What to wear on my massive feet?!

[OrangeKettle]

Please help me!

I’ve lost weight (I was obese this time last year).

Last year I was dressing older than my years. I looked frumpy. Lived in dresses and white trainers. The horror 😂

This year, I want to dress more nicely. I have some wide leg jeans which I love.

But what do I wear with dresses?!

Im 6’ tall, so prefer no heels. White trainers are apparently out. I have big feet (size 9) and also ugly feet. So hesitant to wear flat sandals that would make my feet look bigger and expose them!

I can’t win, can I?!

I’m 5ft 9 and size 8. I’m a fan of Vivaia, square toe flat. Very comfy and the square toe is flattering on a larger foot.

I’m 5ft 5 and a size 9, I’ve been this height and shoe size since I was 10 and I’m now 48. Choice has got much better over the years and there’s so much available but I do prioritise comfort over everything.

I live in sandals and Birkenstocks for as long as I can. I was so happy that my 15 year old daughter’s feet stopped growing at a size 6 because my ds is in a size 13 which he’s been in since he was 13 years old.

OP, what's your budget - & what are you in European sizing, as different makes say 9 equals 42/42.5/43?

I think that a few things really help to make feet look better/neater/smaller. I know some people have an aversion to showing their toes - but, assuming you don't, always have painted toenails in summer. Bright or rich or darker muted tones though. Unpainted toenails, or pale pinks/neutrals will visually lengthen your feet (as will pale/neutral-coloured footwear).

If you want your feet to look smaller, I would also avoid several of the styles shown above - the toe-post styles that expose the front of the foot. They might be comfy but they're not flattering, & make feet look both larger & longer.

One of the best styles recommended by a PP, which will visually shorten your feet really well, is the Air & Grace Gala (Birkenstock type in a wide two-bar style). Most Birkenstocks will also work well, if you avoid the toe-post styles.

These came to mind too - the caged front will help shrink the look of the foot. But they're expensive & their 9 is a 42 not 43. They come in tan or gold.

https://www.meandem.com/caged-t-bar-sandal-gold

Size 9 and extra wide here which limits me even more. I'm mainly sporting some Dunlop purofort wellies for work which are comfortable but I guess that's not quite what you're after 😂
I wear Skechers trainers and some of their Sandals and find their sizing comes up big so can wear an 8.
I do like Sargasso & grey for smarter wear although they are £££, they do have a preloved section on their site too.

Air & Grace also have lots of lovely styles, flat or with low heels. Pointed toes are generally lengthening, whereas round or square toes will shorten the look of the foot. However, the couple of flat styles here are a gentle almond toe, not exaggerated.

https://airandgracelondon.com/products/loulou-chocolate-brown-leather-pointed-flats

https://airandgracelondon.com/products/anais-navy-suede-bronze-leather-pointed-t-bar-flats

Mary-Janes or flat pumps work well when they're cut high on the foot. Like these ones from Air & Grace.

https://airandgracelondon.com/products/lottie-chocolate-brown-suede-studded-mary-jane

Otto & Ivy have some really nice styles - more current-looking than some of the other brands recommended, IMO. Loafers, various Mary-Jane & ballerina styles etc that would go with trousers/jeans/dresses & skirts.

https://ottoandivy.com/

A few more Otto & Ivy.

You have to wade through a fair few somewhat old-fashioned styles, but there are some really nice flats suitable for wearing with dresses or trousers here.

https://crispinsshoes.com/

Scandi & Dutch shoe brands will usually be a good choice.

Anonymous Copenhagen have really gorgeous shoes. On the costlier side, but worth it for comfort & stylishness.

https://www.anoncph.co.uk/

More of theirs. The range of colours & styles is huge. Worth looking out for your size on eBay/Vinted/Vestiaire as they do come up every so often. Their trainers/sneakerinas (God I hate that word!) are great too.

@EleanorMc67 Those shoes look amazing! Thanks for the link.

Thanks @EleanorMc67 , Otto & Ivy are new to me. I’ve bought from After 8 Shoes before and they have a good selection.

I am a fan of Birkenstock Mayari sandals
https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/mayari-birko-flor/mayari-birkoflormetallic-birkoflor-273395-eva-w_3651.html?dwvar_mayari-birkoflormetallic-birkoflor-273395-eva-w__3651_width=N&dwvar_mayari-birkoflormetallic-birkoflor-273395-eva-w3651_size=225

Rose gold, size 9

My daughter is a size 9-she has onitsuko tiger trainers which are slim and light weight and make her feet look smaller than her adidas. Lots of ballerina style slim trainers about just now that are similar-puma speed cats etc. She is very paranoid about her big feet so has tested the market extensively!

Birkenstock Boston Clogs? Really popular in the SE.

I feel your pain..I'm a slim 43. I buy a 44 in some brands such as Remonte
I love Crispins ...when I lived in London I'd go twice a year to stock up.
I'm retired so live in trainers or chunky boots...got rid of all my formal shoes. Otto and Ivy quality is excellent.

After 8, Magnus and Cinderella shoes all reliable.

If it makes you feel any better I’m a 7.5/8 and need wide fit, if I was tall too I wouldn’t mind so much but I’m 5ft 3!
Every outfit I buy has to start with the shoes, I’ve bought beautiful dresses in the past that I’ve never actually worn because I can’t get the footwear right.

Have a look here-some great ideas-

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5381719-ladies-with-big-feet?reply=146223227

Also 5'11, size 8, lost 8 stone over the last year..
I wear the 'suede effect' trainers in navy, maroon etc, Birkenstocks, vans with skirts/dressers and loafers with wide leg jeans.

I have size 8 and just embrace white trainers. I like them and don't dare about changing fashion. If it's hotter, I have some Merrell sandals which are extremely light and comfortable and go up to size 9.

I agree that Mary Janes look huge on big feet! They are not for me!

Often I go to TKMaxx and just try on everything.

I hadn't come across Otto & Ivy before. Some of those are lovely!

I like Esska shoes, but they are not all available in size 9 (EU 43) and those that are theoretically available are often out of stock. It's very frustrating.

https://esskashoes.com/collections/flats?sort_by=created-descending&filter.v.option.sizes=43+%28UK9%29

Not the slip ons though, I'm only a size 6 so can't advise OP, but they look like clown shoes on me and, I think, a lot of other women. Lace ups on the other hand, I have a couple of taller female friends who are 5'10, 5'11 and take a size 9 or 10 shoe, and they look great in the lace ups.

Stock levels of size 9s at both esska and air and grace are really frustratingly poor