What has happened to shoes recently?

[Wallabyone]

I've been looking for a pair of mid-heel, comfortable sandals for a christening and two weddings I have coming up. My feet are a size bigger than usual, and wider too.

It seems as though Carvela/Kurt Geiger/Miss KG and Dune have taken over everything and merged into one. So many of the shoes are synthetic, it's hard to find leather, and the cut across the front is ridiculously narrow and cuts the circulation off to the toes

I went to Brent Cross today and found nothing I could actually wear and be comfortable in, without being incredibly frumpy.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Try fitflops, they're so comfortable that I've got three pairs and I can walk for miles in them.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/

I think Clark’s do two width fittings. They may be worth a look.

I was going to say, go for Clark's. Leather, breathable and supremely comfortable!

How do you feel about wedges? I recently bought the maiden Cross strap wedges from office and they're so soft, they're like wearing gloves. They are a mid heel but they also do the same style in a high heel (Holiday) or a low heel (hallie) and they do several colours in each www.office.co.uk/view/search?search=maiden+cross+strap+wedge

I think shoes have gone the same way as clothes, cheap and cheerful but the quality is suffering. I've definitely had to go up a width fitting since having kids too.

Fashion World online do wide shoes, they have some like the office ones mentioned above but in a low wedge

I agree - kurt Geiger and other similar high street fashion brands used to be good quality, but no longer - many are made from synthetic materials, including something called bonded leather, which isn't real leather at all...

Agreed about Dune/ carvela/ KG they seem to be cut very low at the front so no good for those of us with bunions!

I never used to have wide feet but now find I often have to buy "wide" sizes, especially in a sandal

Thanks all. I had a look at Clarks, but they were too casual really. The leather situ is ridiculous; the prices don't seems to reflect the synthetic and cheap materials used either! I'm hoping I go back to my usual size once the baby arrives, and width too!