Return & Exchange Policy

Returns & Exchanges

Effective October 16, 2026. Applies to orders placed on or after this date. Orders placed earlier remain under the policy in effect when they were placed.

We offer returns as store credit or an exchange, rather than a refund to your original payment method. The one exception is our Try Both option (see below). This policy is shown on every product page, in your cart, and at checkout, and you'll be asked to accept it before placing your order. UK customers have additional rights, set out below.

Before you order
Great fit is a point of pride to us, and also the most common reason for a return - so we'd love to help you get it right the first time. Use our Size Finder or write to info@augustspecial.com before ordering, and we'll recommend a size based on what you already wear.

Eligibility

  • Return or exchange requests must be submitted through our Returns Portal within 14 days of delivery. Requests after 14 days cannot be accepted.
  • Once your return is approved, the item must be shipped back within 7 days.
  • Items must be new and unworn, with no creasing, scuffing, or marks on the soles or uppers, and must be returned with the original box, dust bags, accessories, and protective packaging.
  • Shoes must be tried on indoors, on a clean, carpeted surface.
  • Items sent back without an approved return request will not be accepted.

Exchanges
You may exchange your item for a different size, color, or style, subject to availability. If the new item costs more, you pay the difference before it ships. If it costs less, the difference is issued as store credit. Price differences are not refunded to the original payment method. If the item you want is unavailable, you will receive store credit for the full amount paid.

The 'Try Both' Option
If you’re unsure between two sizes, take our 'Try Both' option: order the same style in both sizes, keep the pair that fits, and return the other for a full refund to your original payment method.

  • Both sizes must be in the same order, in the same style and color, and no more than one full size apart (for example, 9.5 and 10).
  • Return the pair that doesn’t fit through our Returns Portal within 14 days of delivery. Once we’ve received and inspected it, we’ll refund the amount paid for that pair, including sales tax, to your original payment method.
  • If you return both pairs, neither is refunded. Both are handled under our standard terms (store credit or exchange).
  • The returned pair must meet the same conditions as any other return, set out under Eligibility.
  • Only one pair per style, per order, can be refunded under Try Both; any other pairs returned are handled under our standard terms.
  • Available on orders shipped within the United States. Final Sale items, items from The Archive and pre-orders are excluded.
  • Paid shipping upgrades, such as expedited delivery, are not refunded.

Return Shipping
For domestic returns and exchanges, we provide a prepaid return label at no cost, and we cover outbound shipping on exchanges. We are not responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit when a carrier other than our prepaid label is used.

Store Credit

  • Store credit is issued for the amount paid for the item, including any sales tax charged on it, once we have received and inspected your return.
  • Credit is delivered by email as a digital gift card.
  • Store credit does not expire and carries no fees.
  • It cannot be redeemed for cash, except where state law requires it.
  • Paid shipping upgrades, such as expedited delivery, are not credited.

Inspection
Every return is inspected on arrival. If an item shows signs of wear, use, or damage, or is missing its original packaging, we may decline the return and send the item back to you at your expense. Alternatively, we may deduct the cost of restoring it to saleable condition from your credit or refund. If we decline a return or make a deduction, we will tell you why.

Final Sale items
The following are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged:

  • items purchased from The Archive or marked "Final Sale"
  • gift cards

These exclusions do not affect your rights regarding defective items. UK customers, see below.

Pre-Orders
Pre-Order items ship on the estimated date shown at checkout. If production timing changes, we’ll let you know before that date with a revised ship date, and your order will remain reserved. If the revised date doesn’t work for you, you may cancel for a full refund of any amount paid, including your deposit. Once delivered, pre-order items can be exchanged for a different size or color of the same style, subject to availability, but cannot be returned for store credit or a refund.

Leather Character
Some of our leathers have natural character that presents differently on every hide. Vegetable tanned leathers and suedes in particular can vary in shade, tone, and evenness of finish from pair to pair, and occasionally between the left and right shoe of the same pair. This variation is inherent to the leather and is not considered a defect. Product photos show one representative example, and the shade, tone, and finish of your pair may differ slightly from what is pictured.

Defective Items
If you believe your item has a manufacturing defect, contact us at info@augustspecial.com with your order number and clear photos. Write before wearing it if the issue is visible on arrival, or as soon as you notice it. Normal wear, misuse, improper care, and natural variation in leather, as described under Leather Character, are not manufacturing defects. Nothing in this policy limits any rights you have under applicable law regarding defective goods.

Orders shipped outside the United States

  • Returns are accepted for store credit or exchange only, under the terms above.
  • Return shipping is the customer's responsibility. Returns must be sent with duties paid and marked as returned goods.
  • Original shipping, duties, taxes, and import fees are not credited.
  • Where the law of your country gives you consumer rights that cannot be waived by agreement, those rights apply in addition to this policy.

United Kingdom customers
Under UK consumer law, you may cancel within 14 days of delivery, without giving a reason, by emailing info@augustspecial.com with your order number. Return the item within 14 days of cancelling, tracked and at your own cost, with its original packaging. We will refund the price paid and standard delivery charge to your original payment method within 14 days of receiving the item, or proof of return. If an item shows any wear or handling beyond trying it on, we may reduce the refund to reflect its loss in value.

Exceptions
We may, at our discretion, make an exception to this policy in individual cases. Any exception applies only to that order and does not change this policy for any other purchase or customer.

Payment disputes
If something isn't right, contact us at info@augustspecial.com first. We aim to reply within two business days and will work to resolve it.

If a payment dispute is filed for an order covered by this policy, we will provide our records to your card issuer, including your acceptance of this policy before checkout and delivery confirmation. Any pending exchange, store credit or refund for that order is paused until the dispute is resolved.

Questions
You may request a written copy of this policy at any time by emailing info@augustspecial.com.