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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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5
gogomoto · 10/08/2023 19:40

My dd1 is a 2.5, dd2 is 3.5 I'm 4.5 ... really hard to get specialist shoes for my girls (well dd2 had to have custom made by her employer!)

Zoologydragon · 10/08/2023 19:35

Ah hello fellow big footed women!!!

Mens size ten here (I've given up with women's due to width). My trainers are a 44.5 I've tried nigh on everywhere imaginable for shoes over the years and it's a blooming nightmare! Evans/yours etc don't fit me at all.

On that note, can we take a moment to be annoyed that shoe makers seem to think that all who are large of flipper will also be wide of calf or ankle?

Shoes have been my nemesis since I was a size 8 at age 11 25 years ago!! (Most fashionable Shoes stopped at a 7 then)

TheBitterBoy · 10/08/2023 19:33

Notbeinfunnehbut · 10/08/2023 18:50

Solidarity OP ,
same size situation here
its soul destroying
also why is it easier to buy “ fashion shoes” in my size rather than trainer/sport shops?

the shop assistants just shrug and say well u can go in the men’s?

I don’t want to I’m not a man , :(

Also, women are not just 'small men'. Mens and womens feet are very different, so offering the mens option isn't the best solution unfortunately.

BookishBabe · 10/08/2023 19:28

9 here. Or 43 (yes, sometimes 9s are a 42 and do not fit).
Honestly I just wear a unisex 9 in converse every single day now.
I have a variety of colours and just pick a pair that matches each dress/outfit.

I was sick of buying pair after pair that were too small even though they were advertised as a 9. Or places just not even stocking up to a 9.
They're comfy at least and I can't walk in heels anyway.

I do have one nice pair of brown brogues in a size 9 by hotter for my fancier days.

ThelmaBorden · 10/08/2023 19:25

BCBird · 10/08/2023 17:25

When I was living in France 35 years sho when I asked for a 43, I was brought men's shoes🙄

we had this problem 25 years ago, had to drive into the city, narrow shoes, expensive, not right for small provincial town cobbles, bought sandals in Carrefour

my gd is age 11 size 7 going into size 8. Her mother and auntie both size 9, tall ladies

we need to share information on this definitely

reminds me of the song Clementine

” herring boxes without topses sandals made for Clementine “

Dramatic · 10/08/2023 19:17

MrFlibblesEyes · 10/08/2023 17:26

Is that not because you're a half size rather than a small size? I'm a 4 and I can get my size absolutely everywhere! There's often more of them on the shelves as fewer people buy them so they don't sell out as quickly!

Show quote history

I was gonna say the same, I'm a 4 and have never ever had a problem buying shoes. And I've never found a shop that doesn't stock size 4

Crumbcatcher · 10/08/2023 19:11

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!

Notbeinfunnehbut · 10/08/2023 18:50

Solidarity OP ,
same size situation here
its soul destroying
also why is it easier to buy “ fashion shoes” in my size rather than trainer/sport shops?

the shop assistants just shrug and say well u can go in the men’s?

I don’t want to I’m not a man , :(

MsAGog · 10/08/2023 18:46

TheSnootiestFox · 10/08/2023 17:42

Absolutely not helpful but just to illustrate the attitude to larger feet, I am a size 8 but went up half a size after each pregnancy and spent a good few years as a size 9. I went to a v. posh Country Living Show in London with my mum, and said to her in a crowd of people 'I just want to look at those shoes as they go up to a size 10.' 2 women in front of us looked at each other wide eyed, pulled a horrified face and burst out laughing and I've been self conscious about my feet ever since. It's not fair as I'm 5ft 9 and would topple over in a strong wind if they were much smaller. Just because I have big feet it does not mean I don't like pretty shoes FFS! Anyway, my go to is Fairfax and Favour as they have size 9 shoes to die for!

Wow, those women were so rude ughh

I've been told my feet are big by a few people. I'm 6ft tall and size 7, so my feet a very much proportional to my size!

Seriously rude to comment on anyhow.

FuzzyPuffling · 10/08/2023 18:46

My happy sandals are Teva classics. ( Apparently they are quite trendy...who knew!) The velcro straps mean I can adjust them to my skinny feet.

But let's be honest, they wouldn't do with a smart outfit.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/08/2023 18:44

I hear you!

I've been a wide 9 since 1985!
I've got no magic bullet though - its all a bit and miss. Clarks do a few styies, I've had some success with Timberland too.

Curiously, when I took dd to get school echoes recentjy, I noticed that StartRite do their girls' school shoes up to a 9. 1- there some patent brogues I quite fancy 2- nice to see recognition that big feet are normal.

PoppityBoo · 10/08/2023 18:42

I have found my people…. Size 9/43 here and fresh from throwing a wobbly in a shoe shop a fortnight ago when I was desperately looking for some nice sandals to buy to take on holiday. Also needed trainers and ended up with men’s sketchers.

