Wanted: Designers to Create Women's Shoes in Larger Sizes
Seriously. I'm shocked that I'm so often contacted by women who wear shoes larger than a size U.S. 10, yet so few manufacturers and designers have risen to the challenge of creating beautiful and affordable shoes for them.
I'd think if for no other reason than monetary gain, manufacturers would be jumping all over this market -- especially since more and more women will be entering it.
That's right folks, our feet get bigger as we age.
Well, it's not like they actually grow or anything, but they do flatten out. Meaning all of us who are currently wearing size 9 or 10 medium width shoes may soon join the ranks of those who already have difficulty finding attractive and affordable shoes in larger sizes and wider widths.
These women are not asking for something that is not available to most of the population. They just want good-looking shoes, without having to spend over $200 per pair, without having to wear men's or low quality costume shoes, and without having to live the rest of their lives in bulky flats and trainers.
Thankfully, there are a few labels who do cater to a percentage of this market, and I've created a list of online retailers that carry those brands in Large Size Women's Shoes.
It's better than it used to be, but it's not enough.
Use the "comments" link below to share your favorite retailers, brands and designers that carry and manufacture shoes for women in sizes 11, 12 and higher.
Your hard-to-fit sisters and I will thank you for doing so. And perhaps, some clever, caring creator of footwear will see your comments and realize that those fractions of an inch could add up to so much more.
Dear Desiree,
thank you from the bottom of my ever-expanding feet. finally! i’m so tired of going into shoes stores and stating, not asking, “you don’t have these in MY SIZE, do you?” almost as if it’s a challenge. in order to buy shoes i have to drive over 50 miles to the closest nordstroms. let me rephrase that – in order to buy something other than ugly, boxy, clunky or boring shoes i must drive 50 miles. why? i’m not a freak. i’m not asking for miracles. i just want something that my friends have. pretty shoes. shoes in something other than black, brown or (oh, be still my beating heart) navy. i’ve become quite good at ferreting out websites that carry larger sizes. what choice did i have? so – my favorites are as follows. as previously mentioned – nordstroms.com has a good selection of pretty shoes. stevemadden.com will custom make (see? why custom make? that just makes me angry) up to a size 12 but be forewarned they run small. arthurberen.com has higher end shoes up to a size 13 or 14 but plan on spending upwards of $200.then there is the ever present, all roads lead to zappos.com. but my personal favorite..always something new..brands that most places don’t carry is barefoottess.com. great shoes. killer boots. up to a size 14..maybe ever bigger. then there’s samantashoes.com, cinderellashoes.com (from ireland), endless.com (not a great selection but some are nice) shoemall, shoebuy and shoes.com. masseys.com has larger sizes. you have to look for the great shoes but they are there. designershoes.com. ninewest.com has some styles up to a 12.
jrenee.com. 6pm.com. to name just some. i look forward to more comments. i need so new places to hunt.
thanks for doing this, desiree. it’s been a long time coming.
Dear Desiree–
I agree with Geri! Finding shoes over a size 10 used to be a nightmare until I found Barefoot Tess (www.barefoottess.com) a little over a year ago. I cannot recommend them highly enough. The BT ladies are always right on trend and for the first time ever I can actually find shoes and boots that I see in fashion magazines in my size! I know all you ladies over an 11 probably don’t believe me but check out this month’s In Style magazine. The Mukluks that Kate Moss is wearing in their article on winter boots – yup Barefoot Tess has them up to a size 14!!! If you haven’t seen Matt Bernson’s shoes yet, just check out almost any fashion magazine – there’s bound to be a pair featured – and once again BT comes through up to a size 14 in most styles. I have gone from someone who dreads shoe shopping to a full on shoe-aholic. Imagine your co-workers complimenting your shoes and asking where they can get them!! After years of being forced to find men’s shoes that looked somewhat feminine or having to choose the least ugly pair from a minimal assortment of “comfort” shoes, it’s such a joy to find fabulous heels, boots, ballet flats and every other hot style all in one place delivered to my front door. My newest finds are the GeeWaWa “Hip” boot and this funky pair of brown suede sneakers with yellow birds on them from 80%20 (even the guys at my office complimented me on them!). If you wear a size over 10 (or even if you are under 10) don’t miss out on this site.
My favorite is Dreamshoes http://www.shoesofyourdreams.com. They are not the biggest, but they have handpicked a great collection of large size shoes. Unlike alot of other stores, they actually carry wide widths that don’t look like granny shoes! They aren’t cheap like Payless but the prices are reasonable especially for the quality. You can search by size then scour the bottom rows for the markdowns!
