Why don't shoe companies tell you what last they used?

[BliniLover]

I'm a size 6 but I only fit maybe 10% of the size 6 shoes in Clarks (for example). The other 90% are too wide in the ball of foot, or too narrow in the mid foot, etc. So they obviously have a few different lasts they use. It would be so useful if they told you on their website which shoes had been modelled on which lasts, and you could search for shoes made on a last which matches your foot shape. Maybe the 'Daisy' last would fit me really well, so I could search other shoes modelled on Daisy.
They could even have printable foot outlines of their lasts so you could stand on them and have a good guess. Surely this would reduce the number of online returns?

Is there a reason they don't do this? I saw a programme on how Dr Martens are made once, and it would definitely work for their manufacturing process anyway.

Simple and brilliant op.

I’ve no idea why retailers cannot get to grips with the needs of the online consumer - we need more measurements, and at a minimum information on the height and weight of the models. We need photographs of different angles - not weird crouches and moody expressions.

This is a great idea! I am a woman graced with flippers in lieu of feet and this would help me so much!

As others have mentioned, I find the EU shoe size easier to go buy as the UK size can be different across the board!

I actually resorted to bringing up accurate size guides with measurements for trainers then doing as they suggested and drawing round my feet and measuring it in various places to get trainers that fit!

I still haven't mastered shoes 🤣

@Precipice I totally agree it's laziness/cost-cutting with the clothes, but with shoe lasts they would only have to do it once. It's very minimal effort, and certainly a drop in the ocean compared to measuring neck to hem on every new blouse, for example.

I guess a PP's point about fashion retailers outsourcing manufacturing is probably the reason. You would think they would specify the last they want the shoe made on though, as if manufacturers just used a random one it would change the design of the shoe surely 🤷
I mean, I'm not expecting eg Boohoo to do this. But I don't think it's unreasonable for eg Clarks to do it. Retailers who only really sell their own brand I mean.

Seriously Ive given up saying Im size 5, Im wearing size 3 in one brand, 5 in another, 4 in another. I just go in and try on

Same as clothes sizing, coat last year - 18, this year a 12. Ok Ive lost a bit but 3 sizes? Not a ruddy mission

@BliniLover I have had a pair of Paul Green shoes many years ago and they were great. I’d completely forgotten about the brands so thank you very much for recommending them.

@spanishviola No problem 😊 Paul Green have an identical heel fit on every last that they use. They only ever change the front of the last 😊 so hopefully you still find them a good fit 😊