Long toes, high arches, bad sizing? Please help!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady-
My foot measures 10.5″ long and 3.75″ wide using the methods suggested on your website.
For everyday footwear (athletic shoes, snow boots, etc) I am comfortable in a size 12 USA (tag category size 12) , or a EURO 43 in mens clogs, etc. However, when it comes to ordering heels , I am at a complete loss! For most of my life, I have been buying a size 11 USA, and just smooshing my feet into them (this doesn’t work well, and they are horribly painful within a short period of time) mostly because that is what is available without ordering special sizes. However, recently I have decided to update my shoe collection and would like to buy some heels that ACTUALLY fit me! But, what I discovering is I don’t know what size that is! If I order a size 12 USA in a heel, my feet have plenty of room, but quite quickly I get a painful sensation in my big toe, with a lot of pressure up towards the toe nail…I assumed this was because my feet were wide, so I ordered some 12 W shoes, and I can’t keep them on my feet! There is also about an inch of space between my heel and the back of the shoe, and my foot slides easily into the front of the shoe, making walking difficult.

However, after measuring my foot I see that I am close to a narrow?! This surprises me as I was thinking ordering an 11W would be the next thing to try! I also have long toes, with my second toe being the longest point on my foot with pretty high arches. I would really appreciate advice on sizes to try…I am not sure if I am wearing the wrong size shoes or if I should be trying to correct with inserts, pads, etc. Thank you so much in advance for any advice!!

My Dear Alicia –

I’m sure you’ve been told that having a second toe longer than your big toe is a sign of intelligence?

You will need it to figure out this problem. It is all about the toes. Although the rest of the population gets to pretend that shoes are designed by the length of your foot from heel to toe, you, my dear, must face up to the hard cold fact that shoes are really designed based on the measurement from the heel to the ball of your foot. Shoe designers assume the toes are normal length. So if your shoes are extra short or extra long, there is trouble. Your best bet is to go into a shoe store that measures feet with what is called a Brannock device. This device measures from your heel to the ball of your foot and tells you your true size. I’m going to assume that you probably really are a size 11 or an 11.5 from the ball of your foot to your heel. The inch of space you say you have between your heel and the back of your shoe worries me, though. This suggests your foot might even be shorter, like a size 10.

Whether you are a size 10N or a size 11N, you will need to pick your pumps based on style. You will probably do best with open toe pumps and sandals.

Colorful Creations Leah Gold

Search on DesignerShoes.com for “peep toe” or “open toe”. You may find closed toe pumps that are longer to fit your toes but to keep them on, look for a “mary jane” style strap over the arch of your foot. You are not going to find a perfect size that always fits because the style and shape of the shoe is so important to you. Sorry. But I know your superior intelligence will help you rise above this small frustration in life.

The Shoe Lady

DesignerShoes.com – $100 Shopping Spree Winner

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Irene, in Virginia, wins this week’s $100 Shoe Shopping Spree at DesignerShoes.com! She will be shopping for $100 worth of shoes for her size 13M feet after winning this week’s drawing. We encourage Irene to post pictures of her FREE shoes on Facebook!

Maybe Irene wants these adorable booties by Barefoot Tess!

Ella by Barefoot Tess is a High Heel Dressy Bootie

If you haven’t already Sign Up for ShoeNews for your chance to win $100 Shoe Shopping Spree!

Super Wide Feet !

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,

Using your measuring guide my feet are 28cm long and 12.3cm wide. Reading your charts my length is 10½ but my width would require a massive size 13… I have always struggled finding shoes, in fact I never had a comfy pair!

Does anyone make shoes for my size?

Dear Sarah,

After reviewing your measurements a 28cm length puts you at a size 13 and your 12.3cm width puts you at a WW. Have you ever tried on 13WW?

Oh Sarah, yes of course, manufacturers do make a size 13WW. Take notice of the brand and tips scrolling through the photos.

Trotters Melanie Cognac at DesignerShoes.com

Trotters Melanie Cognac is a Mid Heel Casual Slingback. Trotters’s women’s shoe size run is typically six widths, extra slim (AAAA), slim(AAA), narrow, medium, wide and extra wide(WW). Sizes range from 5 to 13

I found you can always take a pair of shoes to a shoe maker. Talk to him about what the problem is. To tight on the sides or causing blisters and they will happily stretch the shoes out, usually for free the first time. 100% worth it !

Annie Venice Zebra is a Mid Heel Casual Sandal. Annie’s women’s shoe size run is typically 6 medium (M), 7 extra wide (WW) to 13 extra wide (WW).

I love Annie Shoes. The fit is true and the styles are very trendy.

