Shoe width - from F to E

[ShaneB]

Hi,

I have the chance of buying some decent vintage brogue shoes but I'm a standard (F) UK8 and these shoes are a UK8 but with an E fitting, so I'd go from normal / average to a narrow fitting. What's the likely situation in terms of fitting? Will it be a no-goer or will it essentially be okay? Any help is appreciated.

 

[retozimmermann]

It's quite likely that it will be tight. Are you sure that the E in the shoe is actually a narrow fit? Could it not also be a standard fit of a maker who denotes their standard as E, such as G&G, C&J etc?

 

[ShaneB]

Originally Posted by retozimmermann

It's quite likely that it will be tight. Are you sure that the E in the shoe is actually a narrow fit? Could it not also be a standard fit of a maker who denotes their standard as E, such as G&G, C&J etc?

In actual fact they are Crockett & Jones shoes! In which case, it's more than likely they're actually a normal (F) fitting?

 

[Claus]

Originally Posted by retozimmermann

Could it not also be a standard fit of a maker who denotes their standard as E, such as G&G, C&J etc?

+1

If the 'E' indeed denotes 'narrow' it's defined as the initial ball girth of a shoe one size smaller, according to some authors. That would be (UK) 7-F in your case.

Note, width (or fitting) designations are not absolute. Strictly speaking, there's no such thing as a "standard F". Depending on the last, some shoes may turn out to be too narrow for your feet, or too wide, or just right.

 

[ShaneB]

Originally Posted by Claus

+1

If the 'E' indeed denotes 'narrow' it's defined as the initial ball girth of a shoe one size smaller, according to some authors. That would be (UK) 7-F in your case.

Note, width (or fitting) designations are not absolute. Strictly speaking, there's no such thing as a "standard F". Depending on the last, some shoes may turn out to be too narrow for your feet, or too wide, or just right.

I see. Well he's put fitting of the shoe as 8-E so I suppose I'll ask him to clarify what exactly he means. Thanks for the help.

 

[ManofKent]

Originally Posted by ShaneB

I see. Well he's put fitting of the shoe as 8-E so I suppose I'll ask him to clarify what exactly he means. Thanks for the help.

A C&J E is their standard width.

 

[ShaneB]

Thanks for your help all.

The seller confirmed that E essentially designated a normal fitting, so I decided to pick them up. Managed to get a pair of C&J Eastgates that have recently been refurbished at the C&J factory for £50, which I don't think is too bad at all!