Why do shoe manufactures of wide width women’s shoes only make shoes 2 – 2.5 inches (rarely 3 inch) in heel height? Do you know of a technical reason? I have a wider foot but LOVE the taller heel.

Dear Tamica -

First I must acknowledge that I, myself, do not approve of high heels…. unless you do not plan to walk in them. Wearing 3 inch heels puts SEVEN times more pressure on the balls of your feet than when you are wearing flats. That said, we still approve of giving customers a range of choices for their footwear. Although I can personally hope that the 3+ inch heels are worn primarily while sitting on a bar stool and chatting with admirers.

Naturalizer Beauty Coral is a 3 Inch Wedge High Heel Casual Sandal

The women’s shoe industry works with a lot of impressions about who they think their customers are, but unfortunately, they do not work with a lot of data. If they DID, they would recognize that if they made shoes to size 10 routinely, when size 7 was the average size, then they should be making shoes to size 12 routinely when size 9 is the average size. Alas they don’t.

Aerosoles Soloist Taupe Combo is a Low Casual Flat Available in Size 12

Just yesterday I was chatting with a shoe company executive about wider sizes and larger sizes for dressy shoes. They are still focusing on the size 7-8 medium market and designing platform high heels. He said it is very hard to get their factories to make platform heels for larger and wider sizes. I’m just sayin’ that’s what he said. So you can blame the factories, most likely Chinese owned.

I also suspect that there is an assumption that a wider footed woman is going to be overweight and older. This is where the lack of data comes into play. It is our experience that, while obesity is a huge problem in the US, you can be obese and still wear a medium width shoe. Women with wider feet are more likely to be younger and athletic, with a muscular foot, or with an ethnic heritage that tends toward wider feet. Shoe manufacturers who believe that a wider footed woman is going to be overweight and older, are also going to assume that this woman is not going to want a stylish 3 inch heel.

Naturalizer Ideal Multi Floral is a 3 Inch High Heel Casual Slingback Available in Size 12

There you have it. In my “humble” opinion.

The Shoe Lady

Bella Vita Katie Brown Suede

Bella Vita Sangria Red Silk is a Mid Heel Casual Slingback

Bella Vita Wow Pewter Kidskin is a Mid Heel Dressy Pump

Bella Vita Checkmate Pewter is a Low Heel Casual Mule

Happy Shopping!

My problem is that whenever I buy this size shoe the length and width often fit perfectly but the shape of the shoe never fits my foot! I will try to describe the problem as best I can!

It feels like I need to push my foot further back into the shoe in order to get the contact I need for it to feel comfortable at the arch. This is especially the case with heels, even small ones (I never where high heels, they just hurt too much).

If I try a larger size 3 the arch position feels perfect, but the shoe itself is way to big. I do have rather short toes, I am not sure if this is my problem, or if it is high arches? What can I do to fix it and make wearing heals more comfortable?

I would very much appreciate some help.

Thank you

Dear Gem,

This is exactly the kind of question that keeps The Shoe Lady in business. Why is it that people assume that just because it is easier for manufacturers to think of all feet as being two dimensional objects that only vary by length and width… in per-determined proportions…. that real human feet are also two dimensional!!???

Breathe deeply. Ah. I feel a RANT coming on.

There are 28, TWENTY EIGHT, different measurement dimensions on a human foot. And we generally each have TWO feet. So that’s 56 different measurement points that a shoe should fit in order to fit our feet.

Now to give the shoe industry some credit, when they pick a style, some shoe companies really try to make it fit a lot of different foot sizes and shapes. The folks at DesignerShoes.com love these companies and have a great selection of their shoes. These are companies that will make a given style in 56 different sizes. That’s a lot of work. A lot of manufacturing changes. A lot of possibilities for guessing the wrong amounts to make for each size, etc. So we appreciate their efforts. Who does this? Naturalizer. Antia. Special Occasions. Soft Spots. Trotters. And more.

BUT….. even though they make 56+ sizes, they still are only doing it on variations in length and width.

This is why we all need to really understand our feet and how their shape and size compares to what manufacturers assume to be most common.

I will now tell you the variations in foot shape that are most likely to cause “fit” problems.

• Shorter than average toes
• Longer than average toes
• Thick (top to bottom) feet, including higher arches and more muscular feet
• Wider forefoot, including bunions

If you have any of these, you can still have perfectly healthy, perfectly adorable feet. But you need to be strategic when you shop for shoes.

Without seeing your feet, I am trusting your description. Your toes are shorter than average. If you go to a pedorthist and have your feet measured professionally on a Brannock device, you will find that the foot measurement is always based on the distance from the back of your heel to the BALL of your foot, NOT the tip of your toes! Shoemakers assume you have the standard length of toes for that distance. And you do not. You MUST find shoes that fit the ball of your foot and expect that you will have extra air around your toes.

Ah. I know. There are more challenges. Keeping the shoes on, for example. You might want to look for shoes with “maryjane” straps over the top of the foot; or shoes with a high vamp, like loafers; or shoes with pointed toes. There are alternatives. You could look for more unstructured shoes like canvas espadrilles that do not have last that is designed to fit to the ball of your foot.

Why am I ignoring the “high arch” question? Well clearly I am not!

I have a high arch too. But I haven’t found that it influences the fit of shoes anywhere near as much as the thickness of my forefeet. You do need to pay attention, though. You may need arch supports, especially if you want to wear heels or have shoes you are standing in or walking in for long periods. This, my dear, is beyond my pay grade.