I have always been tall. As a pre-teen and teen a difficulty was finding age appropriate stylish clothes and shoes. As an adult I still cannot find stylish, flat or fairly flat shoes for tall women. A flat or reasonbly flat shoe is also practicle for women with back problems. I would love to design shoes. How does an individual get started? I have several ideas.
i wrote to desiree and she took the time to write back and show me this link and invite me to comment. thanks!
she recommended two sites. of the two, http://www.barefoottess.com wins handsdown for me. the other seemed to have mostly payless type shoes which is fine, but im sort of a brand, funky person. not always super $$$, just super cool. that has been my complaint. i dont want generic shoes just because my feet are big. i want the same shoes as my friends have. so you have to check out http://www.barefoottess.. its TOTALLY redone. i couldnt believe the new site.. i liked the old one even but this one rocks. but its not the site.. its the shoes. current favorites: MATT BERnSONS sandals. up to some ungodly size.. thanks god im not the biggest ones out there. second favorites: Bernardo and All Black. I bought all black shoes here before that i saw in INSTYLE. thats what i mean about these shoes… and they just posted new DOLCE VITA in large sizes.. igot a newsletter this am. anyway.. keep them in business.. buy shoes! and thanks so much desiree for hosting this site. must be tons of work. its hard just to write a few comments. do you guys do advertising. im going to write Barfoot Tess girls to see if they can advertise on your site! rock on
Hi Desiree,
I am 33 years young, 5′ll”, with a size 11 or 12 shoe. I fear for my daughter who is 14, about my height and just went up to a size 12 shoe. What are we going to do? Why don’t the retailers finally get smart and start making shoes for us. I work in an office where formal business atire is required and my feet are constantly killing me from cheep shoes that I had to buy a payless just so I had something to put on my feet. Keep your blog going and maybe someone will get smart and make shoes for tall/big women.
Hi Sandy,
I hear you. I’ve dabbled with my own designs, and based on the amount of letters I receive on this topic, I think I’d start my own line if I had the skill, experience and the capital — there is the same need for cute wide shoes as well.
But I have to believe that if I’m hearing this kind of feedback, the manufacturers and designers are as well. It surely can’t be long now.
Desiree
First, just let me say “thanks” for putting this problem out there and offering solutions. My problem is having a very wide foot with a high arch (size 8). So if anyone out there is listening (Manufacturers? Designers? Anyone?)…sounds like you’ve got a vast untapped market of women who are ready for some great looking shoes!
Zappos.com has lots of shoes in larger sizes. But I wear a 13 and they don’t have as many attractive shoes in that size. Actually some of the shoes I find on the web in my size are manish and ugly. They also accentuate longer lengths. The manufacturers don’t seem to care or know that certain changes to a shoe can make it appear to be shorter; like lace ups that start closer to the toe, less pointy. There are no shoe stores around me that sell size 13. I haven’t been in a shoe store to buy myself shoes since I was a child.
i’m 14 and have a size 10.5 narrow along with having flat feet and other problems with my feet. i can not find shoes that are fun cute and not over $60. it’s so embarresing to have to have to look for shoes for 5 hours and come home empty handed does anyone have any sugestions
What a nice article !
I think it’s usefull for someone.
Want to be contacted for having several sexy glamorous women’s shoes designs that for sure apply to larger sizes. Need a manufacturer to work with.
I am 6′5” and I wear a size 14. I am in a wedding this fall and I can’t find any shoes to go with my dress and this is very upsetting and stressful. I want everything to be perfect for my sister’s wedding and I am not able to find ANY cute shoes. Not to mention when there is a pair big enough and cute they have a 3 inch heel and I definately don’t need anymore height. I LOVE being tall but hate that I can’t ever find any shoes!!!
Hi Sara,
Have you checked BarefootTess.com? I was just there, and was happy to find a decent number of dress shoes in size 14, ranging from satin flats to heels.
If you do visit that site, it’s worth knowing that only 9 items in any category are displayed by default — so it can look like there isn’t as much available. However, towards the top of the page, there is a pop-up menu that allows you to display more, as well as links to move to the next page of results.
Also, if you want to email me the specifics of your dress and/or the type of shoes you’re looking for, I might be able to help you find something. You can contact me by clicking the “my bio” link at the top of this post next to my picture. On my bio page you’ll find an email link.
Best,
Desiree
It’s such a relief to know that I’m not alone out here! I wear sizes 11 or 12 and it’s impossible to find cute trendy shoes. Why do they think that women with large feet have to wear the BOX. Large sizes are boring and some down right UGLY. I hope that this will reach some of the manufacturers and retailers. It would be so nice to go into a store and actually find my size in something stylish. Thank to all for posting their website finds!!!
i have had trouble finding shoes to fit for years, it is a battle of ordering, not fitting right 7 having to return, i have spent a fortune in returning shoes. i have a hard time finding shoes that will fit my left foot, seems i have 2 different sized feet, I agree with other ladies posting comments, you would think that the american manufactures would be more accmodating to us ladies with a larger foot, after all, i’m sure our money spends as good as women who have smaller feet. Also i would like to see more shoes offered for feet like mine that have foot problems instead of shoes that look like an orthopedic football shoe, or something equally unattractive, Ok, you manufactors out there, give us larger feet women some hope