# How often do you wear shoes made for the opposite gender? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894 "2014-03-30T14:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/1 "2014-03-30T14:41:17Z")
I have a pair of [Kalso Earth](http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mjV0qftrXphCbEkCNsYIWEw.jpg) shoes. I’ve worn holes through the soles so I can only wear them on dry days. I like them just fine, but I want to try another brand of brown oxfords. Just to add variety to my life. But I’m having great difficulty. I can’t find any shoes that are both practical and visually appealing (to me). I also want them to last. I have a pair of black Rockports that will take forever for me to wear down and that I really love, but alas, I can’t find any brown shoes like this in the women’s department. So I think I’m going to go with [these](http://www.shoebuy.com/merrell-traveler-sphere/656419/1342713). I like the way they look. I trust the brand. The price is steep, but if they last a couple of years under the conditions I will be putting them under, it will be well worth it. I’ve bought men’s shoes before and I don’t think anyone noticed. And even if they did, it wouldn’t bother me. I wear “guy” stuff when it suits me. Why would I stop at my feet? But I am curious if I’m unusual in crossing the line like this. How often do you buy shoes intended for the other gender? I know I could make this into a poll, but I don’t feel like it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/2 "2014-03-30T15:10:30Z")
I wore a friend’s red pumps with the heels broken off on a wilderness white water kayak trip when I forgot my own shoes. Necessity makes for strange footware. I wear a certain design of basic black, no frills slippers that apparently are women’s but look unixex. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/3 "2014-03-30T15:18:34Z")
The size of my feet, if I were to wear a pair of women’s shoes, they would be a pair designed for an ogress, so never. Aside from that, I would not wand to put my feet through what women do anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/4 "2014-03-30T15:26:35Z")
I don’t think this really works as a gender neutral poll. You’re going to find a lot more women than men who have worn the shoes of the opposite gender. I’m not even certain why they don’t just label all men’s shoes with the appropriate women’s size, instead of bothering to make women’s shoes that are identical to men’s. The thing is, in the more unisex shoes, the only real difference is that women’s shoes are smaller. But, since feet grow, you have to cover all sizes below the bigger sizes. So there are going to be more men’s shoes that fit women than women’s shoes that fit men. The only times I’ve ever worn women’s shoes is when I was slipping on someone else’s, and these had to be open sandals to allow my foot enough room. I’ve never had any reason to actually purchase women’s shoes for myself. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/5 "2014-03-30T15:26:36Z")
Men’s footwear would be too big, but once in a while I buy boy’s sandals and hiking boots when I can’t find something I want in women’s. They tend to be pretty sturdy. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/6 "2014-03-30T15:26:42Z")
I’m not sure if all my shoes are gendered? I don’t think wellies are, or my all-star trainers. Maybe my delicate lady feetz are wearing big stinky man shoes and I don’t even know it! :eek: In Brazil I usually had to get my Havaianas off the gents rack. Yo Brazilian ladies, you need to grow bigger feet so that I can get some of those pretty flowery ones too! So my flip-flops are definitely for men. I’m looking for a rucksack now, and have found that I need to specify “men’s rucksack”, or only look in the men’s department. Turns out if you’re a woman you only get [stupid shit](http://eu.accessorize.com/view/product/eu_catalog/acc_17,acc_1.1/5892249900) with glitter and pink. “Men”, as usual, equals “normal”. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Samantha\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Samantha\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Samantha_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/7 "2014-03-30T15:26:44Z")
I wear Converse low tops from the men’s section. The female versions are usually too pink and frilly for me. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/8 "2014-03-30T15:29:47Z")
I wear men’s shoes because my feet are too big for most women’s sizes. I mean, my feet aren’t enormous, just too big to fit a lot of women’s shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/9 "2014-03-30T15:37:21Z")
The athletic shoes I now am wearing were supposed to be men’s shoes, but I can see no major differences from women’s. The difference is in the color, they are solid black. I prefer dark colors, as lighter “girly” colors look dingier sooner. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/10 "2014-03-30T15:54:05Z")
My work shoes are men’s shoes. I don’t think anyone can tell. But they’re very comfortable so I’d wear them anyways even if they could. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/11 "2014-03-30T17:22:06Z")
