• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Widening cordovan?

buddha123

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
75
Reaction score
0
I purchased a pair of wintips that are a hair tight...actually a little more than a hair (I'm normally a B/C these are a AA).

Is it worthwhile to get a cobbler to stretch these?

Does cordovan stretch at all?

Thanks.
 

jerrybrowne

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
2,929
Reaction score
646
Originally Posted by buddha123
I purchased a pair of wintips that are a hair tight...actually a little more than a hair (I'm normally a B/C these are a AA). Is it worthwhile to get a cobbler to stretch these? Does cordovan stretch at all? Thanks.
I've stretched a pair before and wasn't happy with what it did to the finish. It does work though.
 

Mexicorn

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
120
Reaction score
0
I got amazingly lucky once and found pair of alden cordovan bluchers at a thrift store. Unfortunately they were at least a half size too small.

My local cobbler took a look at them and said he could stretch them for me. They're still a little tight, but after stretching they're comfortable enough to wear for an evening without any ill effects.

Mine were pretty worn when I got them so I really didn't notice how much the stretching affected the leather. If these are a brand new pair I would probably be more wary about it then if you purchased them used.

I also seem to remember a forum member saying that alden has been known to restretch uppers onto a last of on width up (i.e. C->D) for a fee. This may just be wild speculation however.
 

bleachboy

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
1,800
Reaction score
30
I have a pair of shell longwings that are 10C (I wear a 9.5D) and they are a tiny bit tight on the pinky toe. I have a shoe stretcher that has a little brass nub thing that you can insert into any one of various holes, one of which is to stretch right in that spot. I left it in for several days and it didn't do ****. Maybe an actual cobbler would have better results, but I'm guessing that it doesn't stretch like normal leather would. So I just live with it.
 

gyalos

Senior Member
Joined
May 20, 2010
Messages
101
Reaction score
4
They stretch. A cobbler can do that. Mine (AE macneils) became wearable, from unwearable.
 

Sanguis Mortuum

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
5,024
Reaction score
141
Originally Posted by buddha123
(I'm normally a B/C these are a AA)

facepalm.gif


Stretching a tiny amount can be done. The amount you need...impossible. Sell them and in the future buy shoes that fit.
 

reidrothchild

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
948
Reaction score
463
Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum
facepalm.gif


Stretching a tiny amount can be done. The amount you need...impossible. Sell them and in the future buy shoes that fit.


+1. I ordered a pair of AE Leeds, and they were just too tight on my outside toes when I walked. They definitely stretched, but my cobbler couldn't stretch them enough to make them comfortable. If they're comfortable now, but just not perfect, you might try stretching. If they're unwearable now, just return or exchange for a different size. Cordovan is just too expensive to compromise on fit. If they're not comfortable, you'll never want to wear them. If you bought these used and can't return, you've got nothing to lose. My cobbler only charged me $5.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,159
Messages
10,578,920
Members
223,882
Latest member
anykadaimeni
Top