Proper leather shoes

Could you get a cobbler to stretch them a bit?

I don't know, I've always assumed this was foolish idea for some reason?

Too small shoes? Depends upon what too small means? Too narrow or too short.. Or both? Aldens tend to be sized on the large side.. I think the longwing is a Barrie last and that is around 1/2 larger than the standard US or 1/2 less than UK, viz. a UK 11 is a 11 1/2 in Barrie.. So if you thought the US had UK sizes you are perhaps 1/2 size short.. Normally one orders these, I think, in the standard size--- e.g. 1/2 size long (UK+1)--- but a tad more narrow (US widths are AAA to EEE with Alden D as the equivalent to E and sometimes F in the UK)..

There is nothing one can do about shoes that are too short.. Narrow.. depends as people are often used to sloppy fitting shoes and their first reaction to proper fit is "too tight".. That's why most shoes sold on the high street are in wide widths..

They're a (US) 9.5D, whereas my shell derbies (also pictured above) are 10D. Both Barrie last. I would say I'm a large 9.5 in UK sizing so 10D is probably the 'correct' size for me in the Barrie, but they didn't have these in stock. They did however have a 9.5E which I was surprised to find did actually feel like it fit fine and was actually a tad wide. And these 9.5Ds seemed great in the shop but ever since I feel like I'm stuffing my feet in somewhat. The length seems ok, it's more the width/instep. It's a gamble (not least because of the import tax etc) but I might swap them for the 9.5E as this'll sort the width, even though they seemed too generous when I tried them on.