Shoes that look good on big feet?
By hanasays
@hanasays (212)
United States
February 25, 2009 11:43am CST
I'm skinny, about 5'6" tall, and wear Size 11 (American) shoes. My feet are also pretty wide. I have a hard time finding shoes that look good on my feet, and flats are awful because they make my feet look like boats. What sorts of shoes can you suggest that might actually flatter my feet? Is there any particular style you would recommend? (Men, feel free to answer this question as well).
Does anyone else have really big feet like this? Do you find it difficult to find shoes you like in your size (or shoes in your size at all?). I've gone into stores where I was told "I'm sorry, we only carry up to size 10, you'll have to place a special order". Is it really such an unusual size to wear?
3 responses
@sysdexlicwriter (1619)
• United States
25 Feb 09
When my daughter was a little girl she loved any kind of shoe. Then she began to grow. She is now 6'1" tall and wears a size 12 1/2 ladies shoe (US size).
We had quite an interesting situation when she was involved in acting in high school. The teacher required a special kind of shoe for the stage. At one point I ended up talking to the person who makes the shoes in New York for the Rockettes. They wanted a couple of hundred dollars for the shoes that my daughter needed. I finally found a shoe maker that would put the proper soles on the bottom of a shoe that she already owned. It was far less money than we thought it would cost originally.
One of the best places my daughter has found is Payless Shoe Store. She has to shop there often to find a pair of shoes that she likes. She sometimes goes on their website to also check out the shoes. Her choices always are so beautiful and with the larger feet everyone notices. She always gets compliments. She especially likes boots of all sorts. Open toed shoes are hard to find for her because she has a wide foot also.
Someday I hope to take her to New York and just shop for shoes in her size. I understand that we will probably have to have a pocket full of money but it is a dream.
For sports shoes like walking shoes, etc. She usually ends up in the men's department. The only thing with that is the sizes run a little different from women's shoes and the shoes need to be tried on to make sure they fit.
Try going to a part of town where people tend to be taller or larger. Stores usually carry sizes to meet customers needs. Going to the mall is a complete bust for us. Most clothing in the mall fits people who are tiny and small. If you look around while at a mall, you may notice that most people don't fit that bill. My daughter would love to have your shoe size.
1 person likes this
@hanasays (212)
• United States
25 Feb 09
It's funny that you mention Payless, since that's where I shop for shoes, since they're one of the only places that carries my size! Walmart does, too, but I don't really like their shoe selections.
I feel bad for your daughter, she's even worse-off than I am. But it's funny because I've had the same fantasy of going somewhere like New York with a fistful of money and shoe-shopping... haha.
For me, I think my worst shoe-shopping experience was Prom night. Nobody carried nice-looking high heels in my size. I eventually had to go with a pair of them because they were the right color and actually fit. I've never had to have shoes custom-made for me, though!
That's a good point about the mall. I never thought about that. I don't like the idea of buying shoes off of Ebay, either, because you never know if they'll actually send the right size, how well the shoes fit/if they're uncomforable or pinch, or even if they're used (trying to adapt to someone else's tread pattern can hurt your feet, and also, sticking my feet where someone else's feet have been just grosses me out).
@sysdexlicwriter (1619)
• United States
25 Feb 09
My daughter is one of a kind. Do not feel sorry for her. Our shoe experience is an adventure. You are one of a kind also. Our society makes fun of anyone who doesn't look like a few ditzy role models shoved at us. Stand tall, be confident. Have fun with your beauty. If you looked like everyone else, you wouldn't get noticed. Being noticed is part of the fun of it all.
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
25 Feb 09
I feel for ya, having big feet is a major pain in the butt when it comes to fashion. Wearing heels with longer pants will help create the illusion of smaller feet. I would also suggest a rounded toe as opposed to a pointed one. As for having a problem finding shoes maybe you could give Ebay a shot. They seem to have a good selection of shoes. And if you're looking for sneakers you can always buy men's.
1 person likes this
@hanasays (212)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Thanks, those are all good suggestions. I never thought of pairing heels with long pants. I tend to go with rounded toes anyway, because pointed ones look really, really stupid on me... so do square toes, for that matter.
I already buy mens' shoes, sometimes... it's sad that I know my shoe size in mens' shoes off the top of my head.
