switching from slip ons to lace ups

I am used to wearing slip on square toed shoes. I am looking into switching to lace ups. I went and tried on a few pairs of AE's last night and I am hesitant to buy them mainly because They feel tight around my toes.

Am i just being a girl? Should I try on 11E vs an 11D?

No, girls are the ones who wear uncomfortable poorly fitted and constructed "fashion" shoes because they think they look good.

Men wear well crafted comfortable shoes that actually look good.

Make sure the shoes fit and are comfortable.

Fit is everything.


You have to be careful because many shoe people will put you into anything to make a sale. You want a shoe that cradles your heal nicely and then gives you plenty or room to wiggle your toes. (I like to feel that I could play the piano with them )

Not all shoes fit the same so be careful about just going by your standard size. You may need to adjust up or down depending upon the manufacturer.

I found that with lace ups, it is best to err on the side of slightly too large if my heal and instep fit well. You can always add a tongue pad or innersole but there isn't much you can do if they are too tight.

As far as going wider, that is an option as long as the fit in the heal isn't loose and sloppy. If so, you might need a different brand / or shoe last.

So, you might need an 11.5 or you might need the 11E but you need to try them on to tell for sure.

yeah, i really need them to fit well. my wife called me a girl after trying on 4 pairs and not buying anything. I am heading back this afternoon to try on different styles.

Try different lasts to find the one that fits you best. The AE website has a list of which shoes are made on which last.

Originally Posted by paco_deluca

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my wife called me a girl after trying on 4 pairs and not buying anything.

Well, she doesn't have to wear them and guys wear shoes for years longer than girls who buy flimsy stuff that falls apart.

So, get fitted properly and make sure your toes have plenty of room to wiggle. Be sure and try them on later in the day after you have been on your feet for a while. Feet tend to swell as the day goes on.

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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Well, she doesn't have to wear them and guys wear shoes for years longer than girls who buy flimsy stuff that falls apart.

So, get fitted properly and make sure your toes have plenty of room to wiggle. Be sure and try them on later in the day after you have been on your feet for a while. Feet tend to swell as the day goes on.

Great advice.

Also, try to buy the shoes at an upscale men's clothing store rather than a major department store. Those guys only do men's shoes, and most of them have worked that job for years.

Commend yourself for switching from square-toed slip-ons, then get a proper fit in a good shoe like an AE as you propose. I doubt you will be unable to find a good fit.

Maybe you think they are squeezing your toes because you are used to an abyss in front of your heel. Give Alden's a shot, they have the same feeling without sucking.

I am going to keep looking during my lunch break today. I guess i am just used to the square toe having so much room in the front.

I found a shop that sells alden, it is kind of out of my way a bit but i will check them out this weekend.

so i went tried on the AE "strand" and "fifth avenue" they felt good. I am looking for brown shoes. Which one of these two types is recommended? The stand looks a little flashy to me.

what style of Alden shoes do you guys recommend in brown?

Stylistically it is all up to you. It depends on what you will be wearing them for and what you feel is acceptable.

Originally Posted by paco_deluca

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so i went tried on the AE "strand" and "fifth avenue" they felt good. I am looking for brown shoes. Which one of these two types is recommended? The stand looks a little flashy to me.

what style of Alden shoes do you guys recommend in brown?

I would recommend The Strand for a casual look. Remember, the more broguing (decorative holes) or decorations, the less formal the shoe is. Some people think otherwise.

thanks guys, i need something to go with sport coats, not to formal. I would be wearing them with trousers mostly.

Either would work then. And don't worry about the casual/formal nature, it's pretty irrelevant in the modern age, except for specific circumstances. Either shoe would work fine with anything from khakis to a suit in an appropriate color.