Heels Slip Out While Dancing

Dear Shoe Lady,
About 15 years ago I bought a pair of easy spirit shoes that fit me better than any shoes I have ever had. I believe they were labeled something like M A/B but I don’t remember exactly. I am a size 7 and 1/2 but the ball of my foot is wide and the heel is narrow and my arch is high. My feet look great in most shoes but I like to dance and have trouble with fitting my high arch and wide ball into a pair of 7 and 1/2 heels so I have to buy an 8 and then my heel slips out. Dangerous while dancing! Help! What size should I look for?
M

Dear M,
Please measure the length and width of your foot. Compare the data to our size chart. – http://www.designershoes.com/size-chart. Most likely you are a 7.5 wide (W) if an 8 is too big and a 7.5 too narrow width wise. The acronyms for shoe width can be confusing so below I will provide a break down.

SS = AAAA = “extra slim” or “quad”, the narrowest size generally available. Even these widths are increasingly rare.
S = AAA= “slim” or “triple”
AA = N = “narrow” or “double A”
M = B = “medium”, the most common or “average” width for that size.
W = C or D = “wide”
WW = EE or EEE = “extra wide”

Don’t fret over wearing a wide size. The majority of women do not have a medium width even though the manufacturers would like us all to believe. I selected a couple of sexy heels perfect for dancing the night away in size 7.5 wide.

Naturalizer Iman Black at DesignerShoes.com

Iman by Naturalizer is a High Heel Dressy

Perfect booties to pair with a short mini dress or skirt. On sale now for $84.10. Marked down from $117.00.

Sofft Ramona Ii Sand Patent at DesignerShoes.com

Ramona Ii by Sofft is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Peep toe nude pump elongates the leg and works well with patterned or bright color dresses.

Happy Dancing!
The Shoe Lady

About Shoe Widths

I’ve been getting a ton of questions about the meaning of certain terms used to describe the width of a shoe. I thought I should write up a quick post to explain the meaning of each term. Knowledge is power so here we go!

Shoe manufacturers have standardized rules for how to measure length but shoe width measurements are much more variable. There is some general agreement that a shoe increases 3/16th of an inch around the circumference of the ball of the foot for every increase in width for the same length. But different manufacturers accomplish the extra width differently. Some may cut more material for the upper part of the shoe. Some may cut the sole slightly wider. Some may only increase the width for every full size length change – or even every couple of size length changes. You never can be sure as the manufacturing processes can differ even for the same style.

Here are the terms used to measure shoe widths moving from the most narrow to the widest:

SS = AAAA = “extra slim” or “quad”, the narrowest size generally available. Even these widths are increasingly rare.

S = AAA= “slim” or “triple”

AA = N = “narrow” or “double A”

M = B = “medium”, the most common or “average” width for that size.

W = C or D = “wide”

WW = EE or EEE = “extra wide”

WWW = EEEE = “triple wide’. These widths are even more rare than the SS widths, although that may change as the rate of obesity increases. Obesity is only one of many factors that make for wider feet. And one can be obese but not have wider feet.

Remember you can always find more information how to measure your feet to find the perfect size by clicking here

On a different note I have been obsessing over boots. I seem to check out every pair I see. On the T, around town or at work. Boston women do where the cutest boots EVER! Here is a pair I am considering on buying. Let me know what you think?

Aerosoles Sarasota Blue Fabric at DesignerShoes.com

Sarasota by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Boot

Narrow Shoe Width

Dear Shoe Lady,
My foot measures 3 1/16 across. I usually wear 7.5-8 in ladies shoes. What is my foot width? Is it AA or A? This matters a great deal as AA is often pinching and B is swimming on my foot. Please help!

Thank you,
Joan

Hi Joan,
Even though there should be a size between AA and B (A is essentially the same as AA or 2A), there currently isn’t. You are on the right track by testing out what works for you. In the meantime if a shoe is too small and the result is discomfort, I suggest getting the next width up. I would also take into account if there is any extra padding available in order to compensate for the bit of extra space in the shoe.

Here is a lovely shoe that could work for you.

Trotters Janna Leopard at DesignerShoes.com

Janna by Trotters is a Mid Heel Casual

Happy Browsing!

Best,
Shoe Lady

Women’s Shoe Width Conversion

Dear Shoe Lady,
I’m hoping that you can help. In the UK I’m a women’s size 7 with a width 6e. Please can you tell me what size that would convert to? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rachel,
You would be looking for a size 9 shoe with at least a double-wide width. I highly recommend taking a look at our size chart to get the closest fit possible. It is based on shoe length in either inches or centimeters as well as shoe width. Knowing your size is always one part of the search. The other part considering your foot’s volume, and the way a shoe is manufactured! Start there, and please let me know what the results are. In the meantime browse DesignerShoes.com selection of women’s size 9WW.

I love dramatic shoes and here is one of our top sellers available in size 9WW.

Bella Vita Athena Multi Snake Leather at AskTheShoeLady.com

Athena by Bella Vita is a Mid Heel Dressy Pump

Take care,
The Shoe Lady

Converting Euro Size 44 to a US Size

Dear Shoe Lady,
I’m living in Netherlands and my size is 44 but I don’t know which size should I order. I chose 3 sandals.

Dear Moska,
You have come to the right place. We know enough about shoe sizes to know that we can not trust a “44” size sold in the Netherlands. It just might include a French made shoe and the French, somewhat perversely, do not always follow the measurement conventions for a size 44 Euro.

So we always go back to your foot as the key source of information. Look at this chart: http://www.designershoes.com/size-chart

If your foot does fit a typical Euro 44, it will be about 27.3 CM long. Euro sizes do not come in different widths. But USA size do. We find that the Euro sizes run a little bit wider than the USA “Medium” widths. You will need to select the best width for your foot. In order to assess this correctly, I STRONGLY suggest that you follow closely the instructions for measuring your feet. A little difference can mean a lot in determining the right size. I also suggest you read one of the articles about shoe width to help you determine what width is best for you.

The brands you select are all very different. Dyeables has the most experience with building consistent sizes on a variety of different dressy styles. Ellie specializes in a specific niche – fun, highly attention getting high heels. Montaege is a new brand so they don’t have a lot of experience but our customers do seem to like the fit.

If you are a size 44 Euro, you will be a size 12 USA. Lucky for you! When you shop at DesignerShoes.com you are shopping at the ONLY shoe store in the world that promises you…. we will not even carry a shoe style unless it comes, at LEAST, to size 12!

Aerosoles Blind Date Tan Leather at AskTheShoeLady.com

Blind Date by Aerosoles is a High Heel Casual Slide

Do your reading lesson. Measure your feet. Write again if you have any questions. Be prepared to shop!

Best to you!
The Shoe Lady