Now it's shoes...

[Terry Gal]

[I'm not sure where this belongs; it's sort of half clothes and half S.O.]
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When I contributed my "My Beginnings" piece, I spoke of actions speaking louder than words and mentioned the low-key but unmistakable encouragement I've gotten from my wife--the sarongs, the bathrobe.
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Well...I ordered a pair of Hush Puppies, following the well-known add-1-1/2 rule. I wear a 10 1/2 in men's, so presumably I'd wear a 12 in women's. They came and were too long. (Rules of this sort are riddled with exceptions.) The worst of it is that they appear to be a half-size too long. Have you ever tried to find women's shoes in size 11 1/2? In particular, shoes in a style that appeals to you in that size.
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My wonderful wife, who had seen me unpacking them and trying them on, saw the problem immediately. She didn't say much, but as if by a miracle, two catalogs appeared, open to pages with nice shoes in size 11 1/2. (Wissota Trader and Maryland Square, in case you're wondering.) So she's done it again. No "I think it's great that you want to wear women's shoes," but no "You're going to look like a d@mned fool in those," either. Any wonder that I love her to pieces?
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Anyway, I have a pair of skimmers and a pair of Mary Janes on order from Wissota; we'll see how they work out. I'm also eyeing some nice androgynous loafers from Trotters but haven't ordered them yet. (That way the poorhouse lies: get me hooked and I'll have to all myself Imelda Gal....)
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Terry Gal

[Lorna]

Hey TerryGal, I know exactly what you mean...

A few weeks back I saw an incredible deal on these HOT leather boots at Love My Shoes. I found my size (womens 11 - the last ones in the style I wanted) but since I wouldn't have a check till the next day I decided to wait.

The next day I returned to the store ready to pick up the boots. Imagine my heartbreak when I discovered that the 11s were sold! They were the LAST 11s in the store as those particular boots were a clearance item. So I decided to go with the 10s. BIG mistake.

Boy, did my feet ever pinch! And they wouldn't even zip up because they were so tight.

Fortunately I did find a pair of size 11 boots in a similar style at another shoe store. But now I have these size 10s that I can't wear and can't return because the store doesn't give refunds on clearance items.

Maybe I'll give them to someone as a gift?

[Kersten Lee]

Terry Gal,

My therapist actually thinks I'm funny. My wife made a comment to me,
How many pairs of shoes do you need? I have around three dozen, mostly
pretty cheap from Payless and on sale. I told her, well they "are" all different.

I could easily buy many many more. I love all the different looks and styles and colours. I have one strappy three inch sandal that works so
well for me that I got it in red, black and gold. They have a wide narrow
heel for stability but look oh so feminine to me.

I wear 12 M work shoes with heavy socks. Most of the womans that fit me
well, are 11 W. But I do wear nylons or nothing. ( that is nothing on my
feet or legs)

I love hearing from you,
Kersten

[Jadeanne]

Hi all,

I consider myself SUPER fortunate that I have a loving, supporting wife who lets me dress in front of her, wears the same sizes of most things, and is willing to share.

Our shoe sizes are different - hers is 8 1/2, mine is 10 Wide - not that bad to find.

My men's shoe size is 9-9 1/2, although I have athletic shoes that are in the 10 1/2 - 11 range. I wear my mens shoes with heavy socks, but only nylons ith my womens shoes.

I currently have 8 pairs of womans shoes, although I'm pretty sure my black dress flats are going to be rummage sale donations. I bought 4 pairs on sale from various Kmarts for $5 apiece - the dress flats and 2 inch heel pumps in black, white, and navy. My price limit for shoes is $15 and my favorite hunting grounds are the clearance areas of Old Pueblo Traders and Blair. The rest of my shoes are all pumps with a max heel height so far of 2 inches - burgundy halo suede pumps, gold pumps, leopard print pumps, and my newest woodrose, navy, and willow tricolor pumps. The most expensive pair were the leopard print pumps - I used the $10 off code from Old Pueblo catalog to lower the price to $14.99.

I'm currently trying to clear up fungus from my big toes and starting to win the battle. My dermatologist says that the toenails could be at least partially because of my arthritis medication. When I get the toenails cleared up, then it will be time for some open toe shoes to show off my polished non-yucky toenails.

