is size 8 a big foot?

[Kveta]

I don't mean a yeti.

But if you are a size 8, do you every have difficulty finding shoes that don't look like they are made for clowns?

I was just looking for some nice plain shoes for everyday, and struggling to find them in my size without them being men's shoes/looking Clyde-built. When I was a teenager it was worse, as I used to be sent to the men's shoe section of shops, so at least there are some places that cater for the larger of foot now.

what are the extremes of foot size, would you say, and what size are you? Do you think your feet are big or small?

I'm 5'10 and a size 8 (oh how I wish I was talking about my clothes size!!)

I used to find it hard to find shoes to fit, and felt ashamed to ask for an 8 in a shoe shop as a lot of people used to comment on the size of my feet, and not in a good way. I now think it is much mote the 'norm' to have bigger feet and have no trouble buying them either. It's either that or I am over my silly teenage insecurities and have finally embraced who I am.

Although the first option is more likely

It's good to see how many women with size 8+ feet there are! I'm a size 9 but often find that 9s in places like Topshop are too small. I find myself buying loads of shoes on the internet and sending them back. I tend to get shoes from Office and New Look but wish there was more choice. I always find shoe shopping fairly humiliating with shop assistants trying to persuade me to 'just try' to squeeze my big feet into an 8. I like the look of that Amber and Jade site though.

I have size 9 feet - that's a Eur 43, not a 42 but I'm 5'10 so I guess it works for me too. I used to look really big footed when I was little, but not so much now I'm all grown up.

Oh and my giant norks overshadow my giant feet, so no one really notices them :o

forgot to answer the OP

I do find it difficult to find nice shoes. Next do larger sizes as said above, but I don't always really like them. They're a bit blingy for me sometimes.

I tend to live in boots in winter and flip flops/converses in summer.

Piffpaffpoff, yes, that is soooo annoying! I'm a very wide 8 so quite often, depending on the style, an 8 just won't fit so when they bring a size 7 out instead it really winds me up as I know there's little chance of it fitting but feel I have to squeeze my foot in, Ugly Sister-style, just to prove it.

I remember when I went shopping with DP to buy my first Birkenstocks a few years ago and they did the whole "we don't have any 8s, I brought out some 7s for you" and I did an under-the-breath grumble to DP about stupid shop assistants and then found that, due to Birkenstocks funny sizing, they did actually fit perfectly. DP found it hilarious!

In general I find shoe shopping fine. I tend to prefer flat, clumpy styles anyway (love my DMs and Converse!) so casual and smart shoes are fine. The only time I find it trickier is finding shoes to go with pretty dresses for more formal occasions as I just can't wear dainty shoes. Not really due to the length of my feet, but more because they are so wide so toes tend to poke out of the sides! Also, I have non-existent ankles and fat calves so anything too strappy just looks wrong.

It's much easier than it used to be. Going shoe shopping with my mum and even bigger footed sister would usually end up with us all in tears!

Here is a scenario I am certain you'll be familiar with that gives me The Rage

ER: (cringing slightly at memory of shoe-shopping humiliations past) Excuse me, do you have any of these shoes in an 8 please?

Assistant: An 8 (said louder than necessary and with a slightly curled lip)

ER: Yes please an 8.

Assistant: (Deep and martyred sigh) I'll go and check

10 minutes later

Assistant: The biggest we have is a 5

ER: (leaves shop having deployed Stare of Death and detonated Assistant leaving stain the size of an insole on the floor)

ER, can I go shoe shopping with you please? I'm never very good at deploying the Stare of Death at shoe shop staff.

My other favourite rejection is the " we don't go up that large I'm afraid madam"

Oh yes, the "I've bought some size 7s for you to try"

No point, they won't bloody fit. It's not like clothes, where there's a chance you can squeeze into something by breathing in or not eating for a couple of days.

I don't even bother asking now, I only order online. And only then if I can see that an 8 is actually a proper 8. Oddly, a "man's 8" is always a 42.

It is only in the last few years I have got grumpy confident enough to say ' do you have an 8 in this and I do mean an 8, please dont bring me a 7 because it won't bloody fit.'.

So glad yet sad to know there were other poor souls besides me trudging round at school in 'the only shoes that fitted'. My worst pair were a burgundy pair of Hush Puppy lace up horrors that had tiny holes punched all over the front. It was an attempt a stylishness I think. It didn't work.

my favourite sales argument is the one that goes:

me: (surveying tumbleweed shelves where size 42 shoes should be in M&S, even Marble Arch) Hello? Hello? Do you have any 42s in the back?

Asst: No, if it's not there we've sold out.

Me: But they've sold out in nearly every style. Why don't you stock more 42s?

Asst: Because they don't sell.

Me: WELL, I CAN HARDLY BUY THEM IF THEY'RE NOT HERE. And the same goes for your useless website.

Silent crowd of big-foot ladies behind me: Yes, indeed.