[Califax]

Back in my boarding school days a lot of stuff didn't fit right; in part because we were growing so fast that in months what was too large would be too small!

As a fully grown "dolt" (as my nephew calls us), I have purchased some really nice Rancourts - objectively, they look great, they fit like a glove, I could seriously sprint or at least run in these.

But you know, for some reason, I don't really like them fitted like that. It's hard to describe: they feel a little, I don't know...feminine, like I'm wearing little elf shoes haha?

Maybe I just got used to them being a bit big as a kid? I could as easily slip into them as out of them. They were comfy; and a bit clunky, but I liked it.

And still rather prefer them to fit this way, that is somewhat "loose". And yet, this feels a bit like I'm preferring ill-fitted shoes lol.

Am I weird? (The answer is "yes, Califax, you are.) Seriously, anyone else prefer a fit as I'm describing. Even as a "dolt"?

 

[127.72 MHz]

While I cannot say that I prefer my loafers loose I did purchase a pair of Alden Seconds in unlined "Kudu" leather from The Shoe Mart that are plainly too large.

I might have returned them but I had already "Broken" the last so I kept them.

They're not large like flip flops where my heel comes out of them when I walk but I have plenty of room to move my toes and I have come to appreciate their comfort.

 

[215339]

Loafers are pieces of footwear that look cool in photos, but are horrendous to wear for me. Either crushingly tight by the ball, or my foot flops right out.

My feet have changed size in my 20's and there isn't much room for error with loafers. Oddly enough I haven't had any issues with chelsea boots, despite the similiar lack of adjustability.

I ended up getting a pair of Birkenstocks instead for summer wear, despite the different aesthetic.

 

[eagle2250]

I buy my slip-on shoe designs/loafers so they fit a bit snug when first purchased and then wear them to the point they are good and well broken in and have loosened sufficiently to provide a superbly comfortable fit. After that point is achieved, I never let them go, instead having them re-soled and rebuilt repeatedly until there is nothing left to repair.

 

[challer]

You should try JM Weston 180s. It's as if they are painted on. And yet the most comfortable shoes I own.

 

[127.72 MHz]

^^ I thought my shell Alden LHS were a bit spendy but I drew the line when I looked into a pair of JM Weston's at about a grand.

I cannot even claim to have tried on a pair of the JM Weston 180's. At their price point I will have to take your word for it.

 

[drpeter]

Loafers are pieces of footwear that look cool in photos, but are horrendous to wear for me. Either crushingly tight by the ball, or my foot flops right out.

My feet have changed size in my 20's and there isn't much room for error with loafers. Oddly enough I haven't had any issues with chelsea boots, despite the similiar lack of adjustability.

I ended up getting a pair of Birkenstocks instead for summer wear, despite the different aesthetic.

Birkenstocks forever! I have never been without a pair (sometimes more) since 1978 when someone introduced me to them. I wear them from early spring to late fall. I think they look fine with all types of clothes.

 

[eagle2250]

Birkenstocks forever! I have never been without a pair (sometimes more) since 1978 when someone introduced me to them. I wear them from early spring to late fall. I think they look fine with all types of clothes.

I wear Birks a whole lot in and around the house, but only very occasionally when going out.

 

[215339]

Birkenstocks forever! I have never been without a pair (sometimes more) since 1978 when someone introduced me to them. I wear them from early spring to late fall. I think they look fine with all types of clothes.

The comfort and support for my feet feels amazing.

Hmm, ALL types of clothes? I wouldn't wear them with a trad or classic outfit, but I would wear Birks with camp collar shirts and shorts.

 

[drpeter]

The comfort and support for my feet feels amazing.

Hmm, ALL types of clothes? I wouldn't wear them with a trad or classic outfit, but I would wear Birks with camp collar shirts and shorts.

I've actually worn them with a sport coat and grey flannels. I routinely wear them with socks when I am wearing trousers and a sweater/or jacket.

