TAILOR-MADE SHOES FOR MEN: 7 CUSTOMIZABLE DETAILS.

The great philosopher Otis said something very sensible, which we’d like to repeat in this introduction to talk about tailor-made shoes for men.

From his mouth came a magnificent monologue, “You know, I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong situation.”

For us, shoes are no different: there are no good shoes or bad shoes. For Rives, there’s no single must-have model, and there’s a reason why.

When you walk through the door of our flagship store, the first thing that jumps out at you is the silhouette, the harmony.

And, of course, your shoes are not “outside” your silhouette: they’re an integral part of it.

That’s why today we’re going to discuss the importance of tailor-made shoes in the male silhouette.

And in the process, we’ll give you a few tips on how to choose the pair of shoes that will set you apart… and fit you like a glove.

TAILOR-MADE OR MADE-TO-ORDER SHOES: THE RIVES PHILOSOPHY

Expert in made-to-measure shoes, this may not be the first sector you associate Rives with, and we can understand you: we often communicate more about tailor-made suits as well as wedding suits.

But over the years, we’ve come to realize that our added value goes beyond simple fabric advice: we work with you from head to toe to design your silhouette.

In order, we focus on your silhouette, then refine the work with details.

Details are really what allow us to play according to your desires: details to balance, details to make a silhouette more formal or more fashionable.

And what about the shoes? They’re no exception! Shoes are not a separate component of a good men’s Outfit: the silhouette is a whole.

It’s not just the suit on one side, and the shoes on the other, or the hat, gloves and so on.

First impressions are everything, not scrupulous analysis of every detail: like us, you know people who carry between 5 and 7 beautiful pieces with them, but unfortunately, these pieces don’t play together but against each other.

THE EVOLUTION OF MEN’S FOOTWEAR: NO REVOLUTION YET?

If we look at a men’s wardrobe from the 1960s to the present day, it’s obvious that footwear has evolved at a slower pace than the rest of the wardrobe.

Basically, for our very wise customers and for men who don’t yet dare to take risks when dressing, the choice is relatively limited:

– sneakers for evenings and weekends
– and richelieu or oxford for daytime, neither too round nor too pointed, normal, all-purpose.

In plain English? A choice of shoes that doesn’t say a word.

It can be a choice, of course, to blend in, to be invisible, like Bateman declaring “Because I want to fit in” in American Psycho.

At Rives, we are aware that footwear has not yet fully emancipated itself.

We admire our customers who try to combine different styles, mixing casual and formal? And yet, often, even for them, a shoe is still a shoe, and shoes are no laughing matter!

And this, despite the existing offer, despite attempts to relax the rules.

Some brands have made their mark and continue to do so, but the evolution of the shoe remains slow.

If your father had good taste and took good care of his shoes, you’re probably wearing the same shoes he wore 20, 30 years ago.

Ah, how proud he looked in his suit!(which, by the way, has evolved, unlike the shoes).

The verdict, 30 years later: in the 80’s and 90’s, shoulders were too wide, Trousers were too baggy, the silhouette was all over the place.

Fortunately, the suit is back in style, but the shoe has changed very little.

WHAT IF COVID-19 MARKED THE RELAXATION OF THE DRESS-CODE?

When the big American banks drop the tie and then the jacket, it’s the suit that’s out.

This has had an impact on sales: since 2010, the suit market has been on a downward slope.

As your style becomes more casual, as your wardrobe becomes more modern, it seems difficult to keep shoes that are highly codified.

Our mission: to make them more contemporary, more versatile, in the same way we’ve infused the spirit of costume over the past 10 years.

AND THEN… LET’S FACE IT, IT’S JUST YOU AND ME: WE KNOW VERY WELL THAT WHEN YOU TELEWORK, YOU’VE BEEN IN SLIPPERS AND SNEAKERS FAR MORE OFTEN THAN IN HIGH BOOTS TO FETCH THE BREAD (WITH OR WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE).

RIVES AND TAILOR-MADE SHOES

The term tailor-made shoes is debatable: we prefer to speak of made-to-order shoes.

