Footwear Sizing Guide

How to Measure Your Feet

For the most accurate fit, measure both feet at the end of the day when feet are at their largest. Use the larger foot as your size reference. There are two methods — use whichever works best for you.

Method 1: Soft Measuring Tape

Stand on a piece of paper and trace around your foot. Measure from the back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe in inches and centimeters.

Method 2: The HudsonFlowVintage Method

We recommend this approach for measuring both shoes and boots before purchasing. It takes just a few minutes and gives you the most reliable fit comparison.

For Shoes:

Cut a slim strip of cardboard and trim one end to a gentle point. Place the pointed end inside the shoe at the point where your toes would naturally rest — not at the very tip of a pointed toe box, as that space is decorative and not part of the fit. Keep the cardboard flush against the shoe's interior contour (the insole of a high heel, for example, slopes upward toward the heel). Mark where the inside heel ends and measure that distance. Compare it to the same measurement taken inside a shoe you already own and love the fit of.

For Boots — Additional Measurements:

Beyond foot length, boots require several additional measurements to ensure a comfortable fit. Vintage boots in particular were often made to a single standard width that may not suit all body types. We recommend measuring the following and comparing them to the boot's listed measurements before purchasing:

  • Ankle circumference — measure around the narrowest point of your ankle
  • Lower calf circumference — measure around your leg approximately 3 inches above your ankle
  • Calf circumference — measure around the fullest part of your calf
  • Calf height — measure from the floor to the fullest part of your calf
  • Knee circumference — measure just below your knee (for knee-high and over-the-knee styles)
  • Shaft height — measure from the floor to where you want the boot to end

A boot that fits perfectly in length but is too narrow in the calf or ankle cannot be worn comfortably. When in doubt, contact us with your measurements before purchasing — we are happy to compare them to the specific boot you are interested in.

Foot Width

Measure across the widest part of your foot (across the ball of your foot) in inches and centimeters.

Arch Length

Measure from your heel to the ball of your foot. Useful for determining fit in structured vintage shoes.

Women's Shoe Size Conversion

US UK EU Italy Japan France
4 2 34 34 21 35
4.5 2.5 35 35 21.5 35
5 3 35–36 35–36 22 36
5.5 3.5 36 36 22.5 36
6 4 36–37 36–37 23 37
6.5 4.5 37 37 23.5 37
7 5 37–38 37–38 24 38
7.5 5.5 38 38 24.5 38
8 6 38–39 38–39 25 39
8.5 6.5 39 39 25.5 39
9 7 39–40 39–40 26 40
9.5 7.5 40 40 26.5 40
10 8 40–41 40–41 27 41
11 9 41–42 41–42 28 42
12 10 42–43 42–43 29 43

Men's Shoe Size Conversion

US UK EU Italy Japan France
6 5.5 39 39 24 39
6.5 6 39–40 39–40 24.5 40
7 6.5 40 40 25 40
7.5 7 40–41 40–41 25.5 41
8 7.5 41 41 26 41
8.5 8 41–42 41–42 26.5 42
9 8.5 42 42 27 42
9.5 9 42–43 42–43 27.5 43
10 9.5 43 43 28 43
10.5 10 43–44 43–44 28.5 44
11 10.5 44 44 29 44
11.5 11 44–45 44–45 29.5 45
12 11.5 45 45 30 45
13 12.5 46 46 31 46
14 13.5 47 47 32 47

Shoe Width Conversion

Width Label Women's Men's Description
4A / AAAA Extra Narrow — Very slim fit
2A / AA Narrow Narrow Slim fit
B Narrow–Standard Narrow Slightly slim
D Standard Standard Most common width
2E / EE Wide Wide Broader fit
4E / EEEE Extra Wide Extra Wide Widest standard fit

Note: Most vintage shoes are unlabeled for width. If width is marked inside the shoe, use this chart to compare.

Vintage Footwear Sizing by Decade

1930s & 1940s

American shoes from this era were sized using the traditional Brannock system but ran noticeably narrower and shorter than today. A vintage US 7 from the 1940s often fits closer to a modern US 6–6.5. Italian and French imports were sized in EU/Paris points and may be marked with a single number (e.g., 37 or 38).

1950s

Sizing remained conservative. Pointed toe styles (winklepickers) were common and can feel a half size shorter due to the toe box shape. Always check the insole length if listed. A vintage US 7 typically fits a modern US 6.5–7.

1960s

Mod styles introduced more variety in toe shapes. British sizing (UK) became more common on imported shoes. A vintage UK 5 equals approximately a US 7. Sizing began to align more closely with modern standards by the late 1960s.

1970s

Platform soles and wider toe boxes became common, offering more room. Sizing is closer to modern but still runs slightly small. A vintage US 7 typically fits a modern US 7–7.5. Leather quality varied widely — check for stiffness and cracking on older soles.

1980s

Sizing is very close to modern standards. A vintage US 7 typically fits a modern US 7. Italian designer shoes from this era (Ferragamo, Gucci, Bruno Magli) are sized in EU/Italian sizing — use the conversion chart above.

1990s

Sizing aligns closely with modern US sizing. A vintage US 7 fits a modern US 7 in most cases. Comfort and athletic styles introduced more generous toe boxes and widths.

A Note About Our Footwear Listings

At HudsonFlowVintage, every pair of shoes and boots is measured individually and listed in the product description. Because vintage footwear sizing varied significantly by decade, country, and maker, we always recommend comparing your foot measurements to the item's listed insole length rather than relying on the size marked inside the shoe.

Here is what to look for in each listing:

  • Insole length — the most reliable measurement; measure your foot and compare directly
  • Insole width — measured at the widest point of the insole
  • Heel height — measured from the bottom of the heel to the point where the heel meets the sole
  • Shaft height (boots) — measured from the insole to the top of the boot
  • Calf circumference (boots) — measured around the widest point of the shaft
  • Ankle circumference (boots) — measured around the narrowest point of the shaft

When in doubt, size up — vintage leather has minimal stretch and resoling or stretching is always possible. If you have questions about a specific pair's fit, contact us before purchasing.