You may have noticed that we can't get enough of this season's footwear.Boots in all their shapes and sizes, heels that make your legs go on for days and flats that take a cute outfit to effortless chic are, for some, the stuff of dreams. However, to anyone out there, with feet of the size 8 variety (that's a 41 to you Europeans), the should-be magical words of ‘shoe shopping’ actually make us go into a bit of a panic. We feel you ladies, so have compiled a list of our frustrations for your entertainment and most importantly, empathy.
1. You can’t wear pointy boots: Seriously, we’ve tried, but unless you want to feel like your feet rival the size of the titanic, pointed boots will always be a struggle.
2. You can’t buy vintage shoes: Apparently everyone back in the day had pixie feet. Who knew? At least you can excuse buying brand new ones (no previous stinky feet wore those at least...).
3. You have to wear men’s ski boots: A bit of a #firstworldproblem we know, but a problem all the same. Nothing ruins a trip quite like a chic ski outfit combined with tanks for boots.
4. Same goes for spinning shoes. Or bowling shoes. Bowling is especially degrading with that big old ‘42’ emblazoned on the back. Were you the first to upgrade to lace ups? Yup, so were we.
5. Having to buy boys' sports trainers. True story everyone, we found ourselves at aged 14 purchasing trainers to then find you matched with someone else in PE. His name was Jamie.
6. You’ve had big feet since you were 11 years old. When your school shoes were the almighty Kickers boots, you knew that you were cool. Or potentially resembled a black-footed pingu. Or simply just ahead of your time...
7. That goes for more than just Kickers. Converse and Birkenstocks too, you were wearing them long before they became a thing, simply because they came in your size.
8. You can’t help but resent the plot line of Cinderella. Come on, the chances of you being swept off your feet by a prince being dependent on shoe size? How rude.
9. Converse make you look like a clown. But you wear them anyway because they’re one of the few brands that are guaranteed in your size.
10. Oh but don’t expect to get a colour you want, oh no ladies, size 8 black or blue Converse are all you'll be able to find.
11. Discovering high heels that don’t look like they’re from the Kinky Boots Costume Cupboard. It’s easier said than done, some shoes that you think are ‘jazzy’ can be misinterpreted by others.
12. Whatever you do, don’t shop in American sizes: It’s more demoralising when you ask for a size 8 and they produce an American 8, meaning a UK 6. Yes ladies, we’re a size 10 across the pond.
13. Flatforms re-define dragging your feet: We didn’t realise shoes could require so much energy to move around until we tried flatforms. It’s like you have anchors for feet (similar to the aforementioned ski boot affect).
14. Boys just don’t understand: Prep yourself for looks of incredulity when you explain that your feet are a comparable size. The best is when you can lend you shoes to your boyfriend, it’s the new couples’ dressing.
15. People always step on your feet. The tube is the scene of this crime, always. It’s like people don’t believe your feet are the size they are. Who would choose to pretend to have big feet?
16. Sales assistants don’t get it: there’s nothing like being offered a size 7 or even a size 6 in a shop because the style supposedly ‘comes up really big’. Cue awkwardness when you try and shove your foot in for so long that they eventually realise they don’t fit.
17. Packing for holidays: It’s a nightmare when your shoes take up over half your case. Or maybe we just pack too many shoes...
18. When you want the amazing Zara velvet boots and realise you can only buy online.
But it’s not all bad…
19. No-one can steal your shoes! So your fave heels are never going to be trashed by another.
20. Buy Gazelles, they make your feet look tiny.
21. Apparently big feet are sexy. So own it.
22. Uma Thurman looked pretty cool in Pulp Fiction, dancing bare foot with her big feet, so if she can do it, so can we.
23. When you do find shoes that fit, you share and care, because you know how hard it is. A Grazia fave are these Clarks patent loafers (and you'll be pleased to know you can get them in an 8!).
*Words by Milly Putt. *