Other than job interviews (I'm a software developer), weddings, and funerals, I rarely have a need for dress shoes, but I do need to have at least one pair around for those occasional needs. I also have hard to fit feet (longish, somewhat narrow, and narrow heals), which has always limited my options. When I was in my teens, E.T. Wright was still making shoes locally in Massachusetts and I was able to get dress shoes from them with one width for the overall shoe and an extra narrow heel. Now in my 50's, my feet seem to have widened a bit, so the E.T. Wright shoes that used to fit me really well are now too narrow, but I still need the narrow heels to prevent slipping.
A number of years ago I purchased 2 pairs of Alden 854's in size 13 AA/B, which I believe to be built on the Barrie last, from Sierra Trading Post (before they were purchased by TJX) for a super price. These fit me really well, but aren't quite as dressy as I would like (especially since they aren't black). I wore them to a funeral with my dark blue / pinstripe suite a few years ago because they were my only option that I could comfortably wear, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the combo. I also purchased a couple of pairs of Allen Edmonds dress shoes (styles 3408 and 9954, both in size 13B) from Sierra at the same time, but those are now too tight/narrow in the toe box area, especially for my right foot (one of the joints on one of my toes is "stuck" pointing up, so is uncomfortable in shoes with tigher toe boxes).
I recently purchased a used pair of Alden 67's, in very good condition, in the same size as the 854's (13 AA/B) on ebay. The seller claimed these are built on the Alden Trubalance last, which is supposed to be even roomier than the Barrie last, but they're fairly tight in the toe box compared to my 854's. Searching on Google, it sounds like they are actually made on the "TruFlare", which isn't on the Alden last chart that The Shoe Mart has on their site, but from what I can find it should be similar to the Barrie and Trubalance lasts, so it should be fairly roomy in the toe box. Since there is no return option on these, I'm considering asking a local cobbler to stretch them for me (we have had him do other work for us in the past and have been happy with his work). I have seen some favorable comments on here and elsewhere in regards to stretching shoes (for width, not length). If stretching the 67's works, I may try the same with the 2 pairs of Allen Edmunds shoes. If that all works, then I'm probably all set.
If stretching the shoes doesn't work, I'm wondering what my best option might be in finding something that will fit well. Most shoe stores I have checked in my area (a bit west of Boston, just outside of Rt. 128) over the years don't seem to carry much for larger sizes and narrow feet, so mail order seems to be my best option.
The Shoe Mart carries Alden style 9909, which is made on the Barrie last, which seems like it would be a good option for me. It definitely isn't a super formal shoe, but I'm inclined to think that for my needs, that's not super important and buying something that fits well is the top priority so my feet aren't in pain after wearing them all day. Unfortunately, they don't have my size in stock. Given that getting something that fits well is important, are 9909's formal enough for my stated needs?
What would you guys suggest for options that would both fit me well (the #1 priority) and be formal enough for my needs? Given that I don't need dress shoes very often, I don't feel compelled to spend Alden money, but I do want to get something well made AND fits well.
A number of years ago I purchased 2 pairs of Alden 854's in size 13 AA/B, which I believe to be built on the Barrie last, from Sierra Trading Post (before they were purchased by TJX) for a super price. These fit me really well, but aren't quite as dressy as I would like (especially since they aren't black). I wore them to a funeral with my dark blue / pinstripe suite a few years ago because they were my only option that I could comfortably wear, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the combo. I also purchased a couple of pairs of Allen Edmonds dress shoes (styles 3408 and 9954, both in size 13B) from Sierra at the same time, but those are now too tight/narrow in the toe box area, especially for my right foot (one of the joints on one of my toes is "stuck" pointing up, so is uncomfortable in shoes with tigher toe boxes).
I recently purchased a used pair of Alden 67's, in very good condition, in the same size as the 854's (13 AA/B) on ebay. The seller claimed these are built on the Alden Trubalance last, which is supposed to be even roomier than the Barrie last, but they're fairly tight in the toe box compared to my 854's. Searching on Google, it sounds like they are actually made on the "TruFlare", which isn't on the Alden last chart that The Shoe Mart has on their site, but from what I can find it should be similar to the Barrie and Trubalance lasts, so it should be fairly roomy in the toe box. Since there is no return option on these, I'm considering asking a local cobbler to stretch them for me (we have had him do other work for us in the past and have been happy with his work). I have seen some favorable comments on here and elsewhere in regards to stretching shoes (for width, not length). If stretching the 67's works, I may try the same with the 2 pairs of Allen Edmunds shoes. If that all works, then I'm probably all set.
If stretching the shoes doesn't work, I'm wondering what my best option might be in finding something that will fit well. Most shoe stores I have checked in my area (a bit west of Boston, just outside of Rt. 128) over the years don't seem to carry much for larger sizes and narrow feet, so mail order seems to be my best option.
The Shoe Mart carries Alden style 9909, which is made on the Barrie last, which seems like it would be a good option for me. It definitely isn't a super formal shoe, but I'm inclined to think that for my needs, that's not super important and buying something that fits well is the top priority so my feet aren't in pain after wearing them all day. Unfortunately, they don't have my size in stock. Given that getting something that fits well is important, are 9909's formal enough for my stated needs?
What would you guys suggest for options that would both fit me well (the #1 priority) and be formal enough for my needs? Given that I don't need dress shoes very often, I don't feel compelled to spend Alden money, but I do want to get something well made AND fits well.
