Category Archives: Hard to Find Size Shoes

It’s not true that everyone in the world must wear a size 8 Medium except you. It just feels that way when you are shoe shopping. Just ask an 8M. They’ll tell you they can never find their size either. (The Shoe Lady is NOT sympathetic.)

8 Tips to Get Her “Groove” Back

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For The Shoe Lady-
I am 56 years trying to get my groove back. I wear 13ww or 14 in size I am 6’1″, 245lbs need shoes! I want to look good and sexy as well. don’t like real high heels all the time, but would like 3″ heels. need all kind of sandals regular and sexy. love all kind of boots please help.

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Dear Shirley,

Your note has been forwarded to me, The Shoe Lady, and I find it to be a totally delicious invitation to advise you on all kinds of aspects of your life. The Shoe Lady likes to think that she knows more about advice giving and feels hemmed in by the assumption that she should limit herself only to shoe advice. So we will start at the top, work through the middle and end up with shoe advice. Here is your 8 point plan to get your groove back (a goal that I agree with completely).

1. Sleep. You are at that age where you may find yourself waking up at 3 AM and staring at the ceiling. 7+ hours is very important to avoid dark circles under the eyes and maintain your charming personality. Don’t do sleeping pills. Ask your doctor about warm milk, cold bedrooms, hot baths, gabapentin, etc.  Dana red patent pump by Samanta bft1168elizabethwedgemintgreen004 bft1191avalonsilver012 bft1177belizeneonmagenta013 Minnie_3133_1 propet_megan_pew_1
2. Hair. Find a friend or a professional or a professional friend that can advise you on your face shape and whether you will look better with hair pulled back, cut short, chin length? Get a good cut styled to flatter your face and your body size. Consider color. Personally I believe everyone looks better with a streak or two of purple in their hair. But it may not be for you.
3. Posture. Get those shoulders back. Stand up straight. Are you sure you are only 6’1″? Try for stretching to 6’2″. Related to posture, keep your joints limber so you walk and move smoothly. We’re talking gym time here. Yoga time too. Pilates. You get the picture.
4. Clothes Style. First assess your body shape. I’ll make it easy. Do you have a waist or not. If you do, consider styles that accentuate that. If you do not, consider straight tunic tops and light weight jackets that go to your hips.
5. Clothes Color. Have your colors done. Are you a summer? sping? fall? winter? Find your most flattering colors. Wear those only, especially near . Favorite color not on the list? Buy your shoes in that color.
6. Personal Style. Now assess your personality. Are you happiest in colorful clothes? Monochrome? Long flowing skirts? Tailored slacks? Pick a personality and dress to it. Have fun with it. Make sure you pick styles that are cut in a way that is flattering to your frame then play with color and style.
7. Food. Just like we’ve always heard, what we eat matters to how we look. Get enough calcium and enough oils. The mediterranean diet with fish and olive oil is a great choice.
8. Shoes. You thought I ‘d never get here?!
A. Shoe Size. PLEASE read my article about How to Measure your Feet. It is entirely possible that you are a 13WW or 14M, depending on the shoe shape. Most people do range over 2 to 3 size/width combinations. But I fear it is very likely that you’ve never had the chance to try on more shoes than the rare size 14. Let’s find out your best size and work from there.
B. Shoe Style. Now we are getting your groove back. Like your clothes, your shoes should match your personal style, what you feel comfortable in. We don’t want you trying to look like someone you saw in Vogue. We want you to look like a happy, healthy, groovy YOU. For every day wear shoes, for a woman approaching a certain age, I think it is important to wear shoes that you can stand in for an hour and walk in for at least 10 blocks. Look for thicker soles and heels that are under 1.5 inches. You can make them fun by getting colors, experimenting with contrasting colorful solids or print tights or socks. Look at Propet or Barefoot Tess for sizes 13WW or 14. For sandals, try Forgotten Soles and watch for larger sizes arriving soon in the Maasai sandals. For special occasions when you want the glamorous groovy, look at Samanta. The platform soles are easy on your feet, but the high heels should only be for special occasions. For cocktail party dressy, you will find a great selection of lower heeled strappy sandals and dressy slingbacks with Colorful Creations and Annie. Please write back in boot season and I’ll give you more suggestions. In general, find 13WW here and 14M here.

