Alternate title: I Spent $800 at Zappos and All I Got Was This Public Humiliation.
Let me start off by saying that although I don’t consider myself to be fashionable AT ALL, I often get compliments on my outfits from other plus size readers. My fellow Unskinny moms all know how tough it is to find cute age-appropriate clothing when you’re plus size and over 30.
Ok 35.
Anyway, the point is that lots of folks want to know where I shop for clothing. That topic could be an entire blog series unto itself, so I’ll save it for later. The quick answer is Lane Bryant, Torrid, and the Macy’s at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta (seriously that place is a big girl shopper’s heaven). But it’s a lot more complex than that, and there are plenty of bloggers who are much more qualified than me to be discussing plus size fashion. For instance, if you’re wondering how to make your bootylicious back-field look good in denim, head over to my friend Rachel’s blog and read her post on how to find great plus size jeans. She spent many hours researching this topic like a mad field scientist. I trust her opinion.
But today I want to discuss a much more painful problem. With some exciting girly events looming on the horizon in a few months–including speaking at the Haven Conference in July in front of 450 gorgeous women all wearing stilettos and a girl’s trip to Anna Maria island next week(!!),– I set out to find a pair of cute strappy heels that I could wear to stand/walk in for long periods of time without crying. I’d also like to add here that I have never, ever, EVER made shoes a priority in my life. I am totally NOT one of those shoe and purse loving women who build entire closets to their Jimmy Choo shrines. I am a Croc flip-flop kind of girl with the occasional tennis shoe or hiking boot thrown in. Perhaps the reason I am this way is because those are the only shoes I can find to fit my Perry the Platypus duck-feet. For real y’all, my feet have always been crazy-wide. My first pair of shoes were a size 4EEEE. Seriously my feet look just like Fred Flintstones, except my second toe is longer than my first one so I look like Fred Flintstone shooting a bird. I inherited this lovely trait from my dad’s side of the family. Those Cain genes run right down to the tips of my toes. Literally.
So, on my mission to find the perfect high heel, I went all gung-ho and ordered $800 worth of shoes from Zappos. Ok, slow your envious roll, my friends- I never planned to keep them all! I just got tired of going to Rack Room and finding nothing in my size, so I ordered a whole bunch online with the sole intent of returning the ones that didn’t fit. Except the bad news is that NONE of them fit, so I’m right back at ground zero.
Seriously, take a peek at this…EIGHT pairs of shoes… and they were ALL a bust. Talk about crushing my soles soul. This sucks.
I’d like to give a special mention to this pair right here…
This pair was special. They felt great. They fit great. They were covered in these pillowy-soft nubbins that caressed my feet when I walked. I was excited! I took them out for a test drive…and that’s where this pubic humiliation part of the story comes in. If you follow me on Instagram you already know where this is going, but for those of you who don’t here is what happened:
I was walking through the public library (aka the quietest public place on the planet) and my cute new shoes totally made a farting sound. LOUDLY. AND REPEATEDLY. In the public library. People’s heads turned. I nearly died of embarrassment. I blame it on all those pillowy-soft nubbins.
So, back to Zappos they go…
Today I come to you asking, nay… begging for your help in finding a pair of high heels that will work on my wide width behemoth feet without killing me. For those of you living in a peep-toe paradise, where do you find your wide width wedges?
Please tell me that this holy grail of heels exists. Am I searching in vain here? All I want is a pair of cute wide width wedges or high heels that are stylish, comfortable, and most importantly… won’t make my feet look like a can of busted biscuits.
OK. GO.
I wish I could help Beth, but I just wanted to say I laughed out loud at the description of the library episode. Good luck in the hunt!!
OMG I couldn’t stop laughing about the farting shoes because I have a pr. of those myself that fart….lol-lol I feel your pain. I wish I could help you as well. I have a hard time finding shoes that feel good as well. It sucks. Good-Luck!!
I had a pair of shoes that embarrassed me the same way yours did. They were the most comfortable shoes ever. Try taking some moleskin and placing it on the shoe bed…might emlinate embarrassing sounds. 🙂 I have a really hard time finding comfy shoes. I cannot wear these 4 inch heels and then anything low looks too orthopedic and not the fashion statement I want to make. Good luck in your search.
Believe me, I feel for you. Have you tried Marty’s shoes (a chain) or even Payless? Payless is hit or miss, but they do have Wide shoes that really are wide. I’ve gotten several there over the years. I bought a great pair of strappy wedge sandals at Marshall’s, HOWEVER, i wore them yesterday and the busted biscuit cans were definitely there. Keep trying.
I laughed out loud like three times reading this. Alas, I am no help in your plight. Best of luck sweet friend. 🙂
Beth ,
Give Clark’s a try . I love ’em. I haven’t worn anything else for a long time. Happy feet , happy life !
Thanks for the morning laugh!
I’d barely opened my eyes when I began reading your latest entry and you had me in stitches! I work in a law firm that’s very uppity and can only imagine if I were in your shoes, in my office ! Oh, the horror of the farting shoes!
