I have a pair of James Tricker's loafers in calf leather that I love, but they were a little loose, and I wanted to wear them with thin summer socks I tried pretty much every tip that you have given, but nothing worked, well here is my radical tip for a better fit: 1.- Boil water ( 2 litters) and put it on your washbasin 2.- Put your shoes on the water facing down leaving the soles up and off the water 3.- Leave them for a few minutes ( depending on how much you want to shrink them) 4.- Air dry'em 5.- Condition the leather at least three times 6.- Wear them, at first they will feel a bit stiff and tight but they will adjust in a few days of wearing. I know it's radical but it was this or having to buy another pair. It worked for me, and I'm pretty happy with the results.
interesting. I saw a video on Instagram where Peter Zottolo (urbancomposition) used a hose on a pair of loafers to break them in while he had them on his feet. Similar principle, I think. Radical perhaps. But when there is nothing to lose...
I’ve yet to find a “no show” sock that I feel comfortable in. I wear summer footwear sans socks. A bit uncomfortable at times. I got an idea to cut a pair of regular socks in half, and only wear the front half with loafers. Work great for me. I have made several pair of “half socks”, in different thicknesses. Thanks for your great videos! Always make me think!
Never use water - that a huge risk to ruin the shoes. Use insoles, tongue pads, etc. Watch the podiatrist (Michigan foot doctors) speaking about this. He says 1-1.5 size up can be fixed by these tricks
I literally have a pair of brown and patent leather loafer with this issue. Just ordered bombas low cut no shoe socks. They’re usually much thicker so I think with tights I might be ok. I do love these loafers and normally I wear a 9 in this brand. Alas, a final purchase but I’m a sucker for Donald Pliner. 🙏🏿 thank you for the good tips. I’ve tried the sock thing and it worked well on another pair of loafers.
For loafers, I size down by half a size. Sometimes they are a bit tight. I got a pair of shoe expanders for one pair that was to tight. I heard that hair dryer would work. You heat them up and then wear thick socks for a few hours with them. It just happens to be winter, so I used my heater that has a fan instead, I turned it on low in my bedroom overnight. With the loafers propped up, shoe expanders inside, in front of the heater, the loafers now fit well after a couple of days.
Thank you! The tongue pads along with the thicker no-show socks worked in getting my loose Bass loafers to finally fit. Going down a half size wasn't an option, and as you mentioned the heel grips were wholly inadequate.
This is very useful thank you. Some heel grips have helped with a pair of penny loafers but I think in future I will order a half-size down if possible.
I bought Dr martens loafers and ofc they don’t do half sizes (I use size 9 regularly) and when I bought them I ofc rushed to buy it as they fit well with my foot’s width. Just not the length.. they do say the shoe will stretch so it was a mistake by my side. I can’t return them now since I bought them in NY so this video is the next best thing
Thanks for the advice 🙏 I think I’ll try those tongue grips since the heel ones don’t seem like they would work being thin. Might also try finding a thicker no show sock on my new leather loafers.
Tongue pads worked out pretty good, with heel grips my issue was that they were indeed very grippy so that just slid down my no-show socks after 2 steps
I'd recommend shoe leather inserts. At least wear I live they are fairly inexpensive and if you wear them on top of the shoes original insert, they could accommodate for half a size easily :)
Heel pads have worked perfectly for me. Even years later they haven't come undone. Those tongue pads wouldn't work for me as I have a high instep already. I need that vertical space.
I am looking at a pair of Kurt Geiger loafers, i wear a size 10.5 but they only have a size 10 or size 11, i have a narrow foot and I am a true 10.5, would you recommend that i size down to a 10 or go up to an 11, Thank you
I solved my problem with a Carlo Ronaldi Horsebit Goodyear Wealt that was my size number, but to DEEP so my feet got into the tip and my heels always slipped, I tried with a leather heel grip and nothing, then with a silicone gel midsole and the shoes got to tigh they hurted and also slipped, but not with socks. I solved it by using a very fine leather insole and glueing a silicone half tip insole so my feet doesn't got into the tip. K can use my loafers now with socks and they dont slip anymore.
Bro, tips for future video, just get on with giving the audience what they clicked on. Only after 3 minutes did you get to the point, have a short intro and get on with it
Definitely use a shoe horn, don’t jam your feet into the heel counter of the shoe. But generally speaking, the amount of space shown in the heel is rather significant and can cause foot issues over prolonged use. The best way to fix it is to just wait for the right size. It’s annoying and painful to wait, believe I get it. I’m as impatient as anyone, but honestly wearing shoes that are too big is the easiest way to make a nice shoe look terrible (not to mention the health issues that can develop from improper footwear)
Sometimes wearing a loafer and breaking it in, will reduce heel slip. The curve of the leather sole will naturally tighten up the shoe. It’s counterintuitive, but give it a try.
