Princetown mules provide a decent, standard fit ideal for average width feet. Although they wrap them in a relatively snug fashion, this should reasonably be expected from this type of design as otherwise the foot would slip during walking. For my averagely-wide foot, I do not find the mules too narrow and they fit just right.
True to size? I think the sizing in these shoes is a bit tricky. Gucci, on their website, recommend going half a size up so initially in the shop I tried on size 38 (I usually wear 37.5). However, these seemed quite large so subsequently I tired on my regular size, which fitted perfectly, and these were the shoes I bought. What could possibly go wrong?
It was not until the first outing in my brand new Princetown mules when I noticed the foot slipping outwards very slightly when walking, thus leaving the heel overflowing a bit. The gently protruding heel effect was not dramatic at all, just a few millimeters, and probably not perceptible to anyone other than myself.
Still, acutely conscious of its presence, a few weeks later I felt compelled to invest in a second pair of Princetown mules, this time half a size larger, to address the pesky heel malarkey.  Did it help? Well⦠The larger size was certainly looser in the toe box area and provided ampler space for a resting foot by virtue of the inner sole being longer. However, while walking, there was still some minor tendency for the heel to slip outwards, albeit less so than in the smaller-sized mule.
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PLEASE help me I read your post about the princetown, and would REALLY like to know at the end which size do you prefer? Iām also a 37.5 and I have tried the 37.5 and 38 and I donāt know which one to get… PLEASE HELP ME
Thank you for checking out my blog! š Overall, I think going half a size up is in Princetowns is probably the right thing to do. However, the pair in 37.5 has aged much better because they have a slightly tighter fit, so the creasing on the leather uppers is not as visible. Unfortunately, the uppers stretch with use and develop ugly wrinkles. If you see my review of the Hermes Oz mule, there is a picture of a well-used Princetown mule (size 38) showing the creasing. The pair in 37.5 also feels a bit more secure while walking because of the tighter fit. So itās a short-term vs long-term thing, really… But size-wise, they look better in 38. I hope this helps! āŗļøš¤
First THANK YOU so much for your reply… but OMG this is so confusing.. I just donāt want my heel to be floating on the back while I walk you know what I mean? But if you were to buy a new pair of princetowns which size would you buy?
Haha! I know exactly what you mean! If you buy them in size 38, the floating heel will not be a problem. My point earlier was, they are also looser and donāt hold shape as well as size 37.5. If you go for 37.5, initially you will get a tiny bit of the floating heel effect. But as they stretch, that goes away and overall they fit/look better. So itās a close call… I will definitely get another pair because they are super comfy and next time I will probably go for size 38, even though they develop that annoying crease. But thatās because Iām quite impatient and and donāt want to wait again for them to stretch. I hope this makes sense āŗļø
I got the 38!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Ugh Iām here too confused! I donāt want to try any one but about to purchase the bengal mules. I wear a 6 all the time and I found a pair that is 6.5 so my concern it that theyāll end up being lose when I walk. I got a pair of Gucci loafers and the girl told me theyād fir fine at 36.5 also and theyāre a bit too big! So disappointed. So thatās why Iām worried with going up a half size. Theyāre just so hard to find in this pattern my size. I can get a 35 but thatās a whole size down so def wouldnāt try those. I just wish I could find a 36!
Hi Susan! Thank you so much for visiting my blog š. I do understand your frustration about the Princetown. Gucci sizing is notoriously inconsistent so it can be a little tricky to find the right fit (I wrote more about it another blog post: https://unwrapped.fashion/shoes/true-to-size-the-designer-shoe-fit-conundrum/ ). If you go up half a size in this style, they should be ok. Unless you have unusually slim feet, they really shouldnāt slide. If anything, when opting for your standard size, you may find that your heel protrudes outwards i.e. floats as you walk, at first (that eventually goes away). But some people donāt like it because it makes the mules look small. So upsizing is definitely the safer option. I hope this helps and I hope you get the Bengal slippers. They are gorgeous!! āŗļøš¤ Xx
The available color here in the Philippines is black and white only. I would really love to but same color as yours at size 8. Would you know where its still available?
