Shoe sizes - can someone explain this?

[hedgehog]

I measure barely 7 1/2 (over 7, under 7 1/2). I know because I checked with the Brannock device and so did my husband.

So why is it I am buying size 8 1/2?

I can understand clothing manufacturers down sizing their clothes ( Calling a size 10 a size 8), but what's with upsizing shoes?

[Kali]

1. globalization

always try on ANYTHING you buy

who cares what the numbers are, just make sure it fits comfortably

[HopeHoops]

2. Sizes used to be rather uniform. Now they're a crapshoot - a rough guideline at best.

[RebelOne]

3. Good question

I normally wear a size 8-1/2, but lately find that size 9 feels a lot more comfortable.

[trof]

4. I've gone up a shoe size in recent years.

Used to be 10 1/2.
Now it's 11 or 11 1/2.
Did my feet get bigger?
:shrug:

[hedgehog]

6. I know I've gone up in shoe size over the years - I used to be a 5 1/2.

Still , 40 years ago when I measured 5 1/2, I could find shoes in that size that fit!

What's really frustrating for me is that I have a wide foot, so I end up ordering most of my shoes on-line. It's frustrating having to go up or down in size for each different style!

[old mark]

5. Different makers cut sizes differently. European makers are worse, and

oriental (Chinese) makers worse yet...very few shoes are made in the US anymore...


mark