Wingtips that actually fit

**brewerpaul** · 21st January 12, 09:37 AM

Greetings all,
Yes as the thread title says, Ive found shoes that actually fit. Having always had "A good understanding" or translated "big feet" Ive been hesitant about ordering shoes from the net. Only twice have I succeeded with some mountaineering boots. Beyond that I have to try them on before I ever buy. This has kept me from upgrading my rather causal shoes that always went with jeans. To add to that Im just not sure I would ever find reason to dress out fully with the handsome Gillie Brogues that many people wear. I do admire the history behind them but live in an area where they would not be fully appreciated. And the other reason not buying them is many state they are narrower and usually top out at size 12 or 13. At size 14 D-M I am usually left out, this sometimes includes kilt hose sizes too. Well thanks to my trolling E-bay I was able to land a couple of very nice Wingtip shoes. To me this is a doable compromise of a stylish shoe and the historic Brogues. I felt I could take a chance on these shoes because they are familiar brands that usually are true to size. What sealed the deal was the price, I paid 30$ US per pair which included shipping. Though used they are in perfect shape and fit like a glove. So now I can dress up a bit more proper with either the black or brown shoes. Takes me way way back having to go buy the Kiwi polish and think that I need a skate key around my neck again.

Brown Dexter wingtips size 14 D in perfect shape.

Black Rockport wingtips size 14 D-M in perfect shape

For all the young folks out there the skate key reference is to the old street roller skates that you had to use your hard sole sunday go to meeting shoes for. Every kid had a skate key on a shoe string around their neck.

**Riverkilt** · 21st January 12, 10:21 AM

Have a 4E wide proud Scot foot and it still amazes me that shoe companies have stopped making shoes in widths that actually fit. Difficult to find wide shoes at all, so far still impossible to find wide gillie brogues.

There's a niche market there for some custom shoemaker.

**brewerpaul** · 21st January 12, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Have a 4E wide proud Scot foot and it still amazes me that shoe companies have stopped making shoes in widths that actually fit. Difficult to find wide shoes at all, so far still impossible to find wide gillie brogues.

There's a niche market there for some custom shoemaker.

The 14 is bad enough at least I dont have the 4E. Seems mass production of outsourced shoes has narrowed the market so to speak. With running shoes season to season the same shoe model will change a bit in size or fit. Drives me nuts. Used to just take the boxes from my brothers when they got new (normal size feet) shoes and wear them when I was growing up.

**Mickey** · 21st January 12, 08:41 PM

Nice score! I have the same problem in reverse. Tiny feet. But a few months ago I was lucky enough to score a sweet pair of cordovan Florsheims at the thrift store. Great feeling isn't it?

**Kilted.Genarian** · 25th January 12, 08:23 PM

Your "shoeboxes-for-shoes" comment made me laugh...When I was a kid a salesman suggested to my mom, "Just throw away the shoes and strap on the boxes." I was a 4E as a kid and now need a 5E-6E. Yes, when someone mentions anything about "square feet" I turn to see if they're talking to me.

**brewerpaul** · 26th January 12, 03:25 PM

To toss in another fit issue, kilt hose. Seems they make plenty "normal" size but finding the XLg UK 10-13 which equals 12-14 US is sometimes difficult. Ive had to buy them when the appear on ebay and other places. Been fairly fortunate to have amassed some charcoal, loden blue and green, burgundy and yes a pair of cream. Have some brown tweed hunting socks on the way and some grey and dark green. Been working at making my own too. Im sure you wide foot guys run into some issues with kilt hose as well. The way I see it "Buy them when I find them" They will get worn eventually.

**Joshua** · 26th January 12, 04:58 PM

I have a E width, but my instep is very high (Fred Flintstone feet) so most shoes, even wide ones, still pinch the top of my foot and cause my toes to go numb.

The only dressier shoes I've found are Clarks, but these are typically a less refined "dress-contemporary" shoe. They also own Bostonian, but I have yet to try on a pair.

**Tartan Hiker** · 26th January 12, 06:42 PM

Hey Paul...try finding 14 B. That's my size. Kinda like finding shoes for a pair of cross country skis.

I sometimes have to settle for a D width and line the heel box with leather to take up the slack.

We have a great discount shoe warehouse here that actually does carry huge shoes like mine in widths, and I scored a nice pair of wingtips there last year, but not for the price you paid.

Nice score!

**Standard** · 26th January 12, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

Hey Paul...try finding 14 B. That's my size. Kinda like finding shoes for a pair of cross country skis.

I sometimes have to settle for a D width and line the heel box with leather to take up the slack.

I have almost the opposite problem. 7 1/2 EE. Try finding a pair of those at the mall.