Handmade shoes

Like all items of clothing, ready made off-the-shelf shoes are a comparatively new concept. In fact less than one hundred years ago the idea of buying pre-made and mass manufactured shoes would have sounded nothing short of ridiculous and the purchasing of a pair of shoes was a big financial undertaking.

In the twenty first century, many younger people are barely aware that handmade shoes are still available and that you can, just like a suit, still have shoes made to measure.

However, the term handmade now has two different meanings.

Once handmade shoes were made to the precise fittings of each individual and as such every pair of shoes was bespoke. The expression did not only mean made by hand, but also made for each customer individually based on measurements and fitting.

Today handmade shoes tent to be shoes that are cut and assembled by craftsmen, but which are made to conventional sizes rather than to an individual fitting. These are shoes that are crafted to the highest standards, but which can be purchased in a store or online by anyone who knows their own shoe size.

Features of handmade shoes

Naturally if you pay for handmade shoes you expect a higher quality of shoe than the regular high street shoe.

Quality of materials is the first thing to look for with a handmade shoe. High quality tanned leather should be the staple material for the shoe and one important feature of handmade shoes is that they are built to last and to be repaired or have components (e.g. like the outer sole) replaced periodically. This means that although expensive, these shoes will last for many years or even many decades.

If the shoes are genuine “made for the customer” handmade shoes, they will have the best possible orthopedic properties. This is because the shoes are made to be an exact fit with the optimum level of support and the correct amount of free movement for the feet.

How they are made

An initial consultation will see the feet measured carefully following which a last (wooden model of the feet) is made. The last acts like a tailors dummy and the shoes are built around this precise impression of the customer’s feet.

This last is then kept and can be used for any subsequent pairs of shoes that are required, or when making any alterations or repairs.

Handmade shoes can be very expensive, however a significant amount of time and skill goes into the manufacture of every pair and the comfort and quality of these shoes is far higher than those found in the high street.

From an orthopedic perspective handmade shoes offer a near perfect fit. They usually provide the opportunity to have adjustments made (if necessary) or to have replacements for features like the inner sole and any orthotic inserts or support pads built into the shoe. The quality of build materials mean that the flexibility and firmness of the hand crafted shoe should be suited to both its use and its wearer.

Handmade shoes come in many designs and for many uses and range from brogues to ballet shoes.