Kersten,

My wife doesn't go for heels at all and has only 1 pair for very special occasions. She doesn't go for high maintenance hair or nails, no makeup, so you certainly aren't alone in that regard.

Jadeanne

[Phylis Anne]

dear terry i buy most of my shoes at martys shoes .i just got a beautyfull pair of pink heels that i wore to our cdi dinner in new york love phylis anne

[Paige]

I wear size 9 to 9 1/2 in mens shoes and find most of the time I can get by with 10W in womens shoes. Ever since I started buying them I can't stop wanting more. I just love the feeling of wearing heels with nylons and the sound of heels clicking on a hardwood or stone floor just makes me feel so great!

[Phylis Anne]

dear paige ,i also wear a size 9/1-2 mens shoe and i can wear a size 9/1-2 womens shoe.sometimes i have to get a 10 wide if its boots or a sling back.but i feel more comfortable in my 9/1-2 shoe.and i also love wearing my nylons and i enjoy hearing my heels go click click on the floor as i am walking in the city love phylis anne

[Carol Ann]

SHOES, how you talking.
I wear a 9 9 1/2 depending on who made the shoes. My wife gets so mad at me because i can not pass up a pair of heels, I like to shop NewPort News clearence sales. $14.00 to $19.00, but if we are out and I spy a sexy pair of heels I will and not to costly I got to have'em. My wife saids I have more shoes then anyone she knows. On I love my heels Carol Ann

[Erica Shade]

My other weakness. I just love shoes. Just imagine my pain, when this weekend my wife went shopping for shoes and couldn't find any she liked. I found a wonderful black patent dressy sandle with a sexy heel for her but they didn't have it in her size. The closest they had was a 10 (by the way that's what I wear). I had to put them down. I wanted them sooooo bad, but alas the suffering continues.

Nuff Luv,

Erica Shade

[Phylis Anne]

dear carol i also cant pass up a beautifull pair of heels and as i said i have more shoes than my wife.every time i pass a shoe store on my route i take a derour and check out the new shoes.and like you i really love my shoes love phylis anne

[Terry Gal]

dear terry i buy most of my shoes at martys shoes.

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My initial post was intended to report on another gesture of
support from my wife. Now, because of where I posted it, it has
turned into a discussion of shoes, which is just fine by me.
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I've lately been ordering shoes and sending them back almost as
fast as they arrive. I told my wife I was going to spend myself
into the poorhouse--not on shoes, but on return postage! [grin] She
said there was really no substitute for going and trying them on.
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Which leads to my question... Phylis Anne, Where is Marty's Shoes?
Is it in Manhattan somewhere? Do you go there to try on your shoes?
How are they fixed for larger sizes?
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Thanks, Hon.
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--Terry Gal

[Jamie Ann]

     In my judgment, the best way to find your correct women’s size is to measure your foot and then use a chart. The chart used by Payless Shoes (link: Finding Your Correct Women’ Size) is accurate for the shoes they sell, also for any other shoes that follow industry standards. The problem is that some manufacturers do not follow industry standards. To make matters even worse, an intentional “vanity bias” by a manufacturer is likely to work in opposite directions for men’s and women’s shoes, adding further uncertainty in the use of any simple rule such as “add 1½ sizes” (companies that allow vanity to be a factor may add ½ to the true size for men, subtract ½ from the true size for women, where the “true size” is understood as the industry definition). The correct rule would be to “add 1 size to your men’s size to get your women’s size,” but that assumes that both follow standard sizing. Vanity considerations could change that to 2, and the 1½ figure might indeed be accurate for a manufacturers who “fudge just a little” (as it were).

     Having made these qualifications, I think the best practical approach is to measure your foot by standing on a piece of paper, placing pencil marks at the end of your heel and the end of your longest toe, and using a ruler. Then refer to a size chart such as that I linked to above, and find your size. Roughly speaking, a men’s D is about halfway between a women’s W and a women’s WW. If you wear and D and it is not noticeably snug, a women’s W probably is your best choice for a width.

[Terry Gal]

dear terry i buy most of my shoes at martys shoes.

I googled Marty's Shoes. There's one on 23rd Street in Manhattan and one on Ralph Ave. in Brooklyn, wherever that is. (I've lived in Brooklyn for more than 25 years, but some parts are still a trackless waste to me.) To which of these stores do you go? How's their stock? Thanks and hugs, Terry Gal