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!
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 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 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 is a 3 Inch High Heel Casual Slingback Available in Size 12
There you have it. In my “humble” opinion.
The Shoe Lady
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 is a High Heel Dressy Pump
Get as specific as you like and Happy Shopping!
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 is a Low Heel Dressy Flat
Rangoni Camilla Tortora is a Low Heel Dressy Flat
Fit In Clouds Bow Tie Black is a Low Heel Dressy Flat
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!
Baltic Sea by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Loafer
Happy Holidays!
Dear Shoe Lady,
I would like to say thank you for sharing your knowledge! I wear a 13 in mens, 14 1/2 in sandals and a 16 in heels! Im so lost. I can find shoes but they are always tooooo high or tooo big. Im afraid of falling. I would like some heels that I dont have to hold on my hand all night. Thank you for your time.
Dear Brandy,
Never fear- the Shoe Lady is here to help! I would highly recommend measuring the length and width of your feet in either centimeters or inches then comparing your measurements to our helpful shoe size conversion chart. If you are a 13 in mens then you would be a size 14.5 in women’s shoes. You should not be wearing a size 16 in women’s heels!
Your next preidciment is most vendors do not make a women’s size 14.5. Shameful I know. But you could try a women’s size 15 narrow or a size 15. That would open up your selection of shoes. Half sizes are almost impossible to find once you are greater than a size 12 so always keep that in mind.
Here are some size 15 high heel shoes you’re sure to turn heads while saving your feet!
Bordeaux by Barefoot Tess is a High Heel Dressy Pump
Asjha by Takera is a High Heel Dressy Pump
Bradford by Barefoot Tess is a High Heel Casual Bootie
Click here to browse all styles!
Best of Luck,
The Shoe Lady
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?
Sarasota by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Boot
Dear Shoe Lady,
Do you have a store that I can go to — my daughter needs size 14 shoes?
Thank you,
Hi Marguerite,
We are currently solely an online storefront, while striving to provide resources for the best fit possible. One of our benefits is free one-way shipping in the USA on orders of at least $75 dollars. Another way we make our site user-friendly, is to provide reliable filtering options, to be able to pinpoint the target size. In doing an initial search for size 14 I have come up with a couple of styles. Do you know what kind of shoes your daughter needs?
Dublin Ii by Barefoot Tess is a Low Heel Casual Flat
Dublin Li by Barefoot Tess has a beautiful antique quality with the hints of gold peeking through the grey microfiber.
Browse over 300 women’s size 14 shoes at DesignerShoes.com!
Best,
The Shoe Lady
Dear Shoe Lady,
I am looking for a low heeled dyeable shoe or sandal in either a womens 12 or 13 wide. Can you help me?
Hi Elizabeth,
Although shoe colors are virtually endless these days, it is a great option to be able to match a color perfectly to complete your look. Touch Ups, Special Occasions, and Dyeables have great lines for dyeable shoes that range from sandals, ballet flats, to pumps. Here are a couple of options to get you started!
Shannon by Special Occasions is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal
Shannon by Special Occasions has a simple ankle strap for that bit of extra support, and a low heel to enhance comfort.
Daisy by Touch Ups is a Low Heel Dressy Flat
Daisy by Touch Ups has the versatility to work well for evening and casual events.
Good luck,
The Shoe Lady
Dear Shoe Lady,
I am looking for Silver HIGH HEELS in women’s size 12 or 13 wide. Can you help me?
Silver is a striking color that works with a variety of other hues. I like to think of it as jewelry on your feet. A touch of a shimmer or metallic reflections can really help to complete a look. Here are a couple of options to get you started!
Jillian by Touch Ups is a High Heel Dressy Sandal
Paola by Special Occasions is a High Heel Dressy Pump
Twilight by Touch Ups is a High Heel Dressy Sandal
Browse the additonal shoe options by clicking here!
Good Luck,
The Shoe Lady