Quality Spectator Shoes?

[JFWR]

Dear everyone,

Does anyone know of any good brands that have spectator shoes in sizes suitable for a gentleman with wide feet (EEE sized)? I am looking for quality calfskin, goodyear welting, etc., and all I've found so far is bad quality stuff online. I'd like to try sporting the spectator shoe, and outside of trying to find it vintage, it seems I'm running into a brick wall here.

I know some brands like Allen Edmonds -used- to make them, but they definitely aren't now.

Anyone got any leads for me?

Thanks.

 

[Chowkin]

No idea about the quality though:

https://www.cobbler-union.com/collections/the-collection/products/spectator-brown-white-louvre

 

[madhat]

I understand your pain on needing wide. Yenni recently did a run of these

"Duet" Navy & Milkshake Suede Two Tone Long Wing Blucher — Brick + Mortar

See our Fit/Size guide Item Order Guide No: #LS0073 Order Inquiry Form Pre-Order Inquiry Form Barrie Last 360 Pre-Stitched Reverse Welt Natural Welt and Sole Edge Double Waterloc Outsoles 5 Blind Eyelets Toe/Long Wing - Navy Suede Vamp - Milkshake Suede Eyestay/C

www.brickmortarseattle.com

Mack did this one:

Alden x Brogue Spectator Shoe

Features:-Hampton Last-Snuff Suede/Brown Alpine Grain-Antique Edge-270 Degree Flat Welt-Single Leather Sole This is the shoe for swing dance !! Very vintage style and very elegant with your classic suit. Sizing: If you're 9D in Barrie, take 9E in these Hampton. Please read before you place...

www.brogueshop.com

That said, you'd have to wait for the next preorder to get in on a wide size as these are special runs. If you have never bought Alden before, it would be best if you know your Brannock or sizing in other brands because special orders (non-stock sizes like EEE) are not returnable for shop styles like this.
Depending on your size, there are on occasion NOS and lightly pairs of classic AE/Alden/Florsheim/Hanover/etc that pop up on ebay, etc. Worth checking the classifieds as well; a lot of collectors don't end up wearing their spectators much and pass them on with only a few wears. Also, you could dye or have them dyed after the fact.

 

[Andy57]

Cobbler Union quality is okay for a budget price shoe. I have a black cap toe from them and I haven't worn them sufficiently to properly break them in. As is the case with many lower-priced shoes, the leather is fairly stiff. If you are going to walk very far in CU, they're gonna hurt.

I very much doubt that you'll find EEE shoes off-the-shelf. Both Edward Green and Crockett & Jones have very nice tan & ivory spectator models. I do know that the Edward Green model is on their 82 last, which is not a wide last. You could probably have them make you a pair on the 202 last, which is wider, and in a wider fitting. Obviously that will be a surcharge on top of the retail price.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

There’s always a made to order option as well, assuming you want to drop that kind of coin.

 

[Encathol Epistemia]

I sympathize deeply with this inquiry, because I wear a 9EEE and have wanted a pair of spectators for years, but been thwarted by my stupid barge feet.

So, I have nothing to add, but I'll be watching hopefully for any hints of prospects..

 

[Phileas Fogg]

AE made one call the Broadstreet and it was actually a pretty handsome shoe. If I recall, it was chestnut and ivory. I should have snatched up a pair when they were on sale. Oh well.

 

[circumspice]

Does Ben Silver stock wides? They pretty regularly stock C&J spectators

 

[madhat]

AE made one call the Broadstreet and it was actually a pretty handsome shoe. If I recall, it was chestnut and ivory. I should have snatched up a pair when they were on sale. Oh well.

The broadstreet was available in several colorways (walnut/bone, black or brown and white, and brown/black). Strawfoots were linen specs. There's also the early 90s Olympians and a few years ago the March Madness webgems (pic your color spectators). If he's ok with navy and white or red and green, the 1776 (in summer) and Jingle Bell Mok (in fall/winter) are seasonal offerings I expect to return.
Lots of options to watch for second hand. May even be a few on the shoe bank depending on his size.
If weaves are spectator enough, AE does have these

Strand Weave Cap-Toe Oxford | Men's Dress | Allen Edmonds

Shop Allen Edmonds Dress and Shoes. Footwear, apparel, & leather goods like the Strand Weave Cap-Toe Oxford in Walnut Brown and more!

www.allenedmonds.com

 

[JFWR]

Gentlemen, you have been remarkably helpful.

