a few questions about feet size in mtf transition

[anjaq]

That thing does not seem to work properly. I went shoe shopping today and there was a thingy like that lying around, so I remembered this thread and tried it. But it gives me a wrong number compared to what shoes I bought there. It misjudged my size. Maybe I did it wrong - I went in with just my socks and then moved these sliders to my feet and then carefully stepped out. But it did not give me my present shoe size which is 41, so I dont know if I trust these things...

[Jenna Marie]

Anjaq : As Jamie and I were saying, I think it's the other way around - you can't trust the shoes. Brands and styles now don't necessarily use sizing that conforms to a general standard anymore. Of course, that does mean the shoe sizing device isn't that useful in those cases...

[anjaq]

What good are these things then? I mean I did not fit in any of the shoes of the size that thing gave me and I tried about 15 or so different ones. In 90% of them I fit with the 41 size and in the rest I did not fit at all because they were too narrow no matter what size. I mean the last time I tried such a measuring device must have been in late puberty or so, since then I only just tried shoes and derived my most likely show size from that.
Maybe they know that and dont make accurate devices like that anymore and that is why this one was giving wrong results...

[Robin Mack]

Size 13 women's here, although the style of shoe can make a difference, sometimes I can get away with a 12.  I am now the proud owner of 6 pairs of cute shoes, thanks to the efforts of my fiancee, who has a much better collection that I am quite envious of.  

I would have to second the Payless suggestion.  Their shoes are reasonably priced and the staff helpful.  I went shopping in male mode, they were very helpful with no strange looks or questions as I tried them on.  I bought four pair the first trip! 

If I had been presenting female, I really don't think they would have outed me either.  Seems they were genuinely interested in selling shoes.

[anjaq]

Interestingly I saw at that shoe store I was that had this broken foot measurement device, that they now had XXL sizes of many of their shoes. Meaning they have size 43 now and print XXL on the label . I wonder how much average womens foot size has increased in recent years to open up such a market for them . But at that size it really is a thin pallette of styles only in that shop. Like <5% of the shoes are sold in XXL. At size 42 (the one I had pre transition) they have like 5-10% now, at size 41, my present size they have about 70% - usually not so much the very femme ones with high heels, but I dont mind that . At size 40 they basically have all they can have.

So if this "doohicky" thing in the store would be right about my present show size, I would be happy as it showed me size 40, but thats impossible as I had size 42 with such a device like 20 years ago and in fact now I buy shoes of size 41. So thats why I say that thing must be broken...

[K8]

I wonder how much average womens foot size has increased in recent years to open up such a market for them .

My favorite department store had many styles in my size (42 or 11 American).  When I thanked them for the large selection, the clerk said they used to just carry a few but they got so many requests for the larger size they started carrying the good selection.  Like everything else in the US, women's feet are getting bigger.

- Kate

[Robin Mack]

My favorite department store had many styles in my size (42 or 11 American).  When I thanked them for the large selection, the clerk said they used to just carry a few but they got so many requests for the larger size they started carrying the good selection.  Like everything else in the US, women's feet are getting bigger.

- Kate

It's not just that... apparently not all that long ago retailers all reached the same conclusion that it just wasn't profitable to sell larger sizes in women's shoes.  The result?  No larger sizes for women *anywhere*.  Just 15 years ago Walmart carried up to size 13 (I know because that is where I bought my first pair of pumps), then suddenly *nothing*.  Anywhere.

Now a few chains (like Payless) are realizing that that market is vastly under-served and are making some serious money by being one of the few to provide them.  CIS women have big feet, too... think of poor Peggy Hill for those of you who know the show. 

[Lauren5]

It's not just that... apparently not all that long ago retailers all reached the same conclusion that it just wasn't profitable to sell larger sizes in women's shoes.  The result?  No larger sizes for women *anywhere*.  Just 15 years ago Walmart carried up to size 13 (I know because that is where I bought my first pair of pumps), then suddenly *nothing*.  Anywhere.

