Two Different Foot Sizes

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I am a parent of a child with hemi hypertrophy of the lower left extremity. Our problem is finding shoes, we can generally find a new balance that will accommodate her feet, but as far as finding little girl shoes to go with her uniform, and or girly flat boots for the winter, it is virtually impossible, just because of the width. Do she wears about a 7 on her regular sized foot, and the left she wears somewhere around an 11 or 12, but maybe even a 10 if we can get the width correct. My question is do you make those type of shoes, and if so, would I half to purchase 2 pair of shoes (like i normally do) or since it is special made would you charge me for one?

Dear Mom-

Many years ago when the internet was young there was a company that tried to bring together a clearinghouse for people who needed two different sizes of shoes. Unfortunately, it never worked and is gone. The only way to manage this is to buy two pairs of shoes, same style, different sizes.

As for price, there is no discount. But you can always watch for sales!

As for style advice, I don’t know enough about the age and style preferences of your daughter to venture a recommendation, however we do offer over 200 pairs of flats that range in sizes from 7 – 15. Below is one (I think) cute example.

Barefoot Tess Tuscany Blue at DesignerShoes.com

Tuscany by Barefoot Tess is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

I do hope this problem resolves itself so she can get back to more normal shoe shopping soon.

Best to you and your daughter.

The Shoe Lady

Shoes for Swollen Feet

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I can not find a shoe to fit my foot. The measurements are 11 inches long, 4.5 inches wide but the circumference of my foot is 1 ft 1 inch due to swelling. So the top of the shoe never fits over my foot… not even strappy kinds. I have tried to go up in sizes but nothing seems to help. Any suggestions?

Ms Clarissa-
Your question is above my pay grade, I’m afraid. Substantial swelling in your feet can be do to a number of reasons but it is definitely something you need to discuss with your doctor. And I’ll bet you have had that discussion.

Your length and width measurements suggest a 12WW. But as you so correctly recognize, this really isn’t enough information to determine if the shoe will fit. A shoe really requires a measure of volume and shape. That is higher math and also above my pay grade. But you need shoes and I want to help.
Until you can address the swelling, I suggest you look at some of the soft moccasin style loafers you’ll find in the Tamarac Collection.

Highlander by Tamarac is a Low Heel Casual Slipper

Straps will bind but if you can find a shoe that is soft around the throat line, (where you put your foot into the shoe) you will be more comfortable. You may also want to look in the DesignerShoes.com Lace Up Style Collection

Aerosoles Tempire State Black Combo at DesignerShoes.com

Tempire State by Aerosoles is a Mid Heel Casual Laceup

Do see your doctor, watch your salt intake and don’t try to squeeze into an uncomfortable style. Hopefully this is a temporary situation. Could you be pregnant? That is a leading cause of swollen feet!

Best to you,
The Shoe Lady

Painful Thong Sandals

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
What can I do to ease the pain my feet endure trying to wear thong sandals? All the cute sandals are thong type. I have tried using a bandage, but it does not help, just hurts.

Hi Gloria,
I understand the frustration of loving a style that has been less than kind to your precious feet. Before ruling out thongs completely I suggest going to the podiatrist to see if your toes are aligning properly, and there isn’t an underlying foot problem, such as a bunion. Discomfort can appear to be magnified if your big toe is pressing too hard against the second toe. You could also be sensitive to the friction of the material, and might consider looking for one that is closer to satin. If you find that your foot health is not a concern, then seeking another type of sandal will be your best bet. The good news is those alternatives exist! Search for sandals that are similar to thongs, but that cause less friction to your toes.

Annie Bejeweled Silver at AskTheShoeLady.com

Bejeweled by Annie is a Mid Heel Dressy Sandal

Bejeweled by Annie has a tapered front that suggests a thong, but has coverage over the toebox, for a more evenly distributed secure hold.

Good luck on your search,
The Shoe Lady

Hammer Toe Tips

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: My elderly aunt has very painful and difficult feet to fit. She wears a size 11.5 and needs a wider rounded toe to accommodate her hammer toes, but has a narrow heel. Also, she does better with her heel slightly higher than her toes, but not more than 1 inch.

Can you recommend any shoe styles for me to look at for her??

Thank you so much.

A: Dear Kristen-

Aren’t you the perfect grand daughter! Were you trained or do you come by this compassion naturally? A well brought up young lady is such a treasure!

I am in total sympathy with your grandmother, who I am imagining as an otherwise spry, relatively young 70. Hammertoes are ….. well they are the pits. Surgery doesn’t really work well. Those little Dr. Scholls cushions are helpful but annoying because they slip around. The hammertoes get corns and that is painful. So keep that compassion flowing.

Yours truly, the Shoe Lady, is a size 11.5 with a narrow heel and with hammertoes. So I bring more than the usual amount of expertise to this shoe question.

I recommend the big toe box, for sure. When you can’t find a big toe box in shoes, shoes for a dressy occasion for example, get shoes that are either soft leather or fabric (like dyeables) and take them to a shoe repair shop to have the toe box stretched upward to accommodate those hammertoes.

Look at DesignerShoes.com’s SoftWalk brand styles:

For example, Jupiter style:

Softwalk Jupiter Navy at DesignerShoes.com

Jupiter by Softwalk is a Low Heel Casual Flat

Mary Jane straps are a great design feature when you want a wider toe box but have narrow heels. It keeps the shoe on your foot!

Look at DesignerShoes.com’s Trotter’s brand styles:

For example, Heloise style:

Trotters Heloise Pewter Metal at DesignerShoes.com

Heloise by Trotters is a Mid Heel Dressy Loafer

A woven leather will give more flexibility on the top vamp. The vamp comes higher up your foot so it stays on your foot better. The texture makes any “toe bumps” less noticeable.

Whatever you do, do NOT buy styles that have reinforced leather, or toe cap seams across the top of the vamp where those hammer toes will hit. That makes me wince just thinking about it! A seam or a thicker piece of leather will be like steel or a rod against those poor defenseless toes.

Best to your Grams!

The Shoe Lady

Flat Arches are a Challenge

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Amber,

Your feet are closer to average in length and width than you think. By those two dimensions, you are a size 9.5W, not even an extra wide. The flat arches and the orthotics are the challenges. There are several brands that make styles with removeable inner soles which allows your orthotics to take up the space designed for the inner sole and makes a better fit. Soft Spots and some Naturalizers offer this feature, for example.

But let’s assume you don’t remove the inner soles. Women with flat arches tend to find that the edges, the “throatline” of their shoes gap. I recommend, for this reason and so you can test different widths, wide or extra wide, that you look at “Mary Jane” style pumps. These shoes designed to have a strap over the top of your arch.

Take a look at some of these Mary Jane shoe styles. They come in wide and extra wide widths.

Studio, black suede a Mary Jane style pump by Soft Spots

Thanks,
The Shoe Lady

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Category Archives: Foot Health

Two Different Foot Sizes

Shoes for Swollen Feet

Painful Thong Sandals

Hammer Toe Tips

Flat Arches are a Challenge