Bespoke Shoes

[Smiles]

Has anyone have had their own custom made last, and shoes from that handmade last?

If so, what do you think of the outcome?

Thanks in advance!

[Mojosan]

I have.

Getting things right the first time is a HUGE pain in the a**. I'd say 7 or 8 visits the first time, and then 3 visits for every pair made thereafter.

Don't use a shoemaker far from home.

But, they are great and a nice little luxury.

[Smiles]

Thank you for the quick reply.

Who did you use? Would you recommend them again?

[RVL Saratoga]

I've used GJ Cleverley and Gaziano & Girling: both excellent. Expect a LONG lastmaking process, but worth it.

I've heard that John Lobb St. James (totally different company than the better-known John Lobb -Paris) is excellent also, albeit much more traditional.

[AlfaR]

What is your interest in bespoke shoes? Is there a style you cannot find?

Unless you cannot find shoes that fit your feet I see no reason to get bespoke shoes. You can spend $2k on an off the rack John Lobb or $8k for a bespoke Lobb that is no better quality.

[RVL Saratoga]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

What is your interest in bespoke shoes? Is there a style you cannot find?

Unless you cannot find shoes that fit your feet I see no reason to get bespoke shoes. You can spend $2k on an off the rack John Lobb or $8k for a bespoke Lobb that is no better quality.

Why drive a Ferrari when a Fiat gets you there?

Seriously, i have wide feet with VERY high insteps. Very few off the rack shoes fit me well. Crockett & Jones G fitting and Allen Edmonds EE (and only in oxfords,) are the only OTR shoes that fit me well.

I feel Lobb Paris is terrible value. You can wear bespoke for their OTR prices, and they are really not dramatically superior to Edward Green, Crockett, JM Weston, Cleverley, et al at half the price.

[AlfaR]

Originally Posted by RVL Saratoga

Why drive a Ferrari when a Fiat gets you there?

Seriously, i have wide feet with VERY high insteps. Very few off the rack shoes fit me well. Crockett & Jones G fitting and Allen Edmonds EE (and only in oxfords,) are the only OTR shoes that fit me well.

I feel Lobb Paris is terrible value. You can wear bespoke for their OTR prices, and they are really not dramatically superior to Edward Green, Crockett, JM Weston, Cleverley, et al at half the price.

Who makes a bespoke shoe of similar quality to Lobb for Lobbs OTR prices (I agree that Lobbs are overpriced)? I can think of Vogel in New York but their lasts are hideous.

If you cannot find a good fitting shoe or want something unique then I am all for bespoke shoes. I have a high instep too and I have never found a JL last that fits my foot but Edward Green, Vass, and Trickers make several lasts that do.

The "who makes the best shoe" argument is silly. In my opinion JL, Edward Green, Vass, Lattanzi, Berluti, JM Weston and many others make ultra high end shoes of similar quality and really at these levels it is all about finishing. A top of the line C&J or Alden is going to hold up just as well as a shoe that costs 5 times the price.

[Smiles]

I was actually thinking about Perry Ercolino.

[RVL Saratoga]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

Who makes a bespoke shoe of similar quality to Lobb for Lobbs OTR prices (I agree that Lobbs are overpriced)? I can think of Vogel in New York but their lasts are hideous.

If you cannot find a good fitting shoe or want something unique then I am all for bespoke shoes. I have a high instep too and I have never found a JL last that fits my foot but Edward Green, Vass, and Trickers make several lasts that do.

The "who makes the best shoe" argument is silly. In my opinion JL, Edward Green, Vass, Lattanzi, Berluti, JM Weston and many others make ultra high end shoes of similar quality and really at these levels it is all about finishing. A top of the line C&J or Alden is going to hold up just as well as a shoe that costs 5 times the price.

I agree: there is no objective "best." There are lots of great shoemakers out there. I also agree that, north of $500, the returns for your money diminish geometrically. Aldens and goodyear welted Allen Edmonds (especially the cordovans,) are tremendous value for money.

My bespoke Gaziano & Girlings were around $2k, but that was around 5 years ago. Excellent shoes in every way.

[RVL Saratoga]

Originally Posted by Smiles

I was actually thinking about Perry Ercolino.

His reputation is very good, but I have never seen his work.

Edit: I just noticed you're in Pittsburgh. Ercolino is based in PA somewhere: being able to visit his workshop for fittings would eliminate much hassle.

[michael platzer]

i had several shoes custom made in Hungary. One pair is in regular use for about 20! years now and still in fair shape.

the latest i had made have been in Austria and they are even better but about three time the price.

in every case it took only one visit.

the quality in Hungary was very different from pair to pair and i had to bring the leather from Austria.

The Austrian shoes are all perfect fit and quality.

[michael platzer]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

What is your interest in bespoke shoes? Is there a style you cannot find?

Unless you cannot find shoes that fit your feet I see no reason to get bespoke shoes. You can spend $2k on an off the rack John Lobb or $8k for a bespoke Lobb that is no better quality.

$8k and even $2k are totally crazy prices for shoes!

a pair of perfect custom made shoes should not be more than $800.

[AlfaR]

Originally Posted by michael platzer

$8k and even $2k are totally crazy prices for shoes!

a pair of perfect custom made shoes should not be more than $800.

Who makes bespoke shoes for a total cost of $800?

[michael platzer]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

Who makes bespoke shoes for a total cost of $800?

if you dont need a Lobb - badge you can get very good traditional custom handmade frame-sewn shoes for that amount. i hungary its a lot less.
austrian shoes will be available for about $800,--.

[AlfaR]

Originally Posted by michael platzer

if you dont need a Lobb - badge you can get very good traditional custom handmade frame-sewn shoes for that amount. i hungary its a lot less.
austrian shoes will be available for about $800,--.

You aren't naming names. I have a pair of off the rack shoes from Vass in Budapest in they were well over $1000.

[michael platzer]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

You aren't naming names. I have a pair of off the rack shoes from Vass in Budapest in they were well over $1000.

call it "no names" but the craftmanship is all the same, all handmade, best leather, perfect custom made fit, lasting forever.

[AlfaR]

Originally Posted by michael platzer

call it "no names" but the craftmanship is all the same, all handmade, best leather, perfect custom made fit, lasting forever.

So you are saying I should just fly to Hungary and walk the streets asking for shoes? I am sorry if I am coming off rude, but your information thus far has not been that helpful. If you have no name, no phone number, no address, your information is worthless.

[michael platzer]

Originally Posted by AlfaR

So you are saying I should just fly to Hungary and walk the streets asking for shoes? I am sorry if I am coming off rude, but your information thus far has not been that helpful. If you have no name, no phone number, no address, your information is worthless.

excuse me for giving wothless information.

it was not my intention to give names and adresses but just to tell about what i have done.
i have been at two local shoemakers in hungary in a small town called Nemesker. no mail, no website, very small old shops with traditional handwork. a friend showed me the places and we went there.
the austrian shoemaker Karl Freis at the small town of Tattendorf in lower Austria was well known but unfortunately died 2 years ago. he did a lot of work for austrian celebrities and members of our government. all at the rates i named before.

[michael platzer]

bespoke Austrian shoes by Karl Freis.
just a bad cellphone-pic but you can get an idea of what we are talking about.

[Smiles]

Bump.

I'll be in the UK for Wimbledon.

Where should I shop?