Customisation Options At Harlem Shoes
When you order a pair of Harlem Shoes, you’re not simply choosing a size - you’re beginning a process of creating something made specifically for your feet.
After placing the order, you’ll receive our detailed measurement guide by email.
By following this guide, you help us understand exactly what your feet need.
We don’t just adjust the length and width, we consider and take into account every aspect of your foot shape, bunions, high arches and toe curves. Size variations can happen depending on photo angles or how measurements are taken. Please follow our guide carefully and share photos from different angles.
Once we receive and analyze your measurements, we’ll recommend the most suitable size along with any necessary adjustments, such as adding extra space for your toes or making the shoe deeper to fit your orthopedic insole.
Below, you’ll find an overview of our main customization options:
Classic Last Types
1. Standard Last
The standard Harlem Shoes last preserves the classic shape, elegant “pointy” silhouette that defines our timeless aesthetic.
2. Narrow Last
For slim or narrow feet, this last provides a closer fit through the heel, arch, and front, ensuring support without extra room.
3. Wide & Super Wide
This fit expands the standard shoe across the entire front, middle part, and heel, creating more space around the whole foot.
It provides an overall roomier fit while keeping the classic structure and elegant shape.
Special Adjustments To The Classic Lasts
Wide in front, Double wide in front, Super wide in front
Only the front part of the shoe is made wider, keeping the heel and midfoot standard.
This creates more space for the forefoot while maintaining stability and snug fit in the back.
Space for toes up
Adds extra room above the toes to reduce pressure on the top of the foot. Especially helpful for higher toe joints or slightly curved toes.
Space for toes ouside
Provides additional width on the sides, allowing the toes to spread naturally for better comfort and pressure relief.
Space for toes in length
Adds extra room in the front toe area to improve comfort and reduce pressure along the length of the foot.
High Arch
This adjustment gives additional volume on the top in the middle part of the shoe.
It helps the shoe fit comfortably if your arch is more pronounced or if your foot has higher overall volume.
Deep / Space for the insole
We make the shoe slightly deeper inside, leaving room for your own orthopedic or custom insole to be placed on top of our built-in insole.
Available only for closed models.
Spring, Barbie, all men’s shoes, and all boots.
All of the options above — Standard, Narrow, Wide, Super Wide, Wide or Double Wide in Front or Super Wide Front, Space for Toes, Space for Big Toe, Space for Big Toe Outside, High Arch, Deep / Space for Insole — preserve the classic elegant “pointy” silhouette of Harlem Shoes. Each of these adjustments can also be combined with one another to achieve a balanced fit, depending on the specific needs of your feet.
Barefoot Shaped Shoes
When we started making barefoot models, our goal was to create this kind of wide shoes that dancers could actually move in. Most barefoot shoes aren’t made for dancing, but we wanted to change that.
We designed them to be as close as possible to the natural shape of the foot and give the toes space to spread, offering a relaxed feel, and supporting healthy movement. Read more about it here
We use a medium-width barefoot last as a standard base, chosen as the most versatile and comfortable shape for movement and dancing. 
Customisation Options For Barefoot Shaped Shoes
Standard Barefoot Last
The base barefoot shape provides enough space for a medium foot while maintaining a stable and elegant silhouette.
Narrow Barefoot Last
We slightly reduce the volume in the upper front part of the shoe to better suit slim or low-volume feet, providing a secure fit without excess space.
Extra Wide in Front
Expands the front width of the barefoot shape to provide maximum room for natural toe spread and freedom of movement.
Deep / Space For Insole
Adds internal depth to allow space for your personal or orthopedic insole.
Additionally, barefoot models are made from ultra-soft leather, including the heel area, and are designed to feel slightly more spacious and mild from the first wear.
Customization takes time, but this is what allows us to achieve the comfort and fit that ordinary shoes simply can’t offer. Our shoemakers use your details to modify the shoe’s geometry, adjust its width, add space where needed, and make sure the result feels like a natural extension of your body, balanced, flexible, and beautiful.