6 Thai alternatives to the big international men’s footwear brands
Ditch the Converse and Camper, and go local.
7 years ago
If you like: Converse Jack Purcell
Get this: Rompboy
Jack Purcells are the Converse everyone wants. Carnival sneaker store (Siam Square and online at CarnivalBKK.com) brings in some of the coolest pairs from Japan, but they can push the B5,000 mark by the time they’re on Bangkok shelves—heavy wedge for white canvas sneakers that’ll ruin in a month. Good news is, Thai brand Rompboy has basically cribbed the look entirely, with the same chunky, stepped rubber front and cool yet ever-so-slightly clown-like shape B2950. We like.
Available online at www.fb.com/rompboybkk, IG: rompboy
If you like: Santoni
Get this: Archibald’s Shoes
Archibald’s makes loafers as they should be: tasseled, real leather, shiny and with a nicely rounded tip. People who don’t know better will think you’re wearing Italian. Heck, people who do know better will think you’re wearing Italian. Go for the Obsidian Black moccasins, which have a genuine leather outsole and cushioned insole—all for a Gucci-busting B3,500.
Available at Selvedgeworks, Siam Square Soi 2, 02-658-0486. www.fb.com/archibaldsshoes.com
If you like: Prada brogues
Get this: London Brown
This well-established local brand totally nails those contemporary, minimal tweaks on classics that let you stand out without feeling like a jerk. We fully endorse the dorkish, chunky white platforms they put under these simple black brogues (B6,250)—a look which so many people have stolen off Prada over the past five years that no one even cares anymore.
Siam Square Soi 2, 086-3321544. www.london-brown.com
If you like: Church’s
Get this: Mango Mojito
There are hits and misses in Mango Mojito’s lineup. We don’t get the Sperry rip-offs, which look slightly worse and cost slightly more, but we can love their attempt at the classic Wholecut Oxford. B7,200 gets you a genuine leather, perfectly formed belter of a shoe with barely a stitch in sight. Wear with a DB suit from Pinky Tailor (www.pinkytailor.com) to regularly get mistaken as richer than you actually are.
Siam Square Soi 2, 02-658-1435. www.mango-mojito.com
If you like: Common Projects
Get this: Muper’s Bangkok
Common Projects is just the start of the list of brands that these guys’ footwear does a passable impression of (Scamper 2, B3,200). Want some chunky Red Wing boots to go with your selvedge denims? Check out their Scampers (B4,990). After something charmingly Camper-esque that says “I’m a designer?" The Street Brogues (B2,590) are your answer.
Available online at www.fb.com/MupersBangkok
If you like: Camper
Get this: Perfect Combination
Here’s another Camper-like for guys who just can’t get enough of playful tweaks. Perfect Combination’s deal is all about soft, I’m-a-nice-guy toned leathers and daring details. We dig the “iron” and oak brown combo on the Bruno sneakers—a snip at B3,250.
Available at Chatuchak Market (Next to MRT Kampangpetch), 0830665960 and 0863624964. www.fb.com/PerfectCombination
See also: Bangkok’s best shoes shops for men / Bangkok's best men's shops
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