If I went up a width and half a size, I'd be swimming in all my shoes... I've found 8.5D to work for pretty much all my shoes, maybe up to 9D for lace-ups, but of the variation in sizing I've noticed, newer shoes tend to be roomier than vintage... It's all personal preference though, no two feet are alike, even my own!
I now size up for vintage loafers but not vintage longwings, which I don't mind saying took a lot of trial and error and quite a few wasted purchases.
Madras jealousy - something I am presently experiencing. Anyway congratulations. Personally I would trust the repair to an experienced pro, whatever the cost.
Proof that JFK wasn't 100% photogenic.
Haha, there's a reason they became Frank Sinatra and Debbie Harry instead of hanging out in Hoboken!
I was at a gig some years ago by Yo La Tengo, Hoboken's finest (only?) underground indie rockers, during which a member of the audience shouted up "Hoboken rocks!" To which lead singer Ira deadpanned: "I don't think anyone who's ever been in Hoboken would say that"