Shoe Size

[SueK]

Guess I don't have to put the "OT" in front of the subject anymore! :)

Anyway, this subject has been bugging me. In college, I wore a size 7 shoe, then after college it grew to 8 1/2. Keep in mind that I had actually lost weight after college....Then during pregnancy, of course, my feet expanded and I wore a 9 1/2 for awhile, then went back to 9 for several years. Up until 6 months ago, I still wore a size 9. Now all of a sudden I am wearing an 8 or even 7 1/2 again. Again, keep in mind that I have not recently experienced a big weight loss or anything.

Has anyone else had this happen, or are they just making shoes bigger these days?? !! BTW, I am 5'8", so I didn't think a size 9 or so was big anyway, but I am perplexed......

[erinyyc]

I have noticed in the past that I range from a size 7-9 depending on the brand, and it seems the more expensive the shoe the larger the size I need! I have a different problem now. Due to an accident I have numerous pins and screws in my right foot and ankle. I now have two completely different size feet. Too bad they don't sell shoes in singles so I could match them up!!

Erin :eek:

[Julia1Pin]

A couple of years ago, when I lost some weight I went from wearing 6-6.5, to wearing 5.5-6 (mostly 5.5)

Everyone I tell says they've never heard of such a thing. And my feet haven't grown back to the higher size.

[BosunsWife]

I'm bad, but the only shoes I seem to wear anymore are rubber slippers (thongs for you Mainlanders LOL). I have various different colors and I even bought a pair of "dress" slippers at the Gap that are black velveteen! Sometimes I break down and wear my Birkenstocks, but the only laceups that I wear are my gym shoes! Size 10 here, didn't increase with pregnancy thank god!

[Grace]

Julia, the same thing happened to me. When I lost 30 pounds, I went down a whole shoe size (I thought it was weird!). But other than that, my shoe size hasn't changed. I wear a perfect 9-1/2, but many shoes don't come in 9-1/2 so I'm often forced to squeeze into 9's or flop around in 10's. Ah, the problems we women have......

[Gail]

What you don't say, Sue, is whether the phenomena holds true with all styles and makers. And if it does, then I have no explanation.

I will say that I find certain imported shoes (notably Cole Haan) tend to size differently. I've long since learned that their medium width is way too tight for me and unless they specifically offer a wide shoe, don't even bother trying it. Never mind that every other shoe in my closet is a medium width, for me that brand seems to run narrow. I also recall that with another pair of shoes, the salesman brought out my stated size and a larger size, explaining "they run small."

Frankly, I pay less attention to shoe size than I do to fit. I think it's like anything else-- some makers run "true to size" some don't. If you try shoes on in hot weather or when you've been walking a lot, your feet tend to swell and shoes fit differently. And some companies have lousy quality control-- one size 7 may fit; another may not. Or sometimes, if a shoe just doesn't feel right, we may mistakenly opt for a larger or smaller shoe when what we really need is a change in width. There are a lot of factors, I think, effecting how a given shoe fits-- material, style, workmanship, how many people have tried it on before you, whether your feet tend to swell-- so it's a hard call to make.

[Jodi]

I seem to wear a different size depending on the maker of the shoe -- generally in the 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 range. My right foot it almost a whole half size bigger than my left, though, so that's usually my big challenge.

[SueK]

It has seemed to occur with different styles and manufacturers....tennis shoes, dress shoes, sandals, you name it.

Figures something on me shrinks for no apparent reason, and it has to be my feet! :)

[Melman]

During my pregnancy (18 years ago), I went from a size 6.5 shoe to a 7. I've been consistently a 7 ever since!! Sandals, dress shoes, sneakers, you name it!!

NOW....has anyone noticed that CLOTHING seems to run from extremely small to gigantic...all in the same size??? I bought a pullover collared shirt at Casual Corner last week. I was wearing an almost identical shirt from a different store in a Medium. The CC shirt was small even in a Large. I bought an XL!! I've NEVER bought an XL in anything!! (But, heck, it was a great price and in one of my favorite colors.)

Has anyone noticed how you almost have to try on 15 varieties of EVERYTHING trying to get something that fits? I've even heard the sales people in the stores complaining about how small everything seem to be cut.

Ok...enough whining.

[BosunsWife]

Melman, that is so true. Its very disconcerting to try on clothes anymore and because of it, I try to stick to certain brands of clothing. I buy Gap, Eddie Bauer, Levi (jeans and shorts) simply because I know which size will fit. Same goes for children's clothes. For instance a size 4T (DD's current size) is totally different in Osh Kosh, Carters, Gap and Old Navy. Old Navy and Osh Kosh seem to run smaller to me. Its very frustrating simply because what 2 year old do you know who is going to try on clothes at the store LOL!

[Vanessa]

I have this happen only once at Nordstroms I ended buying sandals 1/2 size smaller but usually in shoes I have always been same size since a teenager. Now clothing, now that you guys mention it is insane. Some are huge some are small, some too short some (I have a long torso) are not long enough. It is VERY frustrating! To make matters worse I detest trying on stuff at stores. Lately I have been trying on stuff. I also noticed one med top put it side by side with another med and is not the same. I guess quality control in manufacturing has gone out the window.
The other day DH did not believe me when a Lee jean had one leg longer I noticed as I was hemming it.
Well at least shoes have been more reliable!

[erinyyc]

Two days ago I bought two sun dresses. One was a size 8, and the other was a size 3. Things that make you go hhhmmmmm!?!

Erin:confused:

[JHolcomb]

I wear anywhere between a 7 1/2 and a 9. Usually it's around a 9, but the shoes for my wedding ran huge. I find that in Coach shoes I take about an 8 1/2 and that a lot of shoes are way too narrow for my feet. As for clothes, why can I try on 2 shirts in the same size, same color by the same manufacturer and one will be too tight and the other will fit me like a tent. Argh.

[Beth]

Do your old shoes still fit? If so, I'd say it's not your foot so much as the shoes. If not, I don't know. Getting a size larger over the years is normal. DH and I read an article that said that most people will wear at least a full shoe size larger than they did at 20 by the time they are 50. That's considered normal. Don't know about going backwards that long after a pregnancy.

Has your activity changed to the point your foot muscles could be more toned and supporting your arch better? Have you noticed a difference in your arch? Diet changes, especially things like salt and water, can make a difference, mainly with water retention. And a drier or more humid climate if you have moved.

Other than thay, I would say brand and style have a lot to do with it. I always blamed manufacturers for being sloppy with out of the ordinary shoe sizes. I wore an 11N when I went to college. I slowly moved toward an 11-1/2 to 12 N (an almost non-existent size), and when I was pregnant, I prayed my foot would go to a true 12 and/or a medium width, anything but a 12-1/2N! I think 12 N is my true size now and what I usually have to look for in closed shoes, but I can wear an 11M in some sandals and Keds. Now that more brands carry larger sizes, I don;t think they are as bad as they used to be about size variances, but it's still there. Guess it's all shoes.

[Mandy]

This is an interesting question.

My feet have been between a 6 and 6.5 since I was about 14.

My sister's feet grew about a half size with each of her children.