Help with Designing a Vass Saddle Shoe

[Lagavulin16]

I picked three styles of Vass to order this weekend, but after doing a bunch of research and looking in my closet I decided to change direction. This would be my first pair of Vass, my rotation currently includes all EG in 888, 82 and 606 lasts and JL in the 8000 last. I was thinking about the Vass U last, but the reading that I did said that low arches, flat feet were very hard to fit, so I have decided on the Vass F last.

So, my thinking was to design a saddle shoe, an oxford saddle. I don't own a saddle and I figured that I could wear these with jeans, khakis, etc...

Here is what I came up with:

Option 1: Vass Italian Oxford, F last, Brown boxcalf Italian Polish with a brown suede saddle part, single sole

Option 2: Vass Italian Oxford, F last, Oxblood boxcalf Italian Polish with a black suede saddle part, single sole

Option 3: Vass Italian Oxford, F last, Burgundy cordovan with black cordovan saddle, double sole, tapering to a single sole.

Thoughts? Suggestions? A saddle in scotchgrain? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[voxsartoria]

Here's an oxford of mine with calf and scotch grain if you want to see them together:

- B

 

[bigbris1]

Nice Vox, I love the way Vass does the high-instep look.

 

[Montesquieu]

I prefer your option 1.

FWIW, I have very flat and narrow feet, and both their U- and F-lasts are wonderfully comfortable. My two U-last wholecuts are the most comfortable shoes I own. The F, erring on the side of extra toe room, isn't far behind.

 

[emptym]

Vox, are those on the F last?

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by emptym

Vox, are those on the F last?

Yes, F. Good eye.


- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Nice Vox, I love the way Vass does the high-instep look.

Thanks, Biggy.


- B

 

[Lagavulin16]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Here's an oxford of mine with calf and scotch grain if you want to see them together:

- B


Vox,

Those are spectacular. This is what I had in mind and I am really happy to see a picture. Beautiful shoe.

 

[Lagavulin16]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Here's an oxford of mine with calf and scotch grain if you want to see them together:

- B

Originally Posted by Montesquieu

I prefer your option 1.

FWIW, I have very flat and narrow feet, and both their U- and F-lasts are wonderfully comfortable. My two U-last wholecuts are the most comfortable shoes I own. The F, erring on the side of extra toe room, isn't far behind.

Montesquieu, you just made my decision harder. I like the U and F lasts, but I prefer the U last, I was just scared after reading about the high instep. I wear the EG 888 in a 9D and so I was prepared to get the Vass U in a 43 and the F in a 42.5, but in the end thought the U was too much of a gamble. Did you have to move up a half a size in your U lasts?

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by Lagavulin16

Vox,

Those are spectacular. This is what I had in mind and I am really happy to see a picture. Beautiful shoe.

Thank you. Good luck with your project...I hope you find it reassuring that I think the chances of it turning out poorly are about zero.


- B

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Thank you. Good luck with your project...I hope you find it reassuring that I think the chances of it turning out poorly are about zero.


- B

You're a huge Vass fan but you don't have sasquatch feet so it might help with the look, do you have anything in a colour beside brown you could post, I'm just overdosing on brown shoes due to SF. Just asking out of curiosity so no urgency here.

 

[Lagavulin16]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Thank you. Good luck with your project...I hope you find it reassuring that I think the chances of it turning out poorly are about zero.


- B

Vox, thanks. This is what I love about this forum, 15 minutes and I get such great feedback and support. So, I went from 3 shoes initially to one and I think I am now up to 2. I love your shoe. One of the three shoes that I was considering was the Slipper I on the Peter last in brown scotch grain. My thinking now is getting the Old English Italian oxford in brown scotch grain in the F last and a saddle in the U.

I am going to drive myself crazy with this, I know it.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by Fuuma

You're a huge Vass fan but you don't have sasquatch feet so it might help with the look, do you have anything in a colour beside brown you could post, I'm just overdosing on brown shoes due to SF. Just asking out of curiosity so no urgency here.

About to go to the gym, but for you Fuumey, of course I will take a few minutes longer:

1. Midnight blue

2. Oxblood

- B

 

[Johnnyb]

Vox what last is the midnight blue London on? Also is the difference in shoe trees reflecting rtw and bespoke Vass?

 

[emptym]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Yes, F. Good eye.
Not really. I'm just thinking of jumping on the Vass wagon myself, but w/ a black shell chukka, the 86. Can't decide on the last and size. Love the Alden Hampton. The Vass Peter seems a bit chunky, the F a bit too sleek, and the R too unknown. Don't want to hijack the thread, but would love some advice. PMs are good too.