loveheel Posted September 6, 2002 Share Posted September 6, 2002 I will be in NewCastle (UK) on Sunday and Monday. Any of the British folks on the board have advice for an American (guy) like me where to go shopping for shoes there ? Also, what would correspond to a US size 11 in British sizes ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calv Posted September 6, 2002 Share Posted September 6, 2002 Hi Loveheel I'll do the easy question first US (Womens) size 11 = UK size 9. Also converts to Euro size 42 or 43. Same size as me. Now shopping. I'm not too sure of any specialist shops in Newcastle but the high streets will be full of shops - trouble is most will only go up to a UK size 8. The only high street stores I know of who stock size 9's on a regular basis are Next (www.Next.co.uk) and Barratts. There is a large shopping centre (mall to you!) near Newcastle called the MetroCentre which is about 5 miles out of the city. Probably worth a visit. Should be worth a visit just to check out the other shoppers! The other place worth a look is Brantano who stock a large range up to a size 10. Last winter they had about 30 different styles of boot in size 9 and this season should be no different. Most Brantano's are in warehouse type retail parks. I'll look on the net and see if there are any near you. Failing that, just look in the telephone directory and you should find them listed. Unfortunately Newcastle is about 250 miles from me or we could meet up for a beer or two. By the way the Newcastle nightlife is worth a look. Especially on a Saturday night. Loads of semi-clad ladies Most shops now open on a Sunday, the MetroCentre will certainly be open, probably 11am-5pm, but check first Have a good time and hope you get some bargains. Do your own thing. Don't be a victim of conformity. Calv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calv Posted September 6, 2002 Share Posted September 6, 2002 Heres a map showing the location of the Newcastle Brantano store. Newcastle upon Tyne Opening hours Monday - Friday from 10:00 am till 8:00 pm Saturday from 9:00 am till 6:00 pm Sunday from 10:00 am till 4:00 pm Address Kingston Shopping Centre, Brunton Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SW Newcastle upon Tyne Telephone 0191 271 2090 Do your own thing. Don't be a victim of conformity. Calv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon-rw Posted September 6, 2002 Share Posted September 6, 2002 I live near Newcastle (about 12 miles away).Most of the shoe shops in the city centre are the Barratt's/Dolcis variety (2 branches of Barratt's, on Northumberland Street and Whitecross Way, Eldon Square).There's also a Brunswick Shoe Warehouse outlet in the Greenmarket, Eldon Square and a fetishy type shop called The Garage nearby as well as a shoe shop called Priceless Shoes on the same row (can't remember the name) which has a fairly varied selection of shoes and boots at fairly low prices.That's all that comes to mind at the moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted September 6, 2002 Share Posted September 6, 2002 I can definitely recommend the Metro Centre - one of the largest shopping Malls in Europe arranged over four large quadrants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveheel Posted September 7, 2002 Author Share Posted September 7, 2002 Thanks all. I will definitely send a report when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted September 7, 2002 Share Posted September 7, 2002 Topic moved to real life shopping forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveheel Posted September 10, 2002 Author Share Posted September 10, 2002 You guys were definitely correct. I had a great time browsing the stores and even trying on some shoes, but hard to find a size 9. I found some nice shoes at several Dolci stores but they only carried them up to a size 8. Metro Center was definitely impressive. Sales staff at the downtown Barretts were very nice. As you can see, I did lot's of stores. And all in my HH boots. By the end of the day my feet were killing me. But I couldn't be stopped. After dinner I went to some downtown nightclub playing 70'ies music. Danced in my boots all night. As some women were leaving, one came up to me and asked if she could see raise the pants and see the boots. Fun. Simon, you were right. Lots of women in revealing outfits around on a Sunday night (with quite good weather). Overall, a fun experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 It's nice to hear you had a good time loveheel. Newcastle is another place I've done guy heels with no problem and the lasses certainly love their high strappy sandals with revealing tops when out clubbing. It's a real shame about shopping in the larger sizes. If just a few more places did 9's and 10's it would make it a much more fun activity. I believe Barratts are specifically trying to cater for guys in the more female styles. We have had very friendly receptions in Manchester and London. Even if it's just 2 or 3% of the female shoes they sell, that's still a lot of sales, and these pairs tend to be extra purchases for many guys in addition to their more normal shoes. Good business to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba136 Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Has anyone ever thought to mention to the sales clerks in these places that it would be nice if they could stock some larger sizes in some of the nicer styles? Althought I don't have any problem finding shoes in my size (10½ - 11 US womans) at most stores, I would surely mention the lack of larger sizes if I did. Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calv Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Hi Bubba Glad to hear you had a good time, did you buy any shoes? How do the UK shoes compare to the US ones? Did you cope OK with the local language - or did you need a translator Do your own thing. Don't be a victim of conformity. Calv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveheel Posted September 11, 2002 Author Share Posted September 11, 2002 Sorry. That was me above. Forgot to log in. Calv, yes the language can trip a Yank up on occasion, especially in loud pubs. Usually, I just point at the tap and give some money ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefox Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Tap pointing and money is my favourite technique in large pubs with loud music. Followed by fingers to indicate number and hands held the right distance apart for a pint glass My voice is relatively soft so I don't bother trying to communicate but most people delight in straining to shout over the noise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba136 Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 In answer to Calv's questions: Most of the better women's shoe stores here in the USA sell name brands that are manufactured in other parts of the world. Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, etc., usually up to size 11. The chain stores, like Payless, carry less expensive shoes (IE: 2 pairs for $25) that are mass-produced using efficient labor saving techniques. I've never had a problem purchasing heels in the UK. As a general rule, the quality of English footwear usually is far superior to anything made in the United States (witness my hand made 7" heels made by Little Shoe Box.) And, I still wear almost all of the heels I've purchased in London over the years. My main problem is that every time my wife sees a pair of heels (or other styles of woman's shoes) she thinks I'll like, she buys them for me. Most of the time, because our tastes are completely opposite, I wind up returning her purchases for refunds. (However, don't think for one instant I discourage her from this practice.) For instance, a couple of years ago she brought home the ugliest pair of chocolate brown fabric loafer style shoes I've ever seen. Made by Gloria Vanderbilt, they have rounded toes, buckles across the high cut vamp, and thick, clumsy 4" heels. She bought them at a clearance sale for $2.00. She calls them my ?FCC? (funky, chunky, clunky) shoes. Now, In spite of the way they look, they are one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I have. And, I wear them while working in the garden and back yard (Thick heels are just the thing for walking across lawns). And, heels are another great category for gifts that she buys for birthdays, father's day and Christmas. Last Christmas, for one of my gifts, she gave me a great pair of Bandolino boots. Brown leather ankle boots with clipped square pointed toes and 4 ½" blade heels that fit like a dream. And, no Calv, the language wasn't a problem while shopping in the UK. But, I must say that you foreigners do speak a rather peculiar brand of English. :rofl: Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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