Custom Shoes

The History of Shoemaking

Shoemaking is an old world craft. Centuries ago shoe cobblers were just as important as the baker, the butcher and the candlestick makers. Shoes were not just a luxury, but also a necessity that lasted for years and fetched a very pretty penny. The art of crafting personalized shoes is both tedious and time consuming. Every custom shoe is given the special attention to detail and construction that modern machinery can not duplicate. The leather or material used has to be cut and measured to size and the heel and soles must be crafted with the same meticulous care. If you’ve found yourself dreaming of a pair of shoes you can’t seem to find in the retail market, consider the expense of custom shoes. With a fabulous fit, surreal comfort and limitless style options such as wooden platforms, clogs, boots, sandals, heels, or loafers, a shoemaker can turn almost any shoe fantasy into a reality.

Benefits of Custom Shoes

Fetching from $350 to $5000 per pair, custom shoes are certainly an investment. Consider the many benefits of custom shoes while weighing the expense.

• Ideal fit

Custom shoes are made exactly for you. Constructed from a “blueprint,” your shoes will fit your feet perfectly in every nook and cranny. Consider handmade shoes if you have various foot abnormalities, such as a high arch, a flat foot, a narrow or wide foot, or medical conditions such as painful bunions.

• Individuality

Perhaps you struggle to find shoes that express your style and personality. Shoemakers can construct most any type of shoe. Take pictures, draw sketches or send swatches to your shoemaker to communicate the idea of your custom pair.

• Materials

Love velvet? Hate leather? Adore lace? Perhaps you love a shoe on the market but dislike the material. Changing the material of a shoe will drastically change the look and shape. Leather shoes have a structured shape while a fabric shoe may bend and slouch. Customizing a special pair of shoes allows you to control these small details.

• Longevity

Custom handmade shoes are made with much greater attention to detail. Expect stronger seams, durable threads and sturdy soles. Handmade shoes tend to last two to three times longer than a manufactured pair.

• Versatility

Occupations such as a dancer or a clown require shoes that meet both the physical demands of the job as well as the aesthetic demands. Custom shoes add that special sense of whimsy or cheerfulness to ordinary costumes.

Where to Buy

When considering a new pair of custom shoes, seek out your local yellow pages or the Internet for a shoemaker who still specializes in the craft. Be prepared to give exact measurements, and if possible meet the shoemaker in person. If you’re looking for a basic, less intricate custom shoe process, there are several athletic shoe brands that allow you to design your own shoes by selecting the color, laces and graphics.

Measurements

It is always best to measure your feet at the end of a long day of work. If you are retaining any water-weight, your measurements will allow for a comfortable fit throughout the day. Shoe sizing is very particular and it is necessary to obtain exact figures for both shoe size and shoe width. Most shoemakers will ask that you meet them in person and they will create physical molds of your feet. Some online cobblers will give you specific instructions for precise measurements.

Add it Up

Considering custom shoes can last two to three times longer than a regular pair of shoes certainly influences their price point. Adding in the durable construction and the personalized creative process and suddenly what seems to be a large expense, begins to gain appeal. Custom shoes may not always be the first or the most financially practical option you consider when choosing footwear, but anyone who has worn a pair of handcrafted shoes can attest to their personalized comfort and uniqueness. What a fun splurge if you have the extra cash!.