A couple of points, there shouldn’t be a gap at your heel, an Oxford should have a slight V at the laces, if your dress shoes fit properly you can’t get into them without a shoehorn (they’re not sneakers) and the most important thing is the last (which is the form on which a shoe is made) if the last is a proper fit your shoe will be comfortable.
Great video! It's a shame that you don't have thousands of views. This man is spot on. I am a size 8 and everything I wear. 2 luxury brands that I purchased ffit a little too big when I took them out of the Box. All leather and all quality shoes. I was really bummed out but I just kept them and wore them. As my feet swelled up they fit perfectly. I never thought that was possible I'd never considerate at all. But yes it is absolutely true. I guess that's why shoes need to be broken in because they need to form to your feet as you actually wear them. Shoes need to be broken in when there are little to snug but also wonder a little too big. Your mileage may vary but this gentleman gave great advice.
i would also add, wool socks are great if you sweat a lot. they dont feel soaked like with cotton socks. Stay away from nylon and other plastic thread socks, they dont breathe well and tend to make your feet smell. wool cotton blend good, some nylon or spandex is okay but i typically try to keep less than 30%.
Very good points, I've worn dress shoes semi-regularly for a while now but my most recent pair (some really nice Crockett & Jones half-brogue Oxfords), I absolutely felt like they fitted me as soon as I tried them on, but even then I'm taking it slow and wearing them around the house for short periods to break them in and not jumping in to a full day of wear right away. For casual wear I got a pair of suede Derby boots which are soft enough to be comfortable, but shaped enough to get my feet used to dress shoes in a gentle way. I think too many people either accidentally buy a bad quality hard dress shoe that hurts them and doesn't break in properly, or are just too used to sneakers and jump in too quickly to some dress shoes before they've broken them in or found the right fit.
I’m glad you made this video, because I had similar experience with getting fitted for Allen Edmonds. I actually went to the retail store to get measured and I was told I should be an a or b narrow width. The problem was that my larger foot measures at 13.5 in length on the brannock device, and they don’t make the 13.5 half size. Still they recommended a 13b or a 14 aa. None of these sizes seemed to fit me at all though and I later ordered 13D online. The 13D was almost just right but my left foot was still being pinched on the side. Finally I tried a 13E and have found it to be a perfect fit for me! They have a great online return policy which is nice!
Glad it worked out for you! It’s hard to measure feet, lots of factors like how much our feet swell, how many miles we’ve walked that day, and our sock thickness. Thanks for watching.
Glad it worked out for you! It’s hard to measure feet, lots of factors like how much our feet swell, how many miles we’ve walked that day, and our sock thickness. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the tips. I was making mistakes when tried shoes in the morning; they would fit nice and snuggly but as the day went on my right foot toes started to hurt and gave me blisters.
if you have a „flip flop effect“ you can use some high quality velour heel anti slip pads. a good cobbler should have some. Dasco Heel Grips are one of those brands which a lot of high quality shoe maker like Alden recommend in then UK/EU.
I have wide toes, narrow heel, low volume flat foot size 12. Wherever I buy a pair of shoes they fit very snug to nearly tight and then next thing I know in a few weeks I’m having to put in some insoles or wearing thick socks.
I wear a 12D in all athletic shoes. So i purchased an AE McTavish in 12D and it was way too large. I stopped in at a local AE store and tried on an 11.5E. Too wide but length was better. Then they had me try out a 11EEE. Fit was really good. I think an 11EE would probably be even better but it seems like E and EEE are stock items where as EE is a custom order. Like you, ive found sizing means nothing when you cross over to dress shoes. They tend to be long anyways, so downsizing is not an issue to get a nice fit. I also have the AE 5th Aves and love those shoes. I also like to wear thicker wool socks, I find it ups the comfort even more. So going a bit liberal on the width was ok with me as long as the back fit properly and the instep was good.
Going a bit wider is always a good idea, since feet swell after long walks, and you can wear thicker socks in the fall and winter without issues or discomfort.
Really interesting points you made in this video. I went through all of your mistakes! What’s interesting with all of the Allen Edmonds shoes I just purchased (Hamilton’s and Strandmok’s) were in a 8D. I had the same issue you pointed out with being able to put my finger behind my heel. Feels as if the shoes were too long but not too narrow. I literally called Allen Edmonds and said “flip-flop” effect is occurring. But the 8D in the Dalton Wingtips are absolutely PERFECT. Perfect length and width. Just seems like the different models of Allen Edmonds’ shoes fit me differently. This is the only annoying part of buying Allen Edmonds shoes. Again, probably has something to do with the lasts. So your shoe with the flip-flop effect, which you stated fit too long but contoured to your foot as the day went on, would you say it’s ok to have an inch between my big toe and the tip of the shoe?
