Calla Mary Jane
by Thierry Rabotin View Product Description...

Thierry Rabotin

Why can’t all shoes be as comfortable as house slippers? That’s the question Thierry Rabotin asked himself when he was growing up in a small village in west-central France. He became a shoe designer in 1978 to answer his own question and to create shoes as blissfully comfortable as going barefoot.

Today, the Thierry Rabotin factory in Italy preserves age-old artisan shoemaking skills while maintaining the highest technical standards. Soft, premium-quality leathers are carefully inspected and matched, and then are joined to the last using a sacchetto construction that ensures a flexible, lightweight, and glovelike fit. Poron memory foam in the insole provides resilient padding; many styles have built-in arch support.

Are Thierry Rabotin shoes as comfortable as walking barefoot? Just ask the many passionate customers in our Bay Area stores. They’ll tell you that once you try on a pair of Thierry Rabotin shoes, even barefoot doesn’t feel right!

Fitting Tips

Get sized regularly by a professional, preferably using a Brannock device. It is important to measure the width of the foot and to take into consideration the type of arch you have.

Wear the right socks. Consider your plans and activities and wear the most breathable and absorbent socks or stockings for the occasion with the appropriate footwear. If going bare, keep clean and dry.

Check the construction. Look at the sole and heel of the shoe to see what kind of terrain the shoe is meant to handle. Also look inside to assess the lining and upper elements of the shoe, checking to see how they will address your needs. A leather lined shoe will generally last longer than one without lining, though the unlined shoe may be lighter and more appreciated in warmer climates.

Walk around. When trying on a new pair of shoes, always try on both pair and walk around a bit - always on a clean indoor surface of course. Flex your arch and toes to see if the shoes feel good while you move about. Try shoes on in the afternoon or evening. Feet swell to their largest as the day progresses, so you will get a better reading of your true size once your feet have warmed up to the day.

Measurements & Ordering The Right Size

For at-home measuring, make sure you are standing, wearing the socks or hosiery you will wear with your new shoes. Measure both of your feet along the side with a tape measure or ruler, from heel to big-toe for an approximate size. Using a Sizing Chart, convert your inches measurement to your U.S. shoe size or E.U. shoe size.

If one foot is larger than the other, always fit the larger foot.

Shoe sizes vary by style—they run long, short, wide or narrow. We test fit size 8.5 shoes, and sometimes recommend ordering a larger or smaller size. Look for this information on any product page. (I.e. Fit: Runs long, buy a half size down.

The letters "4A", "3A", “2A”, "B”, or "C" below the sizes refer to the width of the shoe. 4A = Ultra Narrow and C = Wide.

Some Specifics

Allow some time to break in a great pair of leather shoes--the best ones are a little tight in the beginning. By doing it right you’ll have shoes that are molded to your feet perfectly. See the How To Care tab for advice on proper shoe maintenance.

If the upper of the shoe is made of elastic or an elastic-blend fabric the shoe should fit snugly and need no breaking in. Shoes should never squeeze or cramp your toes.

If your shoes are slightly too loose in the in-step, a toe pad can be added to create a better fit, preventing any unnecessary friction.

For more heel and arch support or extra cushioning, consider custom fitted orthotic inserts, or even some gel inserts to target the problem.

Fitting Questions? Please call 1-800-385-6517 or email 'customerservice@berenshoes.com'

How to Care

A new pair of shoes from Arthur Beren is an investment that will give you a great deal of use and satisfaction. Your new shoes should look and feel wonderful each and every time you slip them on. A modest amount of time spent on shoe care can be extremely valuable in extending the life and look of your favorite footwear. Shoe creams, lotions and brushes are all excellent for removing those pesky stains, but preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your favorite pair looking like they just came out of the box.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Shoe Trees

No shoe in your closet should be without a pair of Rochester’s red cedar shoe trees. The red cedar naturally absorbs odor and wicks moisture from the shoe. The natural foot shape smoothes out wrinkles and creases and helps maintain the integrity of the shoe’s construction.

Shoe Horns

Regular use of a shoe horn will prevent the back of your foot from damaging the heel of your favorite shoes. Acting as a lever between shoe and foot, it will keep the heel counter straight as you slip into a perfect fit.

All-Weather Shield (Leather, Fabric, Suede)

Apply All-Weather spray in an even coat around the shoe. Allow shoes to dry for 1/2 hour before re-applying or polishing. A monthly treatment should help protect your shoes from stains, water and salt damage.

CLEANING

Leather/Kid/Calf/Nappa
Minor stains can be removed with a cream polish. Apply black, brown, or neutral cream polish to a clean, soft cloth. Rub into the leather in small circular motions to moisturize the leather and release the dirt/stain. Once it is cleaned to your satisfaction, apply an even coat of all-weather shield to protect your shoes from future damage.

Patent Leather
Buff out minor smudges with a soft cloth.

Suede/Nubuck
Lightly go over the shoe with a brush to bring up the nap of the material. Take extra care with nubuck as the material is not as coarse as traditional suede. A suede block (or suede eraser) can be used to rub out some minor stains. All Weather Shield can also be used as a cleaning agent for water stains on suede shoes. Once the shoes are clean, use a brush or cloth and rub the nap in the opposite direction and treat with an even coat of All Weather Shield.

Fabric
A mild detergent, such as Woolite, dissolved with water and applied with a clean, soft cloth can be used to remove most minor stains.

Rubber/Jellies
Buff out minor smudges with a soft, damp cloth.

Exotics – Ostrich/Crocco/Peccary
Use the same cleaning recommendations as leather, but use extreme care. These materials can be more sensitive than calfskin. Always test any cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous piece of the shoe first.

TIPS/WARNINGS

Always test any cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous piece of the shoe and check for any discoloration.

When brushing suede shoes, be sure to start with a clean brush. After brushing, there may be some suede remnants in the bristles of your brush, so be sure to clean before switching to another color shoe.

Always use a clean cloth when polishing shoes. If possible, keep a dedicated cloth for black and brown shoes.

Odors can be greatly reduced by regular use of shoe trees. However, for stubborn shoe odors, pour baking soda into the footbed of your shoes. Allow the shoes to rest for 24 hours and shake out the excess baking soda.

Take any major stains or scuffs to a reliable shoe repair shop. For our Bay Area customers, we recommend Anthony’s Shoe Service in San Francisco (415.781.1138).