Double Blake McKay Unboxing – DSW vs DTC Models ($99-$175)

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For reference, I am 6’4 usually 170lb. Typical sizes of clothing:
T-shirts: S
Long sleeve shirts/button downs: M
Dress Shirts: 15.5 x 35
Pants: 30 x 34
Dress Shoes: 12

This video is not sponsored, I am unboxing on camera because I love the brand and want to share better menswear with the world. This video probably contains affiliate links which support the channel. Have a product you would like me to review? Comment below or email info@thekavalier.net

The Kavalier is an independent review network presented by Jon Shanahan for men’s lifestyle products from online only retailers including Everlane, Beckett and Simonon, Frank and Oak, Bonobos, Five Four Club, Mizzen and Main, Trunk Club, Fashion Stork, Bombfell, threads for gents, bespoke post, Jack Erwin, Foremost Edition, Dollar Shave Club, Mack Weldon, MeUndies, Satchel and Page, Dapper Classics, Hall and Madden, Suitable, Indochino, and Gustin. Including products from companies from Casper & Leesa Mattresses, Calvin Klein, Ledbury, Burberry, Banana Republic, Charles Tyrwhitt, J Crew, Marine Layer, Stitch Fix, Barbour, Orvis, Baxter of California, and more! Suggestions for products and companies are always appreciated- Comment below

39 Comments

  1. Itsallgood Good on June 1, 2020 at 5:28 am

    Thanks so much. This unique review was very informative and helpful.

  2. sourcescience on June 1, 2020 at 5:29 am

    Christ you’re boring.

  3. kongmw on June 1, 2020 at 5:30 am

    sooooo early!

  4. Clint on June 1, 2020 at 5:30 am

    Very interesting approach. This video really does make a good point that if you do find the shoe cheaper somewhere…..look deeper because there’s probably a reason.

  5. george olivencia on June 1, 2020 at 5:34 am

    Blake McKay has shoes that are in the low 100s too.

  6. Aaron ___ on June 1, 2020 at 5:34 am

    A deep drive on two <$200 dress shoes that barely look worn?

  7. Brooks Gorden on June 1, 2020 at 5:35 am

    You should do a buyer’s guide for leather jackets.

  8. adamorama on June 1, 2020 at 5:36 am

    Thanks for the videos! I bought a pair of the Blake McKay Italian series T1i derby. There is a lot to like about these shoes. The leather seems higher quality than my Beckett Simonon in that it doesn’t crease right away and seems more substantial in general. These shoes are very comfortable to wear all day to work, and they look good with that burnished toe finish. Here are a couple of the negatives on these shoes. First, they ‘clack’ when I walk down the hall at work or on any hard surface. I sound like a girl :-). When I tried to communicate this to Blake Mckay, their customer service seems non-existant. I called the 800 number on their site and had to leave a voice mail. I tried emailing customer service but received no reply. The other negative to mention is the clacking heel seems to be wearing down quickly, especially compared to my Beckett Simonons, which I wear much more often, but the heal hardly shows any wear at all. Overall, I like the T1i even with the drawbacks, but I’m not in a hurry to buy again from Blake McKay.

  9. Thomas Margolis on June 1, 2020 at 5:39 am

    so you’ll do an ‘honest’ review of BRICKELL MENS SKIN CARE ? You purchase the products at regular price too. Not one more paid review, right?

  10. Edo on June 1, 2020 at 5:43 am

    How can we spot a good leather when we have the shoes in our hands? I mean, not always there is the description of the construction, or the type of leather. In that case, how can we do? It could be an interesting video!

  11. MassarS1 on June 1, 2020 at 5:43 am

    Please do a video where you polish a pair of shoes. 🙂

  12. Chris montgomery on June 1, 2020 at 5:44 am

    I have the DSW Blake mckay wing tips. They are ok. Not great but will work but this guy is right…..spend a little more.

  13. Augustine O on June 1, 2020 at 5:46 am

    I am always amazed by the quality of unbiased information and straight to the point approach you take in your videos. Thanks for your service.

  14. Peter Payne on June 1, 2020 at 5:47 am

    they are still ugly shoes though. If you want a lower price that’s well constructed, that means goodyear welted not blake stitched. (blake stitched is a far worse construction method than goodyear) then I would look no further than Meermin. they use a beautiful hidden channel goodyear welted construction and styling that actually has some kind of though put in to them. A load of the popular entry level shoes you have reviewed recently literally look identical to basically any bottom shelf synthetic leather £10 shoes from shozone.

  15. The Mensch on Menswear on June 1, 2020 at 5:48 am

    had a similar experience buying wolverine 100 mile boots in DSW a few years ago before i got into boots. I knew 1000 mile were supposedly good so bought them for $100 (retail said $200 from DSW) . Later on realized these were made in china also with cheap leather and a cheap insole and was utterly disappointed. Still have em, dont wear em. But you live and learn!

  16. Jonathan Louie on June 1, 2020 at 5:48 am

    What are anyone’s thoughts on To Boot New York shoes? I’ve had a pair of oxfords from them that I’ve worn well for the past 2 years, but wondering if their construction and build quality are aligned with their general price point of $300-$400.

