I have been trying to buy some shoes to go to a wedding. Problem is that i have size 8 feet. The problem is that when trying to buy nice medium heeled shoes that aren't frumpy they inevitably don't have my size and often don't even have size 7! I know quite a few people who have larger feet so i don't think i'm that unusual.
One explanation given to me today was that when a box of shoes comes in there is a range of sizes and usually only one size 8.
I'm sure i read somewhere that the average size is 6 or 7 so why do they only cater for average?

Originally posted by Sal22
why do they only cater for average?

because its more cost effective? business is all about making money... your not going to buy lots of size 8 shoes if there's only the odd person going to require them :P can't you get somewhere to order you a pair of the shoes you want?

I sympathise with you sal!

I'm 7 or 8, and know how you feel, but since generally people are getting taller, surely it is quite reasonable that their feet should get bigger too?!

The other thing that bugs me is that all the shoes on display are a size 4 or 5, and they look lovely, but when you see them in a 7 or 8 they don't look nearly so nice!

I would reccomend always asking in shops if they can order an 8 for you, they often can (Faith for example do quite a lot of their shoes up to a 9 and can get them sent to the shop for you). Also, if you see some shoes you like in a shop that also sells online, try ordering that way.

I'd also try Next directory, they do all their shoes up to at least an 8, and I have found they are generally quite generous sizes.

Good luck!

im 11and half / 12 depending on the shoe :heyhey:

mind you...i dont NEED heels....(i just like em hahahaha)


if ur prepared to wait then im sure a decent shop would order a pair you like your own size. the sizes exsist...its just they stock the averages because thats what they know will sell.

hiya
i have the same problem as im a size 8/9 - Ive found that Evans have a nice range and stock up to size 10. Also Next are pretty good at having the bigger sizes in stock

Hi

I have a friend who has the exact opposite problem.

Barratts and Saxones (if you can find one) both have tall and small departments.

Hush Puppies and K Shoes also do larger sizes.

Hope this helps.

I'm a size 8 and can honestly say I have never had a problem buying shoes or boots - my other half will vouch for that!! Too many shoes in his opinion! :smile:

It can be a problem in the sales though - very limited choice in the larger sizes.

Originally posted by xafier
your not going to buy lots of size 8 shoes if there's only the odd person going to require them :P

I don't think that it is only the odd person who requires them. the point about averages was that if 6 is the average then being 2 sizes bigger is not that much. Most shoes start at a 3 which is 3 sizes smaller.
I do get shoes off the internet sometimes but it's difficult without trying them on. i end up sending most of them back.

I have size 9 feet, Evans is no good for me because their shoes are big (which is good) but far to wide for me, the knee boots just fall back down my legs as my legs are not fat enough for them and the shoes just slip off.

Next is excellent, you cannot get size 9's in the shop but through their internet site, though there is often a long wait for them as they tend to be 'out of stock'

I have recently been getting shoes imported from the USA via ebay as they are cheap and have nice styles in bigger sizes, (USA 11=UK9), the postage makes them about the same price as next shoes. The UK ebay seems to think that everyone who is looking for size 9's are men and are therefore classed as TV interest!

tallgirls.co.uk is fab for big feet too but your looking at £60 for a decent pair though the sale stuff is good.

Ninewest are my fave shoes at the moment and I get them imported from the USA.

Hope you find a decent pair, It is getting easier to find bigger womens sizes but it is not cheap!!

Wel i sympathise whole heartedly as i'm a size 10 Yes 10!!!!! But as i am male i guess that makes me normal! Have you tried circusworld just of the M1 they do your size but only in yellow with a big nobbiliy bit on't end!

happy hunting :thumbsup:

Originally posted by miniminch
Wel i sympathise whole heartedly as i'm a size 10 Yes 10!!!!! But as i am male i guess that makes me normal! Have you tried circusworld just of the M1 they do your size but only in yellow with a big nobbiliy bit on't end!

happy hunting :thumbsup:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Finally other people have recognised this problem!

I agree about the shoes looking nice in a 4 or 5 and then looking out of proportion in an 8/9! I'm an 8, but when i try on heels, bizzarely i'm a 7! Also, as i'm already tall, i rarely wear heels, as they are all 4" or with wobbly kitten heels lol :)

Just because you're a 'non-normal' size, you are expected to pay more. For trousers i can only get them from Long Tall Sally - and even then, most aren't long enough to wear with heels.

Manufacturers should realise that women are getting taller - in fact the average height is something like 5ft 6"

I've often thought of re-training to become a tailor!

i work in a shoe shop and its true that we only get 1 size 8 per box . Its just a case of what size sells best gets most stock other wise we would be over run with shoes that nobody will buy. unfortunate but im afraid most companys do it, the best thing for you to do is to look at the smaller sizes and then ask them to reserve u a pair from next weeks delievers in the size you want.

Originally posted by designbunny
Just because you're a 'non-normal' size, you are expected to pay more. For trousers i can only get them from Long Tall Sally - and even then, most aren't long enough to wear with heels.


Try the web site I posted before for long trousers there much more funky/ up to date than long tall sally and do them in the same lenghts.

Thanks for all the advice. have been to meadowhall tonight and got some lovely shoes from Ravel who had 3 out the 4 pairs of shoes i wanted to try in my size. It was nice to have a choice and to know i won't be attending my friends wedding barefoot. (it's on sat)!

my daughters ex fiance has size 13 english size

I'm a size 13 and getting shoes & trainers is always a nightmare :cry:

Shops don't seem to stock anything above a 12 these days. Only place I've found that does is Big Man Tall Man at the bottom of the moor.

do they have a web site or any shops leics end?

I used to be a size 13, but now find I can get into a size 12. Maybe it's because I lost a lot of weight over the years.

It's definately easier finding 12s than 13s though. Ten years or so ago, most stockists only went to an 11.

Oooh finding shoes is such a problem! I have really wide feet and can I find fashionable shoes? Not easily! The shoe shops/makers seem to think you have to be 80 to have wide feet!

However, as far a bigger sizes are concerned, I went to Pulse and Cocktail recently and they do a brilliant range of sizes. Ok so some of the shoes are not what you'd wear to do the supermarket shopping, but you may find something suitable - worth a try?

Originally posted by peril
my daughters ex fiance has size 13 english size

That makes me ask the question.
I heard that a ladies shoe size is in proportion to a certain "useful area", is this true?

I have lead a sheltered life see. :heyhey: