John Fluevog

The shoes themselves get 5 stars. They are well made, and gorgeous. My issue is not with the shoes themselves, but with the education of the staff on policies and fit.
I wanted a pair of Bond Girl tall boots. I researched them online, looked at the calf measurements and learned they run a little narrow. Before going up to the store, I called and asked the staff if they would be a good choice, as my calf measured about an inch or so lager than the boot. They said no problem, they can stretch them up to three inches. So I went up, purchased my boots and left them at the store for stretching.
Two weeks later I got a call they were ready. I drove up from Tacoma, and my boots still did not fit. They fit *better*, but one of them still didn’t zip all the way. Not wanting to make another trip, I took them home and planned to take them to a cobbler nearer to home.
I took them to my local shoe repair place (big shout out to Ardesson’s!). They took one look at them and told me the staff at the store had lied to me. Because of the zipper, they can only be stretched ¼−½ inch before the zipper will break. If they had been full shaft with no zipper, they could have done the full 1 – 2 inches I needed. Luckily, Ardesson’s knows what they’re doing, so they are putting an elastic gusset in for me. However, the staff at the Fluevog store should have known this and told me I might have to do that BEFORE I purchased the boots.
On top of all of this, when I picked up the boots I had to ask the staff for a bag, since they had thrown away the box. Who does that? They were thinking I’d just walk through Seattle, carrying a pair of boots. If I’m spending $ 400+ on a pair of shoes, I don’t think I should have to ask them for the box or a bag.
For the level of service I got, I may as well have just ordered online. Any future pairs will be purchased online for sure. I won’t waste time, gas, and parking fees going to the store.

When I first glanced at the shoes in the store it made me think of that depressed girl in high school that had a weight problem and used to cut herself. Then the sales person mentioned how John Fluevog helped design Doc Martins. Makes sense. There is a heavy handed attempt by Fluevog to convince people that if you’re truly unique and stylish, you’d buy these shoes. His mission statement is printed in several places throughout the store. (The statement ends with «buy my shoes.») The sentiment is echoed by the shameless fake flattery of the salesmen in the store who must be either blind, brain dead or lying to think this pair of shoes look great on anyone. Don’t be fooled. There is nothing unique, aesthetic or stylish about this line of shoes that were clearly designed by some middle age man that must be really into Monday night football. The designs try too hard, the quality is poor and the none of the shoes appear to fit any of the customers correctly. (Too bulky around the ankles, or too tight around the toes.) At this price point you’d be way better off to walk into any department store and buy shoes from a real designer. (But Fluevog would of course retort that a unique person wouldn’t shop at the mall. They’d shop at his overpriced store of garbage instead.) If you’re truly an individual, decide for yourself. But for the rest of you, you’ve been warned. This is tasteless, cheap garbage. Don’t believe the hype.

I’ve been familiar with Fluevog shoes since the 80’s, but lately, their quality has gone downhill. Bought a pair of Zachary boots and the upper separated from the sole within a couple months. Brought them back to this store and they said that the only thing they could do is «send them out» for repair and it would take several weeks. I thought that meant they were sending them back to England or something, but no, it was to a repair shop a couple blocks away. After not hearing from them for months, I called the store asking where my boots were and they had the repair shop call me back, told me he would get right on it and they would be ready for me to pick up the next day at the store. Which means he didn’t touch them until I called.
They charged me $ 60 to fix the boots and the heel fell off immediately.
I went back to the Seattle store recently to get new laces for the boots and was told that they don’t carry them. I find it odd that they don’t carry laces for the boots that they sell. When I brought up the problem with the repair, as a way to let them know that the shop they use is not doing good work, I was told that it wasn’t their problem and to take it up with the repair shop.
I went to their website looking for laces: nada. I contacted their customer service chat line asking how long of laces I need to buy (from elsewhere, apparently) for these boots and was told that they didn’t know and to call their New York store. The New York store is not answering their phone.
EDIT: Just got off the phone with New York store. Apparently this question is just too much for them to manage.
I just want new laces. I don’t understand why they make that so difficult.
From my experience, I conclude that they are only interested in selling shoes and if there are problems with the shoes, you are dead to them. For as much as their shoes cost, I expect better service. But I think their business model of having high-​rent locations with only meager stock is their downfall.

