Shoe Width

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The standard shoe width in the UK is "E"; too wide for me.

Does anyone know if the British makers - EG, Lobb, et. al. - sell "D" width in France as standard?

Thanks, UC

[shredder]

Lobb offer 3 widths as standard assortment on most models. Additional widths are available as MTO with a 20% upcharge.

If you don't mind French makes, then JM Weston offer 5 widths as standard on most classic models and I believe 3 widths on the range designed by Michel Perry.

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Thanks.
I wonder if the EGs sold in France are "D"....

btw, I bought a while ago the Weston 180 loafer in London.
The fit and make is wonderful; far better fit for me than the UK shoe makers. An excellent, snug fitting loafer....
And the Weston service in their London store was superb; really much, much better than EG, Lobb.

[shredder]

Just to complete the thought, Weston are also happy to do MTO for non-standard widths or material, but I do not know what the upcharge is.

I do not know much about EG width on the continent, I'm afraid, but I have noticed that it is poor value to buy EGs on this side of the channel because retail pricing tends to be based on very old exchange rates (probably reflecting the cost at which the stock was purchased). As you know, sterling has been near funny money status in relation to the euro more recently, which makes previously set retail prices of many British goods sold on the continent a little difficult to swallow. I have not looked at Lobb prices recently, but unlike EG stockists who are wholesale accounts, they are directly owned and operated shops so prices may be a bit more dynamic.

Yes, the service at the Lobb shop on Jermyn St is a bit inconsistent. I will not comment on the manageress, but there is one chap called Noel who is very knowledgeable and helpful; unfortunately, he is there only few days a week. The people at their Faubourg shop (at the rear of Hermès flagship) are very helpful if a little too helpful, causing a bit of a queue to get help at times, especially on a Saturday. They have several smaller shops in and around Paris, but I have not visited them.

If you are going to be in Paris, you might pop into Shipton & Heneage -- there is one on bd Raspail and another one on bd Haussman. They carry models made by various English makers, some simply rebadged but I believe some are of exclusive design. Not Lobb / EG or Weston quality (and neither are the prices), but you might find something that fits you.

[alden]

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Crockett & Jones in Paris used to order shoes made up in a D fitting. They also have the unlined chukka in a D fitting.

EG while at Old England only stocked E fittings.

Weston is great for the variety of widths they offer, but go to the Champs-Elysees or Madeleine shops as they carry the greatest stock.

I am a C or D fitting and Weston has been a great help in the past ie when they made great classic models in acceptable leathers. The slip on is a great shoe and I have loads of them. The Chasse model is a must as well. I was able to order it in 11.5B...something you could only have ordered by a few UK makers.

Cheers

Michael

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Yes, I'd really forgotten what a good fitting RTW shoe should feel like: I'd been buying a few shoes now and then over the past couple years in the UK; but with that "E" width, I'd more often than not find myself swimming in the damn things.

But with the Weston, I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent fit; I'm not really tempted with the design of most of their models but the model 180 loafers are wonderful shoes; much better fit for me than the standard "E" Lobb Lopez (even though I went down one full size). A 9D fits me so much better than a 8.5E. And looks better too.

I'll be sure to check on the Weston Chasse; I like a more conservative shape these days and most of the Westons are too, too. I've gotten over my Berluti days as well....

But I must add that I've had some great service from the Frenchmen working in London, a pleasant change for the dour British approach.

[shredder]

My pair of Chasse is about 18 years old, and I suspect it might outlive me... The price back then was about 4000 FRF (800 USD). I saw the current price recently and was a bit surprised. That said, I would not hesitate getting another pair today if I needed replacements.

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Having just taken an internet look at the Weston Classic Line, the Hunt Derby (chasse) and Split Toe Double Sole Derby are really pretty nice looking, rugged shoes. But I would assume that with those thick soles that they would be murder to break in.....?

http://www.jmweston.com/index.html

[Costi]

Actually the Chasse Hunting Derby seems to have a good amount of "rock" built into the sole & heel (much more than other models), which should of great help while the shoes are new. I have a pair of Goiser-stitched double-soled derbies that were no trouble to break in.

[shredder]

They will take a little longer to break in than a typical pair of city shoes, but because they are not cemented, it won't be murder as long as you get the correct fit. That said, I would not wear them for an entire day the first few times. If you do not get the correct fit, then it might take a very long time to break in.