I love Robert Graham clothes! I have numerous shirts, and always get so many compliments!

(FYI – Robert Graham represents the American Eclectic lifestyle brand-where craftsmanship, luxury and style intertwine. As a true design house since 2001, we’ve been inspiring fashion by developing unique garment-making techniques and complex textile patterns. Our creative seasonal collections encompass: men’s sportswear, premium denim, footwear, outerwear, loungewear, accessories, and women’s sportswear. With eye-catching mixed fabrics, one-of-a-kind trims and stunning embroideries, Robert Graham embodies luxury at its finest. Each product is unique, character-filled and distinctly Robert Graham–with “knowledge, wisdom, truth” embedded in each garment. CHEERS TO LIVING LIFE COLORFULLY!)

I had never seen Robert Graham shoes before. In late June 2019, I was in NYC at Century 21, and they had some of these colorful summery shoes marked down to $100. How could I refuse! Very eye-catching! Very comfortable. They looked worth $100. I would never pay the $200+ asking price.

I work for a luxury retailer in Chicago. I thought these would be a great addition to my black wardrobe. I keep my dress shoes in my locker at work and they never touch pavement. Only the marble floors of the store.

EVERYONE loved these shoes! So many compliments! I did not wear them right away. However, once I did start wearing them, after about 10-12 days of use, I noticed the “image” started cracking. It’s almost like a film is stretched over the leather perhaps? The leather seems fine, but the print is cracking.

See below….

(On the last big photo, the flash hit the shoe – sorry – but you get the idea)

When I looked online, EVERYONE has these shoes discounted to about $100. Maybe RG knew were defective? or they just did not sell? I emailed Robert Graham US, and they said very little about the shoe, no explanation, except that I should return it to the point of purchase. Which was in New York City. I live in Chicago.

I called Century 21, they will not take anything back if it has been worn. For manufacturer problems, they said contact Robert Graham!

RG said, “unfortunately we cannot issue an exchange since the item was purchased from a third party retailer. Merchandise purchased from other retailers, department stores or specialty stores must be returned or exchanged to the store from which it was originally purchased, and is subject to the return policy of the originating retailer.” And RG offered me a $25 gift card! Nothing on their site is $25!

Basically RG does not stand behind the items they manufacture. Why wouldn’t they take it back? It has nothing to do with the store – the item is defective!

I see on some websites, (Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom, etc) the shoes are listed as Printed Leather “Driver”. Also sometimes listed as Print Moccasins. To my eye, it is not really “printed leather”. As I said, it appears to be a film stretched over or onto the leather. The leather is not cracking – just the image/film.

I do not have my original box – I am not sure how the shoes were described. But, – definition of driving shoes – Though driving shoes can be worn for an evening out on the town, but if that evening consists an extended walk around the city, consider an alternative. This shoe is ultimately made for hanging out, short walks, and of course, driving. They can wear down more quickly since they’re not made for strenuous use. – I wish I had known that. I am on my feet 8 hours a day, on marble. Looking at them, the rubber pieces on the sole make them look durable. So I assumed I could wear them at work. Indoors.

Driving shoes are basically like slippers. Light wear.

Either way, I wore my shoes 80-90 hours and the damage started. You might wear them a few hours here or there, but you can not stop the damage. Driving shoes or not. The movement of your foot will eventually crack the image.

So buyer beware.

I bought some permanent felt tip markers this week and may just color them!