what shoes to wear with jeans apart from ballet flats? (And where to get them? Size 9/43 foot)

[OccultGnuToo]

Help me oh style and beauty gurus.

I'm aged mid-fiftes and mainly live in jeans when not at work especially when socialising. Jeans with boots get me through winter but as the weather gets warmer I need another option.

I'm 5'10, don't mind a bit of a heel up to 2 1/2 or 3 inches but want to avoid anything too high (5 inch heel court shoes for example) as I'm already far enough out of the ground. Plus I'm worried there may be a certain "mutton dressed as lamb" element if I go too tall and I also know I develop that knock-kneed bum sticking out walk that doesn't look good.

I also wish to avoid brogues as (personal opinion alert) they look too masculine on me, they look great in smaller sizes on shorter ladies but once you get to a size nine they just look like boats. Apologies in advance to any size 9 brogue wearers out there.

I like ballet flats but they don't give a lot of support so need to find alternatives.

AND can you point me towards shops/suppliers - most of the usual shoe shops still seem to be unaware that any women with feet above a size eight exist. And I am definitely a nine. AND a nine is a 43 in European measurement, not a 42 as New Look and others seem to believe. (I'll stop before a soap box rant develops.)

I realise this is a big ask, nice shoes that don't make my feet look massive, can be bought in high street shops and look good with skinny/straight jeans. And don't make me look like I'm trying to be 18 from the ankles down.

Yes they do online and free delivery at the moment I think.
There's After Eight in Bath...online. Lots of Gabor.

I'm a size 9 (and tall!) although I tend to order online rather than buy on the high street. Generally I wear converse or cheap supermarket knockoffs (there's little difference in mens and womens apart from colour so I just pick from their section) but go for low heeled boots to look dressier. Clarks does 9s for a lot of its range but they seem to have to be ordered into shops most of the time, so I just order online. Evans is good, but you have to watch out for widths as sometimes they can be a bit wide.

I really like those shoes Savage has posted... Think I might have to go google!

Don't forget marks and spencer do size 9 EU43.

Right - some hours of online research later there is a pair on Simply Be and some at Next that might do the trick, can't do links but they are flat but with ankle straps and look more robust than the ballet flats. But with pointed toes which can be risky with big feet.

Either they'll do the trick or my new nickname at the pub quiz will be "Flipper" (harsh fashion critics that they are). Wish me luck...

Was going to recommend Superga - they are more comfortable for wider feet than Converse, and are a great casual Spring/Summer shoe with jeans. All sorts of colours available - I have a khaki pair and a grey leopard pair.

I sold my size 43 Supergas on eBay because the size was too skimpy for my long second toe. Beware of Italian shoes!

Oh for heavens sake - have just realised (D'oh) that there will be delivery charges for some shoes if I order on line. This really gripes, if the shops stocked their full size range I could walk in and try and buy. As it is this is like an additional tax for having big feet.

And they're not even that big! It's not like I'd get a mention in the Guinness Book of Records with a size 9.

So that's lack of high street availability, additional cost to actually try the shoes on, the hassle of returns if they don't fit AND an excess of truly hideous designs and colours we've got to contend with.

Does anyone know if you go into somewhere like Next would they order the shoes in to their branch for you to try without any charge?

(and thanks for the heads up about Superga, I do have a longer second toe which sounds like it might be a problem).

Yes, you can order for free to a Next store.

Try Deichmann shoe shop. I used to shop in their stores in Germany as they had all the larger sizes, for their tall women with big feet must be something in their water
I have one locally now, and they have an XL range in various shoes and boots. I'm a size 8, sometimes a 9 (due to a break in my leg and swelling), never had a problem getting shoes from there.
All the boxes are on show, so no need to ask an assistant to see if they have your size, and wait around ages to be told 'no'

What about a pair of Toms? I think they look great with jeans for casual.

Ah yes, delivery
I've spent £20 before on delivery/ returns and not had a pair of shoes to show for it!!!!