Antia Clarissa Mocha Full Grain at DesignerShoes.com

Antia Clarissa is a Low Heel Casual Sandal. Antia’s women’s shoe size run is typically 6 medium (M), to 13 extra wide (WW)

The shoes may be hard on the eyes (in pictures) but they are stylish and suitable to wear with cute jeans, shorts of even a flirty. The photos do not do the shoe justice.

You are not alone. The average women is a size 9, not a 7, that the manufactures want to believe. Embrace your feet and treat them well.

Take care,
Shoe Lady.

Wide Width Bridal Shoes – Let’s Celebrate !

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Your search for the perfect bridal shoe ends with DesignerShoes.com!

Dyeables Claire White Satin at DesignerShoes.com

Dyeables Claire White Satin is a High Heel Dressy Sandal

Choose DesignerShoes.com! to outfit your entire bridal party—especially those with hard to find sizes!

Touch Ups Daisy White is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Whether you’re going with traditional, glamorous, elegant, or even casual-you’ll find the perfect shoe in our huge selection of bridal and dyeable shoes! Find the perfect shoe in a shiny satin or silk. Elegant bows and sparkling rhinestone embellishments add sparkle and elegance to the perfect dress. Many selections are dyeable for precise color matching and uniformity for your bridal party.

Special Occasions Deena White at DesignerShoes.com

Special Occasions Deena White is a Low Heel Dressy Slide

Choose from satiny pumps, strappy sandals, classic flats- even flip-flops! Find our selection of more than 200 shoe styles—starting in size 4 up to size 14. Extra wide? No problem! We have over 35 pairs of extra wide bridal shoes! And, more than 150 pairs of wide shoes. Narrow sizes too!

Brianna Leigh Queen White at DesignerShoes.com

Brianna Leigh Queen White is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Brands include Brianna Leigh, Touch Ups, Colorful Creations, Special Occasions, Dyeables, Lava and more.

Touch Ups Venus White Satin at DesignerShoes.com

Touch Ups Venus White Satin is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

And if that’s not enough, we have handbags and rhinestone shoe accessory clips for the bridal party.

Why is there a Lack of Stylish High Heels for Wider Women’s Feet ?

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,

Why do shoe manufactures of wide width women’s shoes only make shoes 2 – 2.5 inches (rarely 3 inch) in heel height? Do you know of a technical reason? I have a wider foot but LOVE the taller heel.

Dear Tamica –

First I must acknowledge that I, myself, do not approve of high heels…. unless you do not plan to walk in them. Wearing 3 inch heels puts SEVEN times more pressure on the balls of your feet than when you are wearing flats. That said, we still approve of giving customers a range of choices for their footwear. Although I can personally hope that the 3+ inch heels are worn primarily while sitting on a bar stool and chatting with admirers.

Naturalizer Beauty Coral at DesignerShoes.com

Naturalizer Beauty Coral is a 3 Inch Wedge High Heel Casual Sandal

The women’s shoe industry works with a lot of impressions about who they think their customers are, but unfortunately, they do not work with a lot of data. If they DID, they would recognize that if they made shoes to size 10 routinely, when size 7 was the average size, then they should be making shoes to size 12 routinely when size 9 is the average size. Alas they don’t.

Aerosoles Soloist Taupe Combo at DesignerShoes.com

Aerosoles Soloist Taupe Combo is a Low Casual Flat Available in Size 12

Just yesterday I was chatting with a shoe company executive about wider sizes and larger sizes for dressy shoes. They are still focusing on the size 7-8 medium market and designing platform high heels. He said it is very hard to get their factories to make platform heels for larger and wider sizes. I’m just sayin’ that’s what he said. So you can blame the factories, most likely Chinese owned.

I also suspect that there is an assumption that a wider footed woman is going to be overweight and older. This is where the lack of data comes into play. It is our experience that, while obesity is a huge problem in the US, you can be obese and still wear a medium width shoe. Women with wider feet are more likely to be younger and athletic, with a muscular foot, or with an ethnic heritage that tends toward wider feet. Shoe manufacturers who believe that a wider footed woman is going to be overweight and older, are also going to assume that this woman is not going to want a stylish 3 inch heel.

Naturalizer Ideal Multi Floral at DesignerShoes.com

Naturalizer Ideal Multi Floral is a 3 Inch High Heel Casual Slingback Available in Size 12

There you have it. In my “humble” opinion.

The Shoe Lady

About Shoe Widths

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
If my width is a D then is it a wide or double wide for your site?

Hi Trish,
That is an excellent question. I know these things can be a bit confusing sometimes! But, to make things easier, our website is designed to correlate to the actual sizes you would see in stores. A ‘D’ is always considered wide, which is sometimes referred to as a ‘W’. Check out this link for for more information on width!