Forgotten_Soles_Caprie_Black-200x150

Heather, Cayenne Red, Fisherman’s Sandal by Propet

Autumn Red T-strap peep toe platform pump by Samanta

Please do let me know what your real size turns out to be, and if you have any more questions. I wish you the best in recovering your grooviness!

The Shoe Lady

Need Size 15 Low Heeled Shoes for Tall Lady

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Hi Shoe lady
My question is: Do you have any suggestion for shoes in size 15 which are comfortable and low heeled. I am a tall lady who has always had problems getting comfortable shoes that fit. I really need help. I have bought some shoes, 3 pairs from this website which never fit.  It would cost me a lot returning them since I live in Europe and have to pay toll fees for everything I purchase outside the country.  Need your advice before I start ordering for spring. I have seen some flat shoes that I liked but I cannot be sure they will be comfortable, thus need to hear you view.

Thanks a lot,
Denise

Dear Denise,

Alas.  Most women who wear size 10 or smaller have no idea what a luxury it is to actually go into a store and try on a variety of styles and heel heights in what they think is their best size.  After they’ve done this for several years, and if they’ve paid attention, they discover the following:

1.  They may take a different size in a round toed flat than a pointy toed pump.

2.  They may take a different size in Brand A than in Brand B.

3.  Each foot may be a different size so they need to buy the best size and shoe shape for the larger foot.

4.  Some styles may be more comfortable than others.  If you have flat feet or narrow heels, you may prefer a Mary Jane style.

5.  The same Brand making a ballet flat can use two different factories and those factories may have different ways of cutting and shaping the shoes which mean they will fit differently.

Please read http://www.designershoes.com/about-size/width col_right_callout for more on these differences.

When you are a size 15, you have never had an opportunity to try on enough pairs of shoes in that size (or 14W or 15N) and in different styles and heel heights to know what is best for your feet.  Some shoes marked size 15 are not going to work.  Others are.  To get the best choice for you, you need to provide the shoe seller the kind of information you would be giving someone in a shoe store.

Carefully measure your feet following the instructions linked to the article above.  Write back to me and let me know those measurements.  But WAIT.  There’s MORE!  I also need to know if your arches are flat or high.  Does your forefoot tend to be wider than usual?  What EURO size do you wear most comfortably?  Do you need a loafer, laceup or Mary Jane to keep the shoe on your foot?  Do you have bunions?  Is your foot thick and muscular?  Soft and flabby?  Skin and bones?  What is the highest heel you would wear for a daily shoe?  What is the lowest heel?  Do you like peep toe shoes and sandals?  Or do you only want closed toe shoes?  Send me back  that information and I’ll see what I can find to suggest.  At this time I think your best bet is Barefoot Tess.  But because these shoes come from different factories and are different styles, they may fit quite differently.

Maybe someday you will have the choices you deserve!

Best wishes,

The Shoe Lady

Need More Size 13WW Women’s Shoes for Work

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Dear Shoe Lady,

I cannot find  cute flat work shoes in size 13WW.

Eva

 

Dear Eva-

 You are absolutely right!  This is a huge problem.  I will get right on it.  I think this may be a result of the recession.  Shoe companies backed off the larger sizes.  I’m finding some cute sandals but no flats.  Normally Propet would be a good choice for you.  But it looks like they didn’t make enough shoes in this size and have sold out.   Please make do with what you have for now until I can get more styles for you.
Also, do not buy the Antia’s which do show up in that size.  I have told the folks at Antia way too many times that a Euro size 43.5 is NOT a size 13.  And it certainly is not a size 13WW!  DesignerShoes.com tells me that they have the correct sizing for these Antia’s and will be resizing them shortly.  In the meantime, if you see Antia in a size 12 or 13, do NOT order it!
So sorry I can’t be more helpful right now.
UPDATE… not much improvement.  But you may find something suitable for work in the black crepe styles from Lava and Colorful Creations.  These are usually for dressy evening but until we can do better, give them a try.
Also, look at the options here:  http://www.designershoes.com/?sizewidth=230.  And consider a 14W here:  http://www.designershoes.com/?sizewidth=211
Best to you,
The Shoe Lady

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

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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.Aerosoles Argintina Red

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

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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!

