My feet are proportionally large for my body size: I wear a 10 and 1/2. I’ve had the same shoe size since elementary school, so I expected my body to grow into my shoe size. Alas, somewhere along the way, my feet stayed large and my body decided to call it quits.

It was a surprise, then, when I went into buy a pair of shoes at John Lobb’s retail store on Madison Avenue and they told me that my shoe size is a 9. Apparently they have a different shoe measuring system – not the British system, but their own proprietary sizing chart.

I bought my first pair of John Lobb shoes around one year ago, the ready-to-wear Ashill single-buckle monk shoe. The oxford calf leather is durable and retains a terrific shine, and the fit has only improved since I first slipped them on. In fact, I would say that they now fit like a glove – a perfect fit that feels, shall  I say, emotionally comforting!

During my performances, I like to wear shoes that have a tall heel, since it improves the posture and forces you to lift your body frame. I know some male entertainers who wear boots with an extra high heel (like cowboy boots) during their performances, since they feel that it makes them more conscious of their bodies, and therefore they move more gracefully. (By the way, in Japanese, the word for platform shoes is “secret boots.” I find that hilarious.)

These John Lobb shoes have a decent sized heel, and I have starting using them as my footwear of choice during Chamber Magic shows.

I have my eye on several more pairs of John Lobb shoes. Maybe one day I’ll buckle down and have a pair of bespoke shoes made. However, based on the comfort level and my satisfaction with their ready-made models, I’m not sure if that’s worth the additional coin.

By the way, I visited the John Lobb store in London, located on St James Place, near Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles and his sons William and Henry wear John Lobbs. So does Queen Elizabeth. So did Princess Diana, and stars such as Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Laurence Oliver. They are known as the “Rembrandt of shoes.” Pricey but, as I mentioned earlier, terribly comfortable and habit-forming.