Just a few comments to supplement jcuseyâ€™s annotation about, the company that I personally would place at the top of the ready-to-wear pyramid. I must confess that this placement is not only based on the quality of EGâ€™s craftsmanship and its approach to customer satisfaction, but â€“ quite candidly -- because its approach to styling is so very reflective of my own tastes and that I am able to obtain an exceptionally good fit in their shoes.Edward Green, of course, is a maker of classic English shoes. The basic approach is rather trim and fitted (EGâ€™s view is that shoes should fit somewhat snugly yet comfortably) with an inherent elegance and a primacy on excellent leathers, fine finishes, and a rich -- often antiqued -- colours. Its range of models is inclusive of most of the traditional British styles. One particularly appealing aspect to the Edward Green approach is that one can order virtually any of these models on any of the appropriate lasts, in a very wide array of leathers and colours, with some slight modifications to fit, and with specified changes in details and styling...all for a rather modest upcharge. Such special orders may take some time to complete, but if one can get a good fit in an Edward Green shoe, this may be a very good alternative to bespoke at a one-third the cost.The company itself has gone through a number of changes over the past 116 years. The original Green family had the firm for many, many years, but the company eventually fell into decline and was sold to an American investor who took it even further down the path to financial ruin. In 1982, it was purchased by a British shoemaker, John Hlustik, for a single British pound. Under Hlustik, the company regained much of its past lustre, though there were some difficult moments, including having to pilot its way through some rocky shoals when an alliance with Hermes/Lobb did not work out. Hlustikâ€™s unexpected death six years ago took the company to another turning point. Hlustikâ€™s partner, Hilary Freeman, took over the management of the company and promptly recruited Tony Gaziano â€“- who had been apprenticed under Hlustik but who had left in 1996 to specialise in the making of lasts and bespoke shoes with G.J. Cleverley â€“ to help rebuild the firmâ€™s reputation for high-quality, ready-to-wear footwear. Mr. Gaziano was responsible for some of EGâ€™s newest and most elegant lasts. About three years ago, Edward Green returned to its custom roots and added a bespoke program under Mr. Gaziano. As one can see elsewhere on this Forum, it now appears that EG will be ending its bespoke operations this autumn and Mr. Gaziano will again be leaving the company...this time to begin his own bespoke shoemaking firm. What implications this might have for Edward Green's future, I cannot say. I do know that today the company continues to make as fine a ready-to-wear shoe as any.