BLOG
Shopping For Larger Feet: Where To Buy Size 11+ Women's Shoes ♥
in I Want... Style!16 Mar 2010 | 13 Comments
Guess what?! Would you like to know something interesting?
The fact that I have gigantic feet is definitely NOT it, but the fact that my enormous stompers have lead me to discover some very useful online shopping haunts that sell a plethora of size-10+ friendly footwear? Well, that kind of is. Especially if, like me, you ARE large-footed, and find it immensely difficult to shop for a shoe that's not a) a thong/slip-on/sandal; b) a sneaker; c) an ugg boot; d) ugly! (Or e, almost all of the above, but that's another story for another time.)
I have size 11 feet, and believe me, attempting to find something that's half-sexy or even slightly attractive is an ordeal that's probably not too disimilar in the unpleasant stakes to root canal therapy. (Seriously, I have even been known to dissolve into tears over
the sheer lack of choices before and yes, I was 12 at the time but yes, I have ABSOLUTELY felt this way in the not-so-distant past!) Sure, it may not sound like too much of a hideous experence, but when you're trying to search for a heel in a particular colour and have visited what feels like 3,3867777 different shoe stores only to be told that no, they certainly DON'T have anything in your size, it can be incredibly disheartening and frustrating and unfortunately, wearing thongs/slip-ons/sandals/sneakers/ugg boots to a bar or a friend's wedding is just not a look that has taken off. However! Fortunately, a variety of stores and designers seem to be recognizing the fact that there ARE women
out there with larger feet (and they're not just Shrek's sister), and bigger sizes seem to be on the rise (phew!).
Here are some of my favourite spots for finding size 11 and beyond heels, boots, wedges and everything in between! :
In Australia:
x Target - Okay, so the quality of their footwear would be best described as average, but
what their pieces lack in longevity they make up for in affordability and aesthetics, and the best bit? They always have new styles in store. Bravo!
x At Last Shoes - Sweet, stylish numbers that are a little on the expensive side, but
completely justifiable because they're not only well-made,but super cute, too.
x Generous Soles - Regular sales, fabulous options - what's not to love?
x Shop New York - Designer shoes direct from New York? At your computer? Where do I even begin to list the reasons of how superb this is?!
x Ebay - Even though it encourages my obsession to hoard many random and nonsensical items (The Little Mermaid on DVD, anyone?!), my affection for Ebay will never wane. I have bought numerous pairs of shoes from there and for that alone, I will always worship it!
Worldwide:
x Zappos- It's probably a good idea that I don't live in America because with the existence of Zappos, I wouldn't save a cent! (Apparently they offer international shipping, but if there's actually an easy way to complete an order with them from another country, I haven't found it! My bank account is very appreciative of this.) Their range, in terms of designers and different styles, is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
x Barefoot Tess - Hard-to-find pieces in hard-to-find sizes. Excellent!
x Your Feet Make You Unique - This is one of the lines that my mother, bless her, would frequently utter to me as a child as I wailed about the injustices of having what seemed like behemouth feet, but this isn't the only reason that I approve: their collections are adorable.
x Shop Bop - Much like Zappos, Shop Bop offers a huge selection of footwear that can only be described as fantastic. And magnificent. And completely darn awesome!
♥
Have you ever struggled with finding footwear in your own size?
xoxo
(Image thanks to J'Adore Fashion.)
Related I Want.. Style! Posts:
x Style Evolution: How Often Has YOUR Look Changed In The Past Year? What About Over 2 Years? 5 Years? ♥
x Style Session: What To Wear With.. Dr. Martens! ♥Style Session: What To Wear With.. Dr. Martens! ♥
x How To Wear.. A Maxi-Dress! ♥
Comments (13)
I know exactly how you feel. I got so sick of trying to find fashionable shoes to fit my size 11 feet that I opened my own online store. You should check it out.