I’m kinda bummed. I’ve had more than several pairs of Fluevogs since (I think) the late 80s. They have always been great shoes — stylish, unique, durable, and comfortable. This month, I had a relatively new pair of Fluevogs fall apart on me. Stitching ripped, soles began to detach. I called them up and explained the situation, and that I’d had the shoes for about 4 months and had worn them about 1 — 2 times per week. They told me to bring them in so they could send them out to a cobbler for repair. Repair? Seriously?! I spent 350.00 on these shoes! I wore them less then 25 times. My first pair of Fluevog boots is still in great shape and I’ve worn them 100’s of times. Do I want a cobbler to patch up my shoes, even if it doesn’t cost me anything? No! I wanted a replacement. For this kind of money, I expect quality. If the shoes I end up with are sub par for any reason, I expect a new pair — not a repaired pair. Like I wrote in the beginning, I’m bummed.

WHY!!! Why did I walk into this store? It is bliss for the shoe lover. Uniquely styled shoes for men and women (90 day layaway available) and as one reviewer stated that 40 somethings will like this chic designer.

These shoes are FABULOUS!!! i love ‘em. love ‘em!!! stylin’ flair well-​made comfort — for a footwear-​fanatic (dat’s me!), this is heaven! and the staff are super friendly and helpful and i totally dig these shoes! i go in once a month just to chat and to try on and yes… i have a problem. mmmmmm — but a nice one. i highly recommend you stop in early and often.
and i’d five bang this place but damn! i struggle with the prices! Yes, i know, the shoes are worth it! But i gotta wait for the sale!
go in and have some fun!

Went in with my wife to look and ended up buying a pair for each of us. Salesman Roland was extremely knowledgable and helpful!!!

Roland, Carolyn and Molly are my favorite fluevologists. They’re super helpful and friendly. Let me break this down…
Molly –I brought my shoes in that were damaged. Megan was super helpful and listened to my tale of woe. She sent my shoes off and, while I was there, she helped me pick out a pair of Minis which I put on layaway.
Roland — I came in with my mom to pick out shoes for her Christmas present. He was very patient and understanding. We brought my 2 year old daughter and it’s very difficult to shop with a two year old. However, Roland was very nice to her and listened to her as she chattered about Thomas the train and everything else under the sun — all while helping my mom find the perfect fit on her shoes.
Carolyn — while mom was shopping for shoes, I chatted with Carolyn who told me about the shoes she preferred and the best fit. She is super talented and makes her own jewelry! We both agreed that it’s hard to find shoes for larger calves — so sad! I want more wide calf boots, please!!! Carolyn also helped with my daughter and entertaining her.
Altogether, I have had the best shoe shopping experience ever with these Fluevogologists. I love them and recommend all people get at least one pair of Fluevogs from them — your feet will thank you!

I have never physically been to the Seattle store, but I have been a Fluevoger for many years. This review is based on my experiences purchasing boots from this store over the phone.
My local Fluevog store (NYC) was out of my size on a style I wanted. The last remaining pair was in Seattle! I called the store and was helped by a great sales associate named Carolyn. She discovered that one boot from the pair was missing, and after some research found out that it had been shipped out to be photographed in a magazine. She promised to get the shoe back and keep me in the loop.
It took a couple of weeks for the boot to be sent back to the store (still in perfect condition) and Carolyn stayed in touch with me via phone and email for the entire time. She was very helpful with updating me throughout the process. I have always found the salespeople at Fluevog to be very knowledgable and helpful.
My boots just arrived in the mail and they are PERFECT! Thanks, Carolyn and Fluevog Seattle!

Drool, I’m in shoe heaven. Now to explain why…
Pros:
–Decent variety of shoes. Women, men, and unisex. Boots, oxfords, and heels. There may be more shoe type options that I missed.
–Comfort factor is high for flats or low heel shoes.
–High quality leather. Folks say that Fluevog shoes are pricey but there are other shoe brands with lower quality craftsmanship and higher prices. I’ll gladly pay the Fluevog price for the quality.
–Ships to different states though shipping cost will be applied. You can call a store and place the order to ship to you.
–Check the sales section on the website. It’s easy to navigate with deep discounts.
–Quality guarantee is fair. You can send back to Fluevog for repairs. I’m not sure about costs associated with repairs or warranty policy.
–The store has an overall welcoming environment. I like the layout of their store. And the fun (free) pins are a nice touch.
Cons:
–Website could be a little more appealing. I want to feel like I am in shoe heaven through the website, but I sadly am not transported to my happy place via Fluevog website.
–Employees are pleasant but don’t seem really knowledgeable unlike other shoe stores. You should come in knowing what you want and be proactive with your questions instead of hoping the sales folk will anticipate your questions.
–Sizing is not consistent but that’s what happens when shoes are handcrafted and different styles are introduced.
–Sizes available may be limited due to in-​store stock. But you can place a shipping order if the size is available at another location.

