first loafers, for wider feet
How should I go about getting my first pair of loafers when I've got wider feet and I'm not confident about sizing? But I'd still really like them to be snugly comfortable, to fit more closely than other shoes I have. I've gotten measured in a Brannock device at a few stores lately - clearly I have slightly shorter feet than 9, and probably I'm looking at EE. Though could be E, or could be wider afaik.
If I was feeling better about sizing I'd absolutely consider Rancourt after seeing https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1261290741217628170/1261290741217628170
For in person stores there's Allen Edmonds I can get to at some point (though not too interested in buying there, and their newer shoes that'll be in stock jump from D to EEE) and that's likely it. I'm leery of getting budget options like GH Bass and LL Bean - I often dislike how the leather looks on those, and I'd be worried about size/wear all the more - but maybe some suggestions in that direction could help.
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Really the best answer by miles is to try on in person unfortunately.
Loafers are so finicky bc it’s not just size and width but arch height and placement, heel width, etc.
I’d probably make some gambles on eBay on brands like AE and Alden if that’s the style you’re going for. You can camp saved searches and try a few pairs for a low buy-in and if they don’t work out it’s not hard to clean them up, take good pics and move them basically at cost.
GH bass and ll bean I think are fine they’re just more along what Rancourt would make and are also a nice option to try for also a low cost with the chance to return if they don’t fit
Oh also AE’s loafer lasts tend to be kinda narrow so EEE might be what you want. Just don’t listen to anything the SA might say. They can’t be trusted to read a brannock device correctly
Yeah that makes sense. There just isn't much selection for wide sizes from brands I'm into. I'm scared of making that gamble when it's possible a width or two off, and really not keen when it's a particular style I don't think I want.
Grant stone also an option that does wider sizes tho I personally don’t vibe with their loafers
The handsewn styles I think it’s also fine to wear them as more amorphous blobs that mold to your feet
If anything maybe I'd take that gamble on AE off eBay since there's choices
Zero interest in buying them new lol
Hope they don't end up being too long 😔
I don't utterly hate what I'm seeing
They make awesome shoes! And the loafer pattern is totally valid. Shrimp (japan) wears that style super well but they just don’t vibe for me for some reason with the shape and where the apron stitch lands. If you like them they’re legit and can help you with sizing
@LeisurelyLoafing or the weejawnz server in general is an insane trove of knowledge of the AE models and fits
Oops I didn’t mean to ping fk
Yeah I looked through their site and some models look nice
There are more/better option on eBay from AE too
AE is great but their loafer lasts are kind of funky. You could look in person and buy seconds or eBay it - the patriots are great but I think it’s a discontinued model. Grant stone also stacks wides
I personally had fit issues with AE’s loafers
Ah thanks
That degree of a sizing issue is kind of annoying lol
I successfully bought loafers from Rancourt without trying them on. Their printable sizing guide works. But I empathize 100% if you are anxious about it.
I think I re-measured myself about 50 times and agonized over it.
FYI Rancourt has a sizing print out
I used it and my rancourt loafers fit perfect
i think they also have a sizing program where they send you a couple of loafers to try on and then you mail em back
Rancourt & Co.
Made to Fit - Fit Trial Loafer
Our fit trial program lets you put a $50 deposit on a custom order and receive two pairs of our unique Fit Trial shoes to try in the comfort of your own home. Please see our Made to Fit terms and instructions before placing your order.
otherwise i'd go to some local stores and try on a few brands in person
That's only for their custom shoes, and regardless doesn't seem to be active rn
I don't think there's anything besides Allen Edmonds (and stuff like Cole Haan)
there's some general menswear stores but they're very sparse on leather shoes in general this year
(Plenty of shoe stores, just not for loafers, or dress shoes)
If you ask they’ll probably still do it - they are super great when it comes to customer service. I had issues with their sizing though - the mid foot kept bowing out on me
Yeah I might just try asking. Thanks for the suggestions, it's still daunting but I've got a lot to try
If you don't mind could I get some more suggestions? Sorry for the long message
So, at Allen Edmonds, seems like I'm a size 8. Their EEE though was probably too narrow, at best barely wide enough, they didn't have it in 8 but in 8.5 which was decidedly too long. I'm kinda skeptical that their shoes - at least the recent lasts which are all I can find on eBay too! - will fit at all.
Despite that, for Rancourt, I'm actually within their E range according to their size chart, I think I'd get EE though. I emailed them and got "cannot say for sure but it's worth a try! We do offer a custom-program, however, the largest width we offer is EE." Because I really can't find anything promising on eBay, I'm thinking of ordering from them. Though they won't arrive until late in the fall (probably even if I order not from the pre-sale), perhaps once it's too cold to wear them outside. So that's kinda frustrating.
This is somewhat speculative but I think part of the problem is that those recent Allen Edmonds models' lasts (I tried on Newman and Randolph, Reddit and StyleForum comments say similar things about them as well as Grayson tassel loafers), are quite pointed as well as narrow. And then I may have rather large toes. I know loafers and dress shoes will push on my toes like boots don't, but major pain right off the bat isn't gonna work.
Then look for tassel/penny/bit loafers in 8EE/8EEE on eBay, and it's exactly those A.E. models, GH Bass etc which I just don't like how their leather looks, plus some poorly documented brands so I don't know how their sizing works etc.
So... Are there any companies making wider loafers either in terms of the official size or the last shape? Perhaps with a larger squarer toe box? Not a direction I'd have thought I'd want to go, but if my foot dimensions don't let me go with the normal options, may be inevitable. I think I'd consider chunkier soles but like, Doc Marten loafers are too far...
Grant stone and Alden probably have something for you. Rancourt sized me at 10E and the cxl stretched to fit in the toe box but I had gaping at the mid foot. I can wear regular width at Alden but the wide it too wide in the heel
Okay Rancourt may be pretty optimal - though operating off of limited information. They have narrower heels relatively and that probably works for me? Grant Stone only have bright colors in stock in wide and no word on restocking. Alden... someday maybe. I'd rather get 2-3 pairs elsewhere if possible for that amount
Thanks!!
Alden used is a really nice bet. Prices tend to be stable and with a little bit of knowledge and alden model project you can get what you want. Wide sizes aren't as common obviously but they do exist
Yeah I can set up an eBay alert, there's nothing now.
There is the problem though that I don't really know whether the same size will fit
I didn't scroll up but are you actually EEE on brannock or just that size in various AE loafers?
E to EE in Brannock yeah
And about 8.7
But also I have large toes...
Alden Van is pretty wide and Copley tassel loafers I think look good and are much easier to fit for the wide bois
I think I'd rather err on the side of wide as long as I won't be flopping around
So maybe watch for Alden EE?
It's probably going to be a crapshoot which lasts show up but good to know
smiles linked it above lol
oop gone
you can search for a specific model. Alden sellers tend to be better about that stuff
Alden Model Project
Alden Loafer Research - Model Search
Research Alden Loafer model details and eBay sales history
Okay! Thing is the range of choices for wide is tiny. I see zero Aldens in 8 wider than E on eBay rn. And I'm not keen on taking the risk on an E at the prices out there.
that's fair, I'm about 8.5E but I've tried on enough pairs and made enough mistakes to know my sizing
I've ordered from the Rancourt pre-sale!!
Hopefully they fit, we'll see in November
I got some from the presale too.
But it's my second pair of Rancourt loafers, so I'm confident about my size
Good luck!