No idea about the quality though:

https://www.cobbler-union.com/collections/the-collection/products/spectator-brown-white-louvre

Sadly, I did see CU, but my feet are too wide for any regular sizes. I literally can not jam my foot into a normal width shoe and expect comfort.

 

[JFWR]

I understand your pain on needing wide. Yenni recently did a run of these

"Duet" Navy & Milkshake Suede Two Tone Long Wing Blucher — Brick + Mortar

See our Fit/Size guide Item Order Guide No: #LS0073 Order Inquiry Form Pre-Order Inquiry Form Barrie Last 360 Pre-Stitched Reverse Welt Natural Welt and Sole Edge Double Waterloc Outsoles 5 Blind Eyelets Toe/Long Wing - Navy Suede Vamp - Milkshake Suede Eyestay/C

www.brickmortarseattle.com

Mack did this one:

Alden x Brogue Spectator Shoe

Features:-Hampton Last-Snuff Suede/Brown Alpine Grain-Antique Edge-270 Degree Flat Welt-Single Leather Sole This is the shoe for swing dance !! Very vintage style and very elegant with your classic suit. Sizing: If you're 9D in Barrie, take 9E in these Hampton. Please read before you place...

www.brogueshop.com

That said, you'd have to wait for the next preorder to get in on a wide size as these are special runs. If you have never bought Alden before, it would be best if you know your Brannock or sizing in other brands because special orders (non-stock sizes like EEE) are not returnable for shop styles like this.
Depending on your size, there are on occasion NOS and lightly pairs of classic AE/Alden/Florsheim/Hanover/etc that pop up on ebay, etc. Worth checking the classifieds as well; a lot of collectors don't end up wearing their spectators much and pass them on with only a few wears. Also, you could dye or have them dyed after the fact.

Thank you so much, friend!

I have one pair of vintage Aldens that fit me very well. They're cordovan, though, which tend to fit me better than calfskin right off the bat. Thus I managed to squeeze into an 11.5 E for them, but cordovan shoes always tend to fit nice on me, so I wasn't as concerned.

I need -minimal- E depending on last, and in almost all lasts, EEE.

I'll hopefully find some nice vintage picks. I'd have no problem buying Floersheim or Hanover or AE or whatever. I have several pairs of vintage shoes, especially Hanovers LB Sheppherd cordovans, but I love.

 

[JFWR]

It looks like I am going to have to wait for the spectator shoes to come back in stock next year at Allen Edmonds if the CU people can't size me nicely. I'll try the CU folks, as Hugo Jacomet speaks so highly of them, but I need to be sure that I could get something that'd suit my wide feet, as it would be a complete waste to purchase and then be in terrible pain, and given how stiff their leather is notorious for being, I doubt I could stretch it out.

 

[madhat]

Thank you so much, friend!

I have one pair of vintage Aldens that fit me very well. They're cordovan, though, which tend to fit me better than calfskin right off the bat. Thus I managed to squeeze into an 11.5 E for them, but cordovan shoes always tend to fit nice on me, so I wasn't as concerned.

I need -minimal- E depending on last, and in almost all lasts, EEE.

I'll hopefully find some nice vintage picks. I'd have no problem buying Floersheim or Hanover or AE or whatever. I have several pairs of vintage shoes, especially Hanovers LB Sheppherd cordovans, but I love.

Dang! Knowing your size, if I were unloading any spectators I'd be messaging you...I wear 11 to 11.5 in EE or EEE deepening on lasts.

 

[JFWR]

Dang! Knowing your size, if I were unloading any spectators I'd be messaging you...I wear 11 to 11.5 in EE or EEE deepening on lasts.

Thanks friend! If you ever find some, tell me. I'm also occasionally in the market for various styles of shoes, so keep me in mind. I don't always bite, but I will definitely take a serious look.

I tend to buy vintage cordovan shoes because they tend to be in better condition owing to the resiliency of cordovan leather; however, I'd be also willing to buy calfskin if the condition is good. I don't generally buy beat up pairs.

 

[Chowkin]

Another option is to order a pair of customised shoes at Carmina:

https://www.carminashoemaker.com/wingtip-oxfords-80423

Their Rain and Forest lasts are available in EEE width.

They have promotions from time to time waiving the single MTO fee.