Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hate having big feet

186 replies

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 11:32

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!

OP posts:
Shouldbedoing · 22/09/2026 12:58

How tall are you, OP?

JHound · 22/09/2026 12:55

imnottoofussed · 22/09/2026 11:51

I’m a size 8. I used to hate it but now I’m not bothered. I’m 5’9 so don’t think it’s that noticeable. The only problem is my feet are fairly slim so I struggle in the sense that I need the length but my feet sometimes feel like they are flopping about in the shoe. So I do struggle to find shoes that fit properly.

and yes what’s with the 8 now being a 41. An eight is definitely a 42! So that’s also an issue when you order size 8 from two different places and get a 41 or a 42.

We have shared foot issues! I have slim long feet which makes it even harder. But still much better than when I was younger. Must be more tall women around.

RampantIvy · 22/09/2026 12:54

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.

A 41 is still a woman's 7 or 7.5. It is an 8 in US men's shoes.

LilytheThink · 22/09/2026 12:54

I have size 8 feet and I love them. 5’6”, and I don’t look like a clown. I prefer flatter shoes - I like my feet to be comfortable- so have usually found shoes I like. My friend has size 5 feet and has always worn heels/fashion shoes. Now in our 60s my feet are still in good nick, hers cause her all sorts of problems. Embrace the size of your feet and take care of them. It pays off.

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.

JHound · 22/09/2026 12:51

I must say availability is much better now with online shopping and shops targetted at big footed women.

Hiking boot availability is still piss poor though. Really bad. All the shops never go above an 8 in women’s and push you to just try men’s (despite men’s versions having a typically different Last and more foot volume). And online is barely better. Weird that one of the most important footwear types where correct fit is important has the worst options.
But no, my big feet barely bother me. For some reason they have bothered other women far more than me.

Odd.

ShhhYouDontKnowMe · 22/09/2026 12:50

I’m 5ft6 with size 8 feet and I hear you OP! Stylistically I would prefer a chunkier style shoe or boot but they always look massive on me! And it’s not like I have skinny legs to add to the sense of imbalance - just feel like I have massive feet 😆 ballet flats just don’t give enough support and loafers look awkward. Even a size 7 would feel more manageable.

My youngest looks on track to be similar as she’s a size 6 at age 11. At least I’ll be able to borrow her shoes!

Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:50

Weekmindedfool · 22/09/2026 12:45

I have huge feet. I’m on OnlyFans catering to the big foot fetish crowd. Make a fortune with my feet up.

Honestly?? Can you tell me more? Asking for a friend 🤣

nutbrownhare15 · 22/09/2026 12:49

I'm an 8 and it doesn't really bother me. I can still find shoes in shops although often from a smaller selection

Sartre · 22/09/2026 12:47

My DD is conscious of this because hers are a 8-9 depending on type and brand but she’s also 5 ft 10 so it’s proportional. I’m 5 ft 7 with size 7s which I also consider proportional. It isn’t something I’ve ever felt conscious of. DH was shocked when I told him my feet size because for some reason every woman he’s ever met has size 5 feet so he thought mine were big… I don’t think they are.

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:46

user1478639495 · 22/09/2026 12:42

yes size 7 then up to size 8 (no idea why) and sometimes I need to buy a 9 I’ve always hated and always had a bit of a complex about it, even to the point I used to try and see other sizes people shoes said when I housed most are a size 6. It’s really silly and I think most women our generation are actually a size 7/9 but yes I feel you always been incredibly conscious of it. Once my now sil asked me what size feet I was I said a 7 because i was embarrassed, turns out she was asking for my bf at the time and he brought me some Ugg boots in a size 7….i was an 8 🤦‍♀️

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.

OP posts:
Weekmindedfool · 22/09/2026 12:45

I have huge feet. I’m on OnlyFans catering to the big foot fetish crowd. Make a fortune with my feet up.

