Are Wholecuts on Big Feet Appropriate?

[amerikajinda]

To me, wholecuts just don't look quite right on big feet (size 11 and larger). They look like, for lack of a better word, boats.

Any thoughts on this? Agree or disagree? I love the look of wholecuts; that is, until I put them on!

 

[texas_jack]

I found some AE wholecuts in my size (12) and they were giant. Looked like loaves of bread.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by amerikajinda

To me, wholecuts just don't look quite right on big feet (size 11 and larger). They look like, for lack of a better word, boats. Any thoughts on this? Agree or disagree? I love the look of wholecuts; that is, until I put them on!
Try wholecuts with a floating medallion. I find that some kind of toe decoration helps make my gunboats look smaller. Another option is to buy trousers with a larger ankle opening. I think the rule of thumb is that trouser width at the ankle should be 2/3 of your shoe length. I actually own 2 pairs of Grenson Stowes, wholecuts with a plain toe, and they don't look terrible, but I do prefer a medallion or a toe cap or both.

 

[TCN]

My favorite shoes are a pair of EG/RLPL monks, that make my size 12's look like I'm ready for a water landing . . . especially with a somewhat slimmer cut suit.

 

[Edward Appleby]

Originally Posted by texas_jack

I found some AE wholecuts in my size (12) and they were giant. Looked like loaves of bread.
I think it's just that AE wholecuts in any size tend to look like loaves of bread.

 

[sho'nuff]

i think the whole 'wholecut' look pretty much depends on the last it is on.
a more tapered and chiseled wholecut looks really elegant when in darker colors and can be worn with a very strict business attire.

a wholecut on a more endearing AE last let say Westgate, in a lighter fun color adds more depth to a casual ensemble.

i think it is more the proportion more than just size per se, as a large footed man who is built large will look elegant in a wholecut chisel, while a large footed man who is average or less than average size overall will look more wise to wear a different shoe.

 

[minimal]

I have very large feet (USA 12.5 EE), and in my experience there's no way to tell without trying them on. There seems to no formula to tell what style will look "light" on a big foot. I was very surprised that the Santoni Thorpe (a heavy double-sole with reverse welt) made my feet look comparitively narrow and small (-ish). And I felt the same way about the C&J Weymouth, which also makes my feet look smaller/thinner (and that's a wholecut).

Maybe, as thinman suggested, it's the detailing that does it: a medallion or seam may lighten it shoe visually.

There's also a scale issue: I'm pretty tall, so a large foot is "proportional". It's probably more difficult to blend if you are not tall yet have very large feet.

P.S. Maybe you're right: wholecuts look awful on you. You must consider getting rid of those wholecuts above at once, & I can help you out.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by minimal

I have very large feet (USA 12.5 EE), and in my experience there's no way to tell without trying them on. There seems to no formula to tell what style will look "light" on a big foot. I was very surprised that the Santoni Thorpe (a heavy double-sole with reverse welt) made my feet look comparitively narrow and small (-ish). And I felt the same way about the C&J Weymouth, which also makes my feet look smaller/thinner (and that's a wholecut).



What size Weymouth do you wear?

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by amerikajinda

To me, wholecuts just don't look quite right on big feet

That's been my perception as well.

 

[itsstillmatt]

To me wholecuts don't look right on any feet.

 

[luk-cha]

now i like a whole cut, i think it al depends on the the last shape and color more than the size if they are too small they wont look good and if it is too big then they wont look good too but all shoes will look the same if ether too big or too small

 

[acidboy]

i stand 5'6" but have 10-1/2" feet, and i have a pair of wholecuts with floating medallion that doesnt seem inappropriate, though i have tried on pure whole cuts before which i found unsuitable for me.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

The color, shape, etc. of the shoes and the color and style of the rest of the look will make the determination. For example, bolder shoes work better with a bolder tie/shirt/jacket combination. It is safe to say that, all else being equal, wholecuts aren't that versatible.

 

[minimal]

Originally Posted by grimslade

What size Weymouth do you wear?

Well, I got mine from Ben Silver, so I think the sizing is not the same as the UK. I'm a 12E (says on the inside 11.5E). I tried a 12.5E (says 12E on inside) but it seemed a bit large so I'm going to return them.

What's strange is that, as far as i can see, the 337 last comes in only one width (UK E). So I'm not sure how BS has both US D and US E sizes. All a bit confusing, and no one seems to be able to explain the score.

This only matters when I want to order shoes that BS does not sell, e.g. directly from C&J, so at some point i have to figure out the UK sizing.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by diorshoe

i think the whole 'wholecut' look pretty much depends on the last it is on.
a more tapered and chiseled wholecut looks really elegant when in darker colors and can be worn with a very strict business attire.

a wholecut on a more endearing AE last let say Westgate, in a lighter fun color adds more depth to a casual ensemble.


I'm 5'10"-11" and I wear the Westgates in chili in a size 10, thanks to you know who. There is no other shoe that I wear that gets noticed positively as much as that shoe. I wear it with khaki's, dress trousers and they look equally at home. I am not a huge AE fan and the Westgates look silly in pics with the stitching and the 360 welt but they just work in the flesh. I can;t explain it, you have to own them to understand. I actually need someone to get me another pair in a dark brown, diorshoe