Shoe Shopping Frustration/Question

[SarahFlwr]

Well tonight I went to try shoe shopping again the problem being I don't know my size yet so I need to try on a bunch of sizes. I hit up the local Wal-mart as it is the only reasonably priced place that would have a large selection. Well of course they only have up to size 10, and no wides. Really a company as large as Wal-Mart doesn't carry shoes bigger than that. Is there any chain store that sells reasonably priced shoes in larger sizes or is the internet the only way to go.
OK vent over.

[V M]

I've heard that Payless shoes carries large sizes. There are of coarse quite a few places online. I wasn't sure about my size so I went to a Big 5 and used a foot sizer. They leave them about and the workers there are usually in no hurry to help anyone. I was able to measure my size and buy a pair of tennis shoes before anyone even noticed me. I learned that my fem. size was roughly a size number larger. Also you can find size charts on line

[placeholdername]

Yeah I found the general size by tracing my foot on a piece of paper and then you do measurements, payless has a chart that tells you size based on inches.

As for chain stores with size > 10, kmart.com has some nice shoes in size 11 and occasionally higher, so you might be able to find them in stores too.  Honestly if you do the measurements, I found using endless.com to be very handy -- they ship free (sometimes overnight!), and have free return shipping, so you can just try a bunch of sizes and then return them with no cost or hassle.

The other thing is that sizes won't match even in the same brands -- sometimes I'm a 10 and sometimes I'm size 11.  And if you're wearing girly shoes (as opposed to girly sneakers) whether or not you wear socks with the shoes can make a big difference.

[Ms Jessica]

payless, sometimes target for shoes on the cheap.  I actually have really good luck at Nordstrom Rack-- they have an entire section of size 11 shoes-- I even found some really cute heels the other day!  I've been wearing them as often as I can.  Nordstrom Rack is a bit pricier, but you can sometimes find some really nice stuff for $40 or so. 
I buy my sneakers at Skechers.  Haven't had much trouble so far with the size 11s.  =)

[ilikepotatoes]

Payless will most often have up to size 12 on display. Stores usually keep their larger sizes in storage in the back, you'd just need the courage to ask a salesperson for them.

[Michelle.]

payless.com

the link to their size chart has a "print" option.

you too can have your own at home shoe sizer.

from what I have heard from "gg's", and experience, its best to often go a half-size larger or better yet wider when in pursuit of heels.

happy shopping...
mich'

[Alyssa M.]

Nordtrom -- I wouldn't have thought to look there -- sweet!

Target has cheap shoes in sizes (on pretty much every style they carry) up to 11; lots of women I know have several pairs from there.

I was complaining about the shoe issue to a friend and she told me "I buy online -- they'll hurt no matter what." So, there you go.

[Jaimey]

The only thing about Target's shoes is that they tend to run a little small...at least for me.  Normally in women's shoes, I wear a 10, but 10s from Target are always too small. 

As far as size conversion...if you don't know your size, generally women's sizes will be 2 sizes higher.  I wear a 10 in women's, but my Chuck Taylors (a wonderfully unisex shoe) are an 8 in men's.  I've seen several shoe stores that carry 11's and in the past couple of years 12's.  Payless is particularly good.