Buying bespoke or made to measure shoes

From time ot time the mtm or bespoke shoes by Church, C&J, Lauren  etc show up on Ebay.  Some are new in box and some are used, naturally. More than once I have started to bid on them but ended up abstaining.

  Naturally the only time I was going to take a chance regardless fit  due to the 42.00 end price I got killed by not being logged in and a little "prime time" lag at log in screen.  So much for waiting until the final 10 seconds to bid.

My question is,  has anyone  ever had a problem with fit do to the shoe being  "custom" please?

That is -  if one wears a 10 d or a 10 n .. as long as the shoe is basically a size 10 D ( or size 10 N ) will it usually fit? I have seen more than once for example a size 10 d with a B heel etc. Has this caused you who have bought shoes of this type problems?  Also, will shoes of this type have the arch more cutomized to the wearer?

 I can recall wearing my cousin's shoes years ago when we unexpectedly went out with some ladies. He has an unaturally high arch and they were MOST uncomfortasble to me. I still remember the ache the next day even with still being half intoxicated. It was like a constant cramp or walking on nails.

I just wonder how many times I have passed on an exceedingly fine pair of shoes due to being over cautious.

 Seeing all my cousin suffered through with his foot problems and the resulting ADDITIONAL damage from it being in the 60s and 70's  when a lot wasn't known about the effects of improperly fitted shoes on a growing boy/ young man, I do not want to possibly suffer long term effects  either. I know it is to the extreme but he has went through 3  foot surgerys since our early adult hood. He has been told by more than one doctor ,in part, this was due to not having properly fitting shoes that compounded his problems.

 I do not go through life looking at worst case scenarios but after growing up around a situation like this one DOES think twice.

Anyones input will be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
  John

Whine and cheese section-


   I DO admit sometimes I feel like the kid with the Red Ball sneakers on the basketball court with all the guys wearing Air Jordans.

 And to think Allen Edmonds are the just "so-so's" of the forum.

<warm smile> Seriously I appretiate it. It is always a rush to see someone else get a "new baby".  And, in part, get to share the excitement with them via pictures and text. It also lets us learn what next to strive for.

Thanks to this forum  even moreso than Mr. Andy's forums , over the last 12-14 months since I first started posting ( and managing to loose loggin name and which email address I used... ), I have learned that with smart shopping the bespoke suit and shoes CAN be obtainable without major sacrifices or the legendary "charge it now and worry about paying later".

Neither Church, Crockett & Jones or Ralph Lauren make bespoke shoes. Bespoke shoes are made for a particular customer, so they have no size markings; they just fit Mr X to perfection.

Whether your feet correspond to Mr X's feet, you will not know without trying them on. Mr X might have had some weird shaped feet, the left foot might have been two sizes larger then the right on, or the shoemaker has made provisions to accommodate his hammer toes, or they are extremely narrow or...or...or.

If you get ready to wear shoes of a manufacturer you know well, you will deal with a number of variables you can judge. At least the left and the right shoes will be of the same size.

I should have clarified that the shoes are what many sellers "advertize" as bespoke, which I assume actually mean custom.

For example the "bespoke purple label shoes" ( if I recall) that was recentally on Ebay. I know many refer to Bench made with custom fitted shoe trees also ( the edward greene purple label shoes)

From what was stated it sounded more like a made to measure shoe. Of course I ahve also seen someone sell "Oxxford suits made in England" too.

What does "custom grade shoe" refer to please? ( as in item # 5330583199 )

These are teh type of shoes I incorrectly referred to sir.

In part I will admit I have much to learn in regards to the quiality shoes. I think that may be my biggest drawback.

Thank you so much .

Respectfully,

John

...

I should have clarified that the shoes are what many sellers "advertize" as bespoke, which I assume actually mean custom.

Click to expand...

Ebay selles consistently use the term "bespoke" or "bespoke quality" to refer ready to wear shoes that have not been customized in any way for the customer. There are a few exceptions where a seller may have obtained a bespoke pair of Lobbs (or some other bespoke maker) from an estate sale, or from an order that was unclaimed by the customer.

For example the "bespoke purple label shoes" ( if I recall) that was recentally on Ebay. I know many refer to Bench made with custom fitted shoe trees also ( the edward greene purple label shoes)

Click to expand...

These are clearly an example of high-qulailty RTW shoes being passed of as bespoke in a mistaken attempt to elevate its status.

What does "custom grade shoe" refer to please? ( as in item # 5330583199 )

Click to expand...

"Custom Grade" is one of Church's lines of ready-to-wear shoes. The name implies a method of construction, not a level of customization for a particular customer. Others are better qualified to speak to the construction details that qualify for "Custom Grade"

Hope this helps.