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Original poster

Mainstream women's shoes only going up to a size 8

210 replies

AlwaysFreezing · 10/08/2023 17:08

And even then its not always a 42!

Took ds school shoe shopping today and while I was in and out of the various shoe shops, I had a quick look in the women's sections.

I am a 9, but a 43 9. Sometimes a 10. Not a single shoe was bigger than an 8.

Now, luckily I know where I can buy shoes that fit, but I was thinking about this, and isn't it ridiculous?

So, I'm wondering how many women here have feet larger than an 8? I mean, I imagine there aren't tens of thousands of us, but there just be enough to warrant shops selling 9s and 10s?

OP posts:
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KirstenBlest · 10/08/2023 23:47

@Charrington , look at brands that can be resoled. I have some shoes that are probably men's shoes and they're a man's size UK5. Can't remember the brand (charity shop, £2, feel like slippers).
I think that makes like Church's can be resoled. They're not cheap, but less £££ if you buy second hand. If you know what size you need, you might be lucky to find a pair that has hardly been worn.
Solovair do UK 3 to UK 14, I think, and some styles are unisex.
Lanx might be worth a try but I've not worn them and they only do women up to 8.5

TheMadGardener · 10/08/2023 23:41

I'm a wide 9, my DSis is a narrow 9, our whole lives have consisted of accepting most shoe shops will have nothing in our size. Either you buy men's shoes, or you pay a fortune somewhere like Magnus. Even in places that do stock 9s there is very little choice.

Sadly one of my teenage DDs is also a 9, the other one is currently managing to stay an 8 (we are all tall).
When I visit family in the USA I often buy shoes as there are better choices of larger sizes there.
We were genetically doomed as our DM has size 8 feet and our father has size 13 feet.

Orders76 · 10/08/2023 23:35

Yes it's ridiculous, and even worse at the children's stage. Age 4-12 which only goes to a size 4/5, if you have bigger kids they're way above that at 12.

Charrington · 10/08/2023 23:25

I’d really appreciate some smaller men’s shoes. The quality difference between mens’ and women’s’ boots and brogues is irritating. At a similar price point dh gets his resoled while I have to buy again

namechangenacy · 10/08/2023 23:22

FuzzyPuffling · 10/08/2023 18:30

I'm a 42. That's an 8 to me, but obviously not to many shoe manufacturers. I have the additional issue of narrow feet. Long does not mean wide. I don't want boats.

This post makes me less alone hurrah someone who gets it !

I explain people my dilemma and most say oh well at least they have a size 8 even if it's wide 🙄🙄

Like I should be grateful I can buy shoes that will cover the length of my foot but not the width 🙃

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 10/08/2023 23:22

I think anything above an 8 is unusual for a woman TBH. I'm a size 4 which I think is quite average and I often can't get my size as the shops have sold out.

namechangenacy · 10/08/2023 23:20

New look are fairly good.

I'm a 8 but narrow (now of anyone else has the problem you will know the pain) because shops seem to assume because your feet are longer that you will also need size 8 wide 😒😒

Also just some cheaper alternatives- primark boots aren't bad (bare with me) I have seen quite a few 9 and 8 of late. Word of warning the shoes especially boots are narrow on the feet and calf.

Just in case there are any other 8+ feet that struggle with finding narrow shoes.

BrendaMcPherson · 10/08/2023 23:19

bobotothegogo · 10/08/2023 17:25

And in many places their sizing is off - am an 8 but am finding in more and more places their sizes are on the snug side.

I'm an 8 too and also find this. I've also found that many shops now equate a size 8 with a eu 41. I'm definitely a 42.

ChristAndHisBike · 10/08/2023 22:48

ASOS, Koi and Ego also have larger sizes than an 8 if you need trendy or cheap and cheerful vegan leather plastic shoes (in fairness ASOS do have a few pairs of leather ones usually.

I remember being a size 8 in the 80s and being stuck with shoes only a nun would wear until I found DMs (my first pair were £24.99 from Famous Army Stores!)

