We understand quality and that knowledge is reflected in each and every shoe we offer on our website. We actually do fit-tests on our shoes to make sure you receive a shoe that fits precisely to the size and width you ordered. Unsure of your size? Try these suggestions: Shoes sizes increase ¼ inch for every half size. A size 8 ½ shoe is ¼ inch longer than a size 8 shoe. A proper fitting shoe should have approximately ½ to ¾ of an inch from the end of your toe to the end of the shoe. Learn more here.
•If you need a ½ size, and one is not offered, order the next size up (i.e. need 9 ½, order 10)
•If you need a narrow width and a narrow is not available, you may want to order one ½ size down.
•If you need a wide width and a wide is not available, you may want to order ½ size up.
•If one foot is larger than the other, order for the larger foot.
•Some manufacturers only offer their shoes in European or UK sizes. Here, Maryland Square helps you by translating foreign sizes into American, with a sizing chart for that style.
•If a style is not running true to size, Ladiesfashionsense.com will provide a fit recommendation.
First, trace your footprint on a piece of paper. You should be barefoot, and place your weight on the larger foot. Hold a pencil straight up and trace a tight line (close to the foot) around the foot onto the paper. Next, measure two perpendicular lines: one straight across the widest part of the foot, the other a straight (not diagonal) line from the toe to the heel. Keep these two dimensions: ball WIDTH and heel to toe LENGTH, on hand when you ask us about a shoe.
An American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society study found that almost 90 percent of women surveyed wore shoes too small or too narrow and 80 percent had foot problems. Don't let this be you!
While the size conversion charts are based on industry standards, millions of styles and sizes of shoes are made each year in a variety of shapes at hundreds of different factory locations. The shoes you buy are close to but not exactly the same as the size conversion tables. Also, you must consider the shape of your feet. Thickness (muscularity), thinness, hammer toes, bunions and other shape features should be considered as you look at the size, width and shape of the shoe.
When you call us with the information, we will measure the shoe in the style you're interested in. Depending on the toe box shape, the shoe should be the same or 1/4" longer than the length of your foot. Of course, if it is a very pointed toe shoe, the size will be different.
The width is flexible too. Often the width of the foot is WIDER than the width of the shoe and the shoe will still fit well. 0.25 inch makes a big difference in width. We generally recommend that you not buy the shoe if your foot is more than 0.25 inches wider than the shoe width . Although, there are exceptions. Unit conversion above . *Note on sizing: www.Ladiesfashionsense.com uses US sizing. The US uses "width" measures, as well as "length" for shoes. "AAAA" is the narrowest width, also known as SS for extra slim. "M" is medium width, also known as C. "WW" is extra wide width, also known as EW, E, EE or EEE. From narrowest to widest the widths are: AAAA, AAA, N (or AA), M, W, WW. The difference from one width to the next wider or narrower width is roughly 0.25 inches around the circumference of the ball of the foot. Width measurements are notoriously unreliable because they vary so much according to the shoe style and according to whether the manufacturer has added a wider sole or added more material on the top.
Please keep in mind that there are two additional factors to consider when determining which size to buy. First, while the size conversion charts are based on industry standards, millions of styles and sizes of shoes are made each year in a variety of shapes at hundreds of different locations. The shoes you buy are close to but not exactly the size conversion tables. Second, you must consider the shape of your feet. Thickness (muscularity), thinness, hammer toes, bunions and other shape features should be considered as you look at the size, width and shape of the shoe.
ABOUT WOMEN'S SHOE WIDTHS
THINK OF SHOE VOLUME, NOT LENGTH AND WIDTH
Most shoes are sold according to length measurements. In the USA shoes are sold according to width measurements. But shoe fit depends upon how the volume of your foot fits into the empty volume of the inside of a shoe. When you think about it this way..... filling an empty glass with water is like filling a shoe with your foot.... it is easier to understand the importance of considering the width and thickness of your foot when you buy shoes.
Understanding shoe fit is more complicated for women than for men because the shapes and styles of our footwear have so much more variety. You may need one size and width for sneakers, and an entirely different size and width for pointy toed, high heel pumps. Sandals or flip flops enclose so little of your foot that they may be the easiest styles of all to buy. Whether you need extra wide women's shoes or extra narrow women's shoes, it's a good idea to understand how shoes are made and sized in order to get a good fit.
SHOE WIDTH MEASUREMENTS Definition
Shoe manufacturers have standardized rules for how to measure length but shoe width measurements are much more variable. There is some general agreement that a shoe increases 3/16th of an inch around the circumference of the ball of the foot for every increase in width for the same length. But different manufacturers accomplish the extra width differently. Some may cut more material for the upper part of the shoe. Some may cut the sole slightly wider. Some may only increase the width for every full size length change - or even every couple of size length changes. You never can be sure as the manufacturing processes can differ even for the same style.
Here are the terms used to measure shoe widths moving from the most narrow to the widest:
SS = AAAA = "extra slim" or "quad", the narrowest size generally available. Even these widths are increasingly rare.
S = AAA= "slim" or "triple"
AA = N = "narrow" or "double A"
M = B = "medium", the most common or "average" width for that size.
W = C or D = "wide"
WW = EE or EEE = "extra wide"
WWW = EEEE = "triple wide'. These widths are even more rare than the SS widths, although that may change as the rate of obesity increases. Obesity is only one of many factors that make for wider feet. And one can be obese but not have wider feet.
