Size Matters

 

 

So the story goes that a certain 6' 7" London man wanted to order himself a whimsical pair of Monster Slippers, he had to place a special order since his feet are two different sizes. But somehow after requesting a 13 and a 14.5, he actually took delivery of a 13...and a 1450.

 

Or at least that's the story. According to Yahoo! News, the actual facts may be that the entire event was a publicity stunt (that actually ended up rasing money for a British charity). Whatever the truth may be, we fans of footwear do live in a world in which we are constantly confronted by the question of whether a shoe might fit or not. And unless you make all your purchases via brick-and-mortar, the issue is a very substantial one.

With this in mind, I'm devoting today's post to a brand sizing comparison I've compiled with the help of a variety of regular readers. As you know, I take a tall size, so I'm not much help when it comes to whether a particular shoe runs large or small or true. But with the help of the input below, you might do better in your bid for shoe nirvana. Let clog consumers' reports commence!

 

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Gerda clog by Sanita

 

Johanna reports:

I usually wear a size 39 or 39,5. I have a pair of Sanitas (the Gerda) in size 39 that are way too roomy (I use cotton wool in the toe box), a pair of Sanita boots size 38 that fit well, a pair of Sanita classic clogs in 39 that fit well but are just a little roomy, etc. So different experiences within one brand. My clumpy's (by designer Jan Janssen) are a size 38 and a perfect fit. My sky high Hasbeens are a 40 and they are the right width but a little too long. Most of my other clogs aren't from a (recognizable) brand, but on the whole they tend to be on the big side, especially the open back ones.

 

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Stockholm Midi clog from There Goes the Neighborhood

 

Tea reports:

The fit question is a great one. I find sometimes, though, that it comes down to preference. I've read tons of reviews about prospective purchases and gone with the advice of other purchasers only to find myself disappointed in my decision (often with shoes I can't return). And a lot depends on what all is going on with the shoe. Example: for me, traditional Sanitas with the old-school foot bed fit perfectly in 38. If I want a Sanita with a heel, though, I have to go with 39. I need a 39 in Swedish Hasbeens, which ends up being slightly roomy, but the 38 is impossible. I gambled with a 38 in Funkis and got it magically right (thank god, since the shipping to Australia). I regret getting 39 in Asa Westlund There Goes the Neighbourhood - should've gone with 38. Same with Sven (I already had a pair in 38 that seemed too tight, so I got my next two in 39 and they're too huge, and then I used a stretcher on my 38s and they fit like a glove). Anthropologie's Lucky Penny and Miss Albright both need to be 8 if closed toe, but 8 1/2 if open toe for me. Those Rocket Dog Globe Trots were perfect in 8 1/2 until I wore them enough to matt down the shearling, and find I could have gone with 8. And I truly regret getting the Jeffrey Campbell Eriksons in 8; should have gone with 9.

 

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Fabienne clog boot from Earthies

 

 

London Lady reports:

I wear a US 8.5, UK 6, European 39: Hasbeens-40, Sanita's-39, Sanita Gerdas (thick socks, they run large), Kurt Geiger-UK 6, Rachel Comey-US 10 (they run really small), Dansko's-39, I ordered the Fabienne clog boot in US-9, Troentorp-39, Vialis-39 or 40 (I have both sizes, but only one pair in 40), Walkley Clogs-39, Bjorn-39, Toffeln-39, Red or Dead-UK 7, Beavers-UK 6, Lucky Brand-US 8.5, Ugg-UK 6.5, Lotta from Stockholm-UK 6,.

No. 6 fit true to size. I bought a pair in 40 because they were on sale and drop dead gorgeous, but they are too big. I have to wear them with thick socks. 

 

 

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Lolly clog from Red or Dead

 

 

Jennifer reports:

London Lady, we have the same size feet (UK 6, Euro 39) and although I've only tried 3 of the brands you've tried (Sanita, Bjorn, and Red or Dead) so far I have found the same fit as you.

Sanita's are true to size, as are Bjorn clogs, but others I've had to send back and that ain't cheap 'cos clogs are heavy!!

 

 

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Pilar clog bootie from Koolaburra

 

 

Melissa Krebs reports:

I am a reliable euro 38, UK 6, and with US sizes, I get hung up (I have Fluevogs ranging from 7.5 to 8.5; my Convictions in an 8 are perfect). My Multnomahs were originally made in an 8 and had to be remade smaller (sorry Mark!); Sanitas are a 38 (so are Danskos; sorry Lindsey); my Allsaints Chelseas are a 38; likewise my Koolaburra Pilars; my Frans from Frye are an 8 (as are all my Fryes); I ordered a pair of Sven T-straps in an 8 and they are painfully tight in the width—my feet are flat though I don't typically need a wide shoe—but I have not tried having them stretched. I've wanted to try Hasbeens, but fear the narrow Swedish last.

 

As for No. 6, I tried a 38 (which I am usually quite predictable wearing; my larger foot is 9 5/8" long with my full weight on it) and a 39; without socks, the 38s were the correct length, but the curve of the last did not fit my foot. The 39s were too long behind the heel of my foot by 3/8 inch and too long in the toe box by that much as well! I would have to wear hiking socks (like Thorlos) to fill up the 39s and that seemed to me like a daffy idea with wood clogs! The clogs are well-made and great looking, and the leathers seem top-drawer.

 

 

 

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[OMG! my feet as I blog:  the crack cocaine of the clog world, the Nadine clog bootie from Koolaburra. (A word of caution: I love, love, love this pair, but regular reader Melissa Krebs was less than enamored when hers arrived and she ended up returning them. I think it's a great style, but it may truly be an acquired taste.]

 

 

Comments

[Melissa Krebs]

I feel obliged to defend myself on the Nadines! Tis true I did not bond with them. I also felt slightly pitched forward in them; but I can't explain that, given my Pilars seem to be on the same last and are absolutely fine.

What I can say with certainty is that the Nadines are delightful on you, Lindsey, and with your shoe search so often thwarted, you deserve such a smashing pair of boots.

[kathy ann]

I have to say I am a reliable euro 38 without socks. I rarely wear socks, either barefoot or with tights or pantyhose. However, if I do don a pair of thick athletic socks, the back of my heel overlaps in a 38, so I am probably a euro 39 with heavy socks. If I wear dress socks or knee highs, the 38 is fine.

[London Lady]

Update on the Fabienne's. The leather is so soft and yummy that after one wearing I could have gone with my true size which is US 8.5. I wear them bare foot so that my foot doesn't slip around inside. Very comfy indeed. I can walk for miles but I do have to be conscious of uneven surfaces. I also had extra holes punched to pull in the straps so it doesn't gap as much at the top. I think they look better that way, especially since I hardly ever wear trousers.

[Lindsey Cochran]

Mine are awfully floppy at the top, too. Thanks for the suggestion of adding additional holes to the straps. When I wear mine with tight jeans or leggings, they do seem a bit ill proportioned. But tightening the straps would certainly change that!