CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS AT HARLEM SHOES
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 MOLD TYPES
STANDARD
The standard Harlem Shoes last preserves the classic shape, elegant “pointy” silhouette that defines our timeless aesthetic.
NARROW
For slim or narrow feet, this mold provides a closer fit through the heel, arch, and front, ensuring support without extra room.
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 MOLD
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
Adds a bit of extra room and space above the toes to avoid pressure on the top of the foot. It is especially useful for higher toe joints or slightly curved toes.
SPACE FOR BIG TOE
Adds more room around the big toe area to prevent pressure and friction.
SPACE FOR BIG TOE OUTSIDE
Adds extra room from the side of the big toe for additional comfort and pressure relief.
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 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 SHAPE
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 mold as a standard base, chosen as the most versatile and comfortable shape for movement and dancing. 
BAREFOOT CUSTOMISATION OPTIONS
STANDARD BAREFOOT
The base barefoot shape provides enough space for a medium foot while maintaining a stable and elegant silhouette.
NARROW
We reduce a bit of the volume in the front part of the shoe for slim or flat feet, offering a secure fit without excess width.
EXTRA WIDE
Makes the already wide barefoot shape even roomier in the front part — perfect for those with extra-wide toes or who prefer full toe spread freedom.
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.