These shoes are pinching me.
'Stringono' — STRIN-go-no. Three syllables.
Say this when trying on shoes that are too tight. Specify where they pinch to help the assistant understand the problem — toe box, heel, instep.
'Mi stringono' — they squeeze me (third-person plural). 'Stringere' for shoes means to be too tight/narrow. If one shoe is the problem: 'questa scarpa mi stringe'. Location: 'stringono sulle dita' (pinch at the toes), 'stringono sul tallone' (tight at the heel).
Stringono sulle dita.
They pinch at the toes.
Common with Italian pointed-toe shoes.
Sono troppo strette in larghezza.
They are too narrow in width.
About width, not just length.
Avete la stessa in una larghezza maggiore?
Do you have the same in a wider fitting?
Asks for wide-fit options.
Italian shoes are often made on narrow lasts — reflecting the traditional Italian preference for slim, elegant footwear. People with wider feet often need to size up. 'Plantare' (insoles) can also help if the heel slips.