Carmina Long Wing Blucher Shoes 532

Horween Armagnac Shell Cordovan

100% complete

Janbiya

Worn 10 months

2025-2026 Open Thunderdome, Finisher

Photos

Reviews

Who Said Dress Shoes Can't Dome?

I wasn't sure if I was going to participate in this Dome. Late last September, I had a pair of Nicks on order that was seven months in and still hasn't entered production (I just received it last week on March 27th.) I had just started a new job with a formal office dress code. I was thinking about maybe not participating for the year, but then I decided to "wing it" and splurge on some Carmina cordovan long wings which arrived just in time to make the October start. I'd known about shell cordovan for a few years and known about long wings about the same amount of time, had very much wanted to try both, and this was my big chance. The shoes indeed rose to the occasion. They held up and patina'd well, and I got to become one of the glorious few who can say they have domed a pair of dress shoes. What's more, these blindsided me by becoming one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes on my shelf after a few months of wear. Equally good for kicking the wheels of an office chair or for a fifteen mile city walk on a sunny weekend. Also (to add a little lifestyle flex) up and down the steep steps between Central and the Mid-Levels in Hong Kong, and dodging chickens and ducks down narrow country lanes in mainland China, and on the beach in California. Of course, if wasn't all smooth sailing. Case in point, I hadn't expected the vamps to form quite the turbulent storm waves that they did. I didn't mind it, though, and I decided to lean into the dramatic rolls by ditching the shoe trees between most wears in order to ease out a bit more toe spring to accentuate the curvature. I think it worked out pretty well, too. All in all, a 10/10 experience.

Read the full review

4 months ago

Specs

Maker

Carmina Shoemaker

Model

Long Wing Blucher Shoes 532

Leather

Horween Armagnac Shell Cordovan

Last

Detroit Last

US Men's Brannock: 9.5D HTB/9 HTT

Detroit Last: 9E

Roomy fit compared to other Carmina lasts.

Sole

JR Leather Sole

Heel

Leather Heel

Purchased from

Carmina

Order info

Cost: 1,196 USD

Availability: Stock Model

Lead Time: 5 days

Q&A

Why did you choose this item?

Availability: Stock Model

Formal Occasions

Workplace Needs

Other

A new Patina Thunderdome was about to start and I didn't have the perfect new pair ready to go, and I had recently started a new job with a formal office dress code. So I decided to "wing it" Carmina shell long wings.

How did you determine your size?

Detroit Last: 9EUS Men's Brannock: 9.5D HTB/9 HTT

Compared to Other Lasts

Brannock Measurements

Prior to ordering this pair, I'd known I take a half size up from Brannock for Carmina's Llubi and Rain lasts, so I confidently ordered the Detroit last in the same size. The Detroit last is considerably more roomy than either of those lasts, so those who do not have a particularly high instep might want to size down a little for this one.