Seiji McCarthy bespoke shoes: East Meets East

Read MoreSep 23rd 2022

Seiji McCarthy is someone I've wanted to cover on PS ever since we hung out in Tokyo some six years ago. But with no prospect of travelling to Japan soon, I turned to local writer and friend Christopher Berry to visit Seiji and report - on Seiji's Am...

Seiji McCarthy bespoke shoes: East Meets East

Seiji McCarthy is someone I've wanted to cover on PS ever since we hung out in Tokyo some six years ago. But with no prospect of travelling to Japan soon, I turned to local writer and friend Christopher Berry to visit Seiji and report - on Seiji's Am...

Sep 23rd 2022

Bocache & Salvucci, Rome: Bespoke shoes and much else 

Read MoreAug 19th 2022

Bocache & Salvucci was a bit of a surprise when I visited last month.  I’d come across the shoemaker at Jean-Manuel Moreau, in Paris, and had assumed that in Rome I would find a small (because relatively unknown) bespoke craftsman.  What I ac...

Bocache & Salvucci, Rome: Bespoke shoes and much else 

Bocache & Salvucci was a bit of a surprise when I visited last month.  I’d come across the shoemaker at Jean-Manuel Moreau, in Paris, and had assumed that in Rome I would find a small (because relatively unknown) bespoke craftsman.  What I ac...

Aug 19th 2022

Are bespoke shoes worth it?

Read MoreAug 9th 2021

Every time I do a review of bespoke shoes, the question comes up as to whether they're worth the money. Whether bespoke shoes in general can really be worth it, given the little issues I often report.  My short answer is that, in my experience, they...

Are bespoke shoes worth it?

Every time I do a review of bespoke shoes, the question comes up as to whether they're worth the money. Whether bespoke shoes in general can really be worth it, given the little issues I often report.  My short answer is that, in my experience, they...

Aug 9th 2021

Building a wardrobe: Bespoke shoes

Read MoreFeb 15th 2017

As the last post on building a wardrobe - focused on Neapolitan tailoring - proved popular, I thought I'd do a second looking at shoes. But rather than look at my whole shoe collection, which numbers more than 40 pairs and would take a long time to...

Building a wardrobe: Bespoke shoes

As the last post on building a wardrobe - focused on Neapolitan tailoring - proved popular, I thought I'd do a second looking at shoes. But rather than look at my whole shoe collection, which numbers more than 40 pairs and would take a long time to...

Feb 15th 2017

Nicholas Templeman bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreJan 13th 2021

Bespoke shoes are a luxury for me, rather than the norm.  Unlike bespoke tailoring - which I will always buy over RTW as long as I can afford to - I’m quite happy with a shoe wardrobe which is mostly ready-made.  This can put more pressure on bes...

Nicholas Templeman bespoke shoes: Review

Bespoke shoes are a luxury for me, rather than the norm.  Unlike bespoke tailoring - which I will always buy over RTW as long as I can afford to - I’m quite happy with a shoe wardrobe which is mostly ready-made.  This can put more pressure on bes...

Jan 13th 2021

Yohei Fukuda bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreApr 17th 2020

As mentioned in my recent article on Yohei Fukuda, I ordered a pair of bespoke shoes from him last year, when I was in Tokyo.  However, I opted for bespoke without a fitting.  Why? Well, at the moment I seem to be getting to Tokyo every three years...

Yohei Fukuda bespoke shoes: Review

As mentioned in my recent article on Yohei Fukuda, I ordered a pair of bespoke shoes from him last year, when I was in Tokyo.  However, I opted for bespoke without a fitting.  Why? Well, at the moment I seem to be getting to Tokyo every three years...

Apr 17th 2020

Why have these bespoke shoes aged so well?

Read MoreFeb 22nd 2021

What shoes do we still find ourselves wearing after 10 years, and why?  I find this is mostly about making sensible, functional choices; then a little bit about quality and fit; and almost nothing to do with bevelled waists or stitches per inch.  W...

Why have these bespoke shoes aged so well?

What shoes do we still find ourselves wearing after 10 years, and why?  I find this is mostly about making sensible, functional choices; then a little bit about quality and fit; and almost nothing to do with bevelled waists or stitches per inch.  W...

Feb 22nd 2021

Stivaleria Savoia bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreNov 13th 2017

When I cover an artisan where I’m genuinely interested in the product - its quality, design and often heritage or story, I have something made. I then tend to cover the maker in one, initial post that explains their product and background; and a s...

Stivaleria Savoia bespoke shoes: Review

When I cover an artisan where I’m genuinely interested in the product - its quality, design and often heritage or story, I have something made. I then tend to cover the maker in one, initial post that explains their product and background; and a s...

