I suspect I may not be the only woman for whom Gucci Princetown mules were not exactly the love at the first sight. In fact, I explicitly remember that the initial encounter with the lamb wool-finish version left me utterly puzzled. I could not help but feel that the form and novelty factor significantly outweighed the aesthetic value. Even the not-so-hairy version of the shoe seemed a bit clunky and conveyed a heavy dose of masculine chic.
Still, fascinated by the unfading popularity of Princetown mules on the fashionista scene since they were first introduced by Gucci in 2015 (as judged by the sheer number colour and finish variations made available through the seasons), I found myself compelled to find out what the fuss was all about. And here is my verdict…
Fit and Sizing
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.
So in a nutshell, I think it may just be the nature of Princetown mules that the tip of the heel will always be protruding very slightly while walking, especially at first. With time, the toe box relaxes so the foot will be naturally pushed forward and the “escaping heel” effect becomes far less prominent (my size 37.5 Princetown slipper fits nearly perfectly now).
Hence, when it comes to choosing the right size in Princetown mules, my advice is to rely on individual aesthetic sensitivity to the potential heel protrusion issue and go for something that you feel comfortable with. While the regular size is perfectly acceptable, going half a size up is also fine as it will compensate for the foot slipping outwards while walking. [Back to Menu]
Are Princetown Mules Comfortable?
The shoes are VERY comfortable which attests to their continuing popularity. Personally, I did not feel the need to stretch or break them in to make them more roomy, even though this is frequently recommended in other reviews. I guess all depends on individual foot shape. It is noticeable that with time, the leather stretches naturally and the snug fit gently loosens making the Gucci mules even more comfortable.
One thing of note is that Princetown mules are to be worn mainly barefoot so the initial outings may result in some mild foot and toe rubbing while the shoes are still new. For me, I could feel slight pressure on my big toe from the crease in the leather uppers forming while walking. To avoid pain and discomfort, prior to putting them on I always use foot powder or apply anti-rub relief stick to the areas most likely to be affected by traction and blisters, which does the trick. [Back to Menu]
Aesthetics
Princetown mules, while not the most feminine, have a certain irresistible charm. With their almond-shaped toe, a heel measuring around 1cm and the iconic horsebit plaque adornment, they convey a demure and classic feel which makes the shoes a very versatile and wearable item, perfect for office and everyday wear.
Gucci offers Princetown mules in a vast array of colour and finish options, including embroidered leather, raffia and of course the lamb wool-lined variety. For my first pair I opted for the rather conservative, plain taupe leather version which might not be too exciting but seems to go with almost everything. For the second pair I chose white which seems perfect for the summer and also because I was looking for a pair to match with my white Gucci Marmont bag. Which one do you prefer? [Back to Menu]
How Durable are Princetown Mules?
There is no other way to say this, Gucci make shoes that last! I have been investing in Gucci shoes for over a decade and from my own experiences in terms of durability they are near-indestructible. I own many (perhaps too many!) pairs which have been sitting in my wardrobe for several seasons and I simply do not have the heart to get rid of them as they still look almost new.
Because Princetown mules have been a relatively recent addition to my collection unfortunately it is too premature to say how quickly they begin to show any significant signs of aging and wear. One thing to note is that after one or two outings leather on the front cap begins to develop some creases. These are less noticeable when the shoes are worn although they can still be visible to an extent.
Other reviews say that the creases are less apparent in darker shades of the mules but I have to take their word for it as I tend to gravitate toward lighter colours. To me, the creasing does not greatly affect the aesthetic value of the shoes and, frankly, it can be expected from this type of design i.e. high front loafer in calf leather.
To reduce the appearance of the crease, it is worth investing in a pair of shoe inserts which will help to keep the mules in a good shape and will smooth the indented surface when the shoes are not worn. [Back to Menu]
How much are Princetown mules?
Princetown mules are not cheap, in the UK the price currently ranges from £610 for the plain leather version to £810 for the wool-lined leather version (as of 2022) so they can be quite a considerable purchase. Still, nowhere near the price of their distant cousin, the Hermes Oz mule (for review, click here), currently retailing at the staggering £890-970, ouch!
The good news is that, occasionally, you can spot Princetown mules in the Gucci outlet store in Bicester Village in the UK where some of their products can be bought at a significant discount. However, I have not come across any of the standard block colours like black, white or taupe. Instead, the styles of Princetowns available there, which I have seen so far, tend to be more seasonal with the overall theme of being bold, bright and colourful. [Back to Menu]
Good Investment?
Although Princetown mules did not win me over at first, they have certainly grown on me over time and now I am a total convert. Thanks to their classic design, sufficiently versatile to adapt to many different looks and the super comfortable fit, they definitely make a sound fashion investment.
When I first bought them, I was slightly worried that they would be yet another vanity purchase stuck on a shelf in my wardrobe unboxed and gathering dust. This turned out to be far from the truth as they are so easy to wear and match with different styles. I also hope that the superb quality of finish and the supple leather used by Gucci will help to preserve the luxurious feel and look of the slippers for many seasons to come. Overall verdict: a Must-Have! [Back to Menu]
Photos by Badiu Photography and Unwrapped
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There Are 17 Comments
PLEASE help me I read your post about the princetown, and would REALLY like to know at the end which size do you prefer? I’m also a 37.5 and I have tried the 37.5 and 38 and I don’t know which one to get… PLEASE HELP ME
Thank you for checking out my blog! 😊 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 it’s a short-term vs long-term thing, really… But size-wise, they look better in 38. I hope this helps! ☺️🤗
First THANK YOU so much for your reply… but OMG this is so confusing.. I just don’t 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 don’t 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 it’s 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 that’s because I’m quite impatient and and don’t want to wait again for them to stretch. I hope this makes sense ☺️
I got the 38!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Ugh I’m here too confused! I don’t 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 they’ll end up being lose when I walk. I got a pair of Gucci loafers and the girl told me they’d fir fine at 36.5 also and they’re a bit too big! So disappointed. So that’s why I’m worried with going up a half size. They’re just so hard to find in this pattern my size. I can get a 35 but that’s a whole size down so def wouldn’t try those. I just wish I could find a 36!
Hi Susan! Thank you so much for visiting my blog 😊. 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 shouldn’t 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 don’t 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!! ☺️🤗 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 ☺️🌹 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, I’ll 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 😊. That’s 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 ☺️ X
Very helpful blog posts on this and designer shoe sizing btw 🙏
Thanks so much for replying- I’ll go up a half size to be at peace 🤪 Thank you!
Hi I was reading your blog. And I am also confused about the sizing🥴. 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 by…..🙃 I’ve searched for months and can’t find a 40.5 but found a 40…
Hi Nikki! 🤗 Thanks for visiting my blog. Unfortunately, I don’t own Princetowns with the fur so I can’t really give any meaningful advice on how they might fit … 😕. 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 don’t know for sure if that’s 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 you’ll love them too 😊 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 size…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 …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 protrudes…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 ones’s 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 😊.
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.
That’s 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 😂. I guess the sizing in Princetowns is not straightforward so different people take different approach.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. I’m sure it will be much appreciated by those coming to this blog looking for sizing tips ☺️.
Have a great day! 😘🤗