My feet are square rather than rectangle. How shall I shod them?

March 1, 2011 6:48 PM

Cute, flat wedding shoes for a size 7E (extra-wide)? I am having trouble finding something that is 1) flat, 2) wide enough, and 3) young-looking for my wedding next summer.

I am getting married in August in an outdoor, less formal ceremony. I have fairly short, very wide feet. I usually wear a 7E, although I can very occasionally do a 7.5D if it is lace-up (more forgiving). I have searched Nordstroms in person and online, zappos.com, endless.com, shoebuy.com, amazon.com and every other site I can think of.

I have ordered probably 15 pairs of shoes to try, and had to return all of them. Probably 12 were too narrow-- I am REALLY an extra wide. I cannot just size up. 99% of the shoes out there simply do not go on my foot. The other 3 were clearly meant for someone, er, older than me. Extra-wide shoes are, unfortunately, usually built for the older and for those with foot problems.

I am looking for something off-white or any other pale pastel but NOT pure white, flat (outdoor wedding, so heels would sink into the grass), summery, and not too formal. Sandals would be totally fine, but sandals also seem to be especially difficult to fit on my wide feet.

What am I missing? What other brick and mortar stores (in or near Chicago) should I try? I am also totally willing to try other online stores, as long as they have reasonable shipping and return policies.

Thanks!

posted by ohio to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

Aerosoles have wide shoes that I have heard good things about, but they are very hit-or-miss in the not looking like old person shoes department... This link should take you to the wide flats, and I love several of them but you know how tastes go. They appear to have a location in Chicago, but I would probably call first to see if they have the ones you like in stock, they've also been hit or miss on that for me.
posted by brainmouse at 6:56 PM on March 1, 2011

Well, I wear a 9.5C, and I can wear an 11A. I learned this trying on shoes at Nordstrom.

So, maybe a 9A 9.5A? It might be worth trying them on.
posted by jgirl at 7:03 PM on March 1, 2011

I feel your pain, but in a size 10. Have you checked out Roaman's? They have shoes in wider sizes, including 7.5 W and WW. You might also try the sites for Jessica London, Avenue or Woman Within
posted by jenny76 at 7:18 PM on March 1, 2011

I also have an E foot (and a massive instep) and the only dressier shoes (only womens shoes, actually) I can wear are Manolo Blahniks. Sure, they're expensive but they're quite durable and really do accommodate a wide forefoot.
posted by grounded at 7:21 PM on March 1, 2011

I had an outdoor wedding ceremony on grass and did not sink into the ground with a low, but wider heel. These are in your size and really pretty: on zappos. Or, seriously, gold sequined ballet flats! I love shoe shopping and could seriously keep going, but I'll check back for further instructions.
posted by coolsara at 7:28 PM on March 1, 2011

Find a shoe that you like, is comfortable and the right style and then get thee to Michael's to buy decor. Keep it simple, match your dress, an afternoon and a glue gun will give you the perfect shoe. Done it plenty of times. Wide footed Women unite!!
posted by pearlybob at 7:30 PM on March 1, 2011

OK, I lied. I had to look at shoes.com and saw these.
posted by coolsara at 7:44 PM on March 1, 2011 [1 favorite]

You can manage a short wedge in the sand. These are pretty.
posted by two lights above the sea at 7:54 PM on March 1, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks for the ideas so far. Some of these might work if they are wide enough, and I like the idea of "making my own."

In searching around tonight, I also saw that you can get custom-sized Khussas (Indian/Punjab slippers, like these) on ebay/ecrater. Is this worthwhile?
posted by ohio at 9:06 PM on March 1, 2011

Custom shoes might be your best bet-- Etsy alchemy apparently isn't working right now, but if you could find an etsy seller who makes shoes that you like, it might be worth asking directly if they could make something in an appropriate width.
posted by dizziest at 9:15 PM on March 1, 2011

are soft stretchy ballet flats not working for you? something like this?
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:17 PM on March 1, 2011

I found these and these at Designershoes.com. They seem to have a wider selection of very pretty bridal shoes in your size.
posted by miss meg at 11:57 PM on March 1, 2011

Correcting the link: these
posted by miss meg at 11:58 PM on March 1, 2011

I don't know if Hydra Heart's Etsy shop has what you want in terms of style, but these are completely custom so far as I can tell. Incredible India might also be able to make you special wide shoes.

Le pied leger has knit shoes which may be too informal for this occasion; but since it sounds like finding shoes is generally a pain in the neck for you, I thought you might enjoy these.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:35 AM on March 2, 2011

Here's another Etsy Store to try: The Generation.
posted by TooFewShoes at 5:12 AM on March 2, 2011

I feel your 7E pain. I had trouble finding non-matronly wedding shoes, too.

This is a strange suggestion, but have you considered Crocs? They make non-hideous shoes now. and they all run wide. I've had a lot of luck with their fit & comfort, which is not easy with 7E feet!

It would be a more causal route, but I find most of what's already been linked (or available through Zappos) pretty hidz. I'm looking, specifically, at these, or these, or if you're willing to risk a wedge, these.

Good luck! And remember - not that many people will be looking at your feet! They'll be looking at your beaming face!
posted by kitarra at 1:01 PM on March 2, 2011