5 Sep 2011, Janelle, www.bigshoezam.com.au
im 21, for as long as i can remember i have had so many problems getting shoes, im a mens 13-14 in US standeds so if any one knows of any where i can get nice female shoes let me know aye is really hard for my 21st i have to were skate shoes and cant wear dresses out because i cant get shoes to go with,
25 Apr 2011, Kat
OMG I have been a size 11 uk EEE fit since I was 12. I now need to find a pair of ivory shoes for my wedding and its impossible
12 Mar 2011, Fiona Campbell
omg-I feel you pain! I'm a size 11aus. One website I'm going to give a try is http://jeffsilverman.com/
You can make your own shoes-and the go up 2 a size 11aus. :D
10 Mar 2011, kel, http://thatsmeinsideyourhead.tumblr.com/
I just reffered to your post from my FB blog page - my friend was asking ,me where can she find size 11 shoes in NY and online - your post was very helpful! :)
urban girl http://myurbanrunway.blogspot.com/
13 Feb 2011, urban girl, http://myurbanrunway.blogspot.com/
Thanks for commenting on this problem! I myself have size 11M feet, perhaps still growing. It feels like I deserve to be a foot taller than I am.
Finding shoes in larger sizes is indeed quite frustrating. It seems the "norm" is size 6-10 (Close, but not good enough)
Actually, I find that even when I DO find size 11 shoes, they are made to fit slightly smaller... which sometimes makes me a size 12 (Even harder to find!)
Your website suggestions are quite interesting, thanks!
10 Nov 2010, :-)
I ALWAYS struggle to find size 5 feet. Yes, I'm a midget.
A lot more size 36 European shoes are coming in though (equal to size 5 Aussie) so I do appreciate that but there are NO shoes in my home town that fit me. STUPID. I have to LEAVE MY CITY TO FIND SHOES?!! Ridiculous!
I don't get why mainstream shoe shops like Betts can't just have a small stand with some nice size 5 shoes. I don't want to have to order in shoes. STUPID.
Sorry...kind of passionate about it...
Lately I love NOVO shoes and Shoe Show. I always come home with something from there - lifesavers I tell ya!
19 Mar 2010, Kez, http://www.andsoiwasthinking.wordpress.com
I wish I had this problem! Actually I don't, 'cause I know how you feel: I have size 5 (Aus) feet and the only places that I can find ANYTHING that fits is second hand stores, because they're smaller sizes. And yeah, it is nice to be able to say that my entire shoe wardrobe probably cost the same amount as one pair of brand new shoes (and I have over 20 pairs), but wearing someone else's shoes all the time sucks.
17 Mar 2010, Angie
I love Generous Soles in Collaroy Plateau, NSW - good, friendly service from Sue, the owner, and a wide range of shoes for those of us with huge feet!!!
17 Mar 2010, Tiara
I actually have the opposite problem! I'm a European size 37 (6 or 6 1/2 US) and my size is usually the first to go! It's so frustrating because sometimes I have to wait extra long for stores to restock or I flat out get there too late :(
17 Mar 2010, Luana, http://www.lemonlu.com/
I have small feet, really small feet (Europe 36 / US 6 / MEX 3). The problem with me is that I can't find many shoes in Zara, there never are my size and those that they make small enough are ugly/super expensive. But OMG! When I went to London all the shoes were my size and on sale!!! It was amazing, I snagged my satin heels at Zara in Regent St for a mere 10 GBP. It was awesome (sin the same shoes were 2.5 times more expensive here in Mexico and ehm, not my size).
Generally I have little trouble buying shoes in other stores but yeah, my nieces have bigger feet than I do and I can't share shoes with my sister (bummer, because she has awesome ones).
17 Mar 2010, Julie, http://juliettemaxwell.com
I have struggled with shoe shopping for years. Like you, I have size 11 feet and it's very hard to find anything that fits.
17 Mar 2010, Loretta
I'm a UK ladies size 9 1/2, which I think is either an Australian size 10 1/2 or 11 1/2. I absolutely hate shoe shopping, the mere thought of it is enough to make me grumpy! As well as being a half size, I also have wide feet, long toes and small ankles, so it's a rare shoe that'll fit me!
I won't buy shoes online myself because usually you have to pay for return postage, but it's a great idea if you have more 'regular' feet. One of my most popular posts is about finding larger size shoes, it's the first under "most popular articles" on the left sidebar if you want to check it out. Most of my store suggestions are UK-based, but a lot of them ship worldwide.
17 Mar 2010, Lady Julianne, http://ladyjulianne.blogspot.com/