It has been this way since I was 16. I honestly thought by now that shoe manufacturers would have caught up with the times.

I’m saving this thread so when I have a chance I can scroll back through and make a note of all the big shoe companies people have mentioned on here!

Maybe we should start a support group…

Swimbius · 10/08/2023 18:35

Ponderingwindow · 10/08/2023 17:37

This is the first I have heard that size 9 is considered large.

Are you outside of the UK? That's the only way this comment can make sense

dramoy · 10/08/2023 18:34

I think sizes have got bigger, I was a 39 which was a 6, now 6 is often a 40 which is too big for me. Plus my feet are wider then when I was young.

almostoverthehill · 10/08/2023 18:33

https://www.evans.co.uk/shoes/

WedRine · 10/08/2023 18:32

I'm an 8 but I feel your pain. Places theoretically sell up to an 8 but rarely have them in stock. The only places I've found reliably have 8s in stock are Next, but they are too wide and flop of the back of my heels when walking, and New Look, which are just rubbish quality and hurt my feet to wear. My sister is a size 3 and now just looks in the children's section.

Leopardchange · 10/08/2023 18:32

Size 9 here and it's a real bugbear of mine too.

dramoy · 10/08/2023 18:30

Russell & Bromley

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.

BakedBeeeen · 10/08/2023 18:28

TheBitterBoy · 10/08/2023 17:28

I am a size 8 and was infuriated a few years ago when I decided to treat myself to a new pair of leather long boots. I went to Jones, saw a style I liked and asked for a size 8, only to be told that sorry all their size 8s in that style were sold out, and would not be restocked. The assistant actually said to me 'you need to come earlier in the season, as all the 8s go quickly' (it was the beginning of September). I said that seemed odd, and asked if they have many people asking for 8s , and she said 'oh yes all the time, but head office still won't stock more in case they don't sell'
I'm lucky as I am actually a true 41, so it's easier for me, but my mum was a size 9 and struggled to find nice shoes her whole life until she found Evans. And even they are gone now.

I’m exactly the same as you - have to buy boots before autumn and sandals before spring to have a chance of my size being stocked.

magicalkitty · 10/08/2023 18:20

Neonyellowfish · 10/08/2023 17:23

Size 9 is pretty big for womens feet. I doubt the store sell many hence not stocking them as they won’t sale them.

My feet are a 7 and I was always told I had big feet.

Same here, I wore a size 7 in secondary school and I was treated like a freak of nature.

Size 7 now is too big for me so I don't think my feet have shrunk, I think the sizes have got bigger in a similar way to clothes.

Original poster
AlwaysFreezing · 10/08/2023 18:19

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 10/08/2023 18:16

Not Next! Small enough company to be outing. I also hate Next shoes.

Show quote history

Oh, sorry in that case! (I mean I was already sorry, but doubly so now!)

I have never really thought about the shoes just being a bit shit. I assumed it was the sizing up that made them shit.

Shame really, at least they try

OP posts:
TheBitterBoy · 10/08/2023 18:18

KirstenBlest · 10/08/2023 18:00

@TheBitterBoy , the first column is american, 2nd on EU, 3rd one UK, 4th on Inches, 5th one cm

10 40-41 8 10.1875" 25.9

I am aware of that. I am saying the site it comes from is a US site. And it is wrong.

BeeBelle16 · 10/08/2023 18:17

Menopausehaver · 10/08/2023 17:16

Size 42/8/7.5 depending on the shop. It’s infuriating. When I ask sales assistants why they don’t have the stock I’ve been told it’s because there’s not much demand. Ie they don’t sell many, not surprising they don’t sell many if they are not in stock, it’s a self fulfilling prophecy. I must be amongst the few women who absolutely hate buying shoes.

Oh my goodness I could have written this post!!!

I was away from home other part of the UK totally misjudged the weather/unexpected sunshine!! So went to local metalan absolutely no size 8 or above
I am an 8

Went to Tesco one pair of shoes suitable for what I needed absolutely not my taste but took them anyway as a means to an end

Local new look again 1 or 2 pairs of 8s

When I asked in Matalan why no 8s or above
Oh we don't seem to sell much of them... ever think of stocking them so you could sell them?

Op I know I'm "lucky" I can usually get 8s but it's a pain and I feel you!

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 10/08/2023 18:16

AlwaysFreezing · 10/08/2023 17:56

I can imagine it's tricky for businesses.

If you're talking about Next, I'm sorry, but the shoes are not good. I don't know if it's a problem with them sizing up or the fashion element, but not a single pair of next 9s has ever fitted me properly. Which means I never, ever buy them...

Show quote history

Not Next! Small enough company to be outing. I also hate Next shoes.

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