Big feet, what kind of shoe?

[FFW]

Hello, what kind of shoemodel works best for people with big feet?

 

[kabert]

Define "big" -- do you mean long, wide or both. And then, what size? 12E? 18EEE?

 

[FFW]

12E

 

[kabert]

I think your options are pretty broad, as 12E isn't that unusually large I don't think. I'm a 12-1/2 to 13D and I have no trouble finding shoes, including an occasional E width that seems to fit better than D.

Those that I have that are E width are:

John Lobb
Alden
Allen Edmonds
Edward Green

Alden and AE are American made. AE in particular is readily available. I'm sure there are many other makes too that can fit a 12E.

Are you keeping to a particular price limit?

 

[FFW]

Well actually i have bespoke shoes. So it is more about what kind of model is best for people with big feet and what kind of extra's on a shoe. I want a pair that looks elegant but strong and not to big. I have now one pair half high from one piece of Leather. I really like the shoe but think it makes my feet look big (what they are). So for my second pair I want a model that is timeless.
What models are good for shell cordovan? And that are still elegant?

 

[johnnynorman3]

I think a slim (but not pointy) rounded toe, with captoe medallion, makes feet look smallest.

 

[PHV]

I have a 14 EEE... what do you recommend?

 

[Teacher]

Cap toes generally are best for large feet, though some wing tips look nice too IF the feet aren't too narrow. If they are narrow, wing tips (particularly long wings) make feet look like skis.

 

[Concordia]

Avoid plain toes, especially in lighter colors. I once got a tan scotch grain pair of plain toe Derby shoes from Wildsmith--- never looked right. I'm a slightly wide 11.5 US, or 12. 11E UK, on the right last.


To add insult to injury, there is a scuff mark I get on the heel while driving that just won't disappear, due to the color, but that is another story. Why I opted to have them re-soled instead of starting over is a mystery to me. They are now one of my official "rainy day business casual" pairs.

 

[JLibourel]

I know that avoiding plain toes is the conventional wisdom for men with big feet. I'm a 13D, and I have quite a few shoes with plain toes. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I don't think they look all that bad or make my feet look extraordinarily large. I mean, my feet are big, but then I'm a big man--they're not that out of proportion. The only shoes I ever tried that magnified the size of my feet so that they looked clownishly large and unattractive was the Allen-Edmonds Seneca. This has a very pointed moc toe and an extended welt. I had thought I would like it because I like the dark brown color, but it just did not look good on my feet. Sometime soon I want to check out the A-E Harrison (a plain-toe blucher) in brown. Maybe it will be unflattering, but I don't think so.

 

[NoVaguy]

yeah, it is all relative. size 13D would look small, if you were Shaq sized.

so, if you're 6'3 to 6'6", and size 13D in shoes, you can probably just wear any style. but if you were 5'5" and a 13D, the plain-toe might not be a good idea.... and it would be worse to add the narrow leg pants with a plain-toe shoe....

 

[Teacher]

I know that avoiding plain toes is the conventional wisdom for men with big feet. I'm a 13D, and I have quite a few shoes with plain toes. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I don't think they look all that bad or make my feet look extraordinarily large. I mean, my feet are big, but then I'm a big man--they're not that out of proportion. The only shoes I ever tried that magnified the size of my feet so that they looked clownishly large and unattractive was the Allen-Edmonds Seneca. This has a very pointed moc toe and an extended welt. I had thought I would like it because I like the dark brown color, but it just did not look good on my feet. Sometime soon I want to check out the A-E Harrison (a plain-toe blucher) in brown. Maybe it will be unflattering, but I don't think so.

Ah, I think you've hit the nail on the head. Proportionality is the word of the day, kids. I've seen many a very large man with plain-toe Aldens and AE's that seemed just fine to me, especially in darker colors (as someone above also pointed out). However, if you're 170 lbs and have size 14's US...and especially if they're narrow...then a plain toe or long wing just looks a bit clownish.