Hey Beth, check out Authentically Emmie’s post about her shoes: http://authenticallyemmie.com/2012/04/spring-aerosoles/
The post isn’t helpful per se, but the comments… some people have input about wide shoes there!
As a big girl myself, I find heels & wedges almost always impossible, as there’s just too much weight pushing my foot down toward the toe. I don’t have wide feet, and I’ve tried so many wedges, heels, pumps, etc over the years and they’re all so much more pain than they’re worth. My opinion is, especially if I’ll be walking a lot – comfort over style. Flats all the way! I may not look super chic, but at least I’ll be happy.
I find with having wide feet that there isn’t one holy grail store for shoe shopping. Widths vary, even among the same brand and size (Payless, I’m looking at you), but trial and error is key! Thank goodness for free shipping and returns, am I right? I’m usually on a serious shoe budget, so keep that in mind, but my favorite wide width shoe sources are Payless, Lane Bryant, and One Stop Plus.
Have you tried FootSmart? I get a catalog from them. They advertise wide, extra wide and extra extra wide. One of my daughters has Fred Flintstone feet. My mother on the other hand had super skinny feet. She wore AAAA with a 6A heel. Needless, to say her shoes were expensive and she didn’t get many on my Dad’s minister salary. LOL
2nd try – first one disappeared. Have you tried FootSmart? I get their catalog.. They advertise wide, extra wide and extra extra wide. One of my daughter’s has Fred Flintstone feet too. Hope you find something pretty and comfortable!
I am totally laughing WITH you!! I had the biggest laugh at your Instagram post (hubs totally didn’t get it or why I was in tears!) but we’ve all been there. While I don’t wear wide width I do hate uncomfortable shoes. I have really good luck with Clark’s and I have a fondness for the Natural Souls line. Not sure if they wide widths. Hope you find some comfy ones! There is nothing worse than uncomfortable shoes.
I feel your pain – literally & figuratively. I have referred to my feet as Fred Flintstone feet for years… I am not a super trendy shoe girl, basically because it’s not possible to be with my feet. However, I have found shoes that fit & some of them are actually cute. The downside is that the wide/comfort shoes are not cheap- the days of going to Marshall’s or TJMaxx & picking up a cute pair of shoes for $30 is long gone… It’s rare that I find a pair for under $100 – but they’re comfortable & they’re decently fashionable, so that’s a good thing. I like the brand Naot, which mainly has a cork footbed that’s wide. Most stores only carry their simple flat sandals, but the brand has many, many more dressy styles to choose from (you’ll need to look online). Dansko & Sanita have some cute styles, too. I saw that Ugg has a sandal line now (at Macys or Dillards?), but haven’t tried them myself. I do love their winter boots (not the suede no-support ones that most people wear) – their “fashion” line of leather boots & they run really wide, which I love. Good luck with your quest!
Best pair of heels I bought at Easy Spirit. They have W and WW. You can shop online by size. Or see where the nearest store is by you.
oh now, this stinks that you can’t find shoes you like. my boyfriend WISHES i had this problem, lol. i do alot of buying online when searching for something specific-this past fall i was determined to get some tall boots. i returned a lot of things, so like you, i’m only going thru free return websites. besides zappos i use shoebuy.com. and i think piperlime might be free returns, too.
don’t count out crocs for cuteness! i am rocking a pair of peeptoe wedge crocs as we speak, and no one believes me when i say they are crocs! good luck in your quest!
No help with the super cute sandals but Sketchers make a shoe called Go Walk that are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned and I’m not exactly petite and my feet tend to be on the wider side. Even though they aren’t sandals they come in tons of colors and are made of breathable material so they are fine in the warm weather. I have some back/feet issues and as I said these don’t hurt either. You can find them at Kohls, Fantastic Footwear and Amazon. Hope you find what your looking for.
OK Perry…. over 50 there is no pair of shoes that is comfortable, nothing that can make this booty licious, and I’m so sorry you got the walking farts in the library.
Oh, and in case you think I can never be helpful, Google Dansko sandles. Only wide ones that work for my can of biscuits.
I feel your pain. I have an extremely wide foot as well so no cheap shoes for me. I do love comfort as well but don’t want to look like an old granny (I love grannies, just don’t want to look like one though I am old enough to be). My go to shoes are Dansko’s and I have quite a few pair. They don’t only do clogs, they also have cute sandals. They look great with skirts or jeans. A few names of their sandals that I have and love are, Sandi, Sophie. and Frida.
Felicia is on my wish list to get next. I have always been able to wear mine all day with comfort right from the day of purchase, no need to break in. Another plus is they are so well made they last forever. I hope this helps.
Here’s to Happy Feet!
