Are Santoni shoes true to size?

[David Yanez]

I'm a size 10. Would I need to size down to 9 1/2 or are they true to size?
I'm eyeing these right now:

Nordstrom

 

[Phileas Fogg]

^ there are just too many variables to allow for such judgements to be made.

Nordstrom has a good return policy. Get them in your size and if you need to, exchange for a size up or down depending on how they fit.

 

[Proleet]

No they are not

 

[DWFII]

What is "true to size?"

Everyone assumes that a size 9, for instance, is a size 9 is a size nine. Nevermind whether it is size 9 by British sizing or American sizing or a 42 by some other standard.

Everyone assumes that there is some international standard that every last maker or shoe maker/manufacturer adheres to. But it simply isn't true. Attempts have been made to codify this but never really been enforced much less seen to pay lip-service to an arbitrary standard. Every last maker has a series of prototypes from which the working lasts are turned. The prototypes can vary model to model even in the same company.

Bottom line is that every model of last has, at least the potential, to deviate from the accepted standard and a shoe manufacturer may have as many as twenty different models being used at any one time...not all from even the same lastmaker.

Beyond that, the length of a last within a model number will deviate according to width. IOW, a size 9 E will be longer than a size 9A.

The only valid question is "is it true to my size?" Does it fit your foot, IOW

And how can you determine that? Only one way--try the shoe on and walk it around a bit..

 

[Jmr928]

Santoni sizing kinda runs the gamut and I’ve found isn’t the most consistent. It also varies widely between the lines in my experience. The Goodyear line typically requires me to size down 1.5 sizes from my normal US sizing. For the FAM I take .5-1 smaller than my US size depending on the type of shoe

 

[torgul]

In relation to the ongoing discussion - did anyone have their sneakers?I should also take half the size smaller than the standard?

 

[Aly.B]

Been eyeing a pair of cap-toe oxfords from Santoni’s goodyear line (with orange outsoles and insoles), is it recommended to size up on this line? If yes, then by how much in your experience? I’m usually a US 10.5 - 11. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

 

[Jmr928]

Been eyeing a pair of cap-toe oxfords from Santoni’s goodyear line (with orange outsoles and insoles), is it recommended to size up on this line? If yes, then by how much in your experience? I’m usually a US 10.5 - 11. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

For me I wear 1.5 sizes smaller than my typical us size. In US sizes I'm usually a 10.5 in Allen Edmonds, 11 in tennis shoes. I wear a 9 in their goodyear line.

 

[archipel]

In relation to the ongoing discussion - did anyone have their sneakers?I should also take half the size smaller than the standard?

For me, yes. I wear mostly 43/9 in sneakers and 8.5 in Santoni which are still on the roomy side.

 

[Aly.B]

For me I wear 1.5 sizes smaller than my typical us size. In US sizes I'm usually a 10.5 in Allen Edmonds, 11 in tennis shoes. I wear a 9 in their goodyear line.

Appreciate your response very much.
Since, this is going to be my first pair of welted shoes, do you think I can look at some other options that are at the same level as Santoni GY line in terms of construction, quality, fit, and longevity? I’m trying to keep my budget under $400. Do you think this is a good budget for welted dress shoes (preferably oxfords)?

I also saw some at Herring’s website (ones made by Barker, Cheaney, and CS) that I liked. Compared to these Herring ones, would you say Santoni GY are better value? Thank you.

 

[Jmr928]

Appreciate your response very much.
Since, this is going to be my first pair of welted shoes, do you think I can look at some other options that are at the same level as Santoni GY line in terms of construction, quality, fit, and longevity? I’m trying to keep my budget under $400. Do you think this is a good budget for welted dress shoes (preferably oxfords)?

I also saw some at Herring’s website (ones made by Barker, Cheaney, and CS) that I liked. Compared to these Herring ones, would you say Santoni GY are better value? Thank you.

