u/lone-grizzly

Hey everyone,

I am curious whether any of you bought the Grant Stone Coast Sneakers and ended up loving them as much as I did. I thought they were excellent shoes, but unfortunately the entire line has been discontinued.

The only real downside, in my opinion, was the lack of a wide-width option.

Does anyone know how we could encourage Grant Stone to bring these models back, even as a made-to-order offering? I'd love to pick up a few pairs, especially if wide sizes were available.

They were also priced much more competitively than comparable options from Goral or Crown Northampton. Another advantage, at least in my view, is that the cost of resoling them would likely be lower as well.

Am I the only one who would be interested in seeing these make a comeback?

Hey, I want to ask you if you are able to see the wide fit models from Mellor II.

Initially, I was told the wide models have been discontinued, but now on the website, I see they are available. Is that a glitch? Should I pull the trigger on my favorite wide fit Goral Mellor II?

What should candidates expect in an in-person final round at McKinsey - EH Associate?

Any advice on partner interviews, PEI, case performance, common mistakes, and how the format differs from earlier rounds would be appreciated.

Edit:
I did not apply as a generalist. I was approached by a recruiter for a specific practice.

Hey everyone,

I’ve wanted an IWC Pilot for a long time. It started with the Mark XVIII, but after looking into it more, the Mark XX seems like a pretty meaningful upgrade and that’s the one I really want now.

The problem is the retail price is a bit more than I’m comfortable spending. I know the sensible answer is probably to wait or not buy it at all if it’s stretching the budget, but I’d still love to own one if I can find it at a decent discount.

For those of you who have bought one, where did you get yours? Do ADs or jewelers in the U.S. ever offer discounts on the Mark XX, or is that pretty uncommon? Also, are there any reliable places to buy a used one in good condition? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any recommendations.

What should candidates expect in an in-person final round at McKinsey - EH Associate?

Any advice on partner interviews, PEI, case performance, common mistakes, and how the format differs from earlier rounds would be appreciated.

I’m looking at a pair of sneakers where I can choose either C.F. Stead kudu leather or C.F. Stead kudu suede.

Aesthetically, I like both. The full-grain kudu has a lot of character with the natural scars and marks, while the kudu suede has an incredibly fine nap that I may actually prefer.

My only hesitation is durability. I’m familiar with calfskin, buffalo leather, and shell cordovan, but I don’t have any experience with kudu.

A few questions for those of you who have worked with kudu:

1. How durable is kudu leather in general? How does it compare with calfskin, buffalo leather, and shell cordovan in terms of abrasion resistance, longevity, creasing, and overall toughness?
2. Specifically, how does kudu suede compare to full-grain kudu leather? Is the suede significantly less durable, or is it mainly a cosmetic difference because both come from the same hide?
3. Does the suede require substantially more maintenance, or does it hold up just as well if cared for properly?
4. If you were buying a pair intended for regular wear over many years, would you choose the full-grain kudu or the kudu suede, and why?

Thanks, appreciate your input!

I’m looking at a pair of shoes where I can choose either C.F. Stead kudu leather or C.F. Stead kudu suede.

Aesthetically, I like both. The full-grain kudu has a lot of character with the natural scars and marks, while the kudu suede has an incredibly fine nap that I may actually prefer.

My only hesitation is durability and wearing experience versus buffalo / calfskin. I’m familiar with calfskin, buffalo leather, and shell cordovan, but I don’t have any experience with kudu.

A few questions for those of you who have worked with or repaired kudu:

1. How durable is kudu leather in general? How does it compare with calfskin, buffalo leather, and shell cordovan in terms of abrasion resistance, longevity, creasing, and overall toughness?

2. Specifically, how does kudu suede compare to full-grain kudu leather? Is the suede significantly less durable, or is it mainly a cosmetic difference because both come from the same hide?

3. Does the suede require substantially more maintenance, or does it hold up just as well if cared for properly?

4. If you were buying a pair intended for regular wear over many years, would you choose the full-grain kudu or the kudu suede, and why?

THANK YOU, appreciate your input.

Hey everyone,

I've had my eye on the Goral Mellor II for quite a while and was finally getting ready to pull the trigger.

For sizing reference, I wear a US 9.5 Wide in brands like Alden and Crockett & Jones. I also recently picked up a pair of Koios in their wide fit. Unfortunately, they don't offer half sizes, but the fit worked out well enough.

When I went to Goral's website, I noticed that some Mellor II colors were available in a wide fit, but not the color I was interested in. So I made a post here asking whether additional colors would be offered in wide sizing.

Goral responded and explained that they no longer offer the Mellor II in a wide fit because many of the styles have moved into their ready-to-ship collection.

To be honest, that was pretty disappointing to hear. It likely means the Mellor II is no longer an option for me, unless someone with similar feet can convince me otherwise.

For those of you with wider feet, how has the regular-width Mellor II worked out for you? Is it manageable after break-in, or was it simply too narrow?

Is it possible to order MTM Mellor II in a wide fit?

