Alden Original tassel moccassins: Can I stretch 'em?

[16A]

So I purchased a pair of NIB Brooks Brother's Alden's off of Ebay in an 8.5...only to have them ship and realize that I hadn't asked the seller what width they were. Turns out, they are a B, and I normally wear a D.

I've had tight shoes stretched before in order to fit me, but they were suede and D's in the first place. Would it be worth it to try and have these stretched, or would it be too much. They are beautiful shoes, and I got them at a steal (50% off retail) so I'd like to keep them. But if it can't be done, I'd rather put them up on Ebay or in the B&S forum.

Thoughts?


They are the tan shoes pictured in the header of the brooks bros site:
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatS...Section_Id=524

 

[Antonio Centeno]

All the answers you'll receive on this forum are conjecture - you need to visit the best shoe repair person in your area and have him look at the shoe and your foot.

Moving two sizes is a big deal, especially width wise.

Best of luck.

 

[AlanC]

Resell. Especially since they're NIB, you'll get the most out of them now. If you start tinkering with them then have to sell them anyway, you'll take a much bigger hit. Sell, take the hit, go buy some that fit.

The seller should have disclosed width in the listing. Then again, you should have asked if he didn't.

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by Antonio Centeno

Moving two sizes is a big deal, especially width wise.

x2. This would be tough to pull off.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Resell. Especially since they're NIB, you'll get the most out of them now. If you start tinkering with them then have to sell them anyway, you'll take a much bigger hit. Sell, take the hit, go buy some that fit.

The seller should have disclosed width in the listing. Then again, you should have asked if he didn't.

Re-sell. I've stretched shell cordovan shoes and they are much harder to stretch than calfskin. I will only stretch shoes if they are less than one width size smaller than I need. I doubt it's possible to stretch shoes and gain two width sizes, especially shell cordovan shoes, without doing serious damage.

 

[16A]

Thanks for the input.

 

[The Louche]

Originally Posted by Antonio Centeno

All the answers you'll receive on this forum are conjecture - you need to visit the best shoe repair person in your area and have him look at the shoe and your foot.

Moving two sizes is a big deal, especially width wise.

Best of luck.

Perfectly stated.