  17. Ito Fermin on June 1, 2020 at 5:50 am

    Have always the eggs and bacon picture, please! 🙂

  18. allnovieveryday on June 1, 2020 at 5:51 am

    DSW now carries this italian made McCay for $160-200 but I’ve only seen it on the website not in the store. Can still get a good price on it with their 20-30% off coupons.
    https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/blake-mckay-alessandro-t61-oxford/446116?activeColor=213

  19. Jon Adol on June 1, 2020 at 5:52 am

    Such an adorable face

  20. Rob Oslan on June 1, 2020 at 5:52 am

    Great review! I have a few pairs of Blake McKay shoes and yes, the Italian made line is definitely of higher quality. DSW only carries a small portion of the Blake McKay shoes. However they do actually have a couple of the Made In Italy pairs, which cost less when they have their sales. As always Jon’s reviews on spot on!

  21. Martin Krasovec on June 1, 2020 at 5:55 am

    hey Jon, first off I want to say that I appreciate your videos very much. You basically sift through the brands for us, so we know what to expect when we buy things – saving us viewers tons of money. So thank you!
    I have noticed that many of the brands you review are of the lower grade, and many times brands that are meant for the younger, label oriented and social media influenced crowd. I think many of us viewers would appreciate if you would test and compare brands that are more of a mid price range, quality oriented brands with heritage, that are not yet considered luxury. For example for shoes – brands that actually make quality shoes that last for years and can be bought by an average man if he saves a bit: Carmina, Vass, Yanko, Carlos santos, Crockett and jones, Alfred Sargent, Allen edmonds, Antonio meccariello, J. Fitzpatrick, Cobbler Union etc.
    I think that featuring such brands would really take the videos to another level.
    Thank you , MK.

  22. Go Aztecs on June 1, 2020 at 5:58 am

    Great review as usual. I was wondering if you might consider comparing Alden and Allen Edmonds. They appear very similar in construction and both use Horween leather yet there is a considerable price difference. Although I love my AE’s I’ll admit there is the occasional QC issue. Otherwise, I’m curious as to what are the other distinguishing characteristics of these brands.
    Thanks again and keep up the great work. I love seeing that subscriber count growing!

  23. Jack Ross on June 1, 2020 at 6:03 am

    Ahh! That was very informative. I just would have assumed I was getting the exact same shoe but for a cheaper price.
    A+ reporting 👍

  24. Darby McKilkannoncaid on June 1, 2020 at 6:05 am

    videos like this one are why i sub to your channel, keep them coming!

  25. Kaiser Sikder on June 1, 2020 at 6:05 am

    Good reviews 👍

  26. AL on June 1, 2020 at 6:06 am

    Who makes the shirt u r wearing?

  27. DeJuan McGuire on June 1, 2020 at 6:07 am

    Thanks! I was recently looking at those same shoes at DSW. Now I better understand the difference.

  28. Michael Wisler on June 1, 2020 at 6:08 am

    I’d still get Thursday Shoes over these, but good to see there are other options

  29. Richard Pasquin on June 1, 2020 at 6:08 am

    It’s very simple if it’s made in China,it’s garbage!

  30. Parker Miller on June 1, 2020 at 6:08 am

    Not sure if you saw my comment on a previous video but toecap.com has shoes under 120 bucks that have full grain leather uppers sourced from spain but cemented construction. I think it would be interesting to see a vid on them for people with a low budget

  31. D T on June 1, 2020 at 6:09 am

    The self control is strong. I can’t open new leather shoes without jamming my nose into them.

  32. stefano giovannini on June 1, 2020 at 6:12 am

    Thank you. I bought a pair of black Oxford Blake McKay on sale ($80) for a wedding. but I also purchased a used pair of Allen Edmonds McAllister for the same price. What is your take on used shoes? The ones I got look very clean inside, little wear, just a scuff, scratch on the tip i can polish. I am thinking of returning the Blakes. After all people rent ski boots, wear bowling shoes and ice skating boots worn by many other people. I do not wear formal wear often enough to justify, and I usually wear minimalist Adidas running shoes.

  33. Ian S, S, on June 1, 2020 at 6:13 am

    The shoes look very nice with that outfit.

  34. Prime Goalkeeper Time on June 1, 2020 at 6:14 am

    Hey love your channel! I wanted to ask what your thoughts on Johnston and Murphy Italian crafted line I have quite a few pairs of them with my Allen Edmonds thanks!

  35. Alvin Prettyman on June 1, 2020 at 6:18 am

    thanks for posting

  36. Daniel Hakimi on June 1, 2020 at 6:18 am

    The sole on the cheap one might be a fake stitch, I’d imagine they’re cemented.

  37. Neil Schulman on June 1, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Love your reviews. I am looking at a chukka boot on sale on the blake mckay website that looks pretty nice and is only 59.99. Is this a dsw shoe or FTC shoe from Blake mckay?

  38. GUERREIRO ITALIANO on June 1, 2020 at 6:24 am

    Tome like !

  39. Herb Mendez on June 1, 2020 at 6:26 am

    FYI the T6i in Chestnut is currently on sale for $99

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