, made in India. Bookbinder leather for most but with decent quality control from a reputable English brand. Barker and Cheaney are more expensive so I am not discussing them here. These come in at around RM600-700+ (could be more since the GBPound has risen). Their oxfords and derbies are good enough to outshine 95% of the people in any function.

Massimo Dutti (Updated 30th October 2016)
The highstreet menswear brand is a good place to buy sports jackets, trousers and nearly everything you need at an affordable price with average quality (nothing hand stitched, everything machine made of course) but the shoes are mostly Made in Portugal and can be a worthy purchase. Prices are in the RM699 range and if they are on sale they could be had for at least RM200off. Leathers are not the quality stuff and patina looks forced sometimes. But there are times where their suede stuff and simple cap toe or plain toe shoes look like good buys. There is a mix of glued and blake stitched shoes here.

Custom making your shoe in Campbell Complex or Pertama Complex.

I do not suggest this if you are a first time buyer of shoes. They may cost RM600-800 depending on the leather and whether its a leather or a rubber sole. These are local artisans whom you must direct in order to make a proper pair. You may end up disappointed.

Kulitkraf (from their factory store in Petaling Jaya)

You can buy the Police Officer's Brogues if you want for under RM200. Goodyear welted but uncomfortable. I do not recommend this at all. Actually, buy their vulcanised (a type of stuck on construction) cap toe that they produce for regular servicemen. The shoe is actually more comfortable than their officer's brogues and it costs less than RM100. Bookbinder leather obviously (which will crease and crack). Only in black so you can buy lots of shoe polish and cover it up.

Now that I've told you were to buy, what to buy at first is the next question

Buy traditional shoe styles at first. You have the captoe oxford, derbies, brogues lace-ups. These are your first choice formal shoe. As you are on a budget, one should buy what is proper first without actually thinking that the last/shape of the shoe does not suit your modern, chic, cool self. Captoe oxfords, cap toe derby. Brogue.

If they are in a traditional design, chances are you are imagining things. They would look good on you. No, not as fantastic as a pair of Santoni or Church's that you've seen. But hello? Beggars cannot be choosers.

If you see a shoe that you like that costs RM1,000, save up and buy that proper looking shoe within the RM1,000 range like a pair of entry level Loake goodyear welted shoes.. They'll last a long time and it is worth it. Remember, if you bought them, try thinking that the pair of shoe will last ten years. That's RM100 per year. You are too poor to buy cheap shoes. And remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Take all the time you need to save up for at that one proper pair. And then make your way up to about three pair at least for rotation so that they all last for years (with the exception of heel and the occasional sole repairs).

As for loafers and slip on shoes. Yes, they are acceptable here as we do live in homes where shoes are removed before we step inside. But limit your design to a pair of penny loafers, a pair of monkstraps or a double monkstrap in terms of design. These are adequate for business casual here in Malaysia. And you still are a level above the rest.

Buy one pair in Black and one in dark brown. If you wear black trousers try buying lighter coloured trousers. If you still want to wear black trousers, buy black shoes and only black shoes. The contrast between the brown shoes and the black trousers are glaring and forcing things a bit. So for most of you a black pair of oxfords with a plain captoe would be your best bet.

This is not a complete answer to all your questions obviously. I just hope it helps some of you. Do feel free to ask.