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I've accidentally bought men's shoes...

46 replies

dudsville · 11/09/2019 16:18

... online shopping. Never occurred to ne that these lovely dark blue suede brogues were men's. They're not going to fit, are they? I could word the question in a way that Google understood.

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Babushkacandle · 12/09/2019 14:03

I wear men’s hiking boots and the toe box is lovely and wide whilst the women’s is so narrow. Thinking about it I pay extra for women’s running shoes to have a wide toe box, wonder if it’d be just as easy to buy men’s running shoes?!

womaninthedark · 12/09/2019 14:29

@FinallyHere - exactly. When I was tired of pain I vowed never again to buy a pair of shoes that was a different shape from my feet. I searched for over a year. Then, out of the corner of my eye I spotted exactly what I needed in a shoe-shop window display - the men's display.
That was me done with painful shoes, forever.

womaninthedark · 12/09/2019 14:30

Was? Were.

womaninthedark · 12/09/2019 14:32

@Sniv Er, no, it's not...? Unless you write "I'm" on one shoe and "gay" on the other, footwear is not a reliable marker of sexuality.
Yes, I would have agreed with you until I started wearing men's shoes and noticed female same-sex couples checking and discussing my footwear to assess my status.

womaninthedark · 12/09/2019 14:33

It happens. How can I say it doesn't?

RubbingHimSweetly · 12/09/2019 14:38

womaninthedark WTF?! That is simply not true. I have never ever assessed someone's sexuality through their shoe choice? Do you think there is a uniform that once you decide you're gay you get handed a uniform list for?? How strange that you believe that.

drsausage · 12/09/2019 14:43

LOL according to my shoes I'm definitely a lesbian then.

dudsville · 12/09/2019 16:00

They were the last pair I think eliza but they are clarks outlet, "Banfield limit".

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DarlingNikita · 12/09/2019 16:30

Men's and women's shoe sizes are often different IME. I'm a women's 8 at Ugg but a men's 7.

I've got some men's brogues that are fantastically comfortable and were a steal from TK Maxx. I'm sure there was a bigger markdown than there generally is on women's things.

Zaphodsotherhead · 12/09/2019 17:18

I wear men's Converse. I have a horrible bunion on one foot, and the other foot is just starting with one, and women's shoes are almost always too narrow or constricting around the toes. I'm not quite ready to go into 'old person's Comfortable Shoes' yet, so I tend to buy men's more and more to have room for my poor (old) feet.

weegiemum · 12/09/2019 17:24

I only wear men's shoes as I am a size 11. Due to disability I have no sense of balance so can't walk in heels so basically live in men's trainers. Unisex Converse go up to 11 anyway. My dh has size 9s, but I have on occasion borrowed ds's shoes as he's the same size as me.

womaninthedark · 12/09/2019 19:51

@RubbingHimSweetly haha! You've stopped rubbing him then, and started on the women? Fine.
I only believe it because it has happened to me, repeatedly. I thought it was just a silly story until I found it happening again and again.
You needn't believe me. I remember your previous posts so I take you with a pinch of salt.

Ambidexte · 12/09/2019 19:58

This thread has made me realise I need to start buying men's shoes.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 12/09/2019 22:02

Of course, it also goes the other way. I recall seeing a prominent display stand with pornstar very outlandish, glitzy, ultra high-heeled styles in Brantano in sizes 12-15 and I was really baffled as to exactly how many women would be in the market for shoes in those sizes (never mind nasty ones). It didn't seem a very wise business decision to me to keep them in general stock.

Then the penny dropped and I realised that they were probably not aimed at 'traditional' women....

Chouetted · 12/09/2019 22:50

I wear mens shoes. Also mens socks.

I was thinking the last time I went shoe shopping that it would be nice if they had some more feminine styles in the mens section, and wondered where drag queens did their shopping. I suppose I know the answer now thanks to @WeBuiltThis Buffet !

Sniv · 13/09/2019 07:13

@womaninthedark Yes, I would have agreed with you until I started wearing men's shoes and noticed female same-sex couples checking and discussing my footwear to assess my status

Seriously, have another look at your shoes and make sure you haven't accidentally written "I'm" and "gay" on them, because your experience frankly sounds bonkers. When I'm out with my girlfriend we're not staring a feet, keeping a running commentary as we hunt for other lesbians hidden among the crowd.

I wouldn't even expect to be able to spot another lesbian unless she's with her partner or at a specific event. Most lesbians don't have a particular look, and the fashions stereotypically associated with lesbians (short hair, bright dyed hair, dungerees, DMs or masculine shoes, plaid shirts, rainbow stuff, etc) are widespread everywhere because they're practical/trendy/just look great; it's pointless to make an assumption from them. You'd be doing it all day and wrong half the time.

Although, if someone has gone to the effort to go dapper butch I might make an appreciative comment, but that's an aesthetic that takes waaay more work than slapping on a pair of men's shoes.

womaninthedark · 13/09/2019 17:23

I don't give a fuck if it sounds bonkers to you - it happens.

msmith501 · 13/09/2019 17:25

I am in a pub apparently surrounded by lesbians - admittedly they all appear to be male. but maybe they self identify as lesbians - they seem very interested in my brogues. Clearly tongue in cheek but what a ridiculous comment.

Sneezewitch · 13/09/2019 17:58

Ok guys if I’m a 5 women’s, should I buy boys shoes?

KurriKurri · 13/09/2019 18:03

I buy boys shoes - I'm a size 3, and have widish feet (let's not beat around the bush - I have square feet), And the kind of shoes I like are desert boots etc., I also like boys sandals for summer.
I don't do heels or pointy shoes.

I haven't noticed any attention from lesbians, or from men for that matter - I thnk I give off a dried up and sexless vibe.

dudsville · 15/09/2019 14:46

kurri! Square feet!

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