Category Archives: Shoe Fit

The Shoe Lady answers questions about shoe width, shoe length, finding the right size in a shoe, why shoes fit the way they do, and more.

Tight Toes. Loose Heels. What to Do?

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Hello,
I bought a pair of designer shoes that fit at the time, but last time I wore them the toes were very tight and the heels were slipping off.  The shoes are black patent leather so the at-home remedy of socks and a blow dryer make me nervous!  Also, I would like to wear a gel insert for under the ball of my foot, but since the shoes are tight at the toes, will the insert be useless? What do you suggest?
Thanks!!

 

Dear Aileen,

My first reaction is to figure out the root cause of this weird development.  The shoes fit, then they became too tight in the front and too loose in the back?  My guesses:  weather changes?  some gremlin switched the shoes?  shift in subcutaneous tissues from your heels to your forefeet?
Let’s forget root cause and go to cure.  The cure for this is a visit to a GOOD, EXPERIENCED shoe repair shop.  Warning, these are an endangered species and need all our support.  For example, whenever we buy new shoes, we should take them to a good shoe repair shop and have small taps put on the outside of the heels, where you might tend to wear down the heel, and on the toe.  For you, for this situation, you will want to show the shoe repair person how the shoe fits on your foot and see if she/he can stretch it in just the right places, and just the right amount of stretch to get it comfortable again.  They have the tools.  Also, while you are there, see if they can suggest something to tighten the heel.  This might be possible if it is a slingback.  However, if it is a closed heel pump, I don’t expect much success from adding those pads that stick to the inside back of the heel.  The best luck is to push your foot back into the heel, and gel pads in front might just do the trick.
Good luck,
The Shoe Lady

Bride Asks How to Measure Heel Height

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Dear Katie-

For your peace of mind…. or what’s left of it after the frazzle of planning a wedding…. you will need to have the shoes on your feet when you try on the dress.  You can not rely on what you read on line.
Most wedding shoe manufacturers, the ones that are really devoted to that business and don’t do other styles, know how critically important the exact heel heights are.  They measure them and make that information available.
But Kate Spade makes a variety of different shoes and may not be paying attention to the importance of exact heel height in wedding shoes.  But let’s say they are.
Some websites may choose to round up to the nearest half inch.  Some websites may measure the heels themselves.  And here is where the real problem comes into play.  There are three ways to measure the heel height, all give different, sometimes significantly different, results.
1.  Traditionally, shoe manufacturers measured heel height from the breast of the heel.  This is the part of the heel that faces forward.  This is the shortest dimension and is no longer considered correct.
2.  Some people measure the heel height by holding a tape measure to the back of the heel, where the heel meets the shoe’s sole, and consider the heel height to be the length of the heel.  But this, too, is incorrect because often a high heel is designed to angle inward, thus making the heel measurement higher than it should be.
3.  The correct way to measure a heel height is to measure the line from the center of where your heel rests in the shoe, the center of the heel as seen from the side.  Measure a straight line down, keeping the measurement line perpendicular to the ground or table that the shoe is on.  This will give you the correct measurement….. but WAIT…. there’s MORE……
This will give you the correct measurement for that shoe which is generally measured in an average size.  But shoe manufacturers can vary on what they consider average.  It should be size 9.  But more likely it is size 7.  Since the heel height is graded to stay in proportion to the overall design of the shoe, a woman who buys a shoe correctly measured, at 2.5 inches, but she buys it in size 11, is likely to find that the shoe is actually 2.75 inches.
So… buy the shoes you want, hope for the best and prepare to add a pad in the heel if the shoe isn’t quite high enough.  But, not to worry, the price for re-hemming is just one more cost of the wedding.
Aren’t you glad you asked?!?
Best wishes on your special day,
The Shoe Lady
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Thank you so much shoe lady!!! At this time we are going to try to actually buy the shoes at a bridal shop to be absolutely sure & can measure the heel height ourselves! Thanks again for your great answer & your time! We appreciate greatly!! 🙂
Katie
Nadia-bridal.

Need Silver Ballet Flats in SLIM Width

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Shoe Lady-

Do you know where I can find a pair of slim (3A) silver ballet flats?  I have looked everywhere that I can think of.

Cindy

 

Dear Cindy-

Alas, whether it is the recession or changes in factory operations, shoe manufacturers have moved away from the slim market.  Ferragamo and Stuart Weitzman still make these widths… for now.
You may want to try a new brand, Fit In Clouds.  They make silver ballet flats that stretch over about 3 half sizes.  I advise people to buy large in order to get a wider fit.  You may want to buy a bit small in order to get a narrower fit.
They have about 3 variations on a silver ballet flat.
Thanks,
The Shoe Lady

Women’s C Width Shoes Disappeared

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Dear Shoe Lady,

What happened to women’s C width shoes? I can’t find them anywhere these days, just “W”. Problem is W’s are often too wide because W can be C or D. Should I give up looking for C widths and either squeeze them into B’s (as one sales person suggested) or settle for a sloppy fit with D’s?

