The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

28 February 2007

Paging Charles Brannock

Do one's clodhoppers eventually become less clodlike? Possibly:

Is it common to go down in shoe size as you plow through your 30s?

For years, I've taken a US size 9 or 9.5 for my footwear. But a few weeks ago, while getting fitted for a new pair of dress shoes, I got measured with a size 8.

I figured that was an aberration attributable to that particular shoemaker. But in the last couple of days, I bought another two pairs of shoes — another for dress, and a pair of long-overdue snow/outdoor boots — and sure enough, I wound up with size 8 both times.

I wore a 13 from age 17 to about 40; for some inscrutable reason — middle-aged spread, maybe? — I now wear a 14.

I don't think the sizes have changed over the years, but I can explain neither my growth nor his shrinkage.

(Mr Brannock, should you be curious, invented this thing.)

Posted at 11:07 AM to Rag Trade


My shrinkage? That's just dandy. I was hoping to avoid the "you know what they say about big feet" issue when I revealed this... No changes in the corresponding area, thankfully.

Posted by: CT at 11:26 AM on 28 February 2007

Clearly you are on steroids, Charles, and should stop chasing that home run record.

Posted by: Matt at 6:44 PM on 28 February 2007

Hey, I haven't made it to second base in years.

Posted by: CGHill at 7:02 PM on 28 February 2007

I have a lot of experience with this. When I was in my early 20's, I wore a 6. Then, by my late 20's, it was a 5. Now... I never know. I have to try on a zillion shoes, and it's usually a 5, but no always.

The biggest difference has shown up in my soccer cleats. I'm 32, and I now wear a CHILD'S size 3 or 4.

And yes, I'm petite- 5'2".

Posted by: Lachlan at 10:36 AM on 3 March 2007