Susan's Place Logo

News:

Based on internal web log processing I show 3,417,511 Users made 5,324,115 Visits Accounting for 199,729,420 pageviews and 8.954.49 TB of data transfer for 2017, all on a little over $2,000 per month.

Help support this website by Donating or Subscribing! (Updated)

Main Menu

Shoe Buying Dysphoria

Started by TheOtherLucas, April 09, 2017, 07:12:10 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

TheOtherLucas

Any tips for finding masculine shoes for us guys with tiny feet?  I've made it pretty far with only purchasing masculine or unisex styled shoes in the women's department (Converse, Vans, hiking boots), but I really can't just rotate 3 pairs of shoes for the rest of my life.  I'm small for a guy, but I can generally get away with XS shirts and size 30 pants. It's shoe shopping that whips me into a self-conscious fury because most stores don't carry mens' shoes small enough for my feet, leaving me to wander awkwardly around the kids section.  Are there any store or brand suggestions that you guys have?

-eliot
  •  

jagfel

I'm in the same situation. Needed boots for work on short notice but the smallest size I could find was too big. Mostly got by wearing a second pair of socks.

Maybe try looking through your shoe size on Ebay and see what's actually out there and available and work from that?


  •  

findingreason

Unfortunately I don't have any advice for this...but I do feel your pain except going the other way. I'm a US size 12 in women's, and trying to find anything in that size in a regular store is nearly impossible. The one pair of boots I had wore out already, so I've been using men's sneakers since then that work for helping with my knee problems.


  •  

FTMax

You didn't mention what shoe size you wear? Most shoe stores carry men's sizes starting at 7. Anything smaller than that and you have to start looking online. Zappos is great and will send you coupons.
T: 12/5/2014 | Top: 4/21/2015 | Hysto: 2/6/2016 | Meta: 3/21/2017

I don't come here anymore, so if you need to get in touch send an email: maxdoeswork AT protonmail.com
  •  

TransAm

Online shopping is going to be your friend. Anyone that has an unusual size in either direction is pretty much screwed when it comes to shopping in a typical store. My cousin had size 17 feet and had to special order his shoes no matter what. He absolutely hated it.

Like FTMax said, Zappos is awesome (for clothing, too) and there are plenty of other sites as well. Sometimes big box stores like Kohl's actually *do* have smaller/larger sizes in their online selections than they carry in-store, too. The target market is just too small for them to keep them in stock.
"I demolish my bridges behind me - then there is no choice but forward." - Fridtjof Nansen
  •  

Alexthecat

Any male shoes that I get have to be kids. I found very nice formal ones at payless shoesource, work boots at shoe carnival, and semi formal shoes at kohls that were clearanced from winter. The only upside is that kids shoes tend to be cheaper than mens shoes. You really need to try them on in store because each one will fit differently. For my formal shoes that don't have laces I had to go down a half size or they would slip off but a tie shoe I can be at a 6.

I find that joking about my baby feet makes it less awkward at the store or even around other males my age. Most cis guys that make a comment on shoes after I say mine are small are actually like "your lucky" since they are cheaper.

  •  

Saira128

Mtf trans Us size 15 here.... I have never seen women's shoes in my size, ever.
Love ,
          Saira :-*
  •  

meatwagon

this is one of the reasons i only own 2 pairs of shoes, one of which was a hand-me-down from my little brother...  i don't really like shoe shopping online because A, shipping costs and B, can't try them on to be sure before buying (and returning things bought online is a hassle).  but my feet are just too damn small to get shoes from the men's section at any store, and it's really upsetting having to go into the women's or kids' section to hunt for shoes.  so if i ever do have the money for another pair of shoes, online it shall be.
  •  

RavenMoon

I'm a men's size 8 shoe. When I was in my 20s I had to buy a suit in the children's department lol. I like being small now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  •  

Kylo

My SO is thin and not so tall. He's on the absolute bottom end of the scale in mens' sizes of anything and sometimes gets shirts etc from the boys' section. Doesn't seem to bother him, so long as they have the items he wants.

Although I'm in size 7-8 in shoes now, in the past I could usually find equivalents in the boys' section of most stores back when I was size 5. I can't even get into half the shoes I bought that I put away for special events any more. What a waste.
"If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
  •  

kings joker

I'm lucky enough to be a size 6.5-7.5 in mens shoes. I also tend to go up one half size just out of comfort. So in van's I'm technically a size 6.5, which isn't really carried, so I get a size 7.

If you're close like me, I would suggest going up half sizes and see how that works. It works better in sneakers then say formal wear.

I recently bought a nice pair of wingtips from a company called "TomBoy Toes", which is a company that designs mens shoes for small feet. It's obviously geared towards queer folks but for small men's feet too. The shoes were a GREAT price for formal wear and I've gotten many compliments on them.
  •  

TheOtherLucas

Yeah, I'm pretty small when it comes to men's shoes; if I'm lucky I can pull off a size 6.  I'm definitely going to check out Zappos and Tomboy shoes. I've been hesitant to try online shopping because sometimes what you see isn't always what you get, but I'll try out the places recommended.
  •  

AnamethatstartswithE

Quote from: TheOtherLucas on April 09, 2017, 07:12:10 PM
but I really can't just rotate 3 pairs of shoes for the rest of my life.

Just so you know that's pretty much exactly what most cis guys do, so don't feel too bad.
  •  

FTMax

Quote from: TheOtherLucas on April 10, 2017, 08:59:01 PM
Yeah, I'm pretty small when it comes to men's shoes; if I'm lucky I can pull off a size 6.  I'm definitely going to check out Zappos and Tomboy shoes. I've been hesitant to try online shopping because sometimes what you see isn't always what you get, but I'll try out the places recommended.

Zappos has great customer service. If you have any issues with the shoes you receive, they'll have no issues getting you another size or refunding the purchase.
T: 12/5/2014 | Top: 4/21/2015 | Hysto: 2/6/2016 | Meta: 3/21/2017

I don't come here anymore, so if you need to get in touch send an email: maxdoeswork AT protonmail.com
  •  

Peep

I always just focus on the fact that in the UK at least kids' clothes don't have VAT :/

You could also try insoles? or stuffing the toes of longer shoes with paper or cloth, although you have to pay attention so you don't trip.
  •  

Devlyn

Quote from: AnamethatstartswithE on April 10, 2017, 09:25:06 PM
Quote from: TheOtherLucas on April 09, 2017, 07:12:10 PM
but I really can't just rotate 3 pairs of shoes for the rest of my life.

Just so you know that's pretty much exactly what most cis guys do, so don't feel too bad.

Bingo!
  •  

DawnOday

I just checked out Zappos for kids shoes and it appears they have an awesome selection from oxfords to sandals to sneakers. They have Big Kid shoes going down from size 8
Dawn Oday

It just feels right   :icon_hug: :icon_hug: :icon_kiss: :icon_kiss: :icon_kiss:

If you have a a business or service that supports our community please submit for our Links Page.

First indication I was different- 1956 kindergarten
First crossdress - Asked mother to dress me in sisters costumes  Age 7
First revelation - 1982 to my present wife
First time telling the truth in therapy June 15, 2016
Start HRT Aug 2016
First public appearance 5/15/17



  •  

Jermaine

Just shop online they have every size
  •  

Daydreamer

If you're set on only shopping in stores and not online, try Famous Footwear. I'm a size 7, and I hit pay dirt pretty nicely. But as everyone else said, there's also checking out online places.
"Stay tuned next for the sound of your own thoughts, broadcast live on the radio for all to hear." -- Cecil (Welcome to Night Vale)

  •