Marie

Dear Marie,

I wish the world were so simple.  The reason more people refer to “W” rather than “C” or “D” to denote wide size women’s shoes is because the “C” vs. “D” width implied a precision in shoe manufacturing that wasn’t really there!  As shoe manufacturers moved to more different factories, it became harder to assure that dimension.  And the other change that happened, more shoe manufacturers decided to make extra wide (WW) widths so to control their costs, the cut out at least one of the widths, the “C”.  Narrower footed ladies will also tell you that they cut the AAAAA, the AAAA, many AAA’s, and the “combination last” (one width in the heel, another in the forefoot).
Read more about the REAL truth of wide size shoes, how they are made and how to think about your best size here: http://www.designershoes.com/about-size/width
Don’t assume that you should buy medium widths and they’ll be too tight or wide widths and they’ll be too loose.  I recommend that you try on your favorite brands in your size medium and your size wide AND in half a size smaller in wide.  Do this for a few brands and styles until you can determine a pattern for what is the best fit in each brand.
Then, remember that the fit will also vary according to the style (high heel, ballet flat, sandal) of the shoe!
Happy Hunting!
The Shoe Lady

Canadian Needs Wide Shoes

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Hi

I live in Montreal, Canada and i’ve been looking for comfortables, stylish, wide shoes but it’s difficult to find that on stores.

I’ve heard Aerosoles has good reputation on comfort and I’m interested in one model you offer from aerosoles but I’m a little bit confused with the size chart.

I’ve normally a 9 size wideeeeee size, but according to your webiste it owuld be a 10.5 size.

My measure is 26 cms lengh, 11 cms wide.

As I’m in Canada and i’ll have to pay customs and shipping I want to be pretty sure on my size for your website.

Oriana

 

My Dear Oriana,

I commend the wisdom of your frugality.  But I am perplexed.  Is wideeee a width designation in Canada?
If you trust the measuring you did on your feet, I think you should be wearing an 8.5 WW (extra wide).  Alas, Aerosoles does not make their styles in extra wide, only in wide.  But there are several brands that DO make extra wide that you may like.  I suggest you take a look at Bella Vita, Naturalizer, Soft Spots, Softwalk, and Trotters.  Or search by 8.5 WW.
I urge you to PLEASE think about the shape of your feet in relation to the shape of your shoes, too!  Read about wide feet here: http://www.designershoes.com/about-size/width
Feel free to contact DesignerShoes.com at info@designershoes.com if you have any specific shoe questions.
Thanks,
The Shoe Lady
Thanks for your answer!
By wideeeeeeeee, I just meant that I have always problem finding shoes that fits comfortable when shopping on normal stores.
I’ve attached a foot print I took some days ago, I guees is Round, could you suggest me what foot style to shop on your website?
Regards,
Oriana
Ah HA!   You are not measuring correctly.  Look at the shoe diagram on this size chart page:  http://www.designershoes.com/size-chart

Shoe manufacturers assume the "ball to heel" measurement when they make shoes and also assume the shoe wearer. Has average length toes. If toes are longer or shorter, the shoe will not fit well.

Shoe manufacturers assume the “ball to heel” measurement when they make shoes and also assume the shoe wearer. Has average length toes. If toes are longer or shorter, the shoe will not fit well.

You need to have the lines perpendicular so that each of the angles created by the lines is a 90 degree angle, all equal.
And you need to start by drawing a line that makes the top of the T with the line that goes up the center of your foot.  The line that is the top of the T must be perpendicular to the center line and at the top of the longest toe.  Look carefully at the size chart diagram and draw your lines and do your measurements again.
The Shoe Lady
Hi Thanks
I change the measures, the length didn’t change a lot, 25.8 cms with a 10.5 cms wide.    As well I think they are more into the round or circle form.
that would be between 9 or 9.5 wide for women?
Thanks
Oriana
Dear Oriana-

Based on length and width, you should be looking at a US size 10 wide (W).  That is roughly equivalent to a UK 8 or an EU 41.  Aerosoles does have some very cute, comfortable flats in size 10W.
Good luck!
The Shoe Lady

Forgotten Soles Styles Run Larger Than Other Styles

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Dear Shoe Lady,

I have recently bought size 12  W in Forgotten Soles Maui & Waikiki they are a little longer than the Australian size 12 but they will be Ok  the width is good,  I might add they look great and I have had lots of comments.

