Page 5 | Hate having big feet

PoppiCan · 2026-09-22T10:32:47+00:00

Anyone else? I have size 8 feet and I really hate it! They are huge and sometimes I have to get a 9 if the shoes are tight, I’ve always hated having such big feet as a woman, im not tall either so it’s not even in proportion, even my daughter has got my big feet as shes 9 with size 5 woman’s feet, I dread to think what size she will end up as, gone are all the pretty young girls shoes as most dont go up as big so shes 9 having to wear adult shoes, finding nice school shoes is hard. AIBU to hate having big feet!

TallagallaPenguin · 22/09/2026 14:24

You’re not being unreasonable to feel how you feel, but please whatever you do don’t say any of this at all to your daughter. It’s by no means inevitable that everyone with big feet hates them - I’ve got massive wide feet and while I find it very annoying and inconvenient, I don’t hate them or feel they look ugly / manly. My youngest also has my massive feet and we have cheerful moans about how tricky it can be to find what we want, in solidarity, but I would never want to give them the impression that a part of them they can’t alter is inherently ugly and wrong.

AlwaysExtraHot · 22/09/2026 14:06

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 22/09/2026 11:44

I have big feet. I’m 5’5’’, and my feet are 41, which now seems to be considered an 8 (‘twas a 7 - 7.5 when I was younger). My feet were this size when I was 11, so your DD isn’t necessarily doomed to have huge feet.

It’s a bit irritating - made worse by the fact that my feet are very wide.

What I find confusing is that when I was a teenager, back in the late 80s, it was really hard to find women’s shoes in my size - shops often only stocked to 40, and 41s had to be ordered in. But by the time I was in my twenties there were loads of 41s and 42s - I could even pick up my shoes in the sales. Now it seems that most shops stop at 40 again.

However, today lots of people only wear trainers/casual shoes, meaning that men’s shoes are a realistic option. It’s only tricky for going out shoes, or smart shoes.

my feet are 41, which now seems to be considered an 8 (‘twas a 7 - 7.5 when I was younger).
I hate this! Also, although in some places an 8 is 41, in others it's 42. It's particularly unhelpful if you're buying shoes on Vinted etc as they don't always give UK and Euro measurements.

BCBird · 22/09/2026 13:48

Mine a 9. It a pain in the ass. The choice is pitiful. The ones recommended are often mega expensive. Add to this plantar fasciitis and bunions and u can see why it a nightmare

bigkey2020 · 22/09/2026 13:45

Rainingasusual · 22/09/2026 13:04

Think it's worth remembering there's less than 1cm difference between each uk shoe size. We've been conditioned to think women with size 9 feet have got massive feet, it's only 3.5 cm longer than a size 5.

This is a good perspective 👏

bigkey2020 · 22/09/2026 13:43

I was a size 8 foot aged between 16-20 but weirdly my feet seem to have shrunk. For the last 20 years I've been a 7 or 7.5 in trainers. Glad to no longer be an 8. Lol. A friend of mine is 6ft tall with size 5 feet!

user1478639495 · 22/09/2026 13:37

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:46

Ah I remember going shopping with an ex bf and he wanted to buy me some shoes so I told him I was a 7 as I was far too embarrassed to say 8 luckily I just told him I didn’t see any I liked to avoid trying them on.

Show quote history

So glad it’s not just me 🙈😂

ShortColdandGrey · 22/09/2026 13:30

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:04

Now thats starting to sound like a fetish 🤭😂

Show quote history

😂

RandomTrivia · 22/09/2026 13:21

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:14

Ooooh thanks for the link.

I can also recommend: https://ottoandivy.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4VK3raYXsJhebTwgqCf6NzqjzEKe-bbiM-yJKurJOABUwVOTvNR

Show quote history

Brilliant. Thanks!

DaisyZulu · 22/09/2026 13:20

My DD got lovely size 5.5 school shoes from Clarkes Kids range.

I also have size 8 feet. I am height 5ft 8 or 9 though and my shoe size isnt an issue FOR.ME. I hope DD feels the same as she will likely be a 8/9

NewGoldFox · 22/09/2026 13:15

You can hate it but it’s not going to change the size of your feet.
If your feet are functional and pain free that’s a win, people aren’t really looking at your feet.
(from a fellow size 8/ 42)

CherryKerry · 22/09/2026 13:15

YANBU to hate a part of your body, not much anything you can do about though.

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:14

RandomTrivia · 22/09/2026 13:12

I don't really consider 8 large.

I had a miserable childhood in the 80s with size 10 feet from the age of 10 - so I do sympathize - but things are better now. DD also has impressively big feet. Try this shop: After 8 shoes

Also, German-made women's shoes often go up to larger sizes. The UK high street is now useless (having been OK for a while), although there are some shops in London stocking West African fashion shoes which sell in larger sizes. (Going to Senegal or The Gambia probably isn't an option for you OP, but just in case it's easy to get larger sizes there.)