Barefoot Tess Ella Sand

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 !

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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 at DesignerShoes.com

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.

Narrow Slingback Shoes

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Reply

Dear Shoe Lady,
I am looking for a pair of navy blue flat slingback shoes in size 9AA. Do you have anything?
Thank you!
Phyllis

Hey Phyllis,
Slingbacks shoes are fabulous options, because of the adjustable ankle strap. I champion any style that aims towards that perfect fit especially for the narrow women’s foot. I would check back in periodically to view any updated styles. Below you will find a solid choice as a jumping off point.

Trotters Dea Navy

Dea by Trotters is a Low Heel Dressy Slingback

Browse all DesignerShoes.com Narrow women’s Slingback shoes!

Narrow Shoe Width

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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

Hard to Find Women’s Size 10.5

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Reply

Dear Shoe Lady,
Why is it so hard to find 10.5?

Well Lisa it’s hard but not impossible! Their existence shows that there is a need. It is hard to find most half-size shoes in every style. The reasoning goes back to the manufacturer. It is easier to try to fit someone into a whole size that might be a little too big (or too small in some cases) than it is to mass-produce shoes to fit the unique qualities of every foot. What I have found is that even though I look for my target size, it isn’t a guarantee of a perfect fit just yet. One will always have to factor in the style and shape of a shoe, as well as the length, width, and volume of one’s feet. Generally people can wear a bigger size of sneaker due to the extra padding, but look for a ballet flat that is true-to-size to make up for the lack of extra cushioning.

Browse over 850 women’s size 10.5 shoes at DesignerShoes.com

One of my favorite new shoe arrivals available in women’s size 10.5.

Aerosoles Faximize Black Leather at AskTheShoeLady.com

Faximize by Aerosoles is a Mid Heel Casual Slingback

All the best,
The Shoe Lady

All the best,

The Shoe Lady

Womens Wide Feet

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3

Dear Shoe Lady,
My feet are abnormally wide. I can never find the right shoe size. I am a 11.5 wide and I can never find shoes that look good on my feet, like dressy shoes and tennis shoes. Please help. ASAP.

My Dear ASAP! Cute name!
I too am a women’s size 11.5 and I can tell you, very few places make these sizes. So you need to learn how to think more flexibly about buying by size. First, some homework. Read this: http://www.designershoes.com/about-size/size.

Shoe sizing, when it comes down to hundreds of different manufacturers using hundreds of different factories, can be less than completely precise. And, come to think of it, our feet aren’t exactly precise either. They can change a full size or width between morning and evening on a hot day. Pregnant? Double that.

So take 11.5 wide as your base. Then look at your feet. Are they wider in front? Do you need a wide size because they are thicker from top to sole? Do you need a wide size to accommodate bunions? Keep the shape of your feet in mind when you consider shoes. Look at the shape of the shoe. If your feet are squared at the toes, a square toe box will work well, for example.

Can’t find anything in 11.5W? Look at 11WW. Look at 12M.

But maybe you are saying 11.5W is not fitting correctly. Put all your weight on one foot, standing on a piece of paper. Have someone draw a TIGHT line around the edge of your largest foot. Your foot should be 10.7 inches long and 4.4 inches across the widest width. But be very suspicious of the width. If your foot is thicker (like mine!) you may need to move to a wider width, no matter what the chart says.

If you decide to move to a wider size, here’s another problem. Your heel may slip out of the flats or pumps. And, of course, here is the solution. You just can’t wear flats or pumps. You need to look for flats and pumps with a “maryjane” strap or a high vamp so the shoe will stay on your foot, and still fit across the top.

Take a look at these size 11.5W styles.

And, with a good sense of the shape and thickness of your feet, take a look at these 11WW styles.

Trotters Jaden White Navy at AskTheShoeLady.com

Jaden by Trotters is a Low Heel Dressy Slingback

A shoe that I wear myself!

Happy Hunting!

The Shoe Lady