Has vanity sizing hit boots?

[GettingStuffed]

I need a new pair of boots and OK I only had 2 shops close today . I went first to Deichmann and their 6 is a 40 but 5 is a 38. I couldn't find any 39s and the 38 fitted but a bit snug.

I went to M&S and tried on a size 6 or a 39 , I could have worn pairs of of thick socks in them. I ended up buying a size 5.

I've been a 6 since having my daughter who's now in her 30s. I've never had this problem before.

That does sound odd that both times a 6 didn’t fit. If anything women’s feet often get bigger, often after pregnancy. What is vanity sizing btw?

M&S shoes have been oversized for years.

oh now, I suddenly seem to be a 4 in shoes from being a 5. Russell and Bromley and Boden. So there may be something in that.

Yep and Russell & Bromley are the worst offenders. I’m a true EU36 and need to buy all my shoes from European or American brands - when you’re a 3 there’s nowhere to go down.

M&S shoes have been big for ages. I’m always a 6.5 in there but a 7 everywhere else.

I think shoes and boots are getting wider in standard sizes. I always had to buy wide fitting shoes or at best size up in standard sizes. I now find that standard width shoes fit me most of the time, even in fashion shoes as do my old wide fitting shoes so I'm pretty sure it's not my feet that have changed.

Vanity sizing? Who on earth is wishing that they had smaller feet and being ever so pleased they can fit in a a smaller size? I'm a size 9.5 and yes it would be nice if shoes came up a bit bigger so I could easily shop on the high street, but I'm not going to get a sense of achievement and self satisfaction from fitting in a size 8 and think I was suddenly like a fairy with my teeny feet!