Nov 13th 2017

Yohei Fukuda bespoke shoes: The style and shop today

Read MoreMar 11th 2020

Yohei Fukuda is one of the finest shoemakers in the world. And given his longevity - he set up on his own 12 years ago - he’s been at the forefront of Japan emerging as the primary world force in bespoke.  But like many Japanese, it's taken him a ...

Yohei Fukuda bespoke shoes: The style and shop today

Yohei Fukuda is one of the finest shoemakers in the world. And given his longevity - he set up on his own 12 years ago - he’s been at the forefront of Japan emerging as the primary world force in bespoke.  But like many Japanese, it's taken him a ...

Mar 11th 2020

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreApr 27th 2016

   A few weeks ago I received my final pair of Foster & Son bespoke shoes. The process has, unfortunately, been both good and bad.  First, the good. The fitting I had with John Spencer - Foster’s lastmaker - was impressive. The fit around ...

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Review

   A few weeks ago I received my final pair of Foster & Son bespoke shoes. The process has, unfortunately, been both good and bad.  First, the good. The fitting I had with John Spencer - Foster’s lastmaker - was impressive. The fit around ...

Apr 27th 2016

Petru & Claymoor bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreDec 2nd 2020

Almost a year ago, back in January, I began the process of making a pair of bespoke shoes with a new outfit in Romania, Petru & Claymoor.  Shoe fans might have seen some coverage of the brand over the intervening year. It was set up by Mircea Ci...

Petru & Claymoor bespoke shoes: Review

Almost a year ago, back in January, I began the process of making a pair of bespoke shoes with a new outfit in Romania, Petru & Claymoor.  Shoe fans might have seen some coverage of the brand over the intervening year. It was set up by Mircea Ci...

Dec 2nd 2020

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 2

Read MoreMar 3rd 2010

In the first part of this series, I described the measuring process for having a first pair of bespoke shoes made at GJ Cleverley. The second step, though of course it takes place in the same session, is deciding which material and model of shoe you ...

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 2

In the first part of this series, I described the measuring process for having a first pair of bespoke shoes made at GJ Cleverley. The second step, though of course it takes place in the same session, is deciding which material and model of shoe you ...

Mar 3rd 2010

Blue Bespoke shoes from Stefano Bemer: Value bespoke

Read MoreJul 13th 2018

So, my friend Tommaso Capozzoli has this pair of shoes. They’re bespoke, by Stefano Bemer, and made in their replica Russian-reindeer leather. They seem to go with everything he wears, from grey flannel to cream linen, and have real character with...

Blue Bespoke shoes from Stefano Bemer: Value bespoke

So, my friend Tommaso Capozzoli has this pair of shoes. They’re bespoke, by Stefano Bemer, and made in their replica Russian-reindeer leather. They seem to go with everything he wears, from grey flannel to cream linen, and have real character with...

Jul 13th 2018

Video: Buying a pair of bespoke shoes

Read MoreFeb 13th 2019

While in Florence last month, we took the opportunity to film some of the practical videos we've produced in the last year, with artisans based in the city. This is the first, with Stefano Bemer, talking about buying a first pair of bespoke shoes:...

Video: Buying a pair of bespoke shoes

While in Florence last month, we took the opportunity to film some of the practical videos we've produced in the last year, with artisans based in the city. This is the first, with Stefano Bemer, talking about buying a first pair of bespoke shoes:...

Feb 13th 2019

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley 13: The wear report

Read MoreMay 27th 2011

Well, I was wrong. Six months ago I made the point, following the collection of my first pair of shoes from Cleverley, that the benefits of bespoke shoes were more about comfort than aesthetics; in contrast with a bespoke suit, where the benefits are...

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley 13: The wear report

Well, I was wrong. Six months ago I made the point, following the collection of my first pair of shoes from Cleverley, that the benefits of bespoke shoes were more about comfort than aesthetics; in contrast with a bespoke suit, where the benefits are...

May 27th 2011

Stefano Bemer: final bespoke shoes

Read MoreJul 29th 2014

 After two and a half years I finally received my first Stefano Bemer bespoke shoes last month. And what beauties they are. I was initially measured by Stefano, who also oversaw the creation of my last. But it wasn't until earlier this year that I ...

Stefano Bemer: final bespoke shoes

 After two and a half years I finally received my first Stefano Bemer bespoke shoes last month. And what beauties they are. I was initially measured by Stefano, who also oversaw the creation of my last. But it wasn't until earlier this year that I ...

Jul 29th 2014

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley 12: The Compendium

Read MoreNov 23rd 2010

  Following a few requests for links to all the posts in the Cleverley bespoke series, here they are listed below. I also thought readers would like to hear George Glasgow's recommendations on wearing bespoke shoes for the first time. He suggested...

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley 12: The Compendium

  Following a few requests for links to all the posts in the Cleverley bespoke series, here they are listed below. I also thought readers would like to hear George Glasgow's recommendations on wearing bespoke shoes for the first time. He suggested...