Hey, do you have any brand suggestions for thicker no-show socks? I have two Goodyear welted loafers that fit well with thicker socks but would be impossible to wear without socks at all. Never worn no-show socks before either. Cheers!
I haven't tried any yet, actually, but take a look at Tabio and Falke as possible brands. The Modest Man has a review of the best no-show socks, which should have something along those lines. Like I said in the video, the key is to make sure the front of the sock doesn't really show around the tongue of the loafer.
I also got dark brown suede tassel loafers but from Suitsupply. I literally got blisters from them first few wears,they felt like they were such a nice fit. And now they slip out. How stupid
I recently bought a pair of leather loafers. I noticed my right foot is causing the back of the shoe to crease. The does fit snug around the side of my foot
Hello, i want to buy a pair of leather penny loafers, my foot length is 25cm The brand that i want to buy them from have size 39 that is 25.1 cm and size 40 that is 25.8 cm Which one should i choose, if ill wear them with socks too??? ( never had loafers before) thanks
Tricky to answer, so I can't guarantee, but .1 cm difference strikes me as too small, especially with socks. Usually the advice is 3/8" clearance for shoes in general, which would be .95 cm. I feel like .8 would be safer--smaller than .95 too, which would be good as a loafer needs to conform more tightly. One can't be sure until actually wearing them though, so if mail ordering there would always be a chance you have to return it.
I like Scarosso's suede shoes and boots a lot too, very nice lasts. I didn't find their leather to be as good as their suede, though and eventually settled for Septieme Largeur but I still think Scarosso's lasts are more elegant without being super pointy, or at least they're more in line with my shoe aesthetic. Btw, I noticed you're not putting metal toe plates on your leather soles, which is perfectly fine for suede loafers but you don't seem to have them on your Oxfords, either, any particular reason?
Metal toe plates are a good idea. I tend not to wear my shoes hard as I don't live in a city where I am walking a lot, so I haven't put them on. Also, maybe I don't trust the cobblers in my area to do them right. I'd probably want to have it done in London or something. The one pair of higher end shoes that I have are Crockett and Jones Lowndes monkstraps and those have their rubber "City" sole, so no toe plates needed.
@@gentlemenscholarsclub you can order them plated, Meccariello does it, the Spanish makers, also Septieme Largeur, and if asked nicely, SL will let you swap sizes free if you happen to miss. Excellent content, btw, and excellent taste, you've inspired me to not only start looking for the perfect collar for my face but I'm now sold on this whole one-piece button-down no tie look, it's very zeitgeisty. A suggestion for content, if I may, pleats on high rise pants, yes or no, one or two, forward or reverse. If done right they seem to work on some guys, usually of taller, slimmer build, it'd be interesting to learn how different variations of pleats work on you or perhaps even compare that to flat front high-rise pants of the same or similar material.
I don't think I have advice on this, but from Googling, they seem sort of like high-top sneakers so shouldn't be as bad as loose loafers. However, I have no knowledge of them, unfortunately.
The heel grip proves to be ineffective. I've just tested it out. My shoe fits perfectly around except for a millimeter in the heel-area. These are dress shoes meant to be worn with a suit. The main issue with the heel grip is that it eliminates the hollow space in the heel area. This space is designed to accommodate the spherical shape of your heel. By filling this space with the grip, (the version which includes a soft cushion in the center), the heel does not secure properly as it should. This results in increased discomfort and doesn't address the lack of grip. Ideally, the only grip should come from the leather enclosing above the heel, utilizing its hollow design. It would be beneficial to find a shoe repair shop capable of affixing a more permanent solution in the heel area that does not compromise its designed hollow space. I've given my shoes to a shop and hopefully they can think of a solution.
Agreed! This is a white (really cream) "balloon" wool sport coat from Ring Jacket and a navy and white gingham plaid shirt with a one-piece collar made of Thomas Mason fabric by The Gaudery (I've got another video on their shirts in my channel). My trousers, which can't be seen, were Berg&Berg dark navy wool fresco,
Made it to the middle and gave up... Come on, gents, don't do this! There is no compromise when it comes to fit. If a pair fits poorly, nothing else matters. And there is nothing you can do about it. Just send them back and find another one.
My channel is for folks interested in classic menswear from an academic perspective. For those who want quick info, there's a full listing of the time stamps in the video description, so you can jump to what you want.
