These RM Williams Chinchilla have all the hallmarks of an artisan boot, with a hand burnished finish, chisel square toe, flat heel, fully lined upper, brown elastics and leather sole with natural stained edge.
The burnishing technique on the Chinchilla Boot is an Italian inspired artisanal method, with Australian craftsmanship bringing out the richness and true characteristics of leather. First the boot upper is cut from unfinished hide; Italian dye is then applied by hand. This is followed by hours of polishing and buffing, with particular attention paid to the toe and heel. Colours are worked and re-worked to create a mesmerising tonal transition, and each one-piece-of-leather boot travels through 90 pairs of hands as it’s made. The process creates a beautiful richness and unique highs and lows on a boot.
Size and Fit
The fit is the most important aspect of any item of footwear. You could be wearing the most aesthetically pleasing shoes you’ve ever owned. If they fit you poorly, you’ll feel and look uncomfortable. For something that is going to carry you about all day, it’s very worthwhile to put some time into finding a fit that is correct. There are a lot of different factors involved with how a shoe will fit: the last, width fitting, lacing (if any) and sole unit all play a part in how the shoe will feel, as will the time of day that you’re trying them on, the longer you’re on your feet, the larger and more sensitive your feet will be. However, this can also work to your advantage, as if a shoe is comfortable at the end of the day, they will be comfortable all the time. Things to look for 1. Everybody’s feet are different. It’s important to remember that the fit of a shoe is much more about the last (the form on which the shoe is made that denotes shape and fit) than the size: every last has a different manner of fitting, so it’s important to try them to see which works best for you. You may vary by half a size in some styles of shoe based on the different lasts they were constructed on. 2. Generally speaking, the most important fit of a shoe is the width. You should feel supported, but certainly not too tight; ideally you want some space over the top of your toes so the leather has somewhere to go when it breaks in. If it feels constrictive or it’s pinching your toes, it’s best to try a half size up, or a wider fit – some styles come in a wider G width fitting, which is worth keeping in mind. There’s a lot to be said for giving your feet a bit of breathing space. 3. When it comes to the construction of the shoe, you may get a little bit of movement at the heel when trying new shoes on, which is totally normal and something which will ease over time. Also, the cork filler in the insole of the shoe, when new, is quite stiff and takes a couple of wears to start moving with your foot. It’s worth remembering that although a shoe should feel comfortable when you first try it on, it takes a few wears in order for it to become fully comfortable as the leather needs to soften to the shape of your foot. 4. Do not buy a shoe that feels too tight from the start. Although leather does give over time, it isn’t going to miraculously grow in size to fit your foot. Instead, keep in mind that the shoe should gently ‘hug’ your foot, not restrict it. 5. If you have a high arch, it’s best to try a shoe with open lacing, otherwise known as a derby. This will give you more space across the top of your foot. There will be a slight compromise with loafers, as you don’t have the support of laces. Heel movement may be more prominent to begin with and they may take a couple of extra wears to break in properly, but once they are they’re just as comfortable as lace ups. Remember, not every style of shoe is going to suit every foot type, so figuring out what works best for you. Use our size guides to help give you an idea. Ultimately, you are the only one knows how a shoe fits by trying it on. All our stores will be happy to take you through the fit of the shoes and find a shape which works for you.
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