Also, if the Mellor II is off the table, are there any similar sneakers you would recommend? I'm looking for something with a comparable aesthetic and quality level.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I’ve always wanted to buy Eton shirts, but they were just outside my budget for a long time. I recently finished grad school, started a new job, and I’m finally in a position where I can invest in building a nicer wardrobe for the office.

A few months ago, I bought a David Donahue tuxedo shirt, and I was genuinely impressed. The fabric felt incredible, the construction was excellent, and the fit was noticeably better than anything I’d owned before. It made me curious about the rest of their lineup.
Now that Eton is on sale, the prices are very close to David Donahue, so I’m trying to decide which direction to go.

I’m interested in both dress shirts and more casual options, especially Oxford button-downs that can be worn to the office with chinos or under a sport coat.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has owned both over the long term.

For those in consulting, how did you get proficient with Excel and data visualization if you only had average Excel skills when you started?

What Excel skills do you use most often on projects? And how frequently do you use Tableau or Power BI versus Excel? If you were preparing today, what would you focus on learning first?

For those in consulting, how did you get proficient with Excel and data visualization if you only had average Excel skills when you started?

What Excel skills do you use most often on projects? And how frequently do you use Tableau or Power BI versus Excel? If you were preparing today, what would you focus on learning first?

For those in consulting, how did you get proficient with Excel and data visualization if you only had average Excel skills when you started?

What Excel skills do you use most often on projects? And how frequently do you use Tableau or Power BI versus Excel? If you were preparing today, what would you focus on learning first?

I’ve been spending some time looking at Carmina recently and thought it would be interesting to hear how people who own both brands compare them.

I already own a couple of Alden shoes (no boots) and honestly think it’s pretty much perfect. The fit, comfort, and overall quality have been excellent, which naturally has me comparing everything else against it.

Most of my interest is in oxfords, derbies, and loafers rather than boots. I’m also open to different leathers, whether that’s calfskin, shell cordovan, or suede.

For those who have lived with both brands, how do you think they compare over the long run? Things like comfort, durability, finishing, value, aging of the leather, and how often you actually reach for them.

I’m not really looking for a “which one is better” answer. I’m more interested in hearing where each brand stands out and what your ownership experience has been like over the years.

If relevan, I have wide feet. So Alden seems to have a wide variety of options for me.

Looking for some advice from people who have experience with both Alden and Carmina.

I already own an Alden oxford and a derby and honestly think it’s pretty much perfect. The fit, comfort, and overall quality have been excellent, so naturally I’ve been looking at getting another pair of quality shoes.

Lately I’ve been considering Carmina, mainly for oxfords, derbies, and loafers. I’m open to calfskin, shell cordovan, and suede, so I’m not focused on one particular leather.

For those who have owned both brands, do you think Carmina is on the same level as Alden in terms of quality, comfort, and long-term satisfaction? Or do they excel in different areas?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have spent a few years with both brands rather than just trying them on in a store.

Any thoughts on how they compare, particularly for oxfords, derbies, and loafers.

I have been trying to understand Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) and Mastercard Advisory, but everything I read online feels very generic. The descriptions are all about helping clients grow, using data, driving strategy, etc., but I still don’t have a clear picture of what the work actually looks like.

I’d love to hear from current or former employees.

A few questions:

- What do these teams actually work on day to day?
- What kinds of projects are most common?
- Who are the typical clients (banks, fintechs, merchants, etc.)?
- Is the work mostly strategy, analytics, implementation, or something else?
- How different are VCA and Mastercard Advisory in practice?

I’m also trying to understand how experience at these firms is viewed in the market.

For people who spent a few years there:

- What did you exit to afterward?

- How valuable is the brand and experience when applying to fintechs or tech companies?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Hey all, I haven’t bought anything from Goral before and I’m looking at the Mellor II in white.

I typically wear a US 9.5 wide, and that’s my size in Alden for example. I noticed some Goral models seem to be available in a wide fit, but I can’t find the Mellor II White in a wide option.

Am I missing something, or is the white version only available in regular width?

Would appreciate any guidance from anyone who has experience with Goral sizing or availability. Thanks!

Hello! Looking for advice from people in payments/fintech.

I’m starting soon at a card network in a role focused on value-added services, strategy, and operations. My background is in consulting, where I worked on a few financial services engagements, including projects with a merchant acquirer and a couple of issuers, so I’m not completely new to the ecosystem, but I know there’s still a lot I don’t know.

I want to ramp up quickly and build a strong understanding of payments in a relatively short period of time.

Hey, for the sake of brevity I’m looking for a case partner that’s comfortable with casing (upper mid to advanced levels) to practice casing with, goal is to do 3-4 cases per week over the upcoming few weeks.

- ideally someone who is also interviewing for MBA level or experienced hire roles (think McKinsey Associate / EM level)
- based in the U.S. or similar time zones that can meet for 2 hrs after hours (US EST)
- serious about casing, not gonna cancel on the same day regularly (casual cancellations are expected for sure)

Please drop me a message / comment if you are interested.

Edit: not looking for an AI Helper or someone pitching his amazing tool that has prepared hundreds of candidates to ace their case interviews.

All the alternatives either look bad (like Crown Northampton) or are ridiculously expensive. I heard this line was discontinued, so I’m hoping it comes back.