The Art of Making and Fitting quality Footwear

[ManofKent]

A fascinating read - thank you.

 

[oscarthewild]

Would someone have a version of original article with all the images. Many of them are no longer visible.

Thanks

-

 

[navysuede]

Wonderful contribution

 

[CR78]

Wow. This seems like a good starting place in my journey to become more informed about shoes. Thank you very much for taking the time to make this post.

 

[andreyb2]

Gentlemen,

Unfortunately, some of the pictures posted by Tutee are not visible anymore -- due to well-known imageshack hosting issues.

If some of you happen to have them saved (especially ones from "The Art of Selling quality Shoes" section), I would appreciate if you'll share them with me.

Andrey

 

[Parker]

What I find fascinating is how this detailed fitting practice was not for some really high-end, unattainable product, but for something accessible to the average Joe.

RTW shoe manufacturers must have had to produce models with many different lasts and in lots of widths in order to achieve good fits on so many customers.

Thanks for posting, tutee.

 

[Dewey]

5. After measuring the feet, the salesman should analyze them for type, there are three basic types of feet with respect to shape, each require-differently shaped last for exact fit. The first type of foot, illustrated at the left, is that which flares to the outside, with about three-fifths of the foot to the outside of an imaginary line drawn through its center. The second type, center, is a straight foot with an equal portion of the foot on each side of the imaginary line. The third type, right, flares to the inside with about three-fifths of the foot to the inside of an imaginary line drawn through its center.

This part -- is this another way of saying that some people need more toe room than others? E.g., Alden Aberdeen = foot that "flares" to the inside, Alden Snap = foot that "flares" to the outside?

 

[philosophe]

Originally Posted by Parker

What I find fascinating is how this detailed fitting practice was not for some really high-end, unattainable product, but for something accessible to the average Joe. RTW shoe manufacturers must have had to produce models with many different lasts and in lots of widths in order to achieve good fits on so many customers. Thanks for posting, tutee.
I recently bought some Aldens at Moulded Shoe in NYC. I told Rafael my usual size, he looked at my feet, and returned from the stockroom with four specialty pairs, all of which basically fit and two of which felt like they were custom made. Once a upon a time, it seems, shoes were made to fit feet. Fortunately Rafael, Maurice & Ron are keeping up the tradition. I have never had such comfortable shoes in my life. Tutee, thanks for the great post.

 

[stylesmurf]

Thanks for the great post.

 

[Mild Mannered]

Excellent post Tutee! Thank you for the information and the time and effort you put into this. I love seeing vintage photos too. Delicious!

 

[vitaminc]

Bookmarked for future references.

Digesting this could be hard.

 

[comrade]

Originally Posted by RJman

I like how Vespasian taxed urine used for that purpose... which is why public urinals were called vespasiennes in France for centuries.

Since this thread has evolved into something of a Pissing Match, I
recommend the following satirical exploration of the fiscal aspects
of urine:

Urinetown:The Musical

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinetown

 

[comrade]

This guide came from Florsheim, once a respected US manufacturer
of high quality men's footwear. The family-owned company was sold in the
50s but continued to produce better shoes for decades. I went to
college with a scion of the family. Needless to say, he went into
investment banking.

 

[Marcellionheart]

Bump for awesomeness not seen in a while.

 

[GBear]

Bump for awesomeness.