Wing tips are just a type of lace-up style shoe (called an oxford in the US ) with brogueing that includes a tip that looks like a wing. Oxfords (i.e., lace-ups) are either closed lace (called balmorals or bals in the US) or open lace (known as bluchers), and these shoes come in many shapes (called "lasts" in shoe vocabulary) and sizes. It is the last (shape) and size that dictates room in front and everywhere else; as Cuff rightly clarifies below, the broguing has nothing to do with it.

 

Further to Mike's point, there is nothing about the decorative elements of a shoe that should impact its fit. If you are used to athletic or hiking shoes only, then ALL dress shoes will feel a bit different. Same if you are used only to slip-ons. But a dress shoe doesn't feel/fit different because it's a wingtip.

That said, I cannot imagine wearing dress shoes that do not have some room at the toe. The shape of a dress shoe's toe just doesn't match the shape of your bare foot, so of course there has to be some "extra."

 

Further to Mike's point, there is nothing about the decorative elements of a shoe that should impact its fit. If you are used to athletic or hiking shoes only, then ALL dress shoes will feel a bit different. Same if you are used only to slip-ons. But a dress shoe doesn't feel/fit different because it's a wingtip. That said, I cannot imagine wearing dress shoes that do not have some room at the toe. The shape of a dress shoe's toe just doesn't match the shape of your bare foot, so of course there has to be some "extra."

This makes sense; I did not describe it accurately, and just used "wing tip" erroneously. I am definitely used to some form of athletic type shoe instead; even masqueraded as dress!

I just got in Church's Diplomat, and am amazed at the quality.

a. What do I do? Bags? Cedar shoe trees? any treatment now?
b. The lacing: I assume I have to take the laces out as it is laced strangely for packaging?

Thank you for responding. I am learning.

 

Congrats on your purchase of a very fine shoe. Keep the bags for travel; definitely keep the shoes in cedar shoe trees; and polish now and regularly.
I prefer straight lacing for balmorals such as the Diplomat (see linked picture), but cross lacing is certainly acceptable.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...xs=&docid=5uqWOgXG5BeQAM&sa=X&ei=0liVUcT8LLG60AGv7oDoBQ&ved=0CEQQ9QEwAA&dur=530

 

I'd use the bags for storage as well as travel. Make sure you don't over-polish. Although, I condition my shoes with Allen Edmonds leather lotion and/or conditioner cleaner almost weekly. The more you use the trees the better. They will help to dry your shoes out after wearing, and help them maintain their shape.

 

Thank you for the replies, links, and advice. All is needed for me, so I appreciate members taking the time to guide me. I am amazed at what nice quality the shoes are. Richard at ShoeHealer was an excellent guide.