I had to laugh at the farty shoes- I had a pair like that once. Try Foot Solutions. I have foot problems, and can only find shoes there that don’t put me in agony. Some of their flip flop styles are surprisingly cute and I live in them spring-to-fall. I actually dread winter because my feet are in pain. I even considered toe socks and flip flops- talk about desperate…! 😛
Good luck! Heels = pain. I’ve never found a pair of heels that worked, so I go with wedges or clogs. I did find the best shoe in the entire world at Kohls last year and I waited too long to buy it before it was gone. But, ebay did not disappoint!! Score! They are my favorite shoes, I have them in two colors and get compliments on them constantly. They are back this year, check them out: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1598617/sole-senseability-peep-toe-clogs-women.jsp They are also sold under the brand name Rialto.
I feel your pain, Girlfriend! I’ve fallen in love with many a shoe in my day, but age and weight have unfortunately caused me to get off my high horse stilettos and find more comforting soles. Check out Nordstrom for a variety of great styles and brands in wide widths. You can search online according to width, or in person. Nordstrom is very customer oriented and I’ve always been extremely pleased with the sales personnel especially in the shoe department. As for brands, check out Ecco, Taryn Rose, even some Michael Kors in wide widths. Here’s a link to their wide width options online: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-shoes?dept=8000001&origin=topnav#category=b60128263%7Cf8000833&type=category&marketingslots=2&page=1&defaultsize3=&size=&width=c&color=&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=filtercategory_1&sizeFinderId=8&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&partial=1&pagesize=100&contextualsortcategoryid=0&shopperSegment=1-0-2%7C8M2%3ARS
Good luck and hopefully the ones you purchase next won’t embarrass you publicly!
I feel your pain, Beth! I’m not trendy and also have wide feet. Hey at least we can pull a room together!! Ha! Anyway my advice ditch the sandals and go for a cute pair of sneakers.
LOL!!! I think we have all had a pair of shoes like that 🙂 I love the look of wedges and heels, and have many pairs; but they all look brand new because I never wear them!!! Too much pain. So while I have no good advice on heels, I can tell you that I just bought 2 pairs of the Skechers Go Walk 2 shoes and they are awesome! Better than slippers. They are light and come in all colors. You could wear them while shopping or your heels 🙂
Hey! I don’t have the SAME problem…my feet are wider now but the size 10 I had all my life became a size 11 and stayed after my two babies. But I do have the problem with finding comfortable shoes too. I was at walmart the other day…. The had some really cute dr. Scholls sandals..but not in my size so I went online…even MORE cute ones… Not sure about the wide. Payless has a lot of wide shoes…really cute styles too. And I’ve had luck with barefoottess.com I think is the name. Also check out amazon. I don’t know if I helped any but I do feel ur pain…. Those were some cute sandals!!! 🙁
I have had good luck with the FootSmart catalogue, although I have skinny flat feet that are prone to plantar fasciatis. They have a huge variety of styles and sizes from AAA to EEEE. I swear by my Orthoheels; mostly that’s all I wear now. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is to find comfortable shoes.
I had a pair of leather shoes that ummm squeaked when I walked and to the wearer you cring every time they do…..I totally get why you’re returning them in spite of the comfort factor. My mom has trouble with shoe width too. Have you tried Naturalizer? They have some very fashionable shoes now.
You are hilarious.
Have you tried FitFlops? They’re not fancy heels, but they’re stylish platform-like sandals that are SUPER comfortable. I bought 3 pair for my upcoming honeymoon in Europe! You can dress them up or down.
You said you are a ” Croc-kind -of-girl”. Crocs make darling wedge heels.
Oh I wish we could have met at the Delta faucet event! We would be BFFs right away. I have the wimpiest feet ever! I have NEVER liked anything with a heel and like you, I am not a purse/shoes gal. I wear the cleo crocs every summer……I order two pair each summer and call it good. In the winter, I’m in my Keens or sneakers. I finally embraced my no heel wearing self and wore my crocs and flats at SNAP and Delta. 🙂
I buy extra wide shoes at womanwithin.com all the time and love them!
asos has a plus-size section with wide-fit shoes! Check it out at asos.com !!!
Try finding appropriate shoes and you’re over 50…I have always had big old feet. I was 10 years old wearing a size 10..*my feet had the nerve to grow as i got older*
and i never learned to walk in heels…yeah…i’m a hot mess. I do love wedges..they are sturdy and stable. *i’m a size 14/16*
just like clothes shopping , shoe shopping gives me the blues…
thanks for making me laugh..
Heading to Torrid…yeah i might be 50, but i can pass for 34/40
For my feet I like wedges that have a lot fabric, these shoes work really well for the width of my feet. I have had good luck with shoe cranival, and I just discovered the Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse at Opry Mall. It took some time there but the shoes I did buy are very nice. Croc does have heels though if you wanted to look into that. Also for my funny heel story at my walmart I thought I hit the lottery. There were a pair of Dr Scholls heels for 15 dollars. The heel is completely made of rubber (very comfy) so I wore them everyday to work for like two weeks and one day before leaving my house I look down and it looks like I had been walking on razor blades one of the heels was ripped in half and the other was sliced in three places. I dread thinking about who all saw that mess.
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