It’s been quite a while since I’ve added to my rant series on what drives me nuts in the shoe industry, so here we are again—another point to check off the list: Men wearing the wrong shoe size.
A lot of these rants come straight from the sales floor, especially from my days at Nordstrom, though I still see the same stuff now. And this post isn’t meant to offend, but if the shoe fits (pun intended)… well, you know how it goes. When you deal with people daily, you come across every type—and some types are straight-up maddening.
Today’s topic? Men who refuse to believe they could possibly wear a different size shoe. It’s like the idea of going down half a size would destroy their ego. Honestly, it boils down to insecurity. So many men overcompensate by insisting they’re a size 10 (or bigger), driving lifted trucks, flaunting flashy designer gear like LV belts—all in an attempt to project something they’re not. You would be surprised how prevalent men wearing the wrong shoe size actually is.
One of the weirdest expressions of this insecurity is the obsession with shoe size. I’ve had guys mock me for having “small feet” when I post shoes for sale—like that somehow invalidates me. But guess what? I’m 5’9″, and my feet are proportional. I prefer a smaller footprint because big, clunky shoes with slim trousers look ridiculous. And let’s be real: the guys throwing shade are probably the same ones I’m talking about here—still clinging to an inflated shoe size like it’s tied to their masculinity.
I’ll admit it—I used to do the same. When I was younger and dumber, I would try to size up just to avoid the dreaded “small foot” label. Looking back, it was stupid. Thankfully, I grew out of that phase and out of the ‘Men wearing the wrong shoe size club.’ It was one of the best things I did.
What used to really get under my skin–in my shoe-selling days–was when guys would confidently say, “I’m always a 10,” and then I brought out a 10 and he was swimming in them. He couldn’t fathom it, got defensive, and then somehow I’m the problem. Then they double down and wouldn’t buy the shoe because it challenges their self-image.
One of the best examples of this was with my own shoe brand—and a very famous British actor (yes, a real celeb). He swore he was a UK10. I knew better. I brought out a UK9.5 and a UK9, and both were still too big. My UK9 actually fits like a true 8.5, which means he was way off. But instead of just accepting that, he got flustered, blamed the shoes, and bailed. Classic time-waster behavior.
Like I’ve said before in other posts, there’s no such thing as a universal shoe size. If you’re buying the same brand, same last, same model every time—sure, you’ll probably stick to one size. But that’s rarely the case. Different brands and different lasts all fit differently. You simply can’t always be a size 10. Get that through your head.
And here’s the kicker: it’s okay to be a 9.5. It doesn’t make you any less of a man. If you’re shorter, having a smaller foot is normal. It actually looks better. When shorter guys try to rock shoes that are clearly too big, they just end up looking like they’re wearing boats. It throws off proportions and ruins the aesthetic, and just looks plain silly.
So please—for the love of good style—wear what actually fits. Forget the number on the insole. That’s not where your worth comes from.
***Photos in the post have nothing to do with the post itself. They are just eye-candy***
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
Shop · Marketplace · J.FitzPatrick · Patreon
I think the issue is that people are so used to wearing sneakers (trainers) that they don’t know what their brannock size is (not that it applies to all makers/lasts). In my Asics and New Balance I’m at least a full size larger than on the Brannock and Alden’s Hampton last if not 1.5. In Alfred Sargent and Crockett & Jones I’m either 1/2 or a full size lower depending on last. It’s important to try shoes on. They’re all a little different. That said, I have bought lightly used shoes from Leffot in lasts I had never worn before. Because of this, I have shoes ranging from size 7.5UK to size 9.5 US.
I was referring to men trying on dress shoes and already having other dress shoes being like this, not that they are only wearing sneakers and then try dress shoes for their first time, this I understand because sneakers tend to fit differently.
Good post. My fear is that I like to buy shoes online, and I sometimes go a half size large, since sizes can vary, and returning can be a pain especially if it’s overseas… not entirely rational, but this post is kinda relatable since I have a pair or two that fits fine really, but could maybe be a little snugger.
Can i ask what shoe the half brogue is? As in what name/colour?
please be more specific, which one?
The shoes for Welted Sole look amazing… are they available?
yes at weltedsole.com
Those adelaides for Welted Sole are incredible, are they available anywhere?
Proud to wear 7.5 size shoes . Hard to find a signature shoe in that size but it is what it is…
Hey Douglas, we share the same size! Have you see my personal shop? You might find something you like 50%-70% off retail: https://theshoesnobblog.com/shop/
I wear a size 12 or 12 1/2 US and I have had the opposite experience. I often wish I were a 10 or 10 1/2. Since I was a teenager I had people tell me “ DAM YOU GOT SOME BIG ASS FEET “ much to my embarrassment. By the way the myth is not necessarily all together true but then again I digress. I remember years ago I went to a luxury brand shoe store in NYC and asked the clerk for a shoe in a size 12. He and his coworkers actually laughed at me and said no. They were young punks about my age at the time and I realized they were being jerks. I would like to run into those guys today and introduce them to my size 12 gun boats. At the end of the day I am grateful I have feet.
hahaha, thanks for sharing Nelson and of course, not all men wear larger shoes than they really are, but many do
I have never had the luxury of wearing the wrong size. I am a true EEE, sometimes a EEEE. If that criterion is not met, I simply cannot even get the shoe on. Shoes labeled W do not fit, even Extra Wide. And I’m only a US 11.5 or 12, depending on make. Rant about width sometime for me, please.
Thank you for sharing Thomas. I can imagine your difficulty