Nice shoes for big feet

[Aaaasnor]

Hi!

I am new to the forum, so I apologize if this is placed in the wrong sub-forum or if there already exists a thread regarding larger sizing.

I have recently become interested in acquiring my first good pair(s) of shoes for business wear, and have been looking into C&J, Carmina, Loake, AE, Alden and Edward Green.

I am interested in a couple of high quality and versatile (black) shoes that can be rotated and used with a business suit for work (C&J Connaugth and Alden 9901 comes to mind).

The thing is that I don't have a lot of retailers nearby where I can try shoes from the abovementioned makers, and I have quite a large foot. I am between UK 13 and UK 14 (US 14 and US 15), and have measured my foot to be 31 cm long and 12 cm wide. I think I am between a high and medium instep.

I find it difficult to understand the different sizing given when browsing shoes online (UK-sizing, Japanese sizing, US sizing and CM), and I am therefore interested to know if there is anyone on this forum that have similar larger feet and could give some advice on which shoes that they have chosen and what could fit me (i fully understand that the it is always best to try the shoes on, but unfortunately i don't have that possibility as the local retailers normally don't stock the larger sizes above UK 11).

 

[rjc149]

Black dress shoes are the least versatile— they really only go with suits. If you want versatility, you want to go with a darker brown. These can be worn with suits or dress casual outfits, and even chinos. If you only plan to wear dress shoes with suits however, I would go with black.

Unfortunately, to get a properly sized dress shoe, you need to try them on. Different makes have different lasts and widths, and it really does require some trial and error to dial in your fit.

Luckily most shoe retailers will ship you a pair ordered online and allow exchanges or returns— I think the exception is Alden, you need to find a retailer that carries them. I’m not sure what their availability is abroad.

Alden and AE carry wide sizes (Alden goes up to 4E on their cap toes) — Americans have wider feet I guess? I have very wide feet and I have AE’s all in 3E which isn’t quite wide enough but they are wearable. Getting the proper width and last volume is the most difficult variable to overcome. If you have long narrow feet, most dress shoe makers should have you covered.

 

[barutanseijin]

The best i can tell you is that it’s tough. Of course it’s better to try things on. The problem is fewer and fewer retailers stock large sizes. Even if they do, they won’t have much beyond D width. Forget about half sizes. The largest size one will find stocked in dress shoes is usually 13 and that is also getting more difficult to find as retailers limit inventory to what moves quickest.

One can either gamble and ask for something to be made or try to find used pairs. I have gambled on new but discounted pairs and tried used pairs of more expensive shoes like EG & GG. Once you know what works you won’t have to gamble.