When you make an appointment at the Rives flagship, we don’t take as many measurements for your foot as we do for a suit.

You try on a size, and we find the right width for your foot (we offer two widths).

Our goal for your shoe is simple: to help you approach maximum comfort.

It’s one of the comments we often hear: the comfort of Rives shoes. As well as their lightness.

The shoe doesn’t exist in the store: you choose your model, then the size.

Models? We offer dozens, from sneakers to richelieu, oxfords, boots, shoes without laces, or with laces, of course.

Every component of the shoe can be customized.

The most important thing when choosing your tailor-made shoe?

Basic form, material and color. This is how 90% of our customers think.

Our role at this stage is to help you think things through, for example by offering to customize the sole (even for shoes):

sport soles or commando soles?

Once you’ve chosen all the details, you’ll be looking at a great shoe with traditional, handmade craftsmanship.

Ultra-comfortable, made in Portugal with Ranger soles, for a cool look.

And all without being outrageous. Without looking like a satanist buying at Les Halles!

MADE-TO-ORDER SHOES WITH THE RIVES TOUCH

You can’t see it, but you can feel it: you can feel the difference.

Your shoes are not the same as your neighbor’s.

The difference is subtle, the detail hard to see, but your difference tells a different story.

Take a look at this pair, for example.

ONE OF OUR BEST-SELLERS, WHICH WE USE FOR SHOOTS. THE SHAPE OF THE SHOE DOESN’T CHANGE, IT’S VERY TRADITIONAL.

However, it’s the sole that has changed, to give the shoe a more relaxed, urban feel.

The Rives credo, whether for tailor-made suits or shoes, is always to start with more or less traditional pieces, then think of ways to divert them, modernize them and make them compatible with the times.

Make them relevant to the man of the 2020s.

Obviously, this is the type of shoe you’ll wear to the party or the office, once you’ve settled in, but not for an interview, let’s not exaggerate…

TOTAL CUSTOMIZATION FOR YOUR SHOES?

We offer hundreds of possible skins and colors, which you can select in-store.

An example of creation? Some of our customers go so far as to use the same fabric as their tailor-made suit for a part of their sneakers (sometimes the tongue, sometimes the heel reinforcement). Anything is possible.

The philosophy behind this customization is aligned with our founding idea: when we decided to revisit the Tuxedo, we promised ourselves to revisit the shoe too.

What do you want to personalize? Shoelaces? Shoe interior colors? The color of the outsole? It can be done.

We’re well aware that 80% of you will end up opting for tailor-made shoes in black, brown, and possibly with a brown patina.

WE’D LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CREATIONS:

our midnight-blue patent shoes are a hit at weddings, and the more daring are tempted by glazed green (neither patinated nor patent, but glazed).

The very icy look appeals to both ceremonial and everyday wearers.

THE BELGIAN MODEL, YELLOW OR RED, SLIP-ON SNEAKERS SOMETIMES HAPPEN TO US!

There’s something a little smarter than sneakers: you can add tassels. It’s really somewhere between a moccasin and a sneaker.

Wear the day after a wedding for brunch, to relax, or out on the town with a baggy.

Opt for engraved initials on the side of the sole. Most of the time, it’s in relief, you can see it, but it’s not ostentatious. On the outside of the shoe, of course.

ADVICE FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SYLVAIN

Esther Perel said it best: “Under the comforter, there are never just two of us. There are our parents, our upbringing, prejudices, taboos.”

When choosing your tailor-made shoes, start by not thinking about your mother, father or partner. Let me tell you the story of Nicolas, our typical customer.

He’s 40, and grew up seeing Dad in a suit during the week, and in a chino at the weekend.

He grew up in a conformist era: if you respected the codes, you were well-integrated, respectable.

Nicolas evolves at a slower pace than his time, and still thinks a lot about his parents.

Back then, you could say that life was made up of constraints, and that constraints were life.
On a day-to-day basis, in 2021, constraints are less and less accepted.

For us, the suit is no longer the symbol of success it once was (especially not for us: we live it as a passion, as a pleasure).