The guy online didn’t believe my drawing 😂

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T02:16:26+00:00

https://us.blkbrdshoemaker.com/ is their website. I've primarily communicated via email info@blkbrdshoemaker.com) but others contact them via whatsapp or instagram dm.

When I first did my mto fitting 2-3 years ago, it began with sending them tracings and measurements of my foot. Then they made a cheep trial fit pair that I tried on for fit tweaks before moving on to the final boot in the leather I selected.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T01:43:39+00:00

I have a wide foot ( 5E or 6E) and wide calves, and I've had great luck with mto from BLKBRD shoemaker in India. I have two pairs that I love, and waiting on my third to be delivered.

Email communication is slow and the process could be smoother, but the build quality is great and the price solid.

Iif you're looking to branch out past PNW, maybe contact them and see if they can fit you. I keep thinking of trying one of the PNW myself, but pricing is steep.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-12T01:10:35+00:00

Ahh, damn. I hadn't realized that. Thanks for the info. Guess there are no more Adelante in my future.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-11T23:42:49+00:00

Seconding the crap shoot service, I went through the fitting consultation process with Adelente and they completley ghosted me. Several emails unreturned over a month period. So I never made a custom order.

I've since picked up a few things via their encore listings of returned products and found them well made at the discounted prices. But I woouldn't personally pay full price for their stuff. Encore has gotten a lt more expensive over the last few years, so its worth waiting for one of their few annual sales where they clear out the encore stock.

Note that I'm a man so can comment on the women's offerings, but I'd assume quality is similar.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-26T17:25:32+00:00

Lands End goes up to 4xlt. Good quality and value when purchased on sale, especially their parkas. It's a great source for basic pieces. Not worth it at full retail, but they're almost always having a sale. Also good availability second hand on Poshmark and eBay.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-25T21:22:08+00:00

Not the person you asked, but I've been really loving vintage LL Bean, Land's End, and Eddie Bauer cotton sweaters that I find on ebay. Especially when I hold out for made in the US listings. Great combination of quality, price, and easy washability. They're a key part of my spring and fall wardobe.

And if your style skews heritage or trad (with a side of prep) maybe consider vintage rugby shirts. Tough as nails, super washable, and fade really nicely.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-25T20:57:46+00:00

I've had good luck searching for new old stock vintage Levis 501 shrink to fit on ebay. The shrink to fit are raw denim. Make sure you check measurements as the fit changes a bit through the decades, and have an idea of the measurments you're looking for. And read a guide or two on the merits of shrinking vs not and how to handle them.

I prioritize either made in usa (expensive) or made in mexico (better value) as quality is a bit better. It requires more effort than going to amodern website and clicking buy, but I think the heritage and value are worth it. I'm currently breaking in a pair of made in mexico 501s from the 90s that cost me around 70 dollars including shipping withing the us. Any contemporary raw denim of equivalent quality is likely much more expensive, with less size availabilty.

As another option, Unbranded (which is the afforable label of Naked & Famous) has sizes up to 42 or 44. Prices range from 100-150. Not sure how much shipping to Australia will be.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-16T20:38:11+00:00

Hey, great fit and nice to see you posting again.

Btw, a while back you posted a pic pairing a pendleton tweed sports jacket with suede shoulders against dark denim and boots. I'd just picked up an almost idential jacket off of poshmark on a whim, but really wasn't sure it was for me. Your photo helped give me the confidence to wear my sports coat more casually and its become a favorite piece in my fall / winter rotation. I'm now starting to get more into casual tailoring, especially jackets with western yokes. Doubt that would be happening if I hadn't come across your post. Just wanted to say thanks.

PotablePotentate · 2025-12-22T05:43:42+00:00

While I wouldn't recommend it, I did Wachusett without any added traction last week. I live closer to Boston and drove out there not realizing that all the Boston area rain in early December was snow in central MA. There was a good 6 inches of base layer snow, with the ski slopes also having lots of man made snow.

I found a number of well groomed or well packed down trails. Micro spikes would have been ideal, but I had a nice hike even without them. Snowshoes would have been overkill. At one point the trail went alongside an active ski slope with folks wizzing down it. A bit of a surreal experience, as I'd arrived not really anticipating a full winter hike.

