Dr. Debora Spar Officiates Graduation in REALLY HIGH Heeled Sandals!

Barnard College President Debora Spar climbed the stairs to the podium for the Barnard Class of 2013 Graduation in probably the highest heels yet worn by any college president … anywhere!  The Shoe Lady is completely relieved that there were no reports of her tripping or falling.

Apparently Dr. Spar has given some thought to shoes as well as other matters pertaining to the lives of women. The Shoe Lady has grabbed a look at her soon to be released latest book,   WONDER WOMEN:  SEX, POWER AND THE QUEST FOR PERFECTION.  The Shoe Lady notes that the position in which the woman on the book cover is wearing HER high heels is far safer than the position the author chose, climbing stairs in these high heeled, colorful and very attractive sandals.  The Shoe Lady does, however, commend her for choosing sandals in the colors of DesignerShoes.com

Ascending to podium on graduation day in 5 inch heels.

Ascending to podium on graduation day in 5 inch heels.

 

Save 10% On Cocktail Party Sandals This Week!

 

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Frequently
Asked Questions

Barbara, silver sandal by Lava

Need Shoes & Boots & Sandals in 5.5 Extra Wide

Shoe Lady-

Where can I find a company that sell shoes, sandals, boots and sneakers in a size 5.5 EW.  I have always wore wide shoes since I was a little girl.  My mother always took us to Coward Shoes in Manhattan years ago.  Now that I am older I can’t find anything that fits my feet.  I can only wear boots in a size 6W by or 6WW depending on how the boot are made and I can only find them online. Sometimes I find sneakers I can wear but they always hurt my feet because I have a high instep.  I am not over weight.  I only weigh 138 pounds.  My son is getting married next year and I won’t be able to wear a dress because I can’t find shoes or sandals to fit me.  Please help!!

 

Lisa-

I am SO sorry!  DesignerShoes.com only offers 22 styles.    There are some lower shaft height boots, some wedge heel pumps, a couple of loafers and lots of lace ups.  But nothing for the Mother of the Groom to wear to the wedding.Shela sandals by Bella Vita
You will be limited to online shopping.  I am hopeful that we may have a new brand to offer you, with some nice dress shoe styles, by late summer.  If not, I suggest you plan on finding a size 5W sandal that you can take to a shoe repair shop and have stretched.  This will require you to pay attention to where the straps should be, what you need stretched, the material of the straps, etc.  A bother, I know.  But I want you to look gorgeous for that important wedding!
The Shoe Lady

Sandals for a High Instep

Dear Shoe Lady,
Can you suggest some sandals that accommodate a high instep? I am traveling to Florida this winter and desperately need a new pair. I’m looking for sandals that are slightly dressy (1-2 inch heel) but also comfortable to walk in. I have good luck with Sofft shoes but they don’t always accommodate a high instep. I also have a wide toe area so I prefer either a wide width or a thong style.

Dear Lu,
Have you tried our shoes by Aerosoles? The brand is known for it’s comfort and most styles come in wide. I recommended the Aerosoles Chlose Encounter. They are slip-on style with a .75 inch heel, cushioned footbed and comfortable wide bands.

Aerosoles Chlose Encounter Nickel Leather at DesignerShoes.com

Chlose Encounter by Aerosoles is a Low Heel Casual Sandal

For a thong style sandal I would recommend the Naturalizer Brand. Widths range from medium, wide and extra wide. The cushioned footbed with a 1.25 inch heel is fantastic for a high instep.

Naturalizer Havaro Coral Kiss at DesignerShoes.com

Havaro by Naturalizer is a Low Heel Casual Sandal

Finally, since you love Sofft brand shoes I thought you might this youthful cute sandal with a 1.25 inch heel. Perfect for a summer dress.

Sofft Lynsey All Spice Leather at DesignerShoes.com

Lynsey by Sofft is a Low Heel Sandal

Enjoy your trip to Florida!
The Shoe Lady

My Big Feet

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!

Barefoot Tess Bordeaux Tan Giraffe at DesignerShoes.com

Bordeaux by Barefoot Tess is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Takera Asjha Chocolate-red at DesignerShoes.com

Asjha by Takera is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Barefoot Tess Bradford Olive at DesignerShoes.com

Bradford by Barefoot Tess is a High Heel Casual Bootie

Click here to browse all styles!

Best of Luck,
The Shoe Lady

Womens Size 12 or 13 Wide Dyeable shoes

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!

Special Occasions Shannon White Satin at DesignerShoes.com

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.

Touch Ups Daisy White at DesignerShoes.com

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

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

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

or

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.

Ellie Vanity Clear at DesignerShoes.com

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

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

10 narrow sandals or slides

Q: I have searched your site for sandals or slides to fit… but ALL my searches come up with nothing… my shoe size is actually 10-1/2N, but in a sandal or slide I can wear a 10N… I have searched everywhere, to no avail. I am tired of wearing flip-flops for every occasion… they are not very attractive with a skirt or dress… do you have any ideas…?

A: Jeanine, I can certainly understand wanting a variety of looks for the summer months, and wearing a style beyond flip-flops! In searching for both 10 and 10.5 narrow, here are a few choices to get you started that will work with both dresses and skirts.

Trotters by Shelby has subtle elegant detailing and a soft footbed.

Trotters Shelby Black at AskTheShoeLady.com

Shelby by Trotters is a Mid Heel Casual Sandal

Tahiti by Softwalk comes in four colors: Black, Mocha, and Gold Wash, and sports decorative nail heads.

Softwalk Tahiti Pearl Oyster at AskTheShoeLady.com

Tahiti by Softwalk is a Low Heel Casual Sandal

Valentina by Naturalizer showcases a metallic shimmer, and an adjustable heel strap for the perfect fit.

Naturalizer Valentina Nickel Alloy at AskTheShoeLady.com

Valentina by Naturalizer is a Mid Heel Casual Sandal

Good luck,
The Shoe Lady

Triple wide dress shoes for women

Q: where can i find triple wide dress shoes for women? i have tried to wear dress shoes size 11.5 ww and its too narrow for my feet my feet width is pretty wide my feet size is 11.5 please respond asap thank you , Annette

A: Presently there are no triple wide 11.5 dress shoes. If you need an instant summer workaround, then you might consider buying double wide dressy sandals. This way your feet will have more freedom with less shoe material. When searching for closed-toe shoes remember that restretching them is also a possibility in gaining that perfect fit.

Ros Hommerson Lite Silver Sheep at AskTheShoeLady.com

Lite by Ros Hommerson is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

Ros Hommerson makes wide width sandals.

You may also try ordering a half size larger in order to allow for the increase in shoe space.

Annie Jax Silver at AskTheShoeLady.com

Jax by Annie is a High Heel Dressy Sandal

Jax Silver by Annie could also work because of less enclosed space. When considering a style, remember that your foot shape and thickness are key factors within the context of the shoe shape.

Good luck,
The Shoe Lady