At Gilbert & Lisson we are proud of our handmade ‘bespoke’ footwear; our shoes and orthotics are all ‘made to measure’; the finished product will achieve both ‘custom’ fit and style. Are these terms interchangeable? What, indeed, do they mean?
Bespoke
This word has its roots in the sixteenth century and can be understood simply as ‘spoken for’. When we say that we make bespoke footwear and orthotics, we mean that all our products are made to order. You speak, we listen, and your order is made as bespoken.
Made to measure
No prizes for guessing this term indicates that each of our products is crafted according to the customer’s measurements. However, at Gilbert & Lisson we go further than many ‘made-to-measure*’ brands. While some tailors and shoemakers offer a range of measurements to choose from, we always take the customer’s individual dimensions in detail (and in person) and work precisely to those. Rather than the ‘no-touch’ offer of some brands in these days of remote working and online ordering, we offer a hands-on service that ensures accurate measuring and clear communication.
*It is a feature of English that hyphens are required when compound adjectives precede their associated nouns. So: Our shoes are made to measure; we handcraft made-to-measure shoes. We do not sell footwear off the shelf; in fact, we don’t sell off-the-shelf footwear.
Custom
We use this word to describe a product made to your specifications – in every respect. The shape and size of each of your feet dictate those of the lasts we make (by hand). You don’t need to worry about whether we have a particular style in our repertoire, because we work to your request. And of course, the materials we use are your choice too. Your custom shoes are truly unique. Unless you decide to order two identical pairs…