Thank you
Hi Aileen! Thanks so much for visiting my blog āŗļøš¹ If you are interested in the taupe/beige version of Princetown mules, they are definitely available for sale on the Gucci website in the UK and in the UAE. Not sure if you would be able to order them from abroad, though. It may be worth keeping an eye on places like Vestiaire because sometimes you can find brand new items there. If I spot them anywhere else, Iāll let you know x
Hi, I was reading your blog post on sizing and currently suffering the dilemma. A couple of years later now, would you still recommend your actual size or half up?
Thanks!
Hi Margaret! Thanks so much for visiting my blog š. Thatās a very good question! I think now I lean towards the 1/2 size up, but the difference between them is really minuscule, especially as the leather stretches. I hope this helps āŗļø X
Very helpful blog posts on this and designer shoe sizing btw š
Thanks so much for replying- Iāll go up a half size to be at peace 𤪠Thank you!
Hi I was reading your blog. And I am also confused about the sizingš„“. I have wide feet and normally wear a size 40 in European designers. The miles I want have fur in them do you think I should get a 40 or 41? The pair I want is super hard to come byā¦..š Iāve searched for months and canāt find a 40.5 but found a 40ā¦
Hi Nikki! š¤ Thanks for visiting my blog. Unfortunately, I donāt own Princetowns with the fur so I canāt really give any meaningful advice on how they might fit ⦠š. However, if you usually go for size 40 in mules, there is a chance they might fit without causing too much of the overhanging heel effect. I would imagine the fur at the back should hide some of it anyway. But I donāt know for sure if thatās the best way to go about it, especially if you have wide feet⦠It might be an idea to contact one of the sellers of Princetowns with the fur in your size on Vestiaire (there are a few) and ask them about the insole measurements to see what they say about the fit. Good luck and I really hope you can get them. Princetowns are, by far, one of my favourite pairs of shoes so I have no doubt youāll love them too š xx
Hello
Great blog ⦠but thought I would add my Gucci mule experiences! I am a size EU38 but go DOWN a half size to a 37.5 in the Princeton mule!
Reason being, a snugger fit which one needs to not walk out of them and they do stretch with use.
One of the Gucci staff told me you should-not always go up a half sizeā¦depends on the style and foot width. She advised many of her clients go down a half size for a snugger fit . Both the 37.5 & the 38 would have worked however the 38 on one foot was not not as snug as the other ā¦so given they will stretch I did not want them looking floppy. My heel looks slightly over with both but only to my eye & nothing worse with a mule if too much sole protrudesā¦looks like one has borrowed mothers shoes!
My tip, I gently wear them around my home to start softening the leather, always pushing toes in as far as possible. When new, it does feel that onesās foot is slipping back out but I can assure you once they soften just a bit and start to mould.
I have the Princeton in both the G print (heavier leather) and the black kid leather..
If in doubt stick to your normal EU sizing DO NOT GO UP unless you have a very wide foot!
The 37.5 was better in both! Good luck!
Hi DD! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your great input regarding the Gucci Princetown sizing š.
I do agree that by going half a size up, there is a risk of ending up with the fronts looking floppy and wrinkly because the fit is less snug and they do stretch further over time. I definitely observed that in my pair of Princetowns where I upsized. I have never experienced the mules slipping off, though. However, there is no doubt they do not age as well as the smaller size, which tends to retain its shape better.
Thatās why, I always felt that those looking to buy Gucci Princetowns need to decide if they care more about the slightly overflowing heel when the shoes are new (i.e. opting for normal sizing), or if they are more concerned about what the mules might look like later on, once they age and stretch (i.e. if you upsize).
It is interesting that your SA recommend going down half a size. Mine was trying to convince me to go up š. I guess the sizing in Princetowns is not straightforward so different people take different approach.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. Iām sure it will be much appreciated by those coming to this blog looking for sizing tips āŗļø.
Have a great day! šš¤