Bespoke Leather Shoes

When you think of handmade, traditional shoes, you probably are not thinking about digital scanners and hi-tech equipment. The reason was, when traditional bespoke shoemaking started, there were no scanners, and everything was done entirely by hand. A pair of conventional bespoke shoes have been compared with Cinderella’s glass slippers. If you have seen the film in any of its variations, you know that her shoes were made just for her. With a pair of shoes like this, your footwear will be unique to you and tailored specifically to your foot alone. They are never going to be too big or small. As they have been fitted personally to you, you will find that your foot is in the best comfort possible as the shoes were created with the talented skills of true artisans that have been adopting these methods throughout their entire lives. Many companies, such as Poyter, still use traditional methods for creating shoes to keep the traditions alive. That will allow you to have the best possible shoe and ensures that you will be happy with it as well.

Choosing Someone Who Knows the Traditions

When you have the good fortune to have the ability to gain a pair of bespoke shoes, you will need someone who knows the traditions and has the proper talent to make you a shoe that will last throughout the ages. Made to measure shoes need to be modified expertly with a last to find the appropriate fit for your foot. A valuable and vital tool, you won’t have a decent pair of traditional bespoke shoes without this. You will find that you will have to see your chosen shoemaker at least twice during this process as they will take your measurements using a plethora of different equipment. However, it is actually recommended to see your shoemaker three times so that they can ensure the last has been done just right. While three may seem a bit much, it is completely necessary and can’t be avoided. When you experience a shoemaker who understands the process and can perform it correctly, you get a better shoe and one that lasts for years, which is precisely what you need.

The Difference in Today’s Times

In today’s times, you see a bit of a difference in how the shoe is made and used. With traditional shoemaking, as we have mentioned, you will need to know a maker twice at the minimum. With the advances in technology and new skills, you don’t have to see a shoemaker at all. In many cases, they will use digital scanners to capture your foot measurements, believing that it is more accurate, and it saves you time. In other cases, you will receive a remote filling kit and then have a 3D cast option. However, you should know that while this option allows you a high percentage of satisfaction as well as a good fitting, it’s not perfect, and many prefer more traditional methods. You will find that many people don’t mind that it may take more time to make a great shoe. There is a plethora of people who say that they appreciate it because it gives them a shoe that they know will last.

The Last and Why it Matters to Your Feet

A traditional shoe is created using a last. This page explains how your foot needs to be measured to create a best fitting bespoke shoe for you. When your chosen footwear doesn’t fit properly, you can experience everything from bunions to ankle sprains. There are so many problems that can occur with an ill-fitting piece of footwear, and improper shoes will leave you with severe issues that will stay with you forever. A great example is if a last hasn’t been done correctly, you could end up having a shoe that causes bacteria, infection, and rubbing that will force you off your feet instead of being able to enjoy your new shoes.

A shoe last is a tool that is used to define the shape of the shoe. It is a critical step that cannot be missed, and it will decide everything from the comfort of the piece of footwear, the look and the fit. A great example of a company providing a poor last is the result of looking like you are wearing concrete blocks on your feet and feeling even worse. Not a good look, and more importantly, not a good feeling. When looking at last, you will find that they can be injection molded plastic, cast from aluminum or carved wood. These materials are put in place to give you a shoe that will fit properly and provide an accurate depiction of what your foot should look like. When done correctly, you can look and feel your best while your foot is adequately cushioned, but not overly so. Just as having too little cushion can be detrimental, so too can something that is highly cushioned. Finding the happy medium is vital to keep you upright.

You will find that parts of a last will impact the following areas of a shoe.

• The forepart
• Waist
• Seat
• Feather edge
• Vamp point
• Cone
• Instep
• Hinge
• Back part
• Topline point and counterpoint
• Socket or thimble
• Vent
• Heel curve

A last can also be hinged, which is noticeable if you have the vent over the area that has been hinged. This creates a prominent location that offers a distinct look. You will notice that this area of the footwear is designed to prevent damage and lasting impact. Lasts may also have a minuscule bump on the vamp point to shoe the toppling and counterpoints. They will be made the same whether you are a man or a woman and noticeable to the naked eye. This is important because it plays a vital role in how your foot piece will conform to your foot.

