STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

How narrow is narrow?

Tashina · Kate Spade

it depends on who makes them and the style of the shoe. find out who makes the boot and check out their size charts.

mckenke · BCBG

I find that vintage shoes from the 70s and prior are alot narrower and smaller than shoes today. I am a 6 or sometimes a 5 1/2 in current shoes, but in vintage I usually have to go with a 6 1/2 and they are narrower. Given that vintage shoes are already narrow, I would say that these might be tight unless they have been stretched out by the prior wearer.

minkiki · BCBG

Cute boots! I've bought several vintage pairs on Ebay, never without making sure I have all the measurements. Length should be measured heel to toe and I always request the heel being against the wall during measurement. The width is what you really need to know here, at the widest point.

If I'm bidding on a boot that is pointy, I probably need more width, same with a boot with a narrow looking top view. Vintage shoes do run generally smaller IMO, so you can search a size up and find something with the perfect measurements.

Oh I almost forgot....Calf and opening measurements are uber important ....too wide or too narrow should mean a no go. Ask your seller for all measurements, they should be more than happy to do it for you. Good luck!

erin · Chanel

well, with boots this is tricky...i always ask for heel-toe measurements inside and the width of toe-box. i always size up with vintage shoes, narrow or not.

Kitty · Hermes

Got the measurements:

Sole is 10" x 3-1/8" Heel height 3" Shank height 15.25" Shank circumference 14.75" at boot top.

Crap, I have no idea how that compares to normal size 8.5 shoes.

erin · Chanel

measure your comfiest pair of shoes and see how it correlates.