How to Measure Vintage Shoes
Vintage shoe sizes may run a size or two smaller than today’s shoe sizes. Because of the age of the shoe and the material, shoes may experience some shrinking or stretching. It is important to measure vintage shoes properly when trying to sell them online because customers cannot try on the shoes.
- Place the shoe on a flat, even surface. Failure to place the shoe on a flat surface may lead to incorrect measurements.
- Place a tape measure inside the shoe. Measure from the top of the toe to the heel. This will be the length of the shoe.
- Place the tape measure in the widest part of the shoe, usually where the ball of the foot rests. Record this measurement as the width of the shoe.
- Use the same method to measure the width of the heel. Flatten the tape measure inside the shoe across the widest part of the heel.
- Measure from the flat surface to the seam where the heel meets the sole of the shoe. This is the heel measurement. It may be best to use a rigid ruler for this measurement.
- Have someone with a similar shoe size try on the shoe. When listing the shoe for sale, the seller can indicate that a person tried on the shoe, how the shoe fit and the person's shoe size.
- Measure boot height and circumference for vintage boots. Boot height should be measured from the top of the boot to the bottom of the heel. The circumference is measured straight across the top of the boot.