![How to Make Big Shoes Fit Smaller! [Top 10 Hacks]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/u1U7YPytYS4/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a pair of James Tricker's loafers in calf leather that I love, but they were a little loose, and I wanted to wear them with thin summer socks I tried pretty much every tip that you have given, but nothing worked, well here is my radical tip for a better fit:
1.- Boil water ( 2 litters) and put it on your washbasin
2.- Put your shoes on the water facing down leaving the soles up and off the water
3.- Leave them for a few minutes ( depending on how much you want to shrink them)
4.- Air dry'em
5.- Condition the leather at least three times
6.- Wear them, at first they will feel a bit stiff and tight but they will adjust in a few days of wearing.
I know it's radical but it was this or having to buy another pair. It worked for me, and I'm pretty happy with the results.
interesting. I saw a video on Instagram where Peter Zottolo (urbancomposition) used a hose on a pair of loafers to break them in while he had them on his feet. Similar principle, I think. Radical perhaps. But when there is nothing to lose...
I’ve yet to find a “no show” sock that I feel comfortable in. I wear summer footwear sans socks. A bit uncomfortable at times. I got an idea to cut a pair of regular socks in half, and only wear the front half with loafers. Work great for me. I have made several pair of “half socks”, in different thicknesses. Thanks for your great videos! Always make me think!
Does the heat damage the leather?
Never use water - that a huge risk to ruin the shoes. Use insoles, tongue pads, etc. Watch the podiatrist (Michigan foot doctors) speaking about this. He says 1-1.5 size up can be fixed by these tricks
@@mikesperanza6794😂 that is wild I LOVE it! Like the front half only and a bare heel??
I literally have a pair of brown and patent leather loafer with this issue. Just ordered bombas low cut no shoe socks. They’re usually much thicker so I think with tights I might be ok. I do love these loafers and normally I wear a 9 in this brand. Alas, a final purchase but I’m a sucker for Donald Pliner. 🙏🏿 thank you for the good tips. I’ve tried the sock thing and it worked well on another pair of loafers.
Great!
For loafers, I size down by half a size. Sometimes they are a bit tight. I got a pair of shoe expanders for one pair that was to tight. I heard that hair dryer would work. You heat them up and then wear thick socks for a few hours with them. It just happens to be winter, so I used my heater that has a fan instead, I turned it on low in my bedroom overnight. With the loafers propped up, shoe expanders inside, in front of the heater, the loafers now fit well after a couple of days.
Sounds good. I've thought ot a half size down too, but I probably prefer looser than the risk of too tight.
Provided you can actually fit your feet into them when they are brand new, this usually pays off.
This was very useful info, helped me to fix the fit issue I was having with my new loafers. Never knew or thought of this solution.🙏🏿
same with me, italian shoes always comes with surprises
Thank you! The tongue pads along with the thicker no-show socks worked in getting my loose Bass loafers to finally fit. Going down a half size wasn't an option, and as you mentioned the heel grips were wholly inadequate.
This is very useful thank you. Some heel grips have helped with a pair of penny loafers but I think in future I will order a half-size down if possible.
Actual how to starts at 3:20
I bought Dr martens loafers and ofc they don’t do half sizes (I use size 9 regularly) and when I bought them I ofc rushed to buy it as they fit well with my foot’s width. Just not the length.. they do say the shoe will stretch so it was a mistake by my side. I can’t return them now since I bought them in NY so this video is the next best thing
Thanks for the advice 🙏 I think I’ll try those tongue grips since the heel ones don’t seem like they would work being thin. Might also try finding a thicker no show sock on my new leather loafers.
Thanks for showing the distinctions between the different types of shoes. Learned a lot from the intro and rest of the video.
Glad it was helpful!
Tongue pads worked out pretty good, with heel grips my issue was that they were indeed very grippy so that just slid down my no-show socks after 2 steps
I'd recommend shoe leather inserts. At least wear I live they are fairly inexpensive and if you wear them on top of the shoes original insert, they could accommodate for half a size easily :)
Ah yes! Good idea.
"where" I live, not wear.
Heel pads have worked perfectly for me. Even years later they haven't come undone. Those tongue pads wouldn't work for me as I have a high instep already. I need that vertical space.
What a professional presentation. Thank you.
An invaluable video, thank you. Tongue pads ordered, liked and subscribed!
