John Lobb Appreciation Thread

[Nikola]

I'm just worried if I would be better with the RTW Oxford or with the bespoke Lobb shoes that have been made for someones else feet !?

I don't have a chance of trying them on before purchase, and seller is not accepting returns, though measures seems to be the same as the RTW shoes I have in my size.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I'm just worried if I would be better with the RTW Oxford or with the bespoke Lobb shoes that have been made for someones else feet !?


I don't have a chance of trying them on before purchase, and seller is not accepting returns, though measures seems to be the same as the RTW shoes I have in my size.


 

It won't matter how much they originally cost, or how rare they are, if they don't fit you. Sounds like a gamble I wouldn't be willing to take.

 

[Nikola]

It crossed my mind too ..

Might be a risk even if me and a guy for whom these shoes have been made for originally are the same size.

His feet might be completely different and the last molded to his feet could be a bad fit for mine .. Irony is I might be better with a RTW shoe, even though they are produced to fit everyone and no one's feet in particular.

 

[hoodog]



I'm just worried if I would be better with the RTW Oxford or with the bespoke Lobb shoes that have been made for someones else feet !?


I don't have a chance of trying them on before purchase, and seller is not accepting returns, though measures seems to be the same as the RTW shoes I have in my size.


 

Measurements don't take into account girth, heel-to-ball length, instep height or heel width. It's a gamble, for sure.

 

[Farhad19620]

Thank you for clarifying this.

John Lobb (London) used to have a Paris branch, which was sold to Hermes in 1976. Since then there have been two firms "John Lobb".

John Lobb (London) produces only bespoke shoes from their premises in St James's.

http://www.johnlobbltd.co.uk/

John Lobb (Paris) produces ready-to-wear shoes from their factory in Northampton as well as bespoke shoes from their workshop in Paris.

http://www.johnlobb.com/uk/
http://www.high-toned.fr/en/2013/04/john-lobb-bespoke-in-paris/

I do not have any experience with bespoke shoes of either firm, but JLP is usually considered to produce the finer bespoke work; they are also price-wise considerably above JLL. (I don't think you'll get a lot of change, if any, from EUR 5,000.)

JLL uses for it's ready-to-wear work the (double boot) "JL" logo and the signature colour yellow. The bespoke work gets marked with the same signature (of the historic) John Lobb, but the signature is used length wise, while JLL uses the signature cross wise and adds the Royal warrants.


Confused? You won't be after next week's episode of (shoe) Soap.

 

[Farhad19620]

If you are not sure of the fit then it is not really worth it as I know someone who has had a fully bespoke shoe made for himself and told me if he were honest they were the most uncomfortable shoes he has ever worn!

This may not be the case with everyone but in my opinion if the shoe does not fit and feel good then it is a complete waste. Try the RTW at least you have the option to return it if it does not fit.

It crossed my mind too ..


Might be a risk even if me and a guy for whom these shoes have been made for originally are the same size.


His feet might be completely different and the last molded to his feet could be a bad fit for mine .. Irony is I might  be better with a RTW shoe, even though they are produced to fit everyone and no one's feet in particular.

 

[bengal-stripe]



If you are not sure of the fit then it is not really worth it.........

.......unless you get the bespoke Lobb shoes ridiculously cheap. In this case, if the shoes don't fit, you might be able to sell them on ebay or at the forum here and could possibly make a small profit.

If the seller knows the shoes are bespoke and has priced them accordingly, I would give them a miss.

 

[Nikola]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate your feedback on this one!

I will skip it with a hard heart feeling as I really like the toe box shape. John Lobb doesn't have that much softly rounded toes these days ..

It reminded me on my favorite EG 202 last .. But it's too much to stake with the potentially wrong fit and all the reselling hassle ...

 

[rexet]

Do you know where I could find a nice dark brown museum calf belt to match my JLs shoes without spending $650 in JL's belts ?

 

[Nikola]

Good Luck with that rexet, it's my mission for more than a 3 months now.

Beside some used JL belts that pop up from time to time, nothing else shows up. I don't know about you, but the feeling I am wearing someones used belt and paying 300 USD for it doesn't sound good to me.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

I wonder if the darker brown Martin Dingman Wellington would work:

http://www.martindingman.com/index.php/accessories/belts/wellington.html

The light brown version looks a bit like tan museum calf.


Bic

 

[Nikola]

NICE FIND @Bic Pentameter ! Too bad they are not shipping outside the US. I wanted to purchase it, but I can only select a US as shipping address.

 

[rexet]

I send a message to VASS because they do have museum calf and they also produce belts for good price ($150).
The only problem is that some people told me they produce the belt that matches the shoes you order. I am not sure they will be willing to make only one belt.
I'll keep you informed as soon as I get an answer from them.

 

[rexet]

I also find this weston belt beautiful, this could do the trick.
But $550

 

[JubeiSpiegel]

Seems like a lot of trouble (and money) for some color molting on a belt...