Loafer fit (for moccasin construction only)?

I recently ordered the AE Everett. Since I wasn't sure which size I would need, I ordered them in two different sizes: 8.5E and 8.5EEE. Both shoes seem to fit me well enough in length, but I'm uncertain about the width. The 8.5EEE definitely feels better initially. It better accommodates the ball of my foot, which runs wide. On the other hand, there is slight heel slippage, and I think this is due to width: the heel isn't gripping my heel very tightly. However, this is without socks--how I prefer to wear my shoes during the summer or when it's hot. When I put socks on, the problem seems to go away. By contrast, the 8.5E is really tight on the ball of my foot and toes, but there is no heel slippage. This is without socks, so it might feel tighter with socks. Anyway, I'm not sure with which I should stick. I've heard that moccasin constructed loafers stretch and conform to the foot, so the 8.5EEE might fit good with socks now but get even looser with stretching. Conversely, the 8.5E might be really tight now, but become more comfortable over time. Plus... I'm not sure how I should factor in the socks. Is it better to have a shoe that fits tight on a sockless foot, or one which fits slightly loose on a sockless foot but perfect on a foot with socks? What do you guys think? How should loafers fit?

I just put some thin inserts into my loafers which tightened them up just enough to wear without socks. You could try that on the wider pair.

Originally Posted by Parker

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I just put some thin inserts into my loafers which tightened them up just enough to wear without socks. You could try that on the wider pair.

Do you by chance have a link? Never heard of this.

Anyone else have any input? I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with the 8.5EEE--I tried it on again today and the heel slippage is less noticeable even without socks--but I'm just curious if anyone else has any thoughts.

Moccasin construction loafers stretch a LOT. Go with the 8.5 E, if it's in any way, shape or form loose now, it will fall off your foot once broken in.

I would only go with the EEE if that's what you normally wear. If you normally wear an E, stick with that.

Originally Posted by cptjeff

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Moccasin construction loafers stretch a LOT. Go with the 8.5 E, if it's in any way, shape or form loose now, it will fall off your foot once broken in.

Well, the 8.5E is extremely tight on my toes/ball of my foot. The 8.5EEE is just right, but there is slight heel slippage when I don't wear socks.

I would only go with the EEE if that's what you normally wear. If you normally wear an E, stick with that.

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It depends on the shoe. In Sperry boat shoes, I take a 9E. In my previous SAS loafers, I took a 9E. But in my AE McClains, I take an 8.5EEE.

Originally Posted by enarchay

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Well, the 8.5E is extremely tight on my toes/ball of my foot. The 8.5EEE is just right, but there is slight heel slippage when I don't wear socks.



Well, go at your own risk, but from my experience, if a penny loafer doesn't crush your toes out of the box, it's too large.

Originally Posted by bkstone

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+1

Do you guys think if I took the shoes to a local cobbler, he'd be able to help me with fit? I have a lot of trouble determining fit because I haven't been wearing loafers/dress shoes for very long and have no experience with proper fit over time. Or I could post some pictures in this thread. Not sure how helpful that would be, since it's sort of hard to tell where the shoes are tight; I can feel it more than I can see it. And when you say they should be tight, is that with or without socks? At this point, I wonder if I could even get the 8.5E on my foot with socks. It goes on without socks and fits very snug, but with socks might be a lot more tight.

one thing to remember about shoe stretching: the shoe stretches the most when you buy it too small; the oversized foot causes tension and stretching. if you buy the correct size, it will stretch very little, and obviously if you buy it big it won't stretch at all (where would the tension be?). i learned this after making some expensive mistakes with too-small shoes and now only buy shoes that are comfortable from day 1.

also, heel slippage can be due to a loose heel, or it can be due to a stiff sole that hasn't broken in and doesn't bend properly with your foot. often you just need to give it a couple of wears and the sole will pivot properly when you walk and your heel will stay put.

E, no doubt about it. I bought some AEs recently in EEE because the price was right, thinking that I'd be able to swing them, and now that they've stretched a little, my feet are swimming in them. Only go for EEE if you have Frankenstein club foot. Otherwise roll with the E. They will stretch. A LOT.

Originally Posted by sellahi22

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one thing to remember about shoe stretching: the shoe stretches the most when you buy it too small; the oversized foot causes tension and stretching. if you buy the correct size, it will stretch very little, and obviously if you buy it big it won't stretch at all (where would the tension be?). i learned this after making some expensive mistakes with too-small shoes and now only buy shoes that are comfortable from day 1.

also, heel slippage can be due to a loose heel, or it can be due to a stiff sole that hasn't broken in and doesn't bend properly with your foot. often you just need to give it a couple of wears and the sole will pivot properly when you walk and your heel will stay put.

I slightly disagree. I bought a pair of Santonis slightly large (made of very soft, supple camel-colored leather) and they STILL stretched - they're really big now. My shoe buying mishaps have taught me that if they feel snug in the store, but don't actually hurt, buy them - they will stretch and the result is that they will be very, very comfy in a week or so.

Like I said, do you think a cobbler would be able to give me more precise advice? I'm having trouble telling whether the shoe is uncomfortably tight, or tight but will stretch to perfect fit; it's subjective, and I don't really have the experience to tell one way or the other.

Oh, and an off-topic question while I'm at it. My cat knocked over a glass of water on the carpet the other night when I had the 8.5EEEs on. I didn't notice it and walked over the wet spot. Now there are blotches on the soles of the shoes. Would this prevent me from returning them (I bought them over the phone)? Because if so, that might make the decision easier (for better or worse).

Originally Posted by enarchay

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Like I said, do you think a cobbler would be able to give me more precise advice? I'm having trouble telling whether the shoe is uncomfortably tight, or tight but will stretch to perfect fit; it's subjective, and I don't really have the experience to tell one way or the other.

Oh, and an off-topic question while I'm at it. My cat knocked over a glass of water on the carpet the other night when I had the 8.5EEEs on. I didn't notice it and walked over the wet spot. Now there are blotches on the soles of the shoes. Would this prevent me from returning them (I bought them over the phone)? Because if so, that might make the decision easier (for better or worse).

As always, depends on how well you argue. I know people who've returned tailored, worn suits. No, really. Full refund. I don't care to do **** like that (nor would I be able to with a straight face, even if I tried), but a couple splotches on an otherwise unworn (outdoors) shoe should be easily returnable. AE will then ship them to Nordstrom Rack, where they'll be slapped with a colorful tag and sold for $79.99.

Originally Posted by Bull

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I slightly disagree. I bought a pair of Santonis slightly large (made of very soft, supple camel-colored leather) and they STILL stretched - they're really big now. My shoe buying mishaps have taught me that if they feel snug in the store, but don't actually hurt, buy them - they will stretch and the result is that they will be very, very comfy in a week or so.

Interesting, could be a matter of preference. I just can't tolerate tight shoes, even slightly tight. I'd take slightly roomy any day of the week. Plus, my feet expand/contract a lot depending on how much I've been walking that day. I normally do shopping on a weekend afternoon, whereas my feet have most expanded by the time I go out at night after a long day, so I need to account for that. Also, I'd imagine leather softness has something to do with it. Super supple leather will probably stretch more than ordinary leather, and much more than stiff cordovan.