I am looking at a pair of Kurt Geiger loafers, i wear a size 10.5 but they only have a size 10 or size 11, i have a narrow foot and I am a true 10.5, would you recommend that i size down to a 10 or go up to an 11, Thank you
I solved my problem with a Carlo Ronaldi Horsebit Goodyear Wealt that was my size number, but to DEEP so my feet got into the tip and my heels always slipped, I tried with a leather heel grip and nothing, then with a silicone gel midsole and the shoes got to tigh they hurted and also slipped, but not with socks. I solved it by using a very fine leather insole and glueing a silicone half tip insole so my feet doesn't got into the tip. K can use my loafers now with socks and they dont slip anymore.
This is good 3:20. But the most effective way is to really find your own size or yet, go to the store and try it own.
Very good advice by Gentlemen Scholars Club. 😁
Love your style and content , keep doing a great job and inspire with helpfull info 👏
Great video. What about insoles?
I appreciated the suggestions, but,you missed one other option..that being shoe inserts ..eg..Dr Scholls ,leather insoles..
Skolyx has suede tongue pads, probably better than those you showed.
I am familiar with Skolyx but didn't think of looking there. Thanks for the tip! I will check them out.
Gentleman thank you alot !! i like my loafers ! only classy people do !
Bro, tips for future video, just get on with giving the audience what they clicked on. Only after 3 minutes did you get to the point, have a short intro and get on with it
I thought I click on a wrong video 😅
😂😂😂
I agree way too much filler
I skipped past it 😂
Thank you for the info... please keep posting.
Wow this was very informative and I like how you compared each type. I will try the tongue pad
Glad it was helpful!
Definitely use a shoe horn, don’t jam your feet into the heel counter of the shoe.
But generally speaking, the amount of space shown in the heel is rather significant and can cause foot issues over prolonged use. The best way to fix it is to just wait for the right size. It’s annoying and painful to wait, believe I get it. I’m as impatient as anyone, but honestly wearing shoes that are too big is the easiest way to make a nice shoe look terrible (not to mention the health issues that can develop from improper footwear)
Beautiful shoe, I just got myself exact same model.
P.s. we need a video about good manicure for men:)
Thank you
I think I will try the tongue pad.. my right shoe is a littleloose
Sometimes wearing a loafer and breaking it in, will reduce heel slip. The curve of the leather sole will naturally tighten up the shoe. It’s counterintuitive, but give it a try.
This sounds like it
Hey, do you have any brand suggestions for thicker no-show socks? I have two Goodyear welted loafers that fit well with thicker socks but would be impossible to wear without socks at all. Never worn no-show socks before either. Cheers!
I haven't tried any yet, actually, but take a look at Tabio and Falke as possible brands. The Modest Man has a review of the best no-show socks, which should have something along those lines. Like I said in the video, the key is to make sure the front of the sock doesn't really show around the tongue of the loafer.
Maybe wear two no-show socks on each foot if you can’t find thicker socks. I’m not sure if that will be comfortable, though.
I've tried that (only for a short time though) and it wasn't terrible
Seems like great advice. Thank you!
Tip: Meermin has very dark brown suede loafers 😎
Good to know. I used to buy Meermin but found the leather to be too stiff and hard to break in. Carmina was better.
@@gentlemenscholarsclub My unlined loafers are not stiff at all.
@@robo2606 same here
Yeah, thanks for this review …. Am a big fan of loafers👌🏼🔥
I also got dark brown suede tassel loafers but from Suitsupply. I literally got blisters from them first few wears,they felt like they were such a nice fit. And now they slip out. How stupid
This was very helpful. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
I wear size 9s and they are too tight and 10 size is ok but my heels slip out while walking fast, but at the toes they are relaxed
Another alternative are insoles (full or 3/4)
I recently bought a pair of leather loafers. I noticed my right foot is causing the back of the shoe to crease. The does fit snug around the side of my foot
Hello, i want to buy a pair of leather penny loafers, my foot length is 25cm
The brand that i want to buy them from have size 39 that is 25.1 cm and size 40 that is 25.8 cm
Which one should i choose, if ill wear them with socks too??? ( never had loafers before) thanks
Tricky to answer, so I can't guarantee, but .1 cm difference strikes me as too small, especially with socks. Usually the advice is 3/8" clearance for shoes in general, which would be .95 cm. I feel like .8 would be safer--smaller than .95 too, which would be good as a loafer needs to conform more tightly. One can't be sure until actually wearing them though, so if mail ordering there would always be a chance you have to return it.
Recommending Vans no show socks, very thick
Thanks for sharing!
I put a little piece of cloth inside the tip of the loafer
I was thinking of using heels grips but using strong flexible glue to adhere it and maybe putting a sponge at the toe of the shoe
Worth a try. Usually, the more that needs to be done, the more likely the need for a new shoe.
