RonC Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 I am wondering if I am the only one to notice that there are fewer and fewer large sizes available from the retailers in the US. First it was Target, who at least in their on-line store had nearly every style available in size 12. Now, if you go there, there might be three or four styles available (none of which I would be interested in either...lol). Places like Sears would at least stock most styles in an 11 in the stores, but now for the most part all you see are 10s. Macy's always seemed to have a decent selection of 11s, but the stores now seem to have very few. While the local Nordstrom Rack store still carries many size 12 shoes by sheer numbers, the range of styles has shrunk substantially, so it tends to be many pairs of the same, mostly unattractive, styles. The local Payless stores used to have most every style the store carried in a 12, but now many are completely doing away with the 12 section. And finally, and this one does hurt, I just went to the Payless web site, where historically every womens shoe was available to at least a size 12. Now, many of the dress styles (i.e. heels) no longer come in a 12, and several now stop at 10, especially in the designer styles. I wonder what the deal is. As far as Payless goes, I always had a difficult time finding 12s in the dress heel styles. Most often, the 12s would sell out quite quickly, as they would only have a pair or two to begin with. So if they are selling, why would they stop carrying them in the larger sizes. Is it that, with so much of the public having less disposable income, fewer guys (men typically being of the larger shoe size) are indulging themselves with new heels that, in many, many instances, will never get worn outside of the house? Or maybe with the economy being down, girls are eating less and, therefore not growing as much, their shoe size is shrinking...lol (that's just a joke, please don't take that seriously at all!). Does anyone have any insight into this situation? Do we by chance have any shoe industry people here that might help answer the question. Am I the only one noticing this? I have been contacting several of the retailers, and have yet to receive a real answer. It would be nice to have someone explain the situation.
yozz Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 My guess is that because of the crisis the shops reduce their stock severely. I was told this by a sales lady in a big department store in Amsterdam. The result is that in the 'marginal' sizes there will be very few items and when they are sold out there will be no more (of the common sizes they have extras in the back room). Whether it works like that in other countries I don't know. Y. Raise your voice. Put on some heels.
RonC Posted September 9, 2009 Author Posted September 9, 2009 My guess is that because of the crisis the shops reduce their stock severely. I was told this by a sales lady in a big department store in Amsterdam. The result is that in the 'marginal' sizes there will be very few items and when they are sold out there will be no more (of the common sizes they have extras in the back room). Whether it works like that in other countries I don't know. Y. I suppose that makes some sense. One would think that offering some shoes in sizes that not many others are carrying would provide some additional sales opportunities.
Dr. Shoe Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 there are two reasons for this; 1. There are more big foot girls around. 2. There are more guys buying them. Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects.
yozz Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 Of course that is what would make sense. The problem is that often they get shoes offered in assortments that have so many percent this size and so many other percent that size, etc. At least that was the case in one shop in which I asked this question. The one pair of size 42 would be sold out very fast. Yet they never got more of them because their manufacturers would only sell them this way. Maybe they base the composition of the assortment on a world average? Anyway, they are rather slow to catch on. Some shops that have their own brands can react faster. In north Germany I have seen shops that carry even a lot of size 43. The same chain in south Germany would hardly have any shoes in size 42. Y. Raise your voice. Put on some heels.
tightsnheels Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 I too have noticed this trend, our local Wal-Mart used to carry up to a size twelve in many of their shoes now your lucky if you see a size ten. I also noticed the Payless trend as well and found it quite disheartening. However has anyone ever ordered from Old Pueblo Traders (shopopt.com)? I had the chance to see one of their catalogs and from there checked them out on line and found that quite a few of their shoes go beyond size twelve and they even carry double wides! I just thought I would share this with everyone. T&H "Look for the woman in the dress, if there is no dress there is no woman."-Coco Channel
RonC Posted September 11, 2009 Author Posted September 11, 2009 I too have noticed this trend, our local Wal-Mart used to carry up to a size twelve in many of their shoes now your lucky if you see a size ten. I also noticed the Payless trend as well and found it quite disheartening. However has anyone ever ordered from Old Pueblo Traders (shopopt.com)? I had the chance to see one of their catalogs and from there checked them out on line and found that quite a few of their shoes go beyond size twelve and they even carry double wides! I just thought I would share this with everyone. T&H My wife gets the catalogues from Old Traders. They do have a great size selection, but I can't say much for the styles. A bit on the old womanish side. We are also losing a great sourse of large sizes (in a wide variety of styles) in Shoe Trader, and on-line source that is closing up on 9/15. You may want to check out what stock they have left, as they are selling out at about 20% of original price. I just bought a pair of heels for less than $20 shipped! They still have many styles in larger sizes available, though it is getting to the point where the stuff is quite limited. www.shoetrader.com
gary0618 Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 Steve Madden was carrying some styles in size 12 a few years ago. I noticed there weren't any last year. I guess popular demand has brought back some. There is now a tab on the website for "Extended Sizes". And now some size 12's are back. Here is my favorite. Click here: SteveMadden - TRINITIE BLACK LEATHER women's dress high platform FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE
Guest Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 well, fortunely for me I have a SMALL mens size foot (size 7) so I always know that I can wear womens LARGE size (size 9) I never really have a problem.
gary0618 Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 well, fortunely for me I have a SMALL mens size foot (size 7) so I always know that I can wear womens LARGE size (size 9) I never really have a problem. I Hate You! FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE
Jumpsuit Posted September 19, 2009 Posted September 19, 2009 If anyone know of where to buy some hh boots equivalent to mens size euro45 in Australia it would be appreciated.
roniheels Posted September 19, 2009 Posted September 19, 2009 I too wear a size 12 in a woman's shoe and I am suffering from the same dilema as some of you have spoke. Even some of the mail order places that carry larger sizes of high heels, carry a limited number of styles.