Also, if you’re looking for a specific size/width, you can use our “Shop By” option on the left hand side of DesignerShoes.com. Here, you can not only input size and width, but also Color, Brand, Heel, and others. For example, if you were looking for a size 9W pink pump, I could use the drop downs here to find the following steal!

Aerosoles Tapestry Pink Patent at DesignerShoes.com

Aerosoles Tapestry Pink Patent is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Get as specific as you like and Happy Shopping!

Narrow Feet – Toes Too Tight and Heels Too Loose

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
My foot measures 10 inches long and 3 and a quarter inches wide at widest part of largest foot. Is that 10 and a half, narrow? Some narrows are a bit tight in the toes, but mediums are so wide in the heel, I can’t keep them on my foot. I do okay with flats, but when the heel is elevated, it is hard to keep them on. Thanks for your help.

Dearest Barbara,
With a length of 10 and width of 3.25 puts your size as 9.5 Narrow (N or AA). What size are you currently wearing now? Since the narrows are tight in the toes but loose in the heels then you may want to play around with insoles and possibly heel grips.

Full and half insoles offer different levels of support and no insole will create the perfect fit without trial and error. If you send me your email address I would be happy to mail send you some full insoles to play around with. Remember you can always trim the insoles. Email erica AT designershoes DOT com.

If you are looking for stylish flats in size 9.5 narrow here are some lovely options. The Naturalizer Shoes are known for their comfort more than style but that has been changing over the last few years. The Naturalizer Violette Pewter Mettallicare a stylish ballet flat with a buckle detail.

Naturalizer Violette Pewter Mettallic at DesignerShoes.com

Naturalizer Violette Pewter Mettallic is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Ross Hommerson shoes are always made from quality materials, anti microbial foam and padded footbeds, some with arch supports. Ross Hommerson is on the expensive side so may sure to wait for sales. The Ros Hommerson Ailis Bronze Nappa pictured below is on SALE for $48.82. Marked down from $99.00 and is made of COROLLA CONSTRUCTION

Ros Hommerson Ailis Bronze Nappa at DesignerShoes.com

Ros Hommerson Ailis Bronze Nappa is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Size 11.5 Flats

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I need a pair of flat women’s shoes with 1/4′ heel, and that just cover the toes. They need to be in a women’s size 11.5. They are for my mother, who is 86 years old. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paul

Dear Paul,
We have a few pairs of shoes that I’m sure your dear mother would love! The first is the Rangoni Camilla flat in black. While very versatile, this comfortable flat is also very conservative and fashionable.

Rangoni Camilla Black at DesignerShoes.com

Rangoni Camilla Black is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

And in beige:

Rangoni Camilla Tortora at DesignerShoes.com

Rangoni Camilla Tortora is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

However, the Rangoni brand is expensive. If you are looking for a more cost effective yet comfortable style I would recommended the Fit in Clouds. Easy on the wallet, stretchable with a rubber sole bottom.

Fit In Clouds Bow Tie Black at DesignerShoes.com

Fit In Clouds Bow Tie Black is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Make sure to review the Fit in Clouds sizing chart. Your mother would order an XXLARGE.

Wider Width Feet

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I was so excited to find your website as the only shoes that fit my feet are thong sandals.

I have measured my feet as your site describes, and the measurements are as follows:
Length 24.5cm
Width 11.75cm
Please can you tell me what size I am?

Kind regards,
Michelle (Australia)

Hi Michelle,
We LOVE our Aussies! With a length of 24.5CM your size would be an 8.5 which equates to 26.4CM.

Your shoe width however, is a bit tricky. An 8.5WW measures 11.1cm. You width is 11.75cm so I am afraid an 8.5WW will be too snug. I would suggest trying an 8.5WWW. The downside with tripe wide widths is the styles are very limited.

Another option would be to try a 9WW and play around with the use of insoles. Also be selective in choosing shoes with soft, stretchable material to accommodate your wider width feet. Here is a nice 9WW size option –

Annie Gable Brown Velvet Suede at DesignerShoes.com

Annie Gable Brown Velvet Suede is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

One more thing Michelle, what size/width thong sandals are your currently wearing?

Happy Holidays!

Aerosoles Shoe Fit for Size 9.5 Wide

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I am interested in the Aerosoles Baltic Sea Black Leather shoe in size 9.5 wide. I am concerned that the strap will not fit over my chubby foot. Is there elastic in it or will it stretch in some way?

Dear Susan,
I’m so glad you chose the Aerosoles Baltic Sea Black Leather shoes. You will not be disappointed! One of the best features about these shoes is their comfort. No need to worry about the material of the strap, it is easily adjustable via it’s Velcro. You can loosen or tighten the shoe as needed and it will remain safely secured on your 9.5 wide foot!

Aerosoles Baltic Sea Black Leather at DesignerShoes.com

Baltic Sea by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Loafer