Artika Flat Sandals, $149 from Willow Shoes
For most women, shoe shopping is an exciting expedition, you can never have enough pairs of shoes. All my life people have tried to make me feel comfortable with my big feet but alas, the funny jokes have not made it any easier to find fashionable footwear. I am forever left asking, “why must big feet have to equal big problems?” Everybody needs shoes.
Coco Sandals, AUD $19.95 from Rubi Shoes
If you are like me, you have watched everyone around you rock the newest footwear trend, slip effortlessly into numerous cute pairs at any store, never having to worry about being told their dream heel doesn’t come in that size. All the while, we are left waiting not so patiently for our perfect shoe match. I’ve done what all big-feet-havers do, ordered shoes online and hoped for the best and then they don’t fit. Well folks – large feet and finding fashionable shoes is not easy but it is possible.
Dot Court Shoe, $139.95 from Hush Puppies
Pulp Traction Ballet Flats, $49.95 from Hannahs
ROXY Ladies La Viva Thong Jandals, $29.99 from Chances
Two Part Leather Ballet, $79.99 from EziBuy
Marty Black Gladiator Leather Strappy Sandals, AUD$139.95 from Fashionably Large Shoes
I have a few tips for you to keep in mind when shopping for new shoes:
- Try on the pairs you may not think will fit – not every size and fabric is created equal
- Invest in good quality shoes, don’t be shy to make use of lay-by options
- Do your research – look online when new season styles are released and call the stores to put them on hold, the larger sizes often sell out first
- Keep it simple – too many straps can be constricting, look for T-strap styles.
- Do not buy shoes that are too small in hopes of breaking them in, we have all done it, the pain is never worth it.
- When the sales assistant approaches you, fess up about your shoe size, they know what they have in stock and how they fit (narrow, or a more forgiving wide fit).
Do you have big feet and struggle to find fancy footwear? Let us know if you know of any great places to find size 11+ shoes!
Guest Blogger: Lisa Stirling
Lisa is a Auckland based mum of three who wears size 11-12 shoes. She likes Starbucks, reality TV and radical honesty. You can find her blogging about her life and adventures with her family at All in the Daze.
Size 13. It’s not even an option to buy a feminine shoe. Really frustrating.
Hey Nikolina, have you checked out Staavias and Willow Shoes? They both have beautiful shoes!
I’m a 10, so I can juuuust fit into most normal shoe shop sizes but it still can be hard to find shoes. I quite like the look of these shoes. Also, Meagan, I love the new logo!
I have a tiny foot only a size 7 but they are extremely wide. This means I often have to buy shoes too big sometimes up to a size 10 and could never find a cute sandal. But I have found a great website called Duo shoes! They cater to those blessed with wide feet as well as larger feet and because they are based in London you can generally pick up the shoes at a reasonable price as you shopping at the end of their seasons which is the start of ours!
http://www.duoboots.com/
A great recommendation, thanks so much Lindsey! I love being able to nab things at end of season sales!
My feet aren’t long but they are very wide, trying on sandals especially if they’re cut slim means I have foot hanging over the side.
My friend had large feet tho and she brought all her shoes from Evans.co.uk they go up to a size 10uk so about 12 nz I think
Hey Jenna, Yours Clothing does great wide fit styles! And thanks for the recommendation, I have heard a lot of great things about Evans!
I have an average foot size, but this post did inspire me to buy my summer sandals today! Thanks Lisa x
Oh Lisa, it’s as if you’ve written about *my* life! I have size 11, wide-as feet and buying shoes was always a NIGHTMARE. I tried to find the positives (“oh well, I suppose it’s a good thing that nothing ever fits… because at least I can save money?”), but sometimes you really just want to be able to buy an awesome pair of heels like everybody else!
I remember trying to find footwear in Nepal after my busted-up ballet flats finally gave out. The shop assistants just laughed at me! Then I stumbled across a UK chain store in Scotland which had an entire section devoted to ‘wide-fit’ shoes… and it was like a dream come true!
I buy everything that’s on my feet now (I’ve actually been meaning to write about them forever!) from them:
http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-wide-fit_1700101
barefoot in nepal! NOOOOOO 😉 I always look at newlook and get put off by the postage x
Aw really?! I’ve never paid postage though; I’m pretty sure once you spend over a certain amount (and it’s not that high!), it’s free 😀
That sounds like a good incentive to spend more! 😉
My life here. I’m only a size 42 though – roughly a 10.5. Shoe shops made me feel I was the only ‘big foot’ out there, I’ve since found out many many of my friends, not all tall or plus sized, are either same size or larger. I’m also above the average in head and hand sizes – so I’ve absolutely no luck with hats or gloves.
You’re definitely not the only one Genny! Plenty of people get in touch letting me know that they have large feet and have trouble finding shoes! I’ve not come across good places for larger hats or gloves, but will be sure to post when I do! xM
Oh Genny I know that feeling – I often feel judgement from shop assistants – I just battle through it, I have no luck with hats either..