Review for the store: it’s great, first thing in the morning on a weekday. There’s never anyone else there (or if they are, they don’t really seem too interested in shopping), so I get great personalized service. Now that I have been there a lot, the early-​morning staff knows me pretty well, and the service is even better. However, I admit that on a busy day (such as International Fluevog Day or the few weekend days I’ve risked going downtown) there can often be a case of too many clients and not enough employees, and someone’s going to suffer. I can usually hang around and wait, so it is not too bad, but if you are there on a weekend, it might take a little while to get yourself sorted out — especially if there are lots of different shoes you want to try on.
Review for the shoes: they are quirky and fun. Yes, they are expensive, but go to Nordstrom and try to find a pair as interesting as the Elif or as cute as the Viv. You can’t. I’m willing to pay more for artistic shoes. However, there is a drawback here as well. Sizing is all over the map, and I do mean ALL OVER. On a recent trip I tried on shoes (that fit me) ranging from a 7 in the Baroque Murillo to a 9 in the Prepare Guide. In any other brand, I can try on any shoe and know that all their styles will fit me. With Fluevog it’s a total crapshoot, and it’s the only reason I ever physically go to the store. If I could rely on size 8 being my size in all Vogs (as it is in all other brands), then I’d just phone up the store and have them ship me the shoes, saving 520 toll money and Seattle parking money as well as the large chunk of time a trip takes out of my day. But because the sizing is so inconsistent, I do have to make the trip when I want something new. Thankfully Brenda and Willy are patient and saintly with me, and I usually try on many many styles and make fit notes for the future.
Result? Fluevog will probably always be on my list; they’re always my first stop when I need new shoes (though «need» is such a strong word :-) and going to the Seattle store is worth the extra hassle. And they’ll help you by email if you want them to. Recommended.

This is a review on my store experience, not the shoes as I haven’t tried mine yet. Hopefully, it doesn’t fall apart like the reviews I’ve read.
The salespeople aren’t very knowledgeable. We don’t have a store in my city so I was so excited to visit this store. I’ve always heard Fluevog’s were quality shoes. But I was quite disappointed with my store experience. Almost every shoe I tried, there was something wrong. The lady kept saying oh the sizes aren’t consistent, yeah that one is too wide, this is too narrow, oh it’s handmade… even the right and left sizes weren’t consistent. Then I asked her why one of the heels was not put in right as there was a gap, her reply, oh that shouldn’t be like that. I didn’t tell her that another style was also not assembled correctly. Even the cushion level on each shoe varied, she said she has to buy those gel things to insert so it’s more comfortable.
I was so set on getting the Nefertiti, but the left and right sides did not fit right on me. The shoe that I finally could fit, I wanted to buy but get this… for an almost $ 300 shoe, the shoebox was crap! I asked them, why does it look like your box got wet. Oh I remember, we had a leak in the store about a year ago. Um, I don’t want a damaged shoe. Oh don’t worry, the shoe is fine. So then I ask, why is the bottom of the shoebox wet?
I added a picture in the photo section of the crappy box that my shoe came in. Notice how the water damaged the bottom of the box but they still insist the shoes were perfect.
You would think if you are spending so much money on a shoe, the quality of the salespeople, the box, the shoe would be much better. Crossing my fingers that the shoe doesn’t fall apart. I’m giving it a try b/​c my friends had previously raved about it’s comfort.

OK, I have never been a shoe freak. Until now. Until John Fleuvog entered my life. The shoes are comfortable the first time out. They are adorable, They have sales, OMG they have sales.
The shoes are high quality and most are resolable. Your shoemaker is your friend, especially since the uppers are still likely to be in good condition when the soles get worn out since the leather is so good.
I bought my son a couple of pairs because he can walk through a pair of shoes in 3 – 8 months. He walks a lot and loves them. They look classy enough to wear to work at Brooks Brothers and cool enough to wear anywhere.
That said, I have just a few criticisms.
The sizes are all over the map, totally inconsistent. This is frustrating but can be overcome with persistence. Some of the shoes will not even begin to go on my wide, high instepped foot in any size. This is understandable as I’m sure many people have the opposite problem.
The laces can leave something to be desired; after only about a month of wearing, my son’s laces are fraying.
When we walked into the Seattle store we were ignored. Admittedly, they were busy that day but, ignored. I don’t like it when I enter a store and someone zeros in on me like a guided missile with the «Hello, welcome to fill in the blank store», especially if am ignored subsequently. I would much prefer to be left to browse a bit and after a while have someone come up to me and say «We’re really busy right now, someone will be with you in a few minutes if you like.» We had come in to town to do this and the sale was winding down. I was determined, so we waited and gathered piles of shoes we wanted to try on. I bought my son a pair of shoes, a pair of boots and a bag and myself a pair of shoes. I almost didn’t feel bad that we kept them past closing since if they hadn’t ignored us for so long it wouldn’t have happened.

