The Bespoke Shoes Thread

[The Chai]

Cross post from black tie thread.

Dispensing with sf black tie orthodoxies for a while, if I were to bespeak a shoe which could be included in my black tie rotation in a black crocodile leather what would be the best design? I am tossing between a whole cut bootie, b and l sagan styled loafers, venetian slippers with a chisel toe or a sleek chelsea...

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Croc and black tie should never go together. Not sure I'd ever go for boots either.

 

[The Chai]

Croc and black tie should never go together. Not sure I'd ever go for boots either.

Historically they made sleek chelsea boots for black tie. Some of them even had a bow! I have alot of shoes for black tie so I thought I'd try something out of the ordinary...

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I would do opera pumps with a bow. It's out of the ordinary, but still somewhat more classic in my mind,.

 

[The Chai]

I would do opera pumps with a bow. It's out of the ordinary, but still somewhat more classic in my mind,.

I have three opera pumps, three venetian dancing slippers, one formal oxfords and one formal wholecuts...which is why I'm branching into something different

 

[kg13]

Was there an extra upcharge for the three trial shoes?

No upcharge. Just paid for shipping

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I have three opera pumps, three venetian dancing slippers, one formal oxfords and one formal wholecuts...which is why I'm branching into something different

Sounds like you need a completely new hobby!

 

[The Chai]

Sounds like you need a completely new hobby!

I do...because clothing and footwear is an expensive one!

 

[dieworkwear]

Also not into the idea of croc shoes with black tie.

If you already have the shoes you need, I would just move to a different part of your wardrobe (e.g. casualwear), rather than innovate on CM.

 

[shackletonian]

it make me think that maybe they do outsource some of the last making,
hence the poor fit.
Like you once say,
you know men who got measured by Cleverley last maker and still got bad fit.
Maybe they got busy and outsourced?
Cleverley have the skill to do good fit,
so something not right.

I haven't posted in a while because, frankly, I have very few updates. I attempted to return my pair of GC alligator oxfords earlier this year when they visited on a trunk show, but GC just sent them back via FedEx. I had also returned the reindeer leather loafers earlier this year as well and GC still has them. GC told me that they need to remeasure my feet because something is not right with the fit, which is fair. The alligator oxfords probably need to be heavily redone as well.

The pandemic has made fixing the issues a challenge because of the need to remeasure me and remake at least one pair of my shoes. Making the issue more challenging is that GC keeps sending GG Jr, who is not suited to measuring - and, honestly, I'd rather not deal with him. GC have said that they couldn't send Adam Law to the US because of visa issues even as others from the UK (and those without US passports) have done trunk shows.

So, all told, it's about $15k for one pair that's still sitting in a box here - waiting for an opportunity to have a proper last-maker check the fit, and another pair that's still back in the UK. Even if I wind up with two pairs of shoes that fit -- and who knows how long it may take to get them -- the experience has been woeful. The leather on the alligator shoes is better than it was when they first gave it to me, but it's still less than the quality of RTW that I can see walking through a Neiman Marcus store. The experience was also a total bust.

I'm excited for my pair of Templeman shoes, at least, and have confidence that the experience is going to be great!

 

[clee1982]

Well at least ending on a happier note!

 

[Texasmade]

Sorry to hear that about your GC’s. I’m sure the NT’s will turn out great though

 

[dieworkwear]

I haven't posted in a while because, frankly, I have very few updates. I attempted to return my pair of GC alligator oxfords earlier this year when they visited on a trunk show, but GC just sent them back via FedEx. I had also returned the reindeer leather loafers earlier this year as well and GC still has them. GC told me that they need to remeasure my feet because something is not right with the fit, which is fair. The alligator oxfords probably need to be heavily redone as well.

The pandemic has made fixing the issues a challenge because of the need to remeasure me and remake at least one pair of my shoes. Making the issue more challenging is that GC keeps sending GG Jr, who is not suited to measuring - and, honestly, I'd rather not deal with him. GC have said that they couldn't send Adam Law to the US because of visa issues even as others from the UK (and those without US passports) have done trunk shows.

So, all told, it's about $15k for one pair that's still sitting in a box here - waiting for an opportunity to have a proper last-maker check the fit, and another pair that's still back in the UK. Even if I wind up with two pairs of shoes that fit -- and who knows how long it may take to get them -- the experience has been woeful. The leather on the alligator shoes is better than it was when they first gave it to me, but it's still less than the quality of RTW that I can see walking through a Neiman Marcus store. The experience was also a total bust.

I'm excited for my pair of Templeman shoes, at least, and have confidence that the experience is going to be great!

That's really a shame and it sounds like a terribly frustrating experience. I hope they make things right for you in the end. The amount of money you put down is considerable.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

It looks like getting screwed on a pair of bespoke shoes is just a right of passage unfortunately. I love working with Nick.

 

[masugu]

Looks like a recent video interview on Kirby Allison's channel with Nicholas was posted today:




I enjoyed meeting with Nicholas last month. An extremely personable guy. I am very much looking forward to my first pair I have commissioned him to make for me.