Nov 23rd 2010

J Adler bespoke shoes: review

Read MoreJan 23rd 2015

  In Autumn last year, John from J Adler Shoes asked if I would review his bespoke shoes in return for a review. I don’t normally take up such offers, particularly for lower-end shoes such as these, but I was interested in Adler's unusual fit pr...

J Adler bespoke shoes: review

  In Autumn last year, John from J Adler Shoes asked if I would review his bespoke shoes in return for a review. I don’t normally take up such offers, particularly for lower-end shoes such as these, but I was interested in Adler's unusual fit pr...

Jan 23rd 2015

Masaru Okuyama bespoke shoes: Review

Read MoreJan 1st 2020

Masaru Okuyama - the Japan-trained but Hong Kong-based shoemaker - made me this pair of shoes over the past 10 months.  Their relevance is twofold. As a review of Masaru and his work, of course, but also as an experience of Japanese shoemaking, as t...

Masaru Okuyama bespoke shoes: Review

Masaru Okuyama - the Japan-trained but Hong Kong-based shoemaker - made me this pair of shoes over the past 10 months.  Their relevance is twofold. As a review of Masaru and his work, of course, but also as an experience of Japanese shoemaking, as t...

Jan 1st 2020

Five tips on bespoke shoes

Read MoreJul 7th 2014

 I do like it when readers suggest posts. You feel you’re fulfilling a need. Two weeks ago, on Five Tips on Bespoke Suits, a reader requested a similar post on bespoke shoes, so here it is.1 Be conservativeI know it’s the same as the first suits...

Five tips on bespoke shoes

 I do like it when readers suggest posts. You feel you’re fulfilling a need. Two weeks ago, on Five Tips on Bespoke Suits, a reader requested a similar post on bespoke shoes, so here it is.1 Be conservativeI know it’s the same as the first suits...

Jul 7th 2014

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 1

Read MoreFeb 26th 2010

“The time has come, the walrus said,To talk of many things.Of shoes and ships and sealing wax,Of cabbages and kings.” No plans yet to write about cabbages. But it is certainly time to talk about bespoke shoes. I set an appointment last week to g...

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 1

“The time has come, the walrus said,To talk of many things.Of shoes and ships and sealing wax,Of cabbages and kings.” No plans yet to write about cabbages. But it is certainly time to talk about bespoke shoes. I set an appointment last week to g...

Feb 26th 2010

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Last-making

Read MoreJun 13th 2014

 This is Jon Spencer, last maker at Foster & Son, making up the last for my first pair of bespoke shoes from the team. The black, Oxford whole-cuts will have the classic ‘West End’ Foster’s toe shape, slightly elongated and chiseled at th...

Foster & Son bespoke shoes: Last-making

 This is Jon Spencer, last maker at Foster & Son, making up the last for my first pair of bespoke shoes from the team. The black, Oxford whole-cuts will have the classic ‘West End’ Foster’s toe shape, slightly elongated and chiseled at th...

Jun 13th 2014

Nicholas Templeman bespoke shoes: Introduction and fitting

Read MoreJul 8th 2020

Nicholas Templeman is a bespoke shoemaker, an ex-John Lobb lastmaker who now works out of his home in North London. We've been working on a pair of derby shoes for the past year, and they're near completion. So I thought it would be good time to writ...

Nicholas Templeman bespoke shoes: Introduction and fitting

Nicholas Templeman is a bespoke shoemaker, an ex-John Lobb lastmaker who now works out of his home in North London. We've been working on a pair of derby shoes for the past year, and they're near completion. So I thought it would be good time to writ...

Jul 8th 2020

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 11

Read MoreNov 19th 2010

Finally, the last stage of my George Cleverley shoes. This is the finishing, which involves waxing the edges, sealing the sole and polishing the upper. The edges of the sole are stained in a similar colour to the upper – though perhaps a few shades...

Bespoke shoes at Cleverley: Part 11

Finally, the last stage of my George Cleverley shoes. This is the finishing, which involves waxing the edges, sealing the sole and polishing the upper. The edges of the sole are stained in a similar colour to the upper – though perhaps a few shades...

Nov 19th 2010

Bespoke shoes event: The people, the party

Read MoreJan 18th 2015

 After the bespoke shoes symposium, it was off to the party at Villa Cora, just outside Florence. Sports cars were on hand to take participants from the Bemer workshop, above. (Though they got a little held up by Florentine traffic and people wanti...

Bespoke shoes event: The people, the party

 After the bespoke shoes symposium, it was off to the party at Villa Cora, just outside Florence. Sports cars were on hand to take participants from the Bemer workshop, above. (Though they got a little held up by Florentine traffic and people wanti...

Jan 18th 2015