 

[Califax]

I've actually worn them with a sport coat and grey flannels. I routinely wear them with socks when I am wearing trousers and a sweater/or jacket.

Double ouch?

 

[drpeter]

Double ouch?

Sorry. That's too cryptic/recondite for me -- you'll have to explain...

 

[Califax]

Sorry. That's too cryptic/recondite for me -- you'll have to explain...

Here's a technical gloss on my "double ouch" reference:

• Birks with grey flannels = ouchie number one.
• Birks with socks = ouchie number two.

To each his own, I suppose. No offense meant; just joking around

 

[Flanderian]

I buy my slip-on shoe designs/loafers so they fit a bit snug when first purchased and then wear them to the point they are good and well broken in and have loosened sufficiently to provide a superbly comfortable fit. After that point is achieved, I never let them go, instead having them re-soled and rebuilt repeatedly until there is nothing left to repair.

+1.

All things considered I typically find an English loafer most satisfactory. Like most English shoes, they're not slippers, have plenty of structure and need to be broken in. But once that occurs they are quite comfortable. The trade off for that structure is that properly fitted they stay on your feet, don't slip at the heel and remain presentable for a very long time if cared for. Much of this comes down to the last. One of most comfortable for me being Cheaney's 5203 last. I'm fortunate to have two different models on this last, one of them being their Hudson model below.

 

[drpeter]

Here's a technical gloss on my "double ouch" reference:

• Birks with grey flannels = ouchie number one.
• Birks with socks = ouchie number two.

To each his own, I suppose. No offense meant; just joking around

Ah, I see. No offence taken at all. I thought there was some hidden reference I was not getting. And I agree, to each his own. I know many of my Wisconsin friends and colleagues are horrified at my socks and Birks habit. Or my Birks with everything approach. Comfort drives everything and open toes are really more comfortable for me. But I accept one of their hard rules -- no white cotton socks with sandals -- that would be beyond the pale.

The other interesting thing about all of this is that those of us who, like me, are from certain other countries (India, Britain, Australia and New Zealand) all seem to have this Commonwealth habit of wearing sandals and socks together. I even had an American colleague who emigrated to NZ come back to attend a scientific meeting in the States, and he was wearing socks and sandals! I asked him about this "un-American" habit, LOL, and he laughed and said he had picked it up from the Kiwis.

 

[Califax]

Ah, I see. No offence taken at all. I thought there was some hidden reference I was not getting. And I agree, to each his own. I know many of my Wisconsin friends and colleagues are horrified at my socks and Birks habit. Or my Birks with everything approach. Comfort drives everything and open toes are really more comfortable for me. But I accept one of their hard rules -- no white cotton socks with sandals -- that would be beyond the pale.

The other interesting thing about all of this is that those of us who, like me, are from certain other countries (India, Britain, Australia and New Zealand) all seem to have this Commonwealth habit of wearing sandals and socks together. I even had an American colleague who emigrated to NZ come back to attend a scientific meeting in the States, and he was wearing socks and sandals! I asked him about this "un-American" habit, LOL, and he laughed and said he had picked it up from the Kiwis.

I can and do understand and value a great many things Commonwealth/English - but yep, this ain't one of them. It hurts my eyes! I don't think I would pick this up.

 

[phr33dom]

Seriously, anyone else prefer a fit as I'm describing.

Yes, I do, on all my shoe types including loafers. I like some wiggle room in my shoes.

 

[fishertw]

Here's a technical gloss on my "double ouch" reference:

• Birks with grey flannels = ouchie number one.
• Birks with socks = ouchie number two.

To each his own, I suppose. No offense meant; just joking around

My son is a birk sort of guy. My granddaughter will not allow him out of the house with socks and birks at the same time.

 

[drpeter]

My son is a birk sort of guy. My granddaughter will not allow him out of the house with socks and birks at the same time.

LOL, I wear birks with socks all the time, indoors and out! But I would definitely trade off that pleasure with the infinitely greater pleasure of having a granddaughter.