I live overseas i want AE but the siziing mistake could be a dealbreaker and huge hassle and huge money loss if i want return the,, through amazon. I can get the length right but the width is worrying me. I bought wolverines Jensen leather boot goodyear welted it was 9D fits perfectly but little bit narrow and the toe was generous coz it was ( cap toe ) i guess, regarding AE i used sizing guide in AE website with printed sheet and it was 8.5E ! Or in amazon 42 wide , which is same as my walking shoes
Those shoes are wrong for you. I noticed they don't have a lot of wear (sole underside shot). The corkbed will compress and they will loosen up in the top. There should be a slight V gap when new and don't have a lot of wear. Eventually, those flaps will close up. They way the are now, they will overlap when the footbed compresses.
Cole haans are decent, although a bit pricey for their quality. I like Thursday boots, they have dress shoes. Allen Edmonds are good if you are willing to spend the money.
I bought a pair of Allen Edmonds Park Aves in EEE about 2 weeks ago, and I had to return them because they still weren't wide enough. Where the heck do you find really wide, but still nice looking dress shoes?
Have you tried going into an Allen Edmonds store and talking to an associate? I’ve heard red wings have lots of widths, but they are primarily work and heritage boots.
@ano5431 I actually bought these at the AE store and didn't realize they were they weren't wide enough until I took them home. They seemed better in-store. So yes, I've already talked to the sales associate, and he said I need to try another brand. Red Wings are horribly uncomfortable, I used to own a pair. I'm trying Thursday Boots dress shoes next, which should arrive next week. I love their boots, so we'll see if their dress shoes are also good.
Thank you! Ecco’s are softer and have more out of the box comfort, like a sneaker. They don’t have as many different fits, and lack support. Great cushioning though. AEs are harder on the bottom, but breathe better and have better support. AEs with dainite rubber have a bit more cushion on the bottom. They require more of a break in though.
@@tommilano5431 I recently purchased the Ecco citytray and i think its an updated design because they are the most supportive shoes i ever owned. Much more angular design, full rubber sole and direct injected PU midsole. So comfortable. I also purchases the AE park avenue which were too long and narrow and felt like the sole is made of granite compared to Ecco. I ordered 1 size shorter and wider after watching your guide. I know the AE's will be much better when broken in but may not get on Ecco's level only regarding sole comfort. I know AE is a much better shoe overall.
@@vergil2399 my issue with Ecco are their soles, made from polyurethane. If you don't wear them often the material breaks down and turns to dust. I wore them a ton for about 2 years, then didn't for a year. Pulled them out and the soles had crumbled into garbage. At least with AE the soles can be redone
@@didamnesia3575 The ecco's that have Tray in their name like the citytray chukka boot which i own have a PU midsole but the outsole is made from rubber which doesn't rot over time. I bought 3 pairs of AE's since i posted the comment and i absolutely love them. I still wear my ecco in the winter because they are gore-tex waterproof and there is a lot of salt on the streets where i live and i don't care if i get salt on my ecco's plus the rubber outsole is grippy.
You can't prevent it totally from happening. What you can do is put cedar shoe trees in as soon as you take your shoes off, and give your shoes a break after wearing them all day.
I found the fifth ave fit me weird. It was loose, but too tight around the toes. You can wear the 5 ave with jeans if the jeans are dark colored and slim, and they are in dark chili. I made a video recently about dress shoes and jeans.
Is there anyway to tell my foot size without a braddock device? Thanks for any help or advice. BTW as I wear a 10.5 2e in new balance and I think a 10.5 333 in dress EXCEPT for Bostonians which is !0.5 w. And that's my problem. Thank you and great channel. Dave
I would try the 10.5 EE for these particular shoes if you already wear wide. I was a 12 in new balance many years ago, and I’m a 12 in vans/converse, 11.5 in boots, 11.5 EE in these.
thank you. I will definetly check that size out. I really have trouble it would be great for me if that would work. Thank you for responding I really appreciate it@@tommilano5431
i'm a 10.5-11 US size for sneakers. But the store clerk fitted me at 10.5 B due to my narrow feet. It feels too tight esp on the widest part. There is about 1 inch separation at the top of the V. Should I return or will the shoe stretch in width? Thanks
Large V means you have a high instep/arch. Length of arch and width of vamp are thr important parts. If the shoes are comfortable I wouldn't return them. You could go to a C width, but if you fitted a B I wouldn't go to a D. Its all personal preference. They should be snug around your ankle/heel