DutchCowgirl · 10/08/2023 22:43

Size 43 here. I like Vans and Asics and dr Martens. I cant wear any high heels so most fashion shoes are not for me. I am quite tall and high heels make me even taller which makes me so uncomfortable.

IncognitoPanda · 10/08/2023 22:23

On a separate note why are shoes getting bigger ? Been a 43/9 for 20+ years (and properly measured for a sports shoe) and all of a sudden can buy the odd pair of 7s! That was unthinkable just a few years ago

LoveMySituation · 10/08/2023 22:12

I'm a size 11, even as a child we'd have to go to the next county for the one shop I could get shoes in. Now, needless to say, I've not been in an actual shoe shop for years..

cardibach · 10/08/2023 22:11

Sorry @namechangingplatypus I’ve quoted the wrong person! I was trying to support your view. In UK 9 is 43.

cardibach · 10/08/2023 22:08

namechangingplatypus · 10/08/2023 19:50

9 is 41 or 42.

Are you American? 41 (which is the size that fits me best) is usually considered either a 7 or 7½ in the UK.

No it isn’t

Mainstream women's shoes only going up to a size 8
cardibach · 10/08/2023 22:03

I’m a 9.5/10. All my shoes are either DMs or Birkenstocks. Luckily I don’t like heels, because that would be an issue. Nobody else sells shoes the right size for me.

SgtBilko · 10/08/2023 21:46

FuzzyPuffling · 10/08/2023 18:30

I'm a 42. That's an 8 to me, but obviously not to many shoe manufacturers. I have the additional issue of narrow feet. Long does not mean wide. I don't want boats.

You are my foot twin!

SgtBilko · 10/08/2023 21:43

KirstenBlest · 10/08/2023 17:47

9 is 41 or 42.
I'm usually a 5 but depending on the shoe I might be a 4 or a 6.

Read more at: https://www.shoesizingcharts.com/

42 is an 8. Believe me, I know. A 41 is not an 8 even though some sellers like to flog them as an 8.

SgtBilko · 10/08/2023 21:39

MissBuncle1 · 10/08/2023 21:22

You all want Otto and Ivy! Brilliant shoes for 8 and above.

Not my style at all.

Original poster
AlwaysFreezing · 10/08/2023 21:37

MissBuncle1 · 10/08/2023 21:22

You all want Otto and Ivy! Brilliant shoes for 8 and above.

Some good stuff I've never seen before here, thanks for the link.

Not the cheapest tho!

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 10/08/2023 21:28

I'm 5'8" so not overly tall.

Mens shoes are no good at all to me, not even trainers or Doc Martens, as they are built on a different last, which is far too wide for me.

And why, as a woman, who likes nice footwear as much as anyone, would I even be consigned to the men's department.

MissBuncle1 · 10/08/2023 21:22

You all want Otto and Ivy! Brilliant shoes for 8 and above.

Barleymilk · 10/08/2023 21:21

I'm a 9. It's so hard to find in the high street. Hotter has shut down and they were my go to but after a quick look in shoe zone I found some sandles which came in a 9 and are pretty good,plus comfy.

Mary46 · 10/08/2023 21:19

Some asda styles in 9s. Wary of Next they too narrow. Im 9 too. Penneys primark do some wide fits in 42 and 43.

dramoy · 10/08/2023 21:17

How tall are you all? I'm size 6 at 5'11", I think my DDs will be taller than me so now I'm worrying about shoes

I'm 5ft 9 & a 5.5/6, small bone structure.

SgtBilko · 10/08/2023 21:09

bobotothegogo · 10/08/2023 17:25

And in many places their sizing is off - am an 8 but am finding in more and more places their sizes are on the snug side.

Yes I find this. I’m a 42 and an 8 but sometimes I’ve ordered sn 8 to find it is a 41. I’ve hot narrow feet with a high instep so a wide fitting is no use to me. It’s very frustrating buying shoes so I live In Birkenstocks.

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