The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[arglist]

Nice Florian. So Resuzo helped you nail down your size.

Hi. Yes, he's also helped with the size. I had a starting point though, since the U-lasted pair I had ordered from ebay was only slightly too large. I sized down half a size from that so U-last would fit me, then another half a size because I decided on F-last. He confirmed on this and he was correct.

Florian

 

[yywwyy]

Is there a webpage explaining the different Vass lasts somewhere?

 

[Fiddler]

Hi everyone

After a most disappointing adventure with a well known Ebay seller (they have been helpful and tried hard but because of wrong size and import duties for both ways which I had to pay for I ended up without shoes but a loss of about 100 GBP) I have today received a pair of Old English Oxfords in black boxcalf on F-last, double sole and flush metal tip.

They are very very beautiful. Size is nearly perfect, a tiny bit too much room above my toes. I fear sizing down half a size would be too small.

Mr. Reszö Kuti was very helpful and quick with replies to all my stupid questions and delivery was in time quite fast. Waiting time was barely four weeks!

Very happy here. Thanks to all for the knowledge provided in this thread, helped me a lot. Wish I had found this before ordering the first time.

Florian

Congratulations...excellent news.

What were the sizes you started off with on ebay and what did you end up with...walk us through it in your Vass Oxfords man.

 

[arglist]

Congratulations...excellent news.

What were the sizes you started off with on ebay and what did you end up with...walk us through it in your Vass Oxfords man.

OK. I wear a roomy size 8E in Allen Edmonds Park Avenue, an equally roomy size 7.5F in C&J Connaught and a tight 7.5G in Church's Consul. I always thought I had a 41.5 with slightly wide forefoot.

The ebay seller diagnosed size 42 on Vass U-last, which was definitely too large. I thought, 41.5 on U-last might work but have not tried it. On F-last 41 is fine, if ever so slightly on the large side.

Hope this helps.

Florian

 

[bboysdontcryy]



OK. I wear a roomy size 8E in Allen Edmonds Park Avenue, an equally roomy size 7.5F in C&J Connaught and a tight 7.5G in Church's Consul. I always thought I had a 41.5 with slightly wide forefoot.

The ebay seller diagnosed size 42 on Vass U-last, which was definitely too large. I thought, 41.5 on U-last might work but have not tried it. On F-last 41 is fine, if ever so slightly on the large side.

Hope this helps.

Florian

So in other words, you're not really sizing up from your UK-sized shoes for the U last. You're pretty much buying your 'actual size'. Since 41.5 = UK 7.5

 

[arglist]

So in other words, you're not really sizing up from your UK-sized shoes for the U last. You're pretty much buying your 'actual size'. Since 41.5 = UK 7.5

No, not buying U-last at all. Strongly suspect that the 41.5 U-last would be snug around my heel but too tight for my rather wide forefoot. That's why I went for the F-last.

 

[bboysdontcryy]

I think they make the shoes in wider widths don't they

 

[j ingevaldsson]



Is there a webpage explaining the different Vass lasts somewhere?

On this blog you have a complete guide on how to order shoes directly from Vass in Budapest, including pictures and short descriptions of all the lasts. Only one problem though: it's written in Swedish. But with google-translate it's possible to understand most of it at least:
http://shoegazingpunktse.blogspot.se/2012/10/kopguide-vass-shoes.html

 

[Louis XIV]

Do you guys prefer the original Old English or the "II" style?
Also, can the "II" styles been had without brogueing or is this an option only for MTO?

At the moment the Old English II on the U last is the most appealing to my eye but I would not like to pay ~200€ extra only to change a small detail.

 

[Slickman]

Let me save you from the life-cycle of Vass Last Obsession and tell you to get an OEII in oxblood on the F, that's correct, F last, not the U last. However, first I would ask what do you currently have in your closet? If you need basics, I would go with that and a dark brown chelsea model like so:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/green-tea88/Vass/VassChelsea3-1.jpg

As for black, either go with an oxford or a 3-eyelet derby, either on F

History has shown that it is inevitable for you to ditch the U for the F for the simple reason that F is more elegant. P2 is also a great choice, and is my favorite last for boots and PTBs although this is another conversation altogether.

Also as a side note, some lasts tend to look better in smaller sizes, some better on larger sizes, F is one that looks good in all sizes

 

[terrorsquad]

Do you guys prefer the original Old English or the "II" style?
Also, can the "II" styles been had without brogueing or is this an option only for MTO?
At the moment the Old English II on the U last is the most appealing to my eye but I would not like to pay ~200€ extra only to change a small detail.

I personally prefer the Old English II on the F last.

MTO is Euro 420 inclusive of VAT. You can change any detail without extra cost; I did this with the group buy I organized and Vass was very accommodating provided you spell out clearly what details you want to change.

 

[Louis XIV]

However, first I would ask what do you currently have in your closet? If you need basics, I would go with that and a dark brown chelsea model like so

I own a pair of chocolat brown Alfred Sargent Kirkham chelsea boots, a pair of medium brown Lendvay & Schwarcz oxford full brogues, a pair of snuff suede Rancourt & Co. Ranger Mocs and a pair of navy Sebago Docksides.
That's about it.

I am looking for as conservative a black plain captoe oxford as possible.
It will get worn with suits for all social and professional events of highest importance in my future life.
I have looked at C&J and tried on Hallam, Connaught and Audley.
Hallam was too narrow for my liking and looked too pointy, Connaught looked fantastic but was too wide and high in the toe box for my feet.
Audley did fit very nicely but I just don't like it enough to spend 520€ on it while I can have a shoe of superior quality and looks for less money elsewhere.

Can one compare the F last to the C&J 337 in width and length?
The lacing of the 337 was only slightly opened on my feet, I would expect it to close perfectly with some stretching of the leather.
Would the F last have too great of an instep for my low/medium feet?
What's the difference between the Vass Chelsea and the OEII?

I am a UK6.5E in C&J 337 and US7.5D on the Brannock device by the way.

 

[bboysdontcryy]



Do you guys prefer the original Old English or the "II" style?
Also, can the "II" styles been had without brogueing or is this an option only for MTO?
At the moment the Old English II on the U last is the most appealing to my eye but I would not like to pay ~200€ extra only to change a small detail.

What colour is the Budapest in the middle --Burgundy? Or Oxblood?

 

[Louis XIV]

It's a picture of the first page of this thread, kolecho posted it, he should know for sure

 

[terrorsquad]

I have a feeling that's Bordeaux