As shown in the diagram we have provided, you are measured from the tip of your foot to the heel in multiple areas. You will be measured in the arches, the ball, and each of your measurements are extremely precise as a result.

At Poyter, we take tradition seriously, and as a result, we measure you in each area. As shown above, when you pay attention to the specific regions of the diagram, we can create a last that will help us make the shoe that will fit you without creating problems that will limit your mobility.

You will notice that the measurements taken on a last are the toe spring and ball circumference, which are measured around the previous with a measuring tape, the instep girth, the long heel girth, the short heel girth, and the heel lift.  There will be two different measuring tapes that this process will be done with. Once the fitting has been confirmed, paper gauges are used to ensure that the process has been done correctly and begin making your chosen piece of footwear.

Poyter has managed to beat out the success rates of other shoemakers in this area. The lasts that we can create for customers needing a traditional shoe are high quality and will help make a just as innovative shoe. Most companies (even with the modern success of technology) will have a success rate of only seventy to eighty-five percent with lasts. Poyter, however, has a success rate of ninety-five percent for ours, and the customers are not only happy that it fits the first time, but they are also happy that they have something comfortable. If for whatever reason, it doesn’t, you will find that we recreate them and fix them according to the feedback that you have given us. An additional benefit? No extra charge, and we provide you with something that you can be happy and secure with. We care about the happiness and joy of our customers and want to ensure that you have precisely what you want and need.

What Happens Next?

Nothing else needs to be done at this point. At least not for you. The only thing to do now waits while expert shoemakers create true beauty. A traditional shoemaker will work alone, while companies will have a talented group of artists who can create a piece of footwear that will last for years instead of weeks. However, once the last is made, you will simply wait for your custom pair of shoes to arrive for you. If they don’t fit properly, you may wonder what will happen, but there is no need to fret. As mentioned above, we will fix the issue no matter what they are with no additional hassle.

The Fit, Style, And How You Feel

One of the most significant and prominent issues that people have is wondering about the fit and the style of the shoes. After meeting your maker, you will have a stylish pair of shoes. When you step into them, you should feel comfortable and have the proper amount of support. You will also notice that you are not experiencing ankle issues or leg issues when you walk, and you can stand firm and tall without experiencing back pain.

The Pricing You Will Pay

Another primary concern about traditional bespoke shoes is the price. Where shoes of this type used to cost upwards of three thousand dollars or more, you will find that now, you can get a pair of these types of shoes for less than two hundred without sacrificing any of the quality. A fantastic benefit to someone that appreciates the advantages of having footwear that you will enjoy for years while retaining a beautiful look. You will find that while other companies have chosen to use the price as the selling point for their shoes, at Poyter, we let the shoes and their quality speak for themselves. There are no gimmicks with us. Our mission is to provide an ecologically friendly, traditionally sound option that offers the best fit for your feet.

Know What to Expect and What Not to Do

When you are expecting handmade footwear and following up with your maker, you need to understand that you shouldn’t have unreasonable ideas about what the shoe will look like. Many people have expectations that are set too high, and as a result, you are affected by them. You won’t see wear and tear, you don’t have a problem walking, and you shouldn’t judge the shoes unfairly, which people tend to do because of other showcasing areas. Instead, you should enjoy the comfort that the shoes provide while understanding that you have a shoe unlike any other and made especially for you.

Choose Your Own Style

Another benefit that you can enjoy about traditional bespoke shoes is that you have the option of choosing your unique style. People like choosing their wardrobe and learning what suits them. With these options, you can know what colors will work for you. Traditional bespoke methods will come in more muted colors but still look impressive and elegant. Choose a dressy and classy brown, tan, or black. You can’t go wrong, and it makes a great statement.

Choosing The Best for Your Feet

When you are choosing the best for your feet, a classic option is the best. It provides you with an elegant look that can make your outfit go to the next level. The tradition of having a pair of bespoke shoes is a long-held craft that has spanned over decades, and the reason behind it is that it creates the best of the best when it comes to your feet.

Though many companies will adopt modern methods such as digital scanners, the older methods still reign true and hold up now. The companies that employ these options (like Poyter) are in awe and love with ways that cut down on machinery, greenhouse gases and are more ecologically friendly. When you need a pair of shoes that honors tradition, genuine talent, and quality that you can depend on, make the right choice, and choose Poyter.