When did size 40 become 7?

[Youknowaboutthepaint]

I'm sure when we started seeing European sizes (maybe 30 years ago?) 39 =6, 40 = 6.6, 41 = 7

Now when I order 7 they send 40, which is always too small. To get a 41, I need to order size 8, but when shoes are actually sized with British sizes, a 7 fits and 8 is too big.

I noticed this the other day! Thought it was a one off … Birkenstocks. But obv not, how odd.

40 is still 6.5 in most places but if half sizes aren’t available then it seems sellers make up their own rules.

Yes!
Although I am a 40 (6.5) as opposed to a 7. I’ve noticed it’s much easier to get shoes that fit in the last few years.

I do like Ash Virgin high tops and everyone said they came up big so I ordered a six which were too small. I got a 7 ( no European size) which were indeed huge.
I ordered bought a second pair same colour and style that also said 7 but also 40..Fit perfectly. So yes I agree with @FourPoster that manufacturers make up their own rules too.

It's always been uncertain and internet shopping has made it worse, mainly due to inconsistencies between brands and the information on the website not matching reality.

Eg if you buy Converse from Schuh, it could be listed as a 41 = 7, but what is actually sent is a 40, or the other way around. Not helped by the fact that the fit just isn't consistent. I have two pairs of Converse that I bought at the same time and one style is a 41 that is smaller than another that says 40 on the label.

I know that a 41 fits me most of the time, so I order enough 7/7.5/8 to make sure I know I will get sent a 41 even if the website information is inaccurate. When I return the ones that don't fit, and if there has been any inconsistent information, I always write that's why.

Online shops complain that people return too much of what they order, but a lot of this would be reduced if they could get sizing right and consistent, which seems an impossible ask. Even when they ask detailed questions about your height, weight, age, shape etc, it doesn't always work out.

I know that a 41 always fits me, so I always check the website size chart and order accordingly. That means I can be a 6.5, 7, 7.5 or 8 depending on their conversion. It makes no sense, but at least I know they’ll fit.

I noticed this. I’m a size 8 and EU 42 always fitted. Now I’m not sure. It’s put me off ordering online.

Always however the issue comes as in women's shoes a 40 is a 7 but in a men's it's a 6 as they are one away. So brands like birkinstock or converse will always be difficult as they are all unisex so have to always check the size guide. It's a pain.

This is weird, I'm having the exact opposite problem!

I've always been a 7, occasionally 7.5 if available, so I always bought a 40 or 41.

Recently I've ordered shoes in a size 40 and they arrive saying EU 40 is a UK 8 and they are too big.

I've had to reorder in a 39 / 6 which fit perfectly.

40 is usually 6.5 and they usually fit perfectly if they are. I'm so glad for European sizes!

I think with some shoe makes though they are just inaccurate or there is even some vanity sizing going on. Either that or my feet have shrunk, which seems unlikely in my 40s somehow.

More often that not a 6 fits better than a 7 these days, whereas I always used to have to go up to a 7 if a 6.5 were not available.

Though I bought some emergency smart shoes at a Dune at an airport in 2021 and had to get size 8! The assistant said that everyone's feet have spread during the pandemic- what, two sizes? I admit that wearing anything other than trainers and sandals again was often uncomfortable (insomuch as it wasn't before that), but the simple fact is that the Dune 8s are the same size as my other shoes in a 6. They were just inaccurately sized.

Yes, I've noticed this recently. After having to send a couple of size 7 shoes back for being too small I noticed they were 40/7. I now have to check the size guides online for different shops and check whether they say 41 is a 7 or 8. Really frustrating as shoe sizes really should be fixed and not like clothes sizing where one size can vary massively between shops.

An EU 40 has always been a 7, at least it has been since I was a Saturday girl at Pinet in the mid-90s.

In my experience it's about 50/50. Or if you look in places that do half sizes, a 7 could be a 40.5 and a 7.5 a 41 (eg M&S).

42 has always been an 8! I get enraged when some sellers claim 41 is an 8. You’re not wrong OP.

I'm with you OP! Used to live in Europe and I am definitely a 41, and UK size 7. So frustrating trying to buy things online now.

I find it helps to know what the manufacturing sizes are (i.e. is it a UK / European / US brand) and follow that.

The problem is that the difference between European sizes is smaller than UK equivalents so it's never going to match up exactly and it mainly seems to be those of us with size 7 ish feet who are most affected by inconsistencies between brands.