JM Weston appreciation thread

[drewzter]

I'm not sure what you are saying. You said know your width, but also to measure the 180 loafer from heel to the tip of the toe? What good is that in helping you to determine what other lasts/models from other brands will fit you?

You need to know the length of your foot and the width, and if you can, the height of your arch if you have a high instep. These numbers are useful because you can send them to the company, whichever company that may be, and they can suggest lasts, size, and width that will fit your foot best. This goes for "pointy" loafers as well. In fact, it goes for all shoes. However, loafers are tricky compared to shoes with laces or buckles for obvious reasons.

This was my attempt to give a tip on how to size 180 westons based on how I did it. Everyone should know their width size beforehand. The thing to know its the outsole measurement from heel to toe. I used the most similar loafer shape I had with me and used that as a reference. Then I ask for the outsole measurement of the 180 loafer before buying. And this method can work for other lasts like mentioned.

 

[AunToni]

@lobergen made a good gesture about sharing more "uplifting" stuff. And for all I've complained about, I still very much enjoy the JMW shoes I have and their overall classic models.

This is a not so well-known pair from JMW. I don't think they make this last anymore. Need to polish the shoes, especially the edges. Haven't warn these in a while.

 

[AunToni]

Was just in Brussels and couldn't resist picking up a pair of the burgundy whole cuts from their Ultra Weston Collection. Lots of nice details, including the corduroy piping along the edges, the W toe nail pattern, mirror polish on the cap, and the matching interior leather linings and insoles.

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How have these shoes held up?
When they first came out I wanted this exact color, but after trying on the shoe the last didn't fit my foot. Anyways, just curious how these held up for you.

 

[AunToni]

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[mrcmcklwht]

180 triple sole

 

[JohnFM]

^ I've always been curious about the triple sole. Does it feel pretty different from the standard 180?

 

[mrcmcklwht]

I haven't handled the standard 180, so can't say unfortunatly..

 

[Zapasman]

A couple of family pictures to lighten up the thread a tad.

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Lovely. Enjoy them in good health!!

 

[WSW]

How have these shoes held up?
When they first came out I wanted this exact color, but after trying on the shoe the last didn't fit my foot. Anyways, just curious how these held up for you.

The soles are among the most durable I have experienced and are wearing down only slightly. The uppers have creased as expected but not heavily. The main issue is that the leather is not forgiving and it doesn't fit me too well. I was told it would stretch at the point of tightness, which for me is the toe knuckle, but it has not changed much since. The salesman even tried to initially convince me to go with a narrower last, which might have been due to his laziness to go back to the storeroom for another pair.

Also, a minor annoyance is that the shoe laces provided are too short for the number of eyelets, thus I always struggle to have enough length left over to tie the shoe.

Overall, still a beautiful shoe but in retrospect, I'd go with a wholecut from another top tier maker.

 

[AunToni]

The soles are among the most durable I have experienced and are wearing down only slightly. The uppers have creased as expected but not heavily. The main issue is that the leather is not forgiving and it doesn't fit me too well. I was told it would stretch at the point of tightness, which for me is the toe knuckle, but it has not changed much since. The salesman even tried to initially convince me to go with a narrower last, which might have been due to his laziness to go back to the storeroom for another pair.

Also, a minor annoyance is that the shoe laces provided are too short for the number of eyelets, thus I always struggle to have enough length left over to tie the shoe.

Overall, still a beautiful shoe but in retrospect, I'd go with a wholecut from another top tier maker.

Weston's leather soles tend to be extremely durable, in my experience. However, I understand what you mean about the criticism. The last didn't fit my foot well, and luckily I had a salesperson (not the NYC store) who knew me well enough to even not suggest these shoes, but I had insisted to try them on only to be disappointed. I will say, the only two wholecuts from JMW that I really appreciate are from the Flore collection (shoe in blue, which I also bought in another color) and Claridge collection ( shoe in burgundy). The pictures are from when I first bought the shoes years ago, but especially the Claridge model, it's ridiculously comfortable, however I think they stopped making that model. Anyways, both shoes "molded" to my foot nicely. The Flore can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but that might simply be my foot. Did you have a chance to try on either of these models?

Anyways, I think that the Ultra is a beautiful shoe, but I was kind of curious about how it would age. It's quite strange though that the laces are short. Do you think is is due to the shoe not fitting you properly or Weston just giving short shoe laces or both?

 

[WSW]

Weston's leather soles tend to be extremely durable, in my experience. However, I understand what you mean about the criticism. The last didn't fit my foot well, and luckily I had a salesperson (not the NYC store) who knew me well enough to even not suggest these shoes, but I had insisted to try them on only to be disappointed. I will say, the only two wholecuts from JMW that I really appreciate are from the Flore collection (shoe in blue, which I also bought in another color) and Claridge collection ( shoe in burgundy). The pictures are from when I first bought the shoes years ago, but especially the Claridge model, it's ridiculously comfortable, however I think they stopped making that model. Anyways, both shoes "molded" to my foot nicely. The Flore can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but that might simply be my foot. Did you have a chance to try on either of these models?

Anyways, I think that the Ultra is a beautiful shoe, but I was kind of curious about how it would age. It's quite strange though that the laces are short. Do you think is is due to the shoe not fitting you properly or Weston just giving short shoe laces or both?

I didn't since I fell in love at the time with the sleek and shiny Ultra. Plus the shade of burgundy was just right.

The provided shoe laces are simply too short. I can almost completely close it, but that still only leaves maybe 3 inches left to tie the knot. They probably didn't account for the increased number of eyelets, which require additional lace length compared to more traditional configurations. A bit of a disappointing oversight for a top tier maker.

 

[AunToni]

I didn't since I fell in love at the time with the sleek and shiny Ultra. Plus the shade of burgundy was just right.

The provided shoe laces are simply too short. I can almost completely close it, but that still only leaves maybe 3 inches left to tie the knot. They probably didn't account for the increased number of eyelets, which require additional lace length compared to more traditional configurations. A bit of a disappointing oversight for a top tier maker.

I completely agree with you, very disappointing.
Is there another brand(s) you tend to favor?

 

[JFWR]

Hey gentlemen, do any of you know if the JM Weston store is permanently or temporarily closed in NYC? JM Weston online says permanently, but Google and Yelp says temporarily. JM Weston's website is a bit finnicky due to the French translation, which is why I ask.

I wanted to go to the NY store in order to get fitted for their lasts and get a sense of how their shoes feel.

 

[yunBW]

Hey gentlemen, do any of you know if the JM Weston store is permanently or temporarily closed in NYC? JM Weston online says permanently, but Google and Yelp says temporarily. JM Weston's website is a bit finnicky due to the French translation, which is why I ask.

I wanted to go to the NY store in order to get fitted for their lasts and get a sense of how their shoes feel.

Permanently closed. Only way to try shoes is to order from online retailers or purchase from boutique via email

 

[WSW]

I completely agree with you, very disappointing.
Is there another brand(s) you tend to favor?

I got into Corthay last year, which while more expensive, represents an even higher level of shoemaking and also service.

I also like Edward Green and for workhorse shoes, Crockett and Jones.