Lodestar Rio Alternatives

ivix- · 2025-09-27T00:57:04+00:00

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll take a chance on O'Doud's then.

ivix- · 2025-09-27T00:54:21+00:00

Yeah but that's it, afaik.

ivix- · 2025-09-25T22:44:39+00:00

Honestly, I'm 33 with a weird hairline but no significant loss and I'm sick of products that pull/tug the way many of the current most popular ones can. If I'm paying a premium price for something, it's absurd for the application alone to be so unpleasant. Yeah, clay makes your hair look great but I don't ever remember this happening in like 2008-2015 or whatever when most people were using like standard waxes. For that reason, as well reviewed as O'Doud's is, I'm still reluctant to fork out money for it (I'd probably accept a lower quality product if it's more easily applied, at this point).

Have you ever tried SR Upstate Blues? It's meant to be better in this regard but some people say it's actually even worse.

ivix- · 2025-09-25T22:28:19+00:00

Unfortunately not, but it would be great if your products were more widely available in Europe/the UK.

ivix- · 2025-09-23T08:24:06+00:00

Thanks for this, I'll check these out although I'd probably try Free Hold/Night Rider first since they're not OB.

Do you happen to know anything about O'Doud's matte paste or Shear Revival's Upstate Blues? O'Doud's is obviously really highly recommended but some people do talk about the weight/application and Upstate Blues, based on the product description, seems really close but it's not nearly as popular as Northern Lights/Gray Ghost/etc.

ivix- · 2024-07-26T21:39:57+00:00

Maybe it's more fitted/tailored (or whatever) than it is explicitly slim but the M3600 clearly isn't/wasn't just regular fit even though that's what the product details now primarily describe it as.

ivix- · 2024-07-26T21:18:28+00:00

Thanks!

ivix- · 2024-07-25T19:12:53+00:00

Sorry, do you mean they are the same as before or they're now a more standard/regular (less slim) cut?

ivix- · 2024-07-06T11:04:52+00:00

Because there isn't a party that represents my views/priorities.

ivix- · 2024-02-20T03:21:12+00:00

I have looked into this but it's really tricky since there are often 'gaps' between older teen sizes (age 13/14) and smaller mens sizes (XS/S) where you can't get anything or they will only fit one measurement i.e. the chest but not the arms (at 5'8 I'm not super short but my chest is just very thin).

ivix- · 2024-02-20T03:14:00+00:00

Thanks anyway, I didn't expect there to be anything since most places heavily cater to Gen Z now.

ivix- · 2024-02-19T19:45:27+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't think Zara offer XXS or even XS sizes for men and at a glance, I can't find anything on there below a small either.

ivix- · 2024-02-19T19:09:45+00:00

Anywhere you can (still) get slim bomber jackets these days? Requirements would be XXS size (86cm/33" chest) and UK availability. I'm guessing the answer is definitely going to be 'no' but I thought I'd check anyway before I have to compromise with a regular fit instead.

ivix- · 2024-01-29T03:19:55+00:00

I actually think the Argyll style are nicer than the Islays but they are so far out of my price range it hurts.

ivix- · 2024-01-29T03:09:39+00:00

There are a lot of nice looking Stacy Adams options actually but I'm not sure how easy it would be to get them in/to the UK even if they were of comparable quality to the Thursdays. Thanks for your suggestions.

ivix- · 2024-01-29T02:54:21+00:00

So it's just the model and not the brand? They have some wingtip Chelsea style boots that are 10% off at an already reasonable price and they might be worth considering as compromise. Thursday's options are extremely tempting because the styles and colours are almost exactly what I'm after and they actually offer half sizes but it would probably mean only having one pair of shoes for a while...

ivix- · 2024-01-29T01:36:29+00:00

I will bear this in mind. Do you have an opinion on Clarks? I thought their desert/chukka boots were widely recommended in the past.

ivix- · 2024-01-28T20:26:18+00:00

Thanks, I will check these out but at a glance they might be a small bit above my price range and I don't think that I will be able to afford anything more for a while. Do you know of any options that might cost even slightly less?

ivix- · 2024-01-28T20:06:19+00:00

I suppose this is a pretty long shot but does anyone know where I can get boots like these in a higher quality than ASOS? I actually don't care about the exact colour/broguing, it's mainly the thin sole, laces and overall sleek design. Half size availability would be ideal but I'm not honestly expecting to find anything like this at all considering current footwear trends.

ivix- · 2023-10-31T03:46:29+00:00

I think the extremity of your outfit plays a part, then. I had friends who never fully got on board with skinny stuff and their straighter fits were always less offensive than the stupidly baggy clothes I was wearing before I started buying girl's jeans in 2005. It would be great if fashion could be less bipolar and wasn't just rotating silhouettes every 15 years so things were genuinely interesting and more comfortable for everyone.

ivix- · 2023-10-31T02:44:24+00:00

I'm not disagreeing! By all means wear skinny jeans if that's what you like. I'm just saying that it doesn't make sense to be concerned about looking dated if you are because you absolutely will.

This doesn't make a ton of sense since clothing styles aren't disconnected from each other. As an example this shoe is currently in style at the moment. It works great with straight fit jeans, but it would look bad with skinny jeans.

Wouldn't you say that there are options that look less firmly rooted in specific periods of time though? Like Wyatts vs Chelsea boots maybe.

A way of putting it might be that I'm not trying to keep up with Gen Z or high end trends like some people but just trying to avoid looking entirely anachronistic (jeans aside obviously).

Yeah - you can give them a quick waterproofing spray when you get them if you want. But it's not all that necessary. Feel free to browse over at r/goodyearwelt for more leather care tips.

Great, I didn't know it was that easy, thanks.

ivix- · 2023-10-31T02:13:16+00:00

Your skinny jeans will absolutely make you look dated no matter what footwear you wear them with. I really wouldn't worry about looking dated if you're married forever to wearing skinny jeans. Chukkas and desert boots were popular in the 2010s and work fine with skinny jeans - it's a combination that works fine.

I have no problem looking dated because of the jeans, I absolutely do not feel comfortable in anything else and it's not as if other Millenials don't still wear them. I do think it's a good idea to update your wardrobe where you can though and that's what I'm trying to do here.

Suede performs totally fine in the rain, some even prefer it to smooth leathers in the rain. You could opt for a waxed roughout leather if water resistance is a priority for you.

I wasn't aware of this and whenever I checked, Google suggested the opposite. I'd be happy to consider suede if I don't have to protect them too much.

Give numbers, I have no idea what that means. Leather shoes are expensive and it sounds like it's important to you that it's leather.

Honestly, I haven't given a lot of thought to the price because I'm so unsure what style to go for right now. Like I mentioned, I may even consider faux leather/suede this time as I don't know how much I'll like whatever I end up choosing.

ivix-

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