Ooooh thanks for the link.

I can also recommend: https://ottoandivy.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4VK3raYXsJhebTwgqCf6NzqjzEKe-bbiM-yJKurJOABUwVOTvNR

Size 8 Women's Shoes | Size 9 Women's Shoes | Size 10 | Size 11 | 12

Otto + Ivy creates stylish, feminine shoes for women who wear UK sizes 8–12 or Europeans sizes 42-46. Discover beautifully made flats, heels, boots & sandals designed to fit and flatter. Free UK delivery & easy returns.

https://ottoandivy.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4VK3raYXsJhebTwgqCf6NzqjzEKe-bbiM-yJKurJOABUwVOTvNR

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:12

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:20

And I want smaller more feminine looking feet, I hate that my feet are men’s sizes 😂 I guess everyone wants something different

Show quote history

Maybe it’s necessary to change the way you think about it? I don’t view my feet as men’s sizes as I am not a man. I am simply a woman of a certain foot size which is longer than the average woman.

Equally I am not a man’s height. I am a woman so I have a woman’s height which is simply taller than average.

And I never look at challenges of getting footwear as a problem caused by my feet but a problem caused by designers and manufacturers not catering to society.

RandomTrivia · 22/09/2026 13:12

I don't really consider 8 large.

I had a miserable childhood in the 80s with size 10 feet from the age of 10 - so I do sympathize - but things are better now. DD also has impressively big feet. Try this shop: After 8 shoes

Also, German-made women's shoes often go up to larger sizes. The UK high street is now useless (having been OK for a while), although there are some shops in London stocking West African fashion shoes which sell in larger sizes. (Going to Senegal or The Gambia probably isn't an option for you OP, but just in case it's easy to get larger sizes there.)

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:08

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:03

To clarify I just meant kids school shoes, I have to buy her adults which just aren’t as childlike shes only 9!

Show quote history

Yes I know that’s what I meant. We always had our annual clarks shoe shopping session (plus others) and I always managed to get kid shoes. I was banned from wearing boots / adult shoes, although it may have been shoes aimed at older children. Seems like things have gone backwards in that regard.

dizzydizzydizzy · 22/09/2026 13:04

I always hated my big feet (size 9) until somebody said to me that having big feet and hands is good for swimming (I was a triathlete). That one comment changed my perspective.

Rainingasusual · 22/09/2026 13:04

Think it's worth remembering there's less than 1cm difference between each uk shoe size. We've been conditioned to think women with size 9 feet have got massive feet, it's only 3.5 cm longer than a size 5.

ChequerToRed · 22/09/2026 13:04

I’m 5’8 with size 8 feet. The annoying thing for me is that shops still haven’t caught up with stock levels; the larger sizes sell out quickly which is why sale racks are always crammed with sizes 5 and down. Certain types of shoes are a big no-no, too, such as some flatforms and anything in white.

Original poster

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:04

ShortColdandGrey · 22/09/2026 13:00

Chop the tops of your toes off and send them to me 😂

Show quote history

Now thats starting to sound like a fetish 🤭😂

OP posts:

Original poster

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:03

Shouldbedoing · 22/09/2026 12:58

How tall are you, OP?

5ft 4

OP posts:

Original poster

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:03

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:01

I am surprised at people struggling to find school shoes though. I was a size 6 (39) at 11 and don’t recall struggles with school shoes? Have things changed for the worse?

To clarify I just meant kids school shoes, I have to buy her adults which just aren’t as childlike shes only 9!

OP posts:

Original poster

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 13:02

Happymchappyface · 22/09/2026 12:53

I’m a size 9 (I’m also close to 6’). I HATED getting school shoes. There was a period when I was late primary/early secondary when it was really tough. Nothing suitable for school in my size.

sympathies @PoppiCan its shit.

Thanks! Getting annoyed with “oh but she can get trainers” well in our area the girls dont wear trainers to school and once she’s in secondary they are not even allowed! She has wide feet so even standard woman’s dont fit her

OP posts:

sandwalk · 22/09/2026 13:01

I'm 41 and it's generally a 7.5, I always look for 41 rather than 7 or 8 so they fit. 7 can be 40/41 and 8, 41/42.

JHound · 22/09/2026 13:01

I am surprised at people struggling to find school shoes though. I was a size 6 (39) at 11 and don’t recall struggles with school shoes? Have things changed for the worse?

ShortColdandGrey · 22/09/2026 13:00

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:20

And I want smaller more feminine looking feet, I hate that my feet are men’s sizes 😂 I guess everyone wants something different

Show quote history

Chop the tops of your toes off and send them to me 😂