The London Lounge

Nothing on my body fits into a stock pattern. Not off the rack suits, not off the rack socks, and not off the rack shoes. Yet nothing in my wallet fits into a bespoke budget.

I decided last to attend an Edward Green "order" show (not to be confused with the bespoke trunk show) in November 2004. It was my pleasure to speak with a fitter from Green. Alas, Mr. Gaziano was not in attendance.

Representatives from Green recommended that I order a 7.5E, and offered to modify the stock last by building up the top of the last by 3/16" of an inch. I ordered the Ladbroke, size 7.5E, 888 last, in dark oak.

Here are some pictures.

The pair:
http://img39.echo.cx/my.php?image=0029qa.jpg


The pair:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0166jm.jpg


One shoe from the front:
http://img229.echo.cx/my.php?image=0039nl.jpg



From the side, showing the increased height in the toe box:
http://img230.echo.cx/my.php?image=0065wi.jpg


Another side shot:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0116sg.jpg



An angled shot of the toe:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0129xr.jpg



I had worried that building up the last might make the shoe look too chunky. Here I have put the Ladbroke (Top, 888 last size 7.5E, modified last) next to Green's Gladstone (bottom, 888 last, size 8 E, stock last):
http://img225.echo.cx/my.php?image=0083yi.jpg



The Ladbroke next to the Gladstone:
http://img230.echo.cx/my.php?image=0070to.jpg



The Ladbroke next to the Gladstone:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0096fu.jpg



The Ladbroke next to the Gladstone:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0102sb.jpg


If I have one complaint with my Ladbrokes, it would be that there appears to be a small horizontal scar in the leather on the heel counter. I have heard reference to fat wrinkles and scars from one calf goring another. I don't know whether either of these could have caused this line.

Mark in the leather:
http://img246.echo.cx/my.php?image=0147ig.jpg


Shot of inside window and mark in the leather:
http://img39.echo.cx/my.php?image=0158vt.jpg


I have worn these shoes inside quite a bit, and ventured outside last night. They are tight, and will take some breaking in, but I hope that they solve some of the fit problems I have had in the past with many of my RTW shoes.

Bic

Bic Pentameter wrote:. . . . [O]ne complaint . . . , . . . a small horizontal scar . . . .

A handsome pair ('glad to see that another American ladder-laces oxfords). The tiny scar (which seems to have been in the living skin and not the result of damage in flaying or afterward) adds depth and character, I think, to the already interesting leather.

I must try Edward Green myself.

You have excellent taste: I have a pair of Ladbrokes in dark oak made on the 888 last. Enjoy them.

What wonderful shoes! I very much like that 888 last.

koji

You've got great taste Bic! Excellent looking shoes.

Bic Pentameter wrote:Nothing on my body fits into a stock pattern. Not off the rack suits, not off the rack socks, and not off the rack shoes. Yet nothing in my wallet fits into a bespoke budget.

How do you solve that problem? Do you have a granny knitting your socks???

bengal-stripe wrote:

Bic Pentameter wrote:Nothing on my body fits into a stock pattern. Not off the rack suits, not off the rack socks, and not off the rack shoes. Yet nothing in my wallet fits into a bespoke budget.

How do you solve that problem? Do you have a granny knitting your socks???

I will admit that the complaint regarding off the rack socks was for purposes of comedy. Although I have traipsed around with socks whose heels were up behind the backs of my knees (an attempt at comedy, again), I have yet to involve granny in the process.

Bic