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!