Yeah, I find the loafers to not fit my slender feet and in the old days, I would wear with no socks. Now I put insoles or that tongue pad .
i bought heel grips but thea dont work on my loafers :((
an extra inner sole always works for me
The tongue pad worked perfectly. THANK YOU!!! 🎉
Great to hear!
I like Scarosso's suede shoes and boots a lot too, very nice lasts. I didn't find their leather to be as good as their suede, though and eventually settled for Septieme Largeur but I still think Scarosso's lasts are more elegant without being super pointy, or at least they're more in line with my shoe aesthetic. Btw, I noticed you're not putting metal toe plates on your leather soles, which is perfectly fine for suede loafers but you don't seem to have them on your Oxfords, either, any particular reason?
Metal toe plates are a good idea. I tend not to wear my shoes hard as I don't live in a city where I am walking a lot, so I haven't put them on. Also, maybe I don't trust the cobblers in my area to do them right. I'd probably want to have it done in London or something. The one pair of higher end shoes that I have are Crockett and Jones Lowndes monkstraps and those have their rubber "City" sole, so no toe plates needed.
@@gentlemenscholarsclub you can order them plated, Meccariello does it, the Spanish makers, also Septieme Largeur, and if asked nicely, SL will let you swap sizes free if you happen to miss.
Excellent content, btw, and excellent taste, you've inspired me to not only start looking for the perfect collar for my face but I'm now sold on this whole one-piece button-down no tie look, it's very zeitgeisty. A suggestion for content, if I may, pleats on high rise pants, yes or no, one or two, forward or reverse. If done right they seem to work on some guys, usually of taller, slimmer build, it'd be interesting to learn how different variations of pleats work on you or perhaps even compare that to flat front high-rise pants of the same or similar material.
I just follow what my dads words “you’ll grow into it”
real
😊Where can I buy those foams
Amazon, local supermarkets in the US
Suede tongue pads a the perfect solution
What can I use for loose wrestling shoes?
I don't think I have advice on this, but from Googling, they seem sort of like high-top sneakers so shouldn't be as bad as loose loafers. However, I have no knowledge of them, unfortunately.
Toe box fillers?
Oh, man . I like your shirt with the white blazer. Looking solid
Thanks!
Nice Job! Subscribed.
The heel grip proves to be ineffective. I've just tested it out. My shoe fits perfectly around except for a millimeter in the heel-area. These are dress shoes meant to be worn with a suit. The main issue with the heel grip is that it eliminates the hollow space in the heel area. This space is designed to accommodate the spherical shape of your heel. By filling this space with the grip, (the version which includes a soft cushion in the center), the heel does not secure properly as it should. This results in increased discomfort and doesn't address the lack of grip.
Ideally, the only grip should come from the leather enclosing above the heel, utilizing its hollow design. It would be beneficial to find a shoe repair shop capable of affixing a more permanent solution in the heel area that does not compromise its designed hollow space.
I've given my shoes to a shop and hopefully they can think of a solution.
Great video
Thanks!
What are you wearing today ? Always nice to know
Agreed! This is a white (really cream) "balloon" wool sport coat from Ring Jacket and a navy and white gingham plaid shirt with a one-piece collar made of Thomas Mason fabric by The Gaudery (I've got another video on their shirts in my channel). My trousers, which can't be seen, were Berg&Berg dark navy wool fresco,
Really like this
Sir, i had problems with my loafers for months and now it works. Thanks ( ༎ຶ⌑༎ຶ )
Glad it was helpful
6:00 wear two pairs of no show socks, one over the other? 🤷🏻♂️
Desperate measures!
Thank you !
You're welcome!
Add 2 oder eaters, simple fix
I've been wearing double socks to make my loafer fit 😅
Meine lasse ich einfach schlappen, sehr gemütlich 😂
Go a half size down
Video starts at 3:18
There's a full breakdown of the time stamps for each part of the video in the description.
C est pas plus simple d’acheter sa pointure
Return it and get your actual size. That’s the best advice. If there is no return policy, don’t buy it. Simple.
buy a new one, aye
Made it to the middle and gave up... Come on, gents, don't do this! There is no compromise when it comes to fit. If a pair fits poorly, nothing else matters. And there is nothing you can do about it. Just send them back and find another one.
😂
Why did he go all the way around the world to tell us how to get across the street! Man get to the point!
Feel free to skip to the main points using the index of time stamps. Some like more context and classic menswear information.
So dam aggravating all the extra information 🤦♂️
My channel is for folks interested in classic menswear from an academic perspective. For those who want quick info, there's a full listing of the time stamps in the video description, so you can jump to what you want.
please! It took you toooo long to get to the point! helpful but you need to get to the point.