David Gordon Shoes

These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do…
Wow! My experience couldn’t have been more different than the other reviewers. Yesterday I headed out in pursuit of new boots for fall. My requirements were; leather, not too much hardware, reasonably priced, not winterized, comfortable for walking 30 minutes each way to work and back and stylish enough to wear with work outfits. I started on Robson almost at Denman and walked up all the way to Winners without much luck. Some boots were nice but $ 400 and I really believed I could find something for a better price. Many stores (and there are a lot on Robson!) carry identical products — all mass produced, synthetic that look like what everyone else will be wearing this season. I found a pair at feetfirst that I put on hold. They were very comfortable and they looked good but I didn’t fall in love. The leather just felt a bit cheap. I really didn’t want the new moulded heel and sole style either. My husband came along so I suggested we pit stop for a drink and snack at Café Crêpe before hitting The Bay. Just as he was commenting that the selection for men’s shoes was really boring we passed David Gordon. As mentioned in other reviews, their window is eye-​catching and gorgeous men’s shoes twinkled at us through the window. We knew we had to stop in after some refuelling. When we made it through the doors I instantly saw the boots I’d been longing for. The beautiful black leather, Chinese Laundry, stacked wooden heel, one large elegant buckle with just a slight slouch boots pretty much jumped into my hands. As I turned them over I was pleased to see the $ 159 price tag. When I inquired about sizing not only did the clerk bring out my size but a ½ smaller as he said sometimes this brand fit big. When I put them on I didn’t want to take them off — they fit like a good cowboy boot and I knew I’d be pounding a lot of pavement in these babies!
The clerk was so knowledgeable that I had to ask how long he’d been there. Turns out he’s the owner, Duane, who became David’s (middle name Gordon’s) business partner in 1986 and then took sole ownership in 1997 (I think that’s when he said). I told him I loved how the styles in his store weren’t the same as all the other shops I’d been to. He admitted to having eclectic taste. My hubby will definitely be back for himself. There were some fabulous steals on sale for men that would rival his favourite Fluevogs.

Christine R. hit the nail on the head with this one and I happen to agree. It is almost as if they have taken all of the more attractive footwear and put it just out of reach in the display window, making for a let down once you enter the store. «Oh well», I remember thinking or «Where did those cute stilettos go?» The confusion is rampant and I inevitably end up leaving feeling a bit choked.
The shoes and boots that are in the display window are definitely lovely, unique and often fabulous with prices to match. They often have a sales rack full of last season’s cast offs where you can find good steals if they have your size. The staff are pretty complacent but that’s nothing new.

This store always has the greatest window displays. They stop my slow saunter along Granville Street and make me pant on the window, thinking «I want those, and those, and those.»
Weird then, that when I enter the actual store, it’s so disappointing. I walk in and there are just these racks in the middle of the store with all the shoes arranged by size. And either they’re different and cheaper than what drew me in, or the eye-​catching display doesn’t translate to beauty on the feet. Invariably, I leave empty-​handed.
Service is OK, but nothing terribly memorable about it stands out in my mind. Let’s just say it’s a nice store, but I don’t think I’ll shop there anymore.