Stacy Clement





Shoes

The quest for Fashion AND Fit

By Stacy M. Clement, M.A.


ou’ve been there, I’ve been there, any human on the planet looking for a stylish pump in anything larger than a size 9 or 10 narrow, has been there; trying to stylize a 12 wide flat or cram our poor size 11 1/2s into a 10. Oh sure, the clerk says, the leather will stretch some, but after three hours so will my feet and unfortunately my aching feet will swell much ore than the shoes will fit. We turn, in desperation, to specialty stores. While we love, absolutely love the 4” spike heeled, sequined pumps for only 120.00, they just seem out of place when we need to go to the mall ‘en femme.’ Some of our kindred specialty stores are now selling shoes that approach daylight operating hours, but seem to have a distance yet to go.

Why can’t we find a nice Cole with a two inch heel, at a reasonable price, in our size? Hmmm, we can. Below is a listed of shoe manufacturers offered for two reasons. First, find out if your favorite retailer carries the brand, find the shoe style you want and have Ms. Retailer special order them; and second, call the manufacturer and find out who, in your area, stocks their line of shoes. Of course, nationwide, Nordstrom’s and their markdown outlets, The Rack provide the widest selection of larger sized ladies shoes. There must be others as well. In Southern California, and elsewhere I suspect, retailers like Coast Footwear and Chic Wide Shoes also have some larger (11 +) in stock or available.

If you know shoes, and most of us do, you know that Ferragamos are to die for, but I have also had good luck with Magdesian Bros., both of which I bought at Nordie’s. Oh, by the way, my shopping experience at Nordie’s has been exemplary -- never a question about a return, never an eyebrow when I buy pumps while in drab, never two glances when I shop en femme.

So take this list, my friends, and go forth, buying pumps and flats, slingbacks and laceups! Enjoy!!!


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