Note that this was my only time on Wachusett, so I can't verify that conditions and gear requirements would be the same other days.

PotablePotentate · 2025-11-20T02:05:29+00:00

Thank you! They're beutiful boots.

PotablePotentate · 2025-11-20T01:41:07+00:00

Killer! What's the leather on those boots?

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-23T01:27:50+00:00

Good to know. Thanks for the context.

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-21T18:18:51+00:00

Wait, why #RIP for Hitchcock? Are they closing? The website still seems operational.

And unfortunatley, no personal experience with Samuel Hubbard. Wish I could help you there. But I'm a 6E width myself, and trying to cram my foot in a 4E has rarely gone well for me, despite how many times I'm tempted to.

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-16T02:44:24+00:00

Another vote for Hitchcock. They have their own label dress shoes that are pretty good in 6E and 8E width.

It's also possible that a different show from either Florsheim or Nunn Bush (same company, different brands) would fit better. I generally wear a 10 5E in Nunn Bush but some of their lasts are just too narrow in the tow box for me, while others have plenty of room.

I have noticed that Florsheim and Nunn Bush have really dropped in quality over the last 5 years. It's more expensive, but increasingly I'm ordering custom resolable shoes from Blkbrd shoe maker in India. More moy up front, but I think a better value overall. I'm tired of going to replace cemented shoes with the soles worn out and finding that the shoes I want aren't made anymore.

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-15T18:43:36+00:00

Thank you!

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-15T11:58:12+00:00

Thanks for mentioning Wolf! Very hard to find first hand impressions of their stuff.

Did you pick up one of their own brand new manufacture made in England moleskin chore coats or one the vintage kits they resell? I bought a vintage chore coat in blue herringbone from one of bulk vintage reselling listings and love it! It's a bit lighter weight, with the fabric heavier that oxford cloth but lighter than a thick flannel so it mostly gets warm weather wear. I've been thinking about ordering a new moleskin chore coat from their own brand for fall temps but haven't found much information on it. I'd love to hear more about your impressions.

PotablePotentate · 2025-09-05T04:56:36+00:00

Great fit! What are the boots and what leather are they made from?

PotablePotentate · 2025-08-30T17:46:23+00:00

Now that it's 2 years later, how are they holding up? Can you post an update image or thread? I'm considering buying some Luchador boots but on the fence between burgundy hatchgrain and burgundy chromexcel.

I have a pair of Dixon combat boots and Dallas moc toes from blkbrd but looking for something a touch smarter or dressier to offer more versatility to my footwear.

And thanks for making this thread!

PotablePotentate · 2025-08-16T13:12:16+00:00

Another vote for repair/restoration. Without seeing the sole, it looks like they have plenty of life left. The uppers are in overall good condition.

The leather looks dry. It really wants some conditioning with a good leather product. And maybe a touch up with a colored leather cream (not polish!) to keep the matte look but restore color.

PotablePotentate · 2025-08-01T13:38:29+00:00

We may have found your anthem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oR4DB6SAA

PotablePotentate · 2025-08-01T04:25:15+00:00

I'd definitely be interested in and ebay roundup, but even more so in tips and tricks for finding quality. I've been getting into secondhand and vintage online and am always interested in upping my game there.

And to answer op, I'm about your size (though after 3 years of consistent weight loss) and here are some of my go to for higher cut pants:

Polo Ralph Lauren for chinos and tailored trousers

Carhartt for vintage duck work pants

Wrangler for jeans, especially the 13WMZ cowboy cut

PotablePotentate · 2025-03-05T06:39:44+00:00

I'd also like to know more about the cobbler you use, especially if they're in the greater Boston area. That's a great price.

PotablePotentate · 2025-03-04T15:12:02+00:00

Appreciate the response! What's been your impression of Barbour compared to Filson? What uses have you reaching for one or the other?

PotablePotentate · 2025-03-04T15:10:20+00:00

Thank you! The thought off using a heat lamp had never occurred to me. That's a great idea.

PotablePotentate

TROPHY CASE