If your arches feel stretched, are cramped, etc., please do 1) massage them regularly and 2) see a specialist who can tell you if you need arch supports.

I am tempted to ask you how you even stand up on such tiny little feet. But I am restraining myself.

Aerosoles Benefit Bone Combo is a High Heel Casual Pump

Best to you,
The Shoe Lady

Dearest Vivian,
My heart goes out to you, and unfortunately this is an all-too-common problem. No one should ever have to sacrifice style for comfort, or even wearability.

Aerosoles Screen Saver Soft Gold Combo is a Low Heel Casual Sanda

Hi Trish,
That is an excellent question. I know these things can be a bit confusing sometimes!  But, to make things easier, our website is designed to correlate to the actual sizes you would see in stores.  A ‘D’ is always considered wide, which is sometimes referred to as a ‘W’.  Check out this link for for more information on width!

Also, if you’re looking for a specific size/width, you can use our “Shop By” option on the left hand side of DesignerShoes.com. Here, you can not only input size and width, but also Color, Brand, Heel, and others. For example, if you were looking for a size 9W pink pump, I could use the drop downs here to find the following steal!

Aerosoles Tapestry Pink Patent is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Get as specific as you like and Happy Shopping!

Dearest Barbara,
With a length of 10 and width of 3.25 puts your size as 9.5 Narrow (N or AA). What size are you currently wearing now? Since the narrows are tight in the toes but loose in the heels then you may want to play around with insoles and possibly heel grips.

Full and half insoles offer different levels of support and no insole will create the perfect fit without trial and error. If you send me your email address I would be happy to mail send you some full insoles to play around with. Remember you can always trim the insoles. Email erica AT designershoes DOT com.

If you are looking for stylish flats in size 9.5 narrow here are some lovely options. The Naturalizer Shoes are known for their comfort more than style but that has been changing over the last few years. The Naturalizer Violette Pewter Mettallicare a stylish ballet flat with a buckle detail.

Naturalizer Violette Pewter Mettallic is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Ross Hommerson shoes are always made from quality materials, anti microbial foam and padded footbeds, some with arch supports. Ross Hommerson is on the expensive side so may sure to wait for sales. The Ros Hommerson Ailis Bronze Nappa pictured below is on SALE for $48.82. Marked down from $99.00 and is made of COROLLA CONSTRUCTION

Ros Hommerson Ailis Bronze Nappa is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Dear Paul,
We have a few pairs of shoes that I’m sure your dear mother would love! The first is the Rangoni Camilla flat in black. While very versatile, this comfortable flat is also very conservative and fashionable.

Rangoni Camilla Black is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Rangoni Camilla Tortora is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Fit In Clouds Bow Tie Black is a Low Heel Dressy Flat

Dear Dee,
I am so glad you came to us for help! Actually, an Australian women’s size 7.5 is equivalent to a US size 9, while the size 8 is a US size 9.5.

With width, a “C” would be considered a Wide or “W” size. Likewise, narrow is “AA”, Average is “B”, and Extra Wide is “E”. If you take the widest part of your foot (usually the balls of your feet), and measure length-wise, a US size 9 or 9.5 is about 4 1/16 to 4 1/8 inches. I would advise trying a US size 9W. You may be going up a half size because the medium/average width is just too snug.

I thought I would spotlight a couple new arrivals, in different styles, all sized 9W. First up is a style from Aerosoles, a brand know for comfort, true fit and style. The Aerosoles Plum Tree Tan Patent has a 3 inch wedge heel which is helpful for those women who want height and stability. I adore the pattern on the heel.

Aerosoles Plum Tree Tan Patent is a High Heel Casual Pump

Aerosoles have a wonderful collection of flats as well. Perfect for work, walking to the T, all while being stylish.

Aerosoles Bec 2 Differ Black Multi is a Low Heel Casual Pump

If you need additional assistance on this, our size guide can be found at: http://www.designershoes.com/size-chart

Good Day N,
The first step in converting a man’s shoe size to a woman’s is to measure your feet! Refer to this recent post for step by step instructions. Without your your length and width measurements (so important) I will use the given men’s size 9 which converts to a women’s size 10.5.

Depending on the style you desire I selected a couple shoes which happen to be favorites of mine. Always remember pedicures are your best friends in summer and keep you feeling sexy all winter long.

I love leopard shoes. They make a rather dull outfit pop. Don’t be scare to jazz up your standard work outfits to add a touch of glamour. The heel height is 2.25 with a rounded toe pump and platform sole.

Naturalizer Lennox Natural Jungle is a High Heel Dressy Pump

A fantastic new brand, Takera, designed by Asjha Jones, WNBA All-Star, made exclusively for women sizes 10.5 through 15. She recognized the void in the market place for this exotic sizing due to her own personal pains of not being able to fulfill her shoe fetish due to limited styles and quality in her size, 13. The Takera Milan Black Leather (my top pick) rocks a 3.2 inch heel, zip up heel and sexy black netting.

Takera Milan Black Leather is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Be sure to browse all women’s size 10.5 high heels at DesignerShoes.com. Our sister site!

Best of luck!

Use coupon code ATSL and receive 10% off your next purchase at DesignerShoes.com.

I will be spending my New Years in Boston. I dare to wear a leopard dress in the freezing cold with peep toe sparkle heels (picture below)…I just LOVE sparkle!

Brianna Leigh Isabella Black is a High Heel Dressy Pump

However, I will be packing my Tamarac shoes along with sweatpants in case it’s just too darn frigid.

Happy New Years Eve and a Happy New Year if I don’t make it online tomorrow!!