Can other people actually just buy shoes online?

[Konstantine8364]

When I go shopping for any shoes other than maybe flat, ankle boots I would have to try on maybe 5 or 6 pairs to get one that fit, then I might not like them on. So I probably try on 10+ pairs to buy one pair. So I always buy shoes in person as it would be mad to order 10 pairs. Do I have weird deformed feet or is this normal?! My friend today said she just orders shoes online, maybe 2 or 3 pairs and will pretty much always buy one or two from that.

YABU - most shoes in my size will fit
YANBU - I have to try on quite a lot of shoes to find comfortable ones

@LakieLady I feel your pain; my local ( very affluent) town used to have independent shoe shops, Jones, Ecco, Clarks and House of Fraser shoe department , as well as shoes being sold in several boutiques. Now there is only Clarks, which has moved to the out of town shopping park, and Shoezone or some such. There is a very upmarket shop which has a small range of Uggs and lovely Fairfax and Fowler type boots.
I rarely find anything in those shops do last week I traveled to John Lewis where the shoe department seemed, like all departments, to be a shadow of its former self. I found one pair of boots that I liked, there was only one pair left which, miraculously, fitted. Is this a similar situation for most people ?

I'd be something like a 2J if my shoe size was invented. I'm not wasting money and time on online buying £££ of torture devices in umpteen sizes before decreeing that they're all awful.

I'm usually found in size 4-5 wide fit with at least a spare inch at the end.

At least age has taught me (painfully) that 95% of styles will never work.

The benefit of buying my size 2 Birkenstocks in person is that the shoe shop had a hole puncher to put the extra holes in the straps for me.

I buy one brand only as their shoes help my backache. They always fit and I buy a couple of pairs online each year. However, I've got straightforward feet, no problems or issues with them. If I had the problems some of my friends have, corns, bunions, fungal things, etc, online wouldn't suit.

I can but I always read and take notice of reviews. Next had a pair of ankle wellies that were perfect but all the reviews said they were unwearably narrow so I went to the shop to try them on and yes, they were way too narrow.

@Konstantine8364 - YANBU. I live in Skechers and currently have 5 pairs - one for work and 4 for everyday use. Sizes are 1x3; 2x3.5 and 2x4 - and they are all the same no-laces/slip on style.

Although I’m the same with clothes tbh. I bought a pair of wide leg elasticated trousers from Tesco last week (after trying on DDs) - they are size 8 but my current jeans/jeggings are size 14! Also have tops ranging from size 10 to size 16 depending on style and I buy 90% from Next, M&S and Mint Velvet.

DD (25) is a very lean, 5’8 smallish boobs and gets nearly everything online and it all looks amazing on her. I, on the other hand, am 5”1, 2.5 stone overweight (have just lost half a stone yay) and big boobs so I really need to try things on!

I’m the same but with high arches, I said further up that Tamaris work for me. A podiatrist recommended Fly but I don’t find them very comfortable personally.

Always go in store. For shoes and clothing.

Thankfully where I live, in store shopping is still the main way to shop. And mostly everything will be in store to try on.

I am a funny shape and have fussy feet, so I dread to think what will happen if we move over to mainly online shopping.

My adult dd came to visit recently, and it was really nice to go off to mall and have a look around, try on random items, stop for lunch etc. Its been a while since I have done that and it was a really nice day.

There seem to be a lot of us with narrow heels. I find that most loafers are like flip flops on me and being a pretty standard size 6 is meaningless because most size 6 shoes are just uncomfortable. Unless I am replacing like for like I just can't buy online.

When I bought my last pair of trainers I still had to try loads on before I found some that were comfortable. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.

I have 1 foot a size smaller than the other, so always have to buy in person. The look of confusion on the assistant's face as I ask for the left in a size 7 and the right in a size 6 does make it worth it though.

I have no issues - a size 6 always fits

I didn't know you could buy different size shoes as a pair? Do you go to a specialist shoe store?

I buy lot of shoes online as there is much better choice -and sm always mildly surprised that they usually fit😀😀 Have occasionally had yo stand a pair back , but mostly all good.

With shoes I’m generally fine. It’s bikinis I have a problem with. I needed a couple new ones for a holiday last year and ordered and returned so many! I tried looking in stores too but couldn’t find any I liked at a reasonable price.

Thank you I'll check them out! I bought some from JD William that fit but such soles. I might look into what I can add to them.

Have you tried any of the newer Mary Jane styles. They can look really pretty. I tried a few pairs from Otto and Ivy but they dug in at the front.

My shoes range from UK7-UK10. Anything labelled 43 is usually right! I think I'm about a UK8.5. Definitely bigger than a "standard" 8, but there doesn't seem to be much consistency in sizing above a 7.

I’m a 5.5. Most online companies don’t do half sizes. If anyone knows of a company that does please let me know!

La Redoute and Rubbersole do good deals on them, and depending on the shoe they have different insoles.

Sorry @Jaehee i realise i didn't finish my sentence there- i meant having a cobbler add them to them to the sole but I'm sure I'll never get round to it!
I see my nice shoes in the Tamaris, thanks so much! I have to commit to spending money on them I guess. I am terrible at returning things so currently have some sitting in my hallway from black friday to return. They fit but look really orthopedic.

This thread does make me feel 'seen' as the kids say! I'd rather buy in person but no one stocks my size(s).

Honestly, you’re not alone! Most of us need to try a bunch before finding the right fit — everyone’s feet are shaped differently, so it’s totally normal. Online shopping can be tricky unless you already know your size in that brand. I usually order from trusted sites like Ubuy since they have clear size charts and easy return options for international brands. But if comfort matters most, trying shoes in-store first is still the best bet — then you can reorder online once you know what fits you best.