Know your lasts? A shoe's last is the starting point of the shoemaking process. A shoe is built around a last, and it sets the size, shape and silhouette of a shoe. Find out more about the lasts we use at Hawes & Curtis and which to choose from.
THE EDWARD LAST
The Edward forms the base for the majority of our formal footwear. It features an almond-shaped toe, a medium width tread and a slightly narrower middle section.
- Classic Design: Almond-shaped toe and medium-width tread for a traditional, formal look.
- Refined Fit: Slightly narrower middle section for a tailored, sleek silhouette.
- The foundation for most of our formal footwear styles.
THE CHRISTOPHER LAST
Our Christopher has a more contemporary silhouette with our signature 'tucked waist' but with a rounder toe and broader tread. Often used with our Derbys due to their open lace construction.
- Contemporary Silhouette: Rounder toe and broader tread for a modern look.
- Signature Fit: Has a 'tucked waist' for a more refined shape.
THE BENJAMIN LAST
The Benjamin last is quite classic and used only for our Penny Loafers. It has a slightly asymmetric, semi-round toe with a high-walled toe box and a generous in-step.
- Classic Design: Slightly asymmetric, semi-round toe for a traditional look.
- Comfortable Fit: High-walled toe box and generous instep for added comfort.
THE FLOYD LAST
Used for our Tassle Loafers, the Floyd last has a slightly asymmetric almond-shaped toe with a medium width tread. Floyd has a daintier toe box, curved walls and a shorter apron.
- Sleek Profile: Slightly asymmetric almond-shaped toe for an elegant, refined shape.
- Purpose-Built Fit: Daintier toe box, curved walls, and shorter apron for a delicate look.
THE JOSEPH LAST
Originally made for dress slippers, the Joseph last is one of our more elegant and streamlined silhouettes thanks to its almond-shaped toe, curved walls and signature tucked waist.
- Classic Design:Almond-shaped toe and curved walls for a streamlined look.
- Signature Fit: Has a 'tucked waist' for a more refined shape.
THE NICHOLAS LAST
Our Nicholas features a semi-round toe and low-walled toe box. Crafted for our Italian Suede Casual Loafer, its unlined construction ensures a secure fit and a curved heel provides added stability for all-day wear.
- Casual Silhouette: Semi-round toe and low-walled toe box for a comfortable, relaxed style.
- Secure Fit: Unlined design ensures a secure fit, with a curved heel providing added stability.
THE MATTHEW LAST
Developed exclusively for driving shoes, the Matthew last features a squarer, roomier toe box, allowing natural splay for all-day comfort. A true moccasin construction, where the upper wraps beneath the foot, our Portuguese makers refer to this as “luva” – their word for “glove.
- Practical Design: Soft-square toe and low instep for natural foot movement.
- Roomy Fit: Generous toe box allows natural splay for all-day comfort.
THE ALFIE LAST
Our Alfie features a round toe, medium-width tread and low instep, the latter of which provides security, stability and comfort during prolonged wear. A true moccasin construction, where the upper wraps beneath the foot, our Portuguese makers refer to this as “luva” – their word for “glove.
- Classic Design: Round toe, medium-width tread, and signature tucked waist.
- Supportive Fit: Lower instep enhances stability and comfort for prolonged wear.
THE ARCHIE LAST
The Archie features a round toe, broad tread, and curved instep. Its balanced volume allows natural foot movement and a contoured heel cup ensures a secure fit, reducing heel slip for active comfort.
- Active Design: Round toe, broad tread, and curved instep for a natural fit.
- Secure Fit: Contoured heel cup reduces heel slip, providing stability during active wear.
