Extended Sizes: Meeting the Needs of a Few

In order to become more efficient in this recession, many stores are stocking fewer extended sizes, which makes it difficult for many of us to find shoes that fit. The small sized women are being sent to the children’s department while the larger sizes were being sent to the men’s department.  Thanks.

Shomore and I were discussing this because her mother wears a size 4.5 while I wear a size 11.  Same problem, different sizes.  We wear extended sizes that are typically not carried in the department stores and boutiques. One of the wonderful things about today’s technology is that the ability to online shopping has helped us find makers that manufacture small end or large end shoes.  Here are a few. 

Stuart Weitzman shoes are made in Spain, so they tend to be narrow and small.  His 5.0 is often 4.5 with another maker.  On the other side of the spectrum, he also makes size 12.  If I find a SW shoe my size, on sale I will usually buy it.   They are great shoes and I love every pair I own. 

Dipsy Platform $212 at endless.com  $190 at Zappos 

A small size friend said she longs for a pair of good looking pumps that won’t make her look like Minnie Mouse.  She has tons of sling backs because she can adjust the strap, but would love to find a pair of basic pumps.  SW has lots of pumps available in both small and large sizes.

Peekpump $197 at endless.com  

To top it off, this same friend has a wide-ish foot.  I found a maker that has 4.5 c/d width pumps and booties and not extremely expensive. Sudini.  Sudini also goes to size 11.  Reviewers say they run small and narrow.  I don’t own any Sudini, but I have a pair in my Nordstrom shopping bag, trying to justify their purchase.  Give me a week and half and I will probably have them ordered.

Sudini Tasia $190 at endless

For funky style there is Cindy Says.  The problem with this maker is they only have whole sizes.  Odd.  Usually that happens with shoes that don’t require a real fit, like Uggs or flipflops. 

Apply $169 at endless

I just found a line that makes larger shoes and have a pair in my endless.com shopping bag. They have all the components I look for in a shoe.  Leather sole, my size, good reviews, less than $200, don’t look like granny shoes. Samanta

Viv Pony Pump $200. at endless.

These are not the only shoe companies and designers who make extended sizes but they are makers with good reputations and meet the needs of those of us who are at the bookends of the shoe size range. Thanks to online sites like endless, Zappos and Raffaello Ties, we finally have access to these extended sizes. I hope they continue to carry them.

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