There are tons of good options out there in that price range. I don’t know where you’re located but if these are your first welted shoes I’d recommend either finding a brand you can try on if that’s possible (or has an easy return process) - At the very least going and getting sized in Allen Edmonds or something. In the 400 USD range you’ve got a pretty good number of options and it really depends what you’re looking as far as style of shoe and what you need for a good fit. I’d also recommend considering how often you plan to wear the shoes, what you’d wear them with and in what environment. It’s preferable to not wear the shoe multiple days in a row so if you were planning to do that I’d consider something in the lower end of your budget and going for two pairs so you can rotate them and have some versatility unless you’re just getting started and know you plan to add more relatively quickly. If you don’t wear dress shoes super often and you’re looking for a pair more for interviews, weddings, funerals, big events then that’s probably less of a factor.

 

[Aly.B]

There are tons of good options out there in that price range. I don’t know where you’re located but if these are your first welted shoes I’d recommend either finding a brand you can try on if that’s possible (or has an easy return process) - At the very least going and getting sized in Allen Edmonds or something. In the 400 USD range you’ve got a pretty good number of options and it really depends what you’re looking as far as style of shoe and what you need for a good fit. I’d also recommend considering how often you plan to wear the shoes, what you’d wear them with and in what environment. It’s preferable to not wear the shoe multiple days in a row so if you were planning to do that I’d consider something in the lower end of your budget and going for two pairs so you can rotate them and have some versatility unless you’re just getting started and know you plan to add more relatively quickly. If you don’t wear dress shoes super often and you’re looking for a pair more for interviews, weddings, funerals, big events then that’s probably less of a factor.

For now these shoes will be worn for interviews, weddings, or events like that. Don’t plan on turning them into everyday beaters.
Will be adding another one in maybe a couple of months, preferably in brown, to expand my color options as I build my collection.
I relate more to sleeker shapes as made by Santoni, CS, or C&J (this one being out of my budget range right now).
I’m located in the US and my options to try on different shoes from British or European shoemakers to figure out my size are pretty risky from what I understand considering the shipping costs and returns. Even the Santoni’s I’m eyeing are on eBay from European seller and does not offer free returns. Hence, me ending up here in this thread. I’ll share pictures of the Santoni’s that I’m interested in, in order to get a better recommendation as to how are they expected to fit although I’m well aware of the risks involved in such speculations.

 

[Jmr928]

For now these shoes will be worn for interviews, weddings, or events like that. Don’t plan on turning them into everyday beaters.
Will be adding another one in maybe a couple of months, preferably in brown, to expand my color options as I build my collection.
I relate more to sleeker shapes as made by Santoni, CS, or C&J (this one being out of my budget range right now).
I’m located in the US and my options to try on different shoes from British or European shoemakers to figure out my size are pretty risky from what I understand considering the shipping costs and returns. Even the Santoni’s I’m eyeing are on eBay from European seller and does not offer free returns. Hence, me ending up here in this thread. I’ll share pictures of the Santoni’s that I’m interested in, in order to get a better recommendation as to how are they expected to fit although I’m well aware of the risks involved in such speculations.

Given you’re in the US - there is likely somewhere near you where you’d be able to try on Allen Edmonds. I would start there - You'll get a size and width recommendation, maybe some information about your instep fits - If nothing else that’ll give you a point of reference as most people who have a decent number of shoes know their AE size and should be able to at least get closer to getting a size recommendation dialed in for you. Santoni GY are great but are not the easiest to get sizing down on. Don’t want to hijack the Santoni thread with a bunch of other brands but there are tons of resources on here about brands in the 400ish range. Feel free to drop me a message and I can point you in that direction of any of them if you want.

 

[Aly.B]

These are the ones that I’m interested in. To my inexperienced eye, the toe-box looks wide enough and these don’t look narrow to the point where they would require me to size up, I think.

P.S. I apologize if these pictures are not the recommended attachment size. Still trying to learn how to participate here on the forum.