Now a few chains (like Payless) are realizing that that market is vastly under-served and are making some serious money by being one of the few to provide them.  CIS women have big feet, too... think of poor Peggy Hill for those of you who know the show. 

I saw a cute pair of size 12 boots at payless for $30; the shoes I'm currently wearing, men's 11s from Meijer (I usually need at least a size 12 in men's, but usually have to go for a 13) that are actually too lobg and wide. According to payless' size chart, I'm in the 10.5 to 12 range.
I later saw the same pair of boots at Walmart for $50, and at Macy's for $75, both in sizes no larger than 10, and in wide only. Better deals, bigger sizes, I'm shopping at payless for shoes.

[anjaq]

Ok, I just checked - German shoesizes are tied to the metric Millimeter. So I dont know how to explain this away - Before HRT the measurement instrument showed 42, now it shows 40/41 - how?

[kelly_aus]

The standard is supposed to be based on this doo-hicky:



Good luck with that!!  Right?  I have seen shoes that were off two sizes.

These devices actually require some skill and training to use.. The ones I've used also came in Mens and Womens. I can use them, and I get my correct size.. The joys of having grandparents that owned a shoe shop.. Turns out grandpa was quite well known in the CD and trans community - he stocked the larger sizes..

[Apples Mk.II]

I'd kill myself in your situation. Guess I should be more grateful. I use a 42 eur (8 1/2 us), a 41.5 better if I can find it, but...

Most cheap to medium brands here only go up to 41 which I can only describe as short. Short like not having enough space inside and coming home with a bleeding toenAil.

In the end, mist of the time i ended buying them in amazon uk. Even in unisex clothing like converse all stars they would not bring "girly" colors in sizes bigger than 41. Meh

[anjaq]

These devices actually require some skill and training to use.. The ones I've used also came in Mens and Womens. I can use them, and I get my correct size..

Seriously? Training to use a fancy ruler with a slider? I mean for the width and all that i get it but for the length. The ones they have here look different - you have to place both feet in them, slide to the back of the heel until it touches barely the plastic and then slide the front thingy to the toes so it barely otuches. Mens and womens sizes are officially identical here - its metric
I get the correct size about. It ready like 40/41 and I have 41. In the past it read 42 and I got 42. Shrug - i dont know. I will stop with it here I guess as obviously i am an "impossible girl" there

[Apples Mk.II]

BTW, I have a pair of 11 size court shoes high heel they sent me incorrectly, and with extra width. If anybody is interested, consider them a gift.

[Ataraxia]

Wow, thanks all very much for the informative replies! I guess that makes sense about the shoe size getting smaller. I doubt that will happen to me though since my feet are already fairly bony as it is, and very thin. Also, I see now that there are quite a few places IRL that sell fairly large women's shoes. I was looking on mostly online ordering sites (which isn't terribly helpful anyway, since you can't try them on or anything).

[Danielle Emmalee]

BTW, I have a pair of 11 size court shoes high heel they sent me incorrectly, and with extra width. If anybody is interested, consider them a gift.

got a picture?

[Ataraxia]

BTW, I have a pair of 11 size court shoes high heel they sent me incorrectly, and with extra width. If anybody is interested, consider them a gift.

I'm interested!

[Apples Mk.II]

They feel far too strange. Too wide (I wanted them normal and bigget than they should, and previouly I've proved that I need at least a 42 or 41.5 for closed shoes, and my third toe is touching, so I may not have the correct foot shape for these things.
Of course, shipping costs are for the one who wants them. International shipping ain't particularly cheap.

[Ronnie]

i can fit into size 7 female shoes perfectly and 7 1/2 male shoes UK sizes no pain what so ever compared to my younger brother who has size 12 UK but then again he is 6ft 5 and I'm only 5ft 7. one of my friends is female and she has size size 9 and they don't look big and no one points that out 

[DiDi]

For me its width width width. I am a 40-41 in European sizing which I find has a lot less variation that North American. I am OK with casual shoes but anything dressy and heels are all made so very narrow. 

[FalseHybridPrincess]

Im 41 european too

and yes heels are damn narrow , hey maybe hrt will help a little