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:42

FuzzyPuffling · 22/09/2026 12:38

Yes.
And if you moan about the lack of shoes, the response is often, "You could get men's shoes".

Already had someone saying they wear men’s 😓

OP posts:
user1478639495 · 22/09/2026 12:42

yes size 7 then up to size 8 (no idea why) and sometimes I need to buy a 9 I’ve always hated and always had a bit of a complex about it, even to the point I used to try and see other sizes people shoes said when I housed most are a size 6. It’s really silly and I think most women our generation are actually a size 7/9 but yes I feel you always been incredibly conscious of it. Once my now sil asked me what size feet I was I said a 7 because i was embarrassed, turns out she was asking for my bf at the time and he brought me some Ugg boots in a size 7….i was an 8 🤦‍♀️

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:41

Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:41

Not my experience at all as shops don't usually have many of the very big sizes in stock

Same not my experience either

OP posts:
Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:41

crackofdoom · 22/09/2026 12:38

One plus, though- it's easier to pick up a sale bargain, as all the 5s and 6s sell out first, often leaving the 3s and 8s heavily discounted.

Not my experience at all as shops don't usually have many of the very big sizes in stock

FuzzyPuffling · 22/09/2026 12:40

crackofdoom · 22/09/2026 12:38

One plus, though- it's easier to pick up a sale bargain, as all the 5s and 6s sell out first, often leaving the 3s and 8s heavily discounted.

I've never found this. There are far fewer 8/9s in the first place, and usually what's left is stunningly ugly.

Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:39

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:37

This isn’t really about not being able to find shoes my size, I do but they are often sold out in the larger sizes. (That was just a moan about DD as can no longer find pretty or girly shoes have to get woman’s which obviously isnt designed with that intention) it’s more how big and ugly and manly they look.

I hear you! And do you know what really pisses me off? When I ask for a size 9 in a shop, and they come back from the stock room saying "sorry, we don't have size 9, but here's a size 7 to try "..WTF?

LostThestral · 22/09/2026 12:39

i'm the opposite with tiny stupid children's feet - make it tricky to balance sometimes & heels are really uncomfortable as all your weight is on a much smaller area

crackofdoom · 22/09/2026 12:38

One plus, though- it's easier to pick up a sale bargain, as all the 5s and 6s sell out first, often leaving the 3s and 8s heavily discounted.

FuzzyPuffling · 22/09/2026 12:38

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:37

This isn’t really about not being able to find shoes my size, I do but they are often sold out in the larger sizes. (That was just a moan about DD as can no longer find pretty or girly shoes have to get woman’s which obviously isnt designed with that intention) it’s more how big and ugly and manly they look.

Yes.
And if you moan about the lack of shoes, the response is often, "You could get men's shoes".

PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:38

Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:33

I absolutely hate my massive feet (I'm 8.5 or sometimes 9)..not only are they big, they're ugly as my big toe nails have fallen off due to many years of running. I never show my feet. I'm also only 5ft 5in so not even tall! Mum, on the other hand, is size 3!

Thats like mine they are not just big but being so big makes them look ugly and they are wide as well so I don’t get them out in the summer and never wear sandals which I would love to be able to but they are hideous

OP posts:
PoppiCan · 22/09/2026 12:37

This isn’t really about not being able to find shoes my size, I do but they are often sold out in the larger sizes. (That was just a moan about DD as can no longer find pretty or girly shoes have to get woman’s which obviously isnt designed with that intention) it’s more how big and ugly and manly they look.

OP posts:
Ihateboris · 22/09/2026 12:35

Oh, and my toes are really long, like fingers.

FuzzyPuffling · 22/09/2026 12:34

I'm a size 42 with narrow feet. Very difficult to get shoes that fit, especially as they get wider as they get bigger, so most are like boats on me and rub blisters.

I was online yesterday browsing a shoe shop...number of pairs I liked- 61. Put in "size 42 filter", number of pairs left- 9. Not so mainstream then.