fitting & size advice

We sell shoes in US, UK and Euro sizes, so here is a simple conversion chart to help you.

NOTE: US Sizes are 2 sizes longer than UK sizes. Like other companies selling women’s shoes in large sizes, we show Euro sizes 43, 44, 45 as approximately equivalent to UK sizes 9, 10,11. However, it’s often the case that shoes made in Euro sizes fit slightly longer than their UK or US equivalents.

width fitting information

Judging width is not an exact science, it varies from brand to brand and from style to style, and this is some basic information to help you.

AA – for very, very narrow feet (called ‘N’ for narrow in the USA).

Our sister company 'Special Feetures Ltd' has a vast range of lovely women's shoes in narrow fittings - and best of all, if your long feet are also narrow, virtually all Special Feetures styles go up to UK 10 AA (US 12) with some to UK 11 AA (US 13)!
www.specialfeetures.com

B – for slightly narrower than average feet – called ‘M’ for Medium in the USA, where it’s actually the standard width on sale in shops.

C or D fit – ‘standard width’, which probably fits 75% to 85% of women in the UK, and is the width that you’ll find in shoe shops (called ‘W’ for Wider in the USA).

E/EE/EEE fit - are wider than average width fittings (the more E's, the wider they are!). We have a selection of styles in wider fits: check our 'wide fittings' category for styles in this width (called WW in the USA). We are expanding our range of wide fitting shoes in response to lots of requests - if you have wide feet we would be pleased to have feedback from you about the sort of styles you would like to see on our website.

Remember! For most women with large feet length is more important than the width – so unless you know for sure that your feet are much narrower or wider than average, most shoes not marked with a specific fit should be fine, so long as you get them long enough! If you think width might be an issue for you, keep reading – the following advice may also help you!

‘after 8 shoes’ has a FREE personal foot measuring service – contact us and we’ll email you a simple chart that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, then return to us and we will tell you your measured size and width fitting – it’s as simple as that!

narrow feet

Shoes are 'graded' as they are made longer – so as the shoe gets longer, the width gets wider. Tall women are more likely to have longer feet, and tall slim women are more likely to have longer slimmer feet.

When you try on shoes...

• are they are good for length but so roomy around the front that you could get socks on as well?
• do you end up with shoes too short because that's the only way to keep them on?
• are mules and sandals hard to find because your feet slide right through?

If you answer 'yes' to one or more of the above, chances are you have narrow feet and a longer but narrower fitting shoe may be just what you need!

Visit our sister company www.specialfeetures.com.
Specialists in women’s shoes in narrow fittings in sizes up to 11 UK.

wide feet

Women with wider feet often end up wearing shoes that are longer than they really need, in order to get sufficient width. For example, you may measure UK 9 but because 9's are too tight, you end up with UK 10. This isn't ideal, but it can work. If that is what you usually do, you may not need to go longer if you order one of our wide fitting shoes. If you are in doubt about what size or width to order, email us and we will help you check your correct size and width fitting - see the very end of this section.

need more fitting advice?

Read more below about:
- how your toe shape can affect the length you need
- how your foot width can affect the length you need
- how our Brands fit
- still don’t know what size to order? after 8 can help, by measuring your feet!

how your toe shape can affect the length you need

Most women’s shoes have tapered toes. Most women’s feet have a longer big toe and the smaller toes slope evenly. That makes a reasonable match!

If your toe shape is squarer – with a straight big toe and second and third toes virtually the same length (or possibly longer) - you are likely to need to go longer in a pointed toe style as your feet won’t go so far in.

If your toe shape is more pointed – with a big toe much longer than the second toe, and the rest slope quite sharply – it’s the opposite. Pointed feet will fit further into pointy styles, so you may need to go a bit shorter than usual.

how your foot width can affect the length you need

The width of your feet is measured all around the widest point of the front of your foot (all around your big toe joint – your ‘bunion’ joint.

Wider feet don’t go so far into standard width fitting shoes - so if you know your feet are wide, you may need to order a longer size than you actually measure.

Narrower feet in standard width shoes go right in – but shoes will be roomy across the front and may not stay on well. Women with narrow feet often end up in shoes too short, in order to try and keep them on.

how our brands fit

We all know that shoes tend to fit slightly differently from one style to the next, but usually, if you find a size that works for you in a particular brand, then it’s likely that most styles in that brand will also fit you in that same size. So to help you, here is some extra fitting information for our main brands.

ALTBERG: Walking boots need to fit exactly right – so to get it right first time, we ask that you to complete our Fitting Chart before we send Altberg Walking boots – see the end of this section.

DANSI: Euro sizes 43, 44, 45 and approximately a C fit; tend to fit slightly longer than UK 9, 10, 11.

ELITES: This presitge brand from the USA fits slightly long compared to other makes, and tend to fit slightly narrow (mostly because of their amazing cushioned insoles!).

EMOTION: Are made only in wide fittings, in UK 9 and 10. Emotion long boots have wider legs for fuller calves - if you are ordering boots and want more info, email us the style and your maximum calf measurement and we'll advise on how they will fit you!

FROGGIE: UK sizes 8, 9 & 10, average width, usually fit slightly long – so if between full sizes, women generally buy the half size shorter.

GABOR: We usually stock Gabor in UK sizes 8½ to 9½; they tend to fit about a ½ size longer than it says on the box. However, their width is slightly narrower than standard - generally about a C fit - so if your feet are wider than that, you should order your normal UK length.

HUSH PUPPIES: We stock their size 9 (and UK 10 if they make it). Hush Puppies casuals are usually about a D width but tend to fit slightly long – so a Hush Puppies 9 is nearly a 9.5 in a casual style. Hush Puppies smarter, higher heeled styles generally fit more true to length and are slightly narrower.

MUNRO AMERICAN: We offer UK sizes 8½ to 10 (including half sizes) and UK 11 (US Sizes 10½ - 12 & 13), in widths B and D (US ‘M’ and ‘W’). Munro American make some styles in UK 12 (US 14) – please email us if you are UK size 12 and you would like to know more!

RAPISARDI: are made in Euro sizes 43 and 44, standard width. Like many Euro sizes they fit slightly longer than UK 9 and 10 – so if you need the half size, it’s usually better to go down.

REMONTE: Euro sizes 43,44 & 45, about a C fit but tend to fit slightly long when compared with their UK 9,10,11 equivalents – so if between whole sizes, you will probably be best to choose the half size less.

RIVA: Euro sizes 43, 44 & 45 are accurate for length, and standard width fitting.

ROS HOMMERSON: We offer UK sizes 8½ to 10 and 11 (US sizes 10½ - 12 & 13) in widths B (US ‘M’) and D (US ‘W’).

SOFFT: Are available in US 11 and 12 (UK 9 and 10) and a straightforward fit, order your normal size unless we say otherwise on the individual style advice.

TROTTERS: come in UK 8½ to 10 and 11 (US sizes 10½ - 12 & 13) in widths B (US ‘M’) and D (US ‘W’).

WALKING CRADLES: Available in US 11, 12, 13 (UK 9, 10, 11), they fit most women in their normal show size/width.

still unsure what size to order?

Lots of women with longer feet don’t really know what size or width they are, and wear whatever they can get, simply through lack of choice and proper advice.

‘after 8 shoes’ has a FREE personal foot measuring service – contact us and we’ll email you a simple chart that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. It only takes a couple of minutes to do, then return to us and we will tell you your measured size and width fitting – it’s as simple as that!

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