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carriem25

Looking for shoe advice!

16 years ago

Since everyone seems to have fashion on the brain lately, I'll get my question in, too.

My sister is getting married and has asked me to be a bridesmaid. I have already found the dress that I am going to wear - it is a metallic black/dark sapphire colour with a slight sheen. I have linked the style below, which oddly I think is more flattering on me than the model - I am very long waisted, so the jacket sits higher and makes me look more hour glass shaped (albeit a large hour glass, LOL)

My list of issues is very long! First of all, I have huge wide feet with a high arch, so I have issues finding shoes at the best of times (I live in Birkenstock size 42 sandals all summer!) I also have a neuroma on one foot that makes wearing a heel higher than an inch or so unpleasant. The last issue is kind of silly, but still an issue - I am the same height as the groom (about 5'8"), and at least 3 or 4 inches taller than both my sister and her fiance's best friend, who will be the best man (I also outweigh the rather, ahem, petite best man by a lot...).

Basically I am looking for a flat-ish wide width dress shoe. Does such a thing exist?

Carrie

Here is a link that might be useful: My dress, although in the wrong colour

Comments (16)

  • 16 years ago

    If it exists, you can probably find it at Zappos.com! You can select your desired width, heel height, etc. when you search. I love Zappos. Free overnight shipping, and free shipping if you have to return anything.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Zappos

  • 16 years ago

    What color shoe do you want?

  • 16 years ago

    sandal or enclosed pump?

  • 16 years ago

    Try Barefoot Tess. I am down on Zappos these days...I wear an 11 and like flat shoes and they never have anything in stock.

    These might work in pewter or bronze and they come in up to 14. But they might be too casual on close inspection.

    Here is a link that might be useful: barefoot tess

  • 16 years ago

    These are 1 and 1/2 inches which may be too high. I know!

    But they are dressy, have a variety of colors and sizes.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Annies shoes

  • 16 years ago

    These are 1 and 1/4 inch from Zappos.

    Here is a link that might be useful: shoes

  • 16 years ago

    That zappos shoe has 1 left in a black satin, size 12, which might be too big.

  • 16 years ago

    Carrie, how about this at Zappos? I have wide feet myself (7W) and, I also couldn't walk in high heels if my life depended on it. This pair looks great for many outfits and I especially like the low kitten heel on it. It has a feminine, dressy look to it and comes in black, silver and white. And, it comes in Wide and WW.
    "Cute Shoe at Zappos"
    Lynn

  • 16 years ago

    Wow thanks for the advice so far!

    Several other issues....

    I am not sure what colour will look the best with this dress, but I think basic black will be the easiest. Dark pewter might be okay, too.

    Now I read the thread on nylons being totally out of style. However, my natural skin colour is neon white, with a lovely translcency that shows every blue vein, so I am having trouble envisioning not wearing nylons. Wearing nylons makes open toed sandals ridiculous, alough I quite like the flowered Annie sandals that bumblebeez linked.

    Lastly, I live in Canada, where online shopping is rather dismal. Many US based companies will not ship here, or else shipping is outrageous. Zappos has a Canadian website, but the selection is not as good :(

    However, please keep the style ideas coming - maybe I will be able to find something similar at a Canadian retailer.

    Carrie

  • 16 years ago

    Some U.S. websites that could help you zero in on something:

    Masseys and Maryland Square (same company)
    Footsmart

    Footsmart has lots of shoes and supplies for footcare. (They'll ship to Canada, its website says, but I dunno what's considered too costly to be worth it.)

  • 16 years ago

    Wowzer!!! I can imagine how nice that dress will look on a long-waisted woman. I LIKE ;)

  • 16 years ago

    Cute dress! I can't help with the shoe issue, but I am happy to find some fellow size 11s! My problem is that my feet are a bit narrow, and swim in sandals - plus I'm cheap. But even when I decide to spend more money on shoes I have a hard time with fit.

  • 16 years ago

    Check out bridal shoes of Canada too. I found some in stock, in your size that would work. I also found a few that would work, in your size on the Canadian Zappos.

  • 16 years ago

    I would decide first, whether or not you plan on wearing nylons. I'm in the nylons are better than pasty, white, glow in the dark, veiny legs any day. But if you will wear them get a closed toe and back shoe.
    Or else do a spray on tan.

  • 16 years ago

    Love the dress! Classic style and sounds like a great color.
    Bummer about the shoe challenges, but since all of the wedding party's men are vertically-challenged, flats will be seen as the considerate choice... I'd agree that either black, dark metallic pewter, or the right near-navy would work. (But complementary blues are notoriously difficult to find.)

    On the nylons, the way it played out here, women under 30 went bare-legged with spray-on tans. Women over 40 wore nylons and enjoyed hearing about the hose or not to hose controversy. I don't recall even seeing any women between 30 and 40, so if you're 30-something, I guess you're on your own. ;-)

  • 16 years ago

    Simple black shoes with a very low heel or small wedge, NOT leather but fabric, will be perfect. Let the dress be the star (and of course YOU in it) and don't worry about the shoes.

    I would check out real shoe stores in your area, including bridal shops. They are used to dealing with all sizes, and should have a simple fabric shoe that is black or could be dyed black. Dyeables is a well-known brand and many wedding and special occasion places carry them. They can order your size. Here is a selection in extra-wide widths from their website:

    extra-wide width dyeables

    Love your dress!