C&J Newbie: Help a fella out....

[KtownGreg]

I've seen a few posts re: Crockett and Jones shoes on this site. I usually wear a 7.5med shoe and want to try a few pairs. Can anyone suggest the "go-to" last? Where is a good place to start? I've seen many great shoes posted and these have me intrigued. I've previously been a ferragamo addict but now feel a pull. Any suggestions in sizing and styling would be welcome. How about a few pix? Thanks in advance.

 

[johnny_flapjack]

Go to plal.com - they are one of the best sources for C&J shoes at a discount. Also look at the shoeporn thread as there are MANY pics that people have posted there.

As far as last, that varies based on model. The handgrade shoes are on the 337 last, whereas many of the benchgrade shoes of similar style are on the 348 last. Those are both more elongated and chiseled. I really like the 337 last. The 236 and 341 lasts are both more rounded and traditional in shape.

I'd start with the shoe Appreciation thread and the what are you wearing thread to get some ideas and go from there.

 

[acidboy]

There is no "go to" last. Sure the 337 last is awesome in my opinion, but it all boils down to whether you like it or not. Some people do not like the 337's elongated last, while some even think its not elongated enough. Better you browse through their catalog or their website and see what you fancy.

 

[Brian278]

If C&J has a "go-to" last, and that's what you're asking, it's the 337. It probably has the most fans of any of them, as it sits between their more rounded-toe offerings and the more elongated, more chisel-toed 348.

 

[potter AB]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

Sure the 337 last is awesome in my opinion, but it all boils down to whether you like it or not.

IMHO it all boils down to whether it fits you or not.
You cannot make any predictions if you have not had the shoes on your feet, since our feet differ not only in length, but also in heigth and width.

The lasts that C&J uses are quite different.
E.g. I just thought that 9.5 E would fit me well in all lasts, but in the long term the 337 and 348 hurt at the little toe 'cause they are a little too narrow for my feet - a cobbler stretched the leather. The wider 9 F would be better for me in these lasts, although my feet officially are within the "E"- range. No problem at all though with the 341 or especially the wide 325 last.

Therefore I would advise that you buy your first pair of C&J in a store. Here you get advice and feel if the shoes fit you. Otherwise it'll be a little game of roulette

 

[sf_esq]

I also wear a 7.5 D (sometimes an 8D in some American brands). I am about to order my first C & J as well. It seems that the consenus was that the 348 last may be slightly better for a narrower foot than the 337. I also read on the plal.com forum that the 348 sizing is a quarter size smaller than the 337. So the consensus was that I should order a 7 E UK in the 348 and either a 6.5 or 7 E UK in the 337. It's a crapshoot, unfortunately. I'm just going to order a pair and see how they fit. If I need to exchange them, Plal will pay for the reshipping (I would pay for the return), so effectively, it's a split on the cost to exchange. But, if they fit well, then I can order more. I'm looking at the Hallam in Beechnut and the Lowndes in black. I also like the Clifford handgrade a lot. All beautiful shoes.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

My size 10 Peal wholecuts on the 318 last arrived five minutes ago via Fed-Ex. I don't think I've ever had a pair of shoes fit this well out of the box.

After I ordered the Peals, my order disappeared from the BB website so I bought a pair of AE Manhattans (that I love). I was planning on returning the Peals if they ever shipped but now I'm not so sure... Damn!!