has ae started cutting their vamps tighter lately?

[random512]

Has AE started cutting their vamps tighter lately? I bought 2 pairs of AE Fifth Avenues earlier this year and they fit very well. The standard D width felt like they contoured to the shape of my feet but still felt roomy enough to wear on an intercontinental flight.

I bought another pair of standard D width AE Fifth Avenues 2 months ago but they fit like a B width fit so I returned them. I bought another pair last week but they fit like a C width. I've been buying AE for over 2 years and I've come to expect to inspect for defects but this is the first time that I've experienced variations in the vamp tightness.

Has AE started cutting their vamps tighter as a matter of practice or is this just a new variation/defect that I'll need to evaluate when buying AE's?

 

[random512]

I ordered another pair of 11D AE's and the left shoe is uncomfortably tight above my big toe. I'll be shipping this pair back over the weekend. I went ahead and ordered a pair in an E width this evening. The process of buying a pair of AE's without defects is quite a commitment :\

 

[random512]

11D on left, 11E on right:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oodc4xnrwquinz1/IMG_20181017_080331__01__01.jpg?dl=0

11E is a bit narrower than 11D (you read that right) but still wearable