My normal shoe size is 11EEEE. When I went shopping for tap shoes, I tried on just about every pair in the store. The ones that fit the best were women’s size 12-1/2. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/12 "2014-03-30T17:33:36Z")
As my sons got older, I snagged their boots and sandals as they outgrew them. Not their well-worn tennis shoes though. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/13 "2014-03-30T17:36:26Z")
I’m pretty sure my Converses are sized for men. They say size 4 on the sole which has to be the men’s size because I’m a size 6 in womens. Although I don’t recall purchasing them from the men’s section of the shoe store. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/14 "2014-03-30T17:50:00Z")
if the shoe fits ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/15 "2014-03-30T18:35:02Z")
I need wide shoes, and men’s shoes tens to run wider, so that when I buy dress shoes, I have to hunt (or order online) women’s wide width. However, just buying normal men’s shoes are the perfect width for me, so when I buy athletic shoes, hiking boots, or sandals, I always buy from the men’s section. I wear a men’s 7 or 7 1/2. There are always plenty of things to choose from, because there are a few men who wear shoes that small, and a lot of teenaged boys who wear that size, and want shoes that look like adult shoes. I suspect that a lot of women buy men’s shoes, though, because of the abundance of “men’s” athletic shoes and sandals in the 5-8 range, and the dearth of specifically women’s shoes so designated. Girls like sparkles, frills, and lots of pink but most adult women buying athletic shoes want them to be sturdy more than anything, and a lot of women want the wide toe. Ditto with sandals. It’s one thing to be buying open-toed dress shoes with heels, that some people might call sandals, but I’m talking about shoes you wear to the lake, or when you might have a small child, or when you want to walk the dog on a hot day. I never see men’s shoes in “narrow,” but there must be small men and young teenagers who would buy women’s shoes, if they didn’t all seem to have the sparkles and frills. Whats up with those anyway? Women’s shoes weren’t so stupid looking when I was younger. There will be a point when I buy men’s shoes because there isn’t a pair of women’s shoes that isn’t pink and sparkly. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/16 "2014-03-30T18:50:20Z")
My problem is that shoes change too damn much. Why can’t I buy the same simple, “classic” oxford that I bought three years ago? It’s getting to the point where I’m considering buying three sets of each pair of shoes that I own. Shoe shopping sucks when none of the current styles appeal to you. I have no problem with people wanting to be fashionable. But some of us are quite fine with sticking with the same look year after year. I wish there was a shoe company that appreciated this mentality. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/17 "2014-03-30T19:04:28Z")
I can usually find sturdy safe boring women’s shoes, even for my pudgy feet. Men’s shoes are usually a little bit chunky at the base; they make (short) me look really frumpy. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/18 "2014-03-30T19:08:58Z")
I wear a men’s 10 or 10.5 wide, which is fairly common. That translates to a women’s 12 wide or so, which is quite uncommon. I don’t have patience to look for or care about shoes so I only have a few pairs of women’s shoes, in women’s styles. Oddly enough my sandals, which I wear all summer and are pretty plain, are women’s sandals. Since I wear them so much I wanted something a little less clunky and obviously male. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/19 "2014-03-30T19:39:56Z")
It’s the opposite sex, not opposite gender. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894/20 "2014-03-30T19:51:19Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > But I am curious if I’m unusual in crossing the line like this. How often do you buy shoes intended for the other gender? I know I could make this into a poll, but I don’t feel like it. I started life with a pair of D width feet that, last time they were measured, have morphed into EE. I don’t have much choice, damn few women’s shoes are made that wide these days. I usually buy men’s shoes because they’re what fit me (I take a D in men’s). If I must buy a pair of pumps or something I’m off to find a shoe stretcher. If they aren’t explicitly a style, like pumps, that are largely restricted to women a LOT of women with wide feet buy the shoes they want in men’s sizes. Back when I was fixing shoes for a living I had a few male customers who bought women’s shoes - a couple were musicians who bought boots because they like the style for when they performed on stage, the rest were, I suspect, crossdressers although they didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask, it being none of my business. A lot more common for women to wear men’s shoes than vice versa. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-wear-shoes-made-for-the-opposite-gender/684894.md?page=2)