Question about boots on bluefly

Does anyone know who these Polo chukka boots on bluefly are made by? If you zoom in, you can see "Bench made in England" stamped in the heel.

This has, I believe, been discussed in an earlier thread. If I recall correctly, they are made by C&J and should be quite nice. I have been thinking about a pair myself, but am 'overbooted' at the moment...

Thanks, Duveen - the boots do look very much like the C&J Chepstow, but the description on bluefly says theirs are "Crafted from fine cordovan leather in polished dark brown", where the C&J site only lists the Chepstow as available in Cavalry Calf or Country Grain leathers (and in fact, doesn't list any of their shoes as available in cordovan); could it be that Ralph Lauren had the Cheptow made of cordovan to market as his "Mccallum Chukka"?

Thanks, Duveen - the boots do look very much like the C&J Chepstow, but the description on bluefly says theirs are "Crafted from fine cordovan leather in polished dark brown", where the C&J site only lists the Chepstow as available in Cavalry Calf or Country Grain leathers (and in fact, doesn't list any of their shoes as available in cordovan); could it be that Ralph Lauren had the Cheptow made of cordovan to market as his "Mccallum Chukka"?

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Yup, they're made by Crockett & Jones. Crockett & Jones can make up any model in any leather the customer wants. If Ralph wants shell cordovan for the chukka boots, C&J will give him shell cordovan (for a price, of course).

Thanks, jcusey, I appreciate the response. These are getting to be a more likely purchase...

One more question (for anyone that can answer): If I take a size 9E in Alden's "Barrie" last (which I do; I recently bought a pair of their saddle oxfords in shell cordovan) and a 9 1/2E in Alden's "Hampton" last (in calf; apparently I'd want a "D" width in cordovan), what size would you recommend I order in these? (From what I've read here and elsewhere on the correspondence between English and American sizing, I'd guess a 9, but perhaps someone here knows better...)

One more question (for anyone that can answer): If I take a size 9E in Alden's "Barrie" last (which I do; I recently bought a pair of their saddle oxfords in shell cordovan) and a 9 1/2E in Alden's "Hampton" last (in calf; apparently I'd want a "D" width in cordovan), what size would you recommend I order in these? (From what I've read here and elsewhere on the correspondence between English and American sizing, I'd guess a 9, but perhaps someone here knows better...)

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I honestly don't know. It's unclear to me whether the Polo shoes are sized with English or American sizes. Additionally, although I have no experience with this particular last (325), I believe that others have posted that it runs large. I'd accept that it might be the wrong size and order the 9.

The RL "McCallum" (aka Chepstow), is sized for US market. Although the 325 last is a bit generous, I'm still happy with the fit in my US standard 7.5 D ( I wouldn't want them a 1/2 size smaller).

It's a good looking shoe, albeit a bit on the chunky side; I wouldn't recommend wearing them with slim fitting pants, but with boot-cut jeans, and generous fitting dress pants they are great.

JL, do they fit a bit wide, though? Can you wear dress socks with them, or would you need to wear thicker cotton crews, like the ones with polo ponies on them?

Good choice in shoes. I just ordered the exact pair (size 9) a couple days ago. If you're concerned about the size and you're willing to wait, I can measure them when they arrive. I don't know RL/C&J sizings, so I'm concerned about whether they'll fit or not, but I just went ahead and ordered what I normally take.

The one pair I own of Polo RL 'benchmade in Britain' shoes are marked with a US size. It's only the RLPL shoes that are marked English size/US size, I think.

Bluefly give US customers a free return label, though, right?

Thanks for all the replies; I really appreciate them. I was called out of town suddenly right after posting this yesterday, and now that I'm back, I went to bluefly to order the boots and the 'MISSEDYOU593' promo code has expired. DRAT. I thought these were a no-brainer at $237 (especially after some of your replies to this thread), but I'm balking at $279.

(Edit 19 July 04) But then johnnynorman came through with the code 'MISSEDYOU557' and I went ahead and ordered them tonight.