UK shoes

I hadn't really thought about it that much, but most of the shoes I've bought here haven't fit that well. The exception is a pair of Ecco casual shoes that are now on their last legs. Tomorrow, if the weather is nice, I'm heading into town to look for their replacement. I'd prefer to shop in the US given what I have just realized, but that's not going to happen soon enough and I don't dare risk buying without trying.

I just bought some Echo shoes for work and I LOVE them.  So, so comfortable.

What are your main shops for making sure you find European sizing available (or listed on the box along with British/US sizing)?  

i mainly buy Kickers & Skechers online, or at Schuh.

Is it because we are all stuck on our US size? So we convert - US = UK size whatever, and we start from there, only to find nothing fits. But they must, because we are a US size X! Maybe just starting from scratch on our foot measurements will give u a better shoe size?

Or maybe American women's feet are just oddly shaped. Yeah, we have weird feet.

Also don't forget, like clothing manufacturers shoe manufacturers sizes are not uniform. So my official shoe size is 6 1/2 but in some shoes I am only a 6 and in Dr Martens I only take a 5!

i mainly buy Kickers & Skechers online, or at Schuh.

The only pair of shoes I've ever bought in the UK that fit perfectly were my Kickers trainers which are now 6 years old and I still love 'em. I'm ordering a pair of Shuh's off Ebay. I can't wait!

I haven't had much luck finding size 6.5 here in the UK either without spending a mint!

Fortunately, I don't have the stereotypical female shoe obsession.  I have three pairs of shoes for work -- all black & all from Clarks -- of which I regularly wear only one pair, what you'd call penny loafer style in the US (not sure what it's called here?).  I have two pair of dressier shoes (both black - lol!) - one pair I bought at Clarks the heel is so high, I have only worn them once.  The other pair I bought at Schuh & they rub the back of my heel so much just in putting them on - I have never worn them.  (I should have taken those back.)

The best pair of shoes I have ever bought here are Italian hiking boots (Trezetas).  I think that's my favorite pair of shoes!  Followed by the hiking boots I bought in France, and my Asics trainers bought in the US.  (Oh and I have a pair of sandals from the US, as well as a pair of flip-flops -- but those have not seen the light of day this summer! )

...like clothing manufacturers shoe manufacturers sizes are not uniform...

But that's the thing, I find British sizing to be the least uniform of all.  I don't have these troubles with US and European sizing.

you come out with the oddest things, sometimes, Sweetpeach! 

Just because YOU have trouble finding shoes to fit properly, doesnt mean the majority of people in the UK do!  I certainly dont have a problem... i just buy a European 39, and usually dont even have to try them on in the shop, cos they almost always fit.

Based on this thread, there are certainly Americans like myself who do. I think the people who have posted who don't have any trouble just happen to have feet that match the standard UK shoe sizes. Go up or down a 1/2 inch and you'll have problems.

As for switching to European sizes -  I just tried on - from my wardrobe - a 35 1/2 from M&S - too big, and a 36 from Next - too small. Both are UK sized 3 1/2, by the way.

I don't have a shoe obsession. All I ask for is one decent well-fitting pair for work and one decent pair for dressing up.

Hoping to buy a pair of REAL Doc Marten's while we're here. 

Docs aren't made in the UK anymore - haven't been for a few years now - so any new pairs you buy will have been made in China.

Docs aren't made in the UK anymore - haven't been for a few years now - so any new pairs you buy will have been made in China.

Yes it is true they are no longer made in the UK but mine say made in Thailand. You might still find some old stock 'Made in England' ones here and there, try some of the Dm shops in Camden.

Wah!  I'll look around for UK ones... I'm really trying to buy NOTHING made in China.  The converse were bought in a footwear emergency, and I didn't notice the origin until too late.

Yes it is true they are no longer made in the UK but mine say made in Thailand. You might still find some old stock 'Made in England' ones here and there, try some of the Dm shops in Camden.

The last UK made ones I got were my cherry red boots a couple of years ago. Since then, no joy - every pair has been from China.

Sadly Hubs left the majority of my Doc collection behind, (never leave a bloke to do the packing when you move)!

I think maybe British women are so used to wearing shoes that don't fit just right that they don't expect anything better.

I don't think so. I would much rather wear shoes that are comfortable and fit properly than a pair that constrict my feet, squish my toes and rub my heels.

I've had to go up or down a size depending on the make of the shoe but that has been the case both in the US and the UK.

Now, you bunch of enablers, I'm off to trawl eBay yet again!

Now, you bunch of enablers, I'm off to trawl eBay yet again!

And I'm getting excited about the shopping to be had when I'm back visiting the States later this autumn!!!!  (That is one big plus - to me, about going back!)  I am already wish-listing from various catalogues:  LL Bean, Lands End, etc...knowing I'll have it sent to my brother's house in advance & not end up paying all the overseas shipping & customs/VAT, etc!!!!  Yaye!!

I've had to go up or down a size depending on the make of the shoe but that has been the case both in the US and the UK.

For me, it's not a matter of going up or down a size. If I try on a size and it is too small and cramps my feet and squishes my toes up, the next size up is too large and falls off the back of my foot and gives me blisters from scraping my heel as I walk. There is no in-between size that fits me. I guess I should just buy the larger size and get some kind of shoe padding stuff to fill in the extra space.

As for my statement that it is possible that British women aren't used to wearing shoes that fit perfectly - it was just speculation, but don't many American women wear bras that don't fit correctly? It would depend on what you consider to be a good-fitting shoe (or bra).

The last UK made ones I got were my cherry red boots a couple of years ago. Since then, no joy - every pair has been from China.

Sadly Hubs left the majority of my Doc collection behind, (never leave a bloke to do the packing when you move)!

They've been made in China and Thailand since 2003 but last year when we were living in Canterbury a shop there still had some UK made ones. None in my size of course.