Ordering bespoke footwear

As can be seen from the section on Style and design choosing a pair of footwear is not something that can or should be rushed and is best done in conjunction with the shoemakers.

Two meetings are normally required for the first time client. The first is to discuss the details of the footwear and to enable measures to be taken. The second, when the footwear is ready, is to check for fit.

The first meeting is indispensable as correct information on the clients' feet is crucial to the making of the lasts and should be done by someone skilled in the taking and interpretation of measures. The fit of footwear made from "unskilled" measurements or from ones taken from a well worn pair of shoes can only, at best, be unpredictable.

Measures are best taken in the afternoon when the feet have attained their normal size. Similarly measures should never be taken immediately after a flight as the feet would have swollen at altitude and would need time to regain their normal dimensions. To ensure further accuracy socks of the same thickness as that to be used for the shoes or boots being commissioned should be worn when being measured.