I still love Fluevogs, but I am sadly docking them a star because they’re so skinny calf-​centric. Do you have awesome, sporty calves like I do? Well then you can be assured that 100% of their taller boots are off-​limits to you. My calves measure 17″ around the largest part (that sounds SO RIDICULOUS, maybe I should stop playing sports? NAW!) so even if they were to stretch them out for me, I wouldn’t be able to wear any of the boots I tried on.
I did try on a pair of «Serene» short boots this past weekend that were super comfy and cute looking, and also perfect for larger calves because they aren’t very tall. 2″ heels gives you a little height advantage, but don’t preclude walking around town all day!
Give this place a try if you like funky boots with some character. And/​or if you have skinny little stick legs!

I’ve window shopped at this store many times. I’ve purchased several pairs of shoes and have enjoyed each of them! The shoes are crafted with the finest materials. Their form is fashionable and the fit is heavenly. The store is petite in size. However, the selection is formidable. The sales associates are some of the best in Seattle.

Great service, sure the shoes are pricey, you do get what you pay for however. Nice to see a handful of the old classic styles are still available. Our Salesperson, Rolandn was awesome. Super helpful & funny. Great experience & my husband found a sweet pair of creepers.

Can’t help it!!!
I typically do not wax poetic… but every once in awhile someone, something really POPS — Fluevog is a shoe philosophy. They may not suit your style but they have a culture as rabid as Harley Davidson.
Let’s get to the review… this is really a review for Fluevog shoes. They are my absolute FAVS!!!
I watch for them on eBay, I religiously open and eagerly digest their emails, I buy them at their stores which until I moved was the Seattle store. Although, I remember their store in Toronto in the 80’s.
OK — the shoes are sooooo creative — it is really shoe ART. Just bought a pair of clogs, wonderfully tall, wedged in heel geisha-​like. I love them. And guess what — in the box, shipped from the Chicago store was a cool pin, a cherry lollipop and 3 stickers… smile.
Fluevogs are true originals. They are my most prized and deeply loved shoes — just can’t help it… they are BEAUTIFUL.

Cute shoes, and a good price considering they’re all leather and will last forever. I am a bit unhappy that my current favorite is over $ 300…and not a boot. That’s a teeny tiny bit of leather for $ 300…BUT SO CUTE!
Service there is excellent as well. They know their shoes like mad, and can recommend the exact care, and will look after your old shoes even if they’re not fluevogs… they’ll recommend a shoe repair shop that they trust, and sell you some leather care stuff, and they even polished my husband’s old fluevogs for free. Great service, no doubt! Love it.

I fell in love with these shoes after stumbling upon the shop/​studio in Vancouver’s Gastown district 6 months ago. I had shopper’s regret — for NOT buying these boots while I was there, but was so excited to find out that there was a store right here in Seattle!
Even after trying on all sorts of boots at Nordstroms, I kept coming back to this place. I finally settled on the most beautiful boots ever — the Bellevue Mattie Silks. The store clerk was super helpful and friendly. She spoke passionately about the design and construction of these shoes. Not only is the style unique and the shoes well made, they are super comfortable.
I walked out of there a happy person, and another stranger on the sidewalk even glanced at my bag with a wistful smile and commented on my purchase, as if welcoming me to the secret club of Vog owners.

John Fluevog, you are a weirdo. And I love you.
Your shoes are hot shit, and I want to adopt all of them. (Really. I have a waiting list.) But your staff could use a little help.
I know that lots of people come into the store «to just browse, thanks», but I didn’t. I came to your store to buy! But your staff was cold and distant until the magic words tumbled past my lips: «I’ll take both pairs.» Since I made a $ 550 investment in 20 minutes, I’d like a little more warmth from my guide into the wonderful world of weird before my credit card hits the counter. Had he been frosty like a good beer throughout the whole transaction, I don’t think I’d have beef… but that sudden warming front that hit me when my card came out? Yowsa.
I think I’ll buy online from now on.
Accessibility notes: Store is small with limited room for mobility devices. Staff may or may not be interested in assisting customers with special requests. No braille signage or prices.