Size 42 shoes

[mistressploppy]

I'm a really annoying in-between size in shoes - size 8 but a big 8, size 42 european. Loads of shops/websites etc seem to do 8/41. But I'm too small for the special 'large sizes' shoe websites.

I've had some luck in Clarks, Next and M&S but does anyone have any other ideas?

I am in the same boat, and I know how hard it is. To add to it I have flat feet & so I have to wear orthotics, so not all shoes my size will even work for me. I've started buying Hotter & Gabor as these are able to combine generous sizes with comfort...but they lack a bit on looks.

The three shops you mention are the only three I really bother with - to be honest it's mainly M&S as I can't be arsed hanging about in shoe shops that don't have their stock on the shop floor for you to see instantly whether they have your size or not, because invariably they never do have any 42s in the stockroom. Sorry, little rant there - I hate buying shoes.

So I tend to stick with M&S for in-store purchases, and Clarks online (my local Next is very small so not much stock on display). If I had the budget (I did pre-kids, sob) I'd throw Hobbs into the mix, they were always good for proper size 8s.

www.laredoute.co.uk stock bigger sizes - I've had 42 and 43 from there and they've been fine.

New look are good for 42 size on a budget

I was in Shoon the other day and saw a few 42s on the sale rack.

i had never realised anyone would sell a 41 as an 8. what rubbish! but yes i do get my shoes mostly from clarks, or proper walking boots

Simply Be do loads of stuff in bigger wider sizes. Some of it can be a bit twee but there can be some good finds too.

Evans?

Boden and ASOS. Up to a 42

Boden go up to a 42, they can be pricey, normally there are a few on eBay though.

Brantano! They go up to a size 10 for women. I am also a size 42 and it's the first place I've ever had a choice of shoe.

I'm a proper 8/42.

I have had a lot of success with White Stuff, Dr Marten and Timberland. DM and Timberland both do "fashion" ranges as well as the workboots for which they are known.

Land's End is great too for work shoes. You need to order in US sizes. There is a conversion chart on their website. I get a US 10.

Boden 42 is too small for me. Their shoes tend to be very narrow.

Brilliant suggestions, thanks so much everyone

BikeRunSki, have you bought from White Stuff recently? I like some of theirs but the reviews suggest their shoes are coming up small nowadays

Zara size 9s are a size 42.

Size 9 - sob. What nonsense, everyone knows 42 = size 8

I am also a proper size 42/8. Are Next sizes proper too or do I need to go up a size? And, Zara, really - do they go up to a 43? I have never seen bigger than a 41.

Evans sizes are very generous. I'm an 8 everywhere else but a 7 in Evans.
Ooh. That rhymes! :)

Myotherdog - if you order a size 8 in Zara you will get a size 41.

I meant that their size 9s are size 42.

So if you're looking for a 42 don't bother ordering an 8, it's the 9 you want. Not that they do every style in a size 9 anyway, so don't get too excited, but the ones that they do are lovely and fit me perfectly.

I'm confused.

Have the powers-that-be been messing around with shoe sizes?

I have always been a size 8. That is a 41.

Now you're all saying an 8 is a 42?

Not always ruby - it depends where you shop (annoyingly)

lol i am also confused
a 41 is a 7 1/2?

is it the weird uk men/women thing? where the men's sizes used to be called a bigger number
eg a woman's size 7 was a man's size 8
or was it the other way round?

I feel your pain! I'm a 42 8 rather than the 41 8s that so many shoe shop stock

Converse are great for trainers, their 8s fit me really well.

Dorothy Perkins do 8s as 42s last time I looked and for the summer Birkenstocks are another option.

Always been an 8/42, I find Boden too narrow too.
I tend to stick to Next and Russell & Bromley.