Stretching around size & Half

This amazing early pair by Daniel Wegan need to be stretched around 15mm in length, widh & height in order to fit my feet.
Enormous care, attention & patience is required, only attempting to stretch a couple of millimeters in one direction per session.
It will take several sessions to achieve desired fit.
The difficulty is compounded on this pair by the rare 'Double Sole' construction, a practice more usual amongst high end US makers' in the 1930s.

[@bespokeaddict]

Aerosol stretching spray should soften skins enough to stretch where required, you will need to apply to inside, not outside due to wax. I don't have any waxed skin, & do not know if spray will affect surface. There is a detailed video using spray posted some time ago

[@AdonisMediaProductions]

Very nice pair of boots, I'm sure they will be amazing when they are ready. I'm trying to do the opposite, I bought some new Red Wing boots at a crazy discount but they are about half a size (maybe one full size) too big and wish I could get them to fit more snugly. Double sock and insole helps a lot but I still feel like it could me more snug and it would push my toes closer to the end, which is needed. cheers!, you got some really cool videos

[@bespokeaddict]

There are a few videos on gallery demonstrating 'shrinking', shrinking a full size is realistic, however, it is time consuming, physical & not without risk. There are several more 'shrinking' videos on my Instagram @bespokeaddict

[@AdonisMediaProductions]

@@bespokeaddict Thanks for the reply, brother. I will have a look at those. I am a little worried about using the steam as a novice, I've heard the water soaking method is supposed to work well.

[@dosani1977]

Great video! Can I ask where you got those shoe trees? Never seen anything like them before. Thanks

[@bespokeaddict]

Just a lucky find in charity shop, or Ebay, I don't remember which, I have perhaps 200 pairs of trees, I don't remember where this pair were found.

[@satoshiblack1046]

That might explain why the loafers ive had stretching trees in for over a year haven't had much success, exactly what type of alcohol is that being used? Or is there any other type of lubricant that i could use, i certainly dont want to use my bottle of duty free grey goose lol

[@bespokeaddict]

I use Isopropanol Alcohol

[@dpeatebc7265]

Mr. B.A.: Your videos are educational and inspiring. I have a pair of Italian alligator oxfords by Gravati that are probably 40 years old and in good condition. They are size 10.5 D. I need to make them 10.5 EE at least and perhaps even wider. Do you recommend the alcohol treatment for stretching shoes like this?

[@bespokeaddict]

Old crocodile or alligator skin can be rather fragile, attempting to stretch is highly risky, tearing of skin, between scales is quite likely.

[@aungyetun4562]

Can alcohol damage the leather or colour?

[@bespokeaddict]

@@aungyetun4562 Alcohol will affect colour, but damaging leather is extremely unlikely

[@TheRaizerx]

Thanks for this. Is there a follow up video on this? Sorry but I can’t seem to find one. So after the soaking with alcohol and inserting the shoe trees, how did you keep them in the shoe? To check the of the fit has improved , I assume you test with your feet rather gingerly as the leather would be dry? And if the fit is good, I assume you would have to go through multiple stages of conditioning both the outside and the inside of the shoe? Thanks again

[@TheRaizerx]

Sorry I meant to ask how long do you keep the trees in the shoe? Days, hours? Overnight? If the fit still isn’t good, do you go through this process again? I assume at some point if it doesn’t stretch any further this would be the limit and no point continuing.

[@bespokeaddict]

The complete video series on BespokeAddict Instagram, it always takes ne a long time to get around to posting everything on KZbin

[@otonouzovsky515]

Hi, very nice video, can you stretch shoes in the width this way? Perhaps apply to the trees cardboard like in your last video and therefore give the trees more room? I have enough length on my shoes but they're killing me width-wise. Thanks for any response 🙏

[@bespokeaddict]

If your shoes go on your feet, they do not need as much stretch as you might think, what you suggest would work, but you will definitely need leather stretching spray, don't try to do too much in one session, do a few treatments, stretching a little each time. I posted more detailed & extensive stretching vidios 3 or 4 years ago.

[@alexandralvna]

How would I stretch my faux heels only half a size?

[@bespokeaddict]

Faux skin will behave differently to natural skin, if I tried to advise you, I would be guessing.

[@TheSleepSmith]

Hi Lee ,,,Love your vids!!!! QQ? Have a Mezlan alligator shoe which is mildly width tight....can I condition 1st .... then lightly stretch width without scale damage? Appreciate any suggestion and help in deciding??? Thank You

[@bespokeaddict]

For modest adjustments such as this, stretching spray should suffice. Treat skins & wear shoes with two pairs of socks until dry, you will need to repeat process a few times, but with patience, it will work .

[@TheSleepSmith]

@@bespokeaddict Thank You!!! I appreciate your responsive help and advice. Keep up the Great services which you provide. I will certainly Alert others to your Excellent videos and communication!!!🙏

[@dpeatebc7265]

@@bespokeaddict Your videos are very educational. I have a pair of Italian alligator oxfords by Gravati that are probably 40 years old and in good condition. They are size 10.5 D. I need to make them 10.5 EE at least and perhaps even wider. Do you recommend the alcohol treatment for shoes like this?

[@AncientGreek]

What's the purpose of the alcohol?

[@bespokeaddict]

Alcohol softens skin, making it more pliable, the skins would tear horribly attempting to stretch this degree dry

[@RickNO1985]

Hello, im in need of some guidance. I bought a pair of Wilcox ankle boots online and they seemed alright at first but after 4 days of attempting to break them in i realized i shoulf have gotten 11.5. They wont exchange them due to wearing them outside. They are full grain waxed cow hide, what would be your recommendation for gaining some length and width without damaging the leather? Thank you in advance for any advice. Also where can I get a shoe tree\stretcher like that?

[@afti03]

good sir, im using an adaptable stretching shoe tree and it does work. they're around 15 dollars a pair, very cheap