I am now going to look at buying 1 or 2 of the following:
Lava Nikki in Gold
Colorful Creations Debra in
Taupe satin
Touch Ups Abbey in gold
Dyeables Fiesta in Chocolate satin
Should I get size 12W or 11 W my shoe measures on your size chart 11.5″ long &  4.25″ wide. I have bunions (no problems) that accounts for the width.

Sincerely,

Rose

Forgotten Soles Caprie Black

Caprie by Forgotten Soles is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

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Dear Rose,

I’m so happy that the Forgotten Soles styles worked for you!  But please keep in mind that the sizes in that brand do run generously.  The size charts reflect the common “best practices” sizing.  But some brands tend to run large or small.  Forgotten Soles runs large.  So if  they were a little long, you should still stick with the size 12W for the other styles.

The other three brands you mention, Colorful Creations, Touch Ups and Dyeables, are all brands that specialize in wedding and dressy evening styles.   These more “formal” shoes tend to be cut less generously and do not have such an open sandal type of design as the two Forgotten Soles styles.  I suggest you look for a 12WW in these brands.

Australia is a long way from the USA so I want to make sure you ask all the questions you need answered before ordering.  I notice that you say in your note that your feet measure 11.5 inches  (‘) long.  That means you should be wearing a size 15 or 16 in women’s shoes.  Since the Forgotten Soles ran only a bit long, I must have misunderstood your measurements.  Can you please remeasure and resend?

Thanks,

The Shoe Lady

Dress Shoes for a Wedding for Feet with Bunions

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Dear Shoe Lady,

Need a pair of comfortable dressy shoes, pumps, sandals, 2 1/2 ” heel to go with a raspberry lace sheath dress. Very bad bunions and big toe that crosses over. Help.
Size 8 1/2.  I try to get the widest width I can to go over my very prominent bunions , but sometimes the heel slips then and it doesn’t work.   Sling backs are the best option for me when I can find a wide width shoe.

Janice

 

Dear Janice,

What you want is a deep toe box, that is deep from top to sole, and a soft material on top.  I suggest you take a look in the “Bridal-Dyeable” Collection   and look for slingbacks with this configuration.  Do not buy them too wide if your foot is not really wide.  I’ve included a photo of a shoe with a rhinestone oval ornament.   It is stretchable (wider only) and dyeable.
Then… get or  find a good shoe repair place.   You will need to have them both dyed to the color you want AND spot stretched to accommodate the “issues” around your forefeet.  Only spot stretch where necessary but do it enough that you will be comfortable.
You should find a much wider range of the heel height and silouette you want in the bridal – dyeable styles. They are all white but can be dyed to match your dress, or maybe a soft grey or paler pink.
Have a wonderful time!
The Shoe Lady

Need Size 11 SLIM Shoes

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Shoe Lady-

Do u carry extra extra Narrow size 11?

Hazel

 

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Dear Hazel-

Do you know that size 11N’s and 11 slims are famous in the shoe industry for being the feet typical of wealthy southern ladies.  I’m assuming you are writing from the expansive porch overlooking your estate while daintily sipping a mint julep?
Of course if the shoe industry really believed that, they wouldn’t have come so close to stopping production on size 11N and 11 AAA (Slim, S).  As of today DesignerShoes.com has 49 styles in size 11S:
http://www.designershoes.com/?sizewidth=167.   I hope they will have more by later this summer when the new Fall styles come out.
Best Wishes,
The Shoe Lady

Translating from Men’s Shoe Size to Women’s Shoe Size

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Dear Shoe Lady,

I wear a 9 1/2 wide shoe in men’s  but I don’t know what I wear in a women’s shoe.  I tried on some 12’s but they feel tight.  Help please.

S.W.

 

Dear S.W.

Men’s shoes are designed to be comfortable and fit a normal human foot.  This is NOT true for women’s shoes.  A men’s 9.5 shoe is 10.5 inches long.  That is the same length as a women’s size 11 (or a UK 9 or a Euro 43).  But length is only part of the fit equation.  Men’s shoes are made wider and a bit deeper (top to sole) than a women’s shoe of the same length.  And you wear a men’s wide.  So you need to be looking for a women’s 11WW.  You said a 12 didn’t fit.  I’m assuming it was a 12M (medium).  You may be expecting that little extra toe room that men’s shoes have.  I suggest you try a 12WW and then a 12W and then an 11WW until you find the size, width and shoe shape that suits your feet the best.

Happy Hunting!

The Shoe Lady