Only 1% of Women’s Shoe Brands Make Shoes for over 25% of Women!

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I am very certain that I am not the only woman in the world that has a size 10 1/2 shoe. Why do manufacturers not make 10 1/2 shoes? Tens are too small and 11 are like boats on my feet. How can I get a hold of any shoe manufacture to suggest that they start making them? Also my heel is very narrow and I can never fit in any shoe. Ros_Hommerson_Ruby_Black_Kid-200x150

Yes I can buy one of those heal add-ons but then my foot moves forward and shortens the shoe. Then my toes are very long and there is never enough space in the toe area for them. I have a nightmare trying to find shoes that fit. I love when I can wear sandals but I can’t wear them in the winter. I don’t know exactly how writing this letter can help my situation but I found you on the Internet and I thought I would give you a try. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Christine Bennett

Dear Christine –

Approximately 25% of all women in the USA wear shoes OVER size 10, yet fewer than 1% of all brands selling shoes in the USA actually make shoes over size 10.

They say that capitalism is a great way to get products to meet market demand. But that does NOT hold true in the women’s shoe industry! I have no idea why there is such a huge mismatch between production and market need, but there is. The shoe industry folks who make these decisions still think it is 1952 and the average women’s shoe size is 6.

Here are some brands that make women’s shoe size 10.5: Naturalizer, Bella Vita, Ros Hommerson, Aerosoles-Outrider-250x

Stuart Weitzman. Find the brands that make the shoes that fit you and let them know you love them!

Best to you and your toes,

The Shoe Lady

How to Measure Heel Height

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Barbara Thornton

HEY! ShoeLady!

I just bought three pair of the Silk by Bella Vita, three different colors. The DesignerShoes.com website says Silk has a heel height of 2.25 inches. I measured it at 4 inches! What’s going on here?!?

Vanessa, Tennessee

Dear Vanessa,

Vanessa –

I understand you are concerned that the heel height on the “Silk” espadrille by Bella Vita is different than what is shown on the website? The website says 2.25 inches. I took my ruler to the warehouse and measured the shoe. It is 2.25 inches. Heel height is measured by holding the ruler in the center of the heel, on side view, subtracting the height of any platform under the ball of the foot and measuring in a straight line down, perpendicular to the bottom of the heel.

Bella Vita Silk Fuchsia Thai at DesignerShoes.com

Silk by Bella Vita is a Mid Heel Casual Sandal

Larger size shoes do often have the heel height scale up a tad… but in a shoe like this, it would be minimal, not more than a quarter to half an inch at the most. My guess is that you measured from the back edge of the heel at an angle down to the bottom of the heel? Remember math class and the hypotenuse triangle? The longer side of a 90 degree angle triangle is significantly longer than the perpendicular side.

The heel height is intended to measure the angle of the foot as it sits in the shoe, and the rise of the heel compared to the ball of the foot. At most, the Silk has a heel height of 2.75 inches.

It’s all math, when you come down to it.

Stand tall in those gorgeous espadrilles!

The ShoeLady

What Color Shoes to Wear with a Red Dress (day)

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Dear Shoe Lady,
I’ve got a red knee length Karen Millen dress and want to know what color shoes are best to go with it. I have worn it for a wedding and wore silver shoes and silver bag but was wondering if nude shoes would go? Black looked too hard and red seem too much. What do you think?
Thanks,
Jody

Dearest Jody,
As much as it pains me to say this, you don’t need me. You understand perfectly what to wear.
But, since you asked……

Nude shoes usually mean a beige tone shoe. Without seeing the dress, I would not go there. That is a color, more a daytime, business wear color.
Although, here is a beige shoe that might work with the right accessories for a daytime occasion:

Samanta Covington Preto at DesignerShoes.com

Covington by Samanta is a High Heel Dressy Pump

I would not do black pumps or red pumps.

I WOULD do shades of silver, like pewter.

Bella Vita Entertain Ii Pewter at DesignerShoes.com

Entertain Ii by Bella Vita is a Mid Heel Dressy Pump

Dyeables Opal Pewter Metallic at DesignerShoes.com

Opal by Dyeables is a Mid Heel Dressy Sandal

I WOULD do CLEAR sandals. Here is a way out example of a high heel platform mule.

Vanity by Ellie is a High Heel Dressy Slide

(Note: Do make sure you are fully insured before wearing these!)

I WOULD do a nearly naked little black patent sandal for less dressy occasions. Here’s a low heel T-strap sandal from Annie:

Annie Sunup Black Patent at DesignerShoes.com

Sunup by Annie is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

Simple rule:
Dress up: Silver or pewter.
Dress down: black patent sandal or clear.

Corollary rule:
Rules are made to be broken… when you find the right shoe and accessorize!

The Shoe Lady

Women’s Shoe Width Conversion

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

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

Narrow to Wide Feet

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Barbara Thornton

Q: Hi! How fortunate that I finally found a shoe lady; hopefully you’ll be able to help me out. Due to some injuries and surgeries, I’ve gone from a 11 narrow to a 12-13 wide, needing extra depth. I’m already 6’1″ so don’t really like heels, plus they’re painful on feet like mine. Any suggestions for casual shoes would be appreciated. Thank you.

A: Here are some options to get you started! Casual shoes come in an array of styles, and often can complete an after five look as well. Happy searching, and I would love to know what you end up selecting.

Playmate by Bella Vita is a Low Heel Casual Loafer

Playmate in pewter by Bella Vita sports a stylish buckle to adorn this comfortable casual loafer.

Beccentric by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Flat

Aerosoles is known for their shoes that address both style and comfort! This ballet flat is a casual shoe that can make the transition to nighttime wear with ease.

Treviso by Softwalk is a Low Heel Casual Mule

Softwalk’s Treviso in dark red has a modest heel with attention paid to the softness of the interior.

Adora by Softwalk is a Low Heel Casual

Softwalk’s Adora takes its inspiration from clogs, but adds extra support with a closed heel.

Best,
The Shoe Lady

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Tag Archives: bella vita

Only 1% of Women’s Shoe Brands Make Shoes for over 25% of Women!

How to Measure Heel Height

What Color Shoes to Wear with a Red Dress (day)

Women’s Shoe Width Conversion

Narrow to Wide Feet