Sparky088 Posted September 20, 2009 Posted September 20, 2009 I gave up on Steve Madden years ago, all they had was up to 10 with a few 11's. Those Trinitie in the gray suade look great.
RonC Posted September 21, 2009 Author Posted September 21, 2009 Well, I am certainly not alone! That doesn't make me happier, however. Hopefully it is just economic based, and things will return to the way they used to be. I think we all need to e-mail, write, etc to the manufacturers (or retails, I guess, as most actual manufacturers actually produce numerous brands of shoes) and bug them about the lack of larger sizes. If they hear it often enough, they will then realize that there are sales to be made. And it is then that they will return to carrying large sizes!
Arctic Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 Basic economics. Business credit is tight, inventory is expensive, sell-out is poor. Business managers must cut costs even if it reduces some sales opportunities. Sizes on the periphery sell poorly in any case, and sit on the shelves, say, 10 times longer than those in the middle of the bell curve. In addition, there is the much higher risk of not selling them at all and having to dispose off through heavily discounted sales, at a loss. Selling size 43/UK9/US12 sized women's shoes is lousy business in the best of times. At the peak of next business cycle, in 5-6 years, things will be back to where they were 2 years ago: plenty of capital, plenty of customers, and marginal products will re-surface. What's all the fuss about?
jwhite44 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 Well,... I think we all need to e-mail, write, etc to the manufacturers ... and bug them about the lack of larger sizes... I was looking at the Payless site over the weekend; at the end of the session, I did a quick 30 sec survey. I got an email this morning asking if I'd do a longer survey (about 20 questions). Towards the end there was a free-form box where you could "write comments to the president". I wrote that "...there's been a noticeable reduction is the amount of large (sz 13) shoes, which is one of the main reasons I shop there...". Doubt it will make a difference, but at least I had an opportunity to add my 2c on the subject.
Saturn Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 I've noticed the same exact trends. From what I can tell, Wal-Mart's highest size in anything respectable is a size 10. I don't even go there for shoes anymore. The larger Payless section is going away near me as well - verified in three different local stores. I saw NO 13s, and very few 12s. Though the 12s they had were a little more stylish. I wear size 11, and they had an "okay" amount of 11s, but not nearly as many as I remember them having before. I have noticed that Shoe Dept. (for those that have one) have an okay selection of shoes in size 11 and even 12, if you get there soon enough. Shoe Carnival also has size 11s and a few 12s, but those are dwindling as well! Many of the styles only go up to 10, and of course, they're the best styles. I tried to shop at the mall and the only pair I could find that was 11 with a nice heel was a Jessica Simpson pump, and it was incredibly unstable and uncomfortable. Felt like super-cheap plastic shoes.
jwhite44 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 ...the only pair I could find that was 11 with a nice heel was a Jessica Simpson pump, and it was incredibly unstable and uncomfortable. Felt like super-cheap plastic shoes. That's unfortunate, as almost all the shoes in the Jessica Simpson line seemed pretty hot. I would be a shame if they were built like crap. Of course, since they don't go up to my size, it's not like I'd ever be buying any.
Bootking Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 Surprisingly, Wal-Mart on line had some nice dressy styles, particularly sandals in size 11. It's all about the heel!
ftbt Posted September 23, 2009 Posted September 23, 2009 I wear a US men's 15, so I usually have my boots custom made. However, here is a resource that might help in looking for stores that carry larger sizes: http://www.tallwomen.org/shoes/
Saturn Posted September 23, 2009 Posted September 23, 2009 That's unfortunate, as almost all the shoes in the Jessica Simpson line seemed pretty hot. I would be a shame if they were built like crap. Of course, since they don't go up to my size, it's not like I'd ever be buying any. Yeah, these looked good too. But you know when someone who never walks in heels does that "ankle wobble"? I couldn't prevent that from happening. It was so strange. I tried them on 3 different times, thinking that I didn't have them on right, or something. I bought a pair of Sketchers boots, with a huge block 4" heel at the thrift store the other day - $2, size 11. Cheapest boots or shoes I've ever bought! The thrift store turns up some interesting things in size 11. I've seen very few size 12s, and those that I did see were "frumpy" styles.
RonC Posted September 25, 2009 Author Posted September 25, 2009 ftbt, that is a great list of larger shoe retailers. Thanks!
wetwillie Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 You guys think you have problems? I wear men's size 12. I can wear some women's 13's but I need a 14. Not easy to find for a reasonable price.
justplandave Posted September 27, 2009 Posted September 27, 2009 it can be a hard line to cross , i did it once and it was great ... and next girl fliped out on me and left .... make sure it do it slowly
jep2438 Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Any attractive shoes will be difficult to locate in large sizes. Payless does carry most styles in sizes up to 13 and some 13W. I personally need 11ww in an open toe shoe and 12w in a closed toe. The web site will display the shoes by size and you can order them be free shipped to the store of your choice. If they don't fit, get an immediate refund and they will put them on the shelf for the next guy. There are 6 Payless store around me and they each carry different sizes, some up to 11, 12, or 13. Even though they are the same store, orders are placed based on the trend of the local shopping requirements to minimize inventory. If you want a particular shoe just get the item number and ask the clerk to locate it for you. She/he will look in the computer to see if its available in the area. I don't want this to sound wrong, but the stores located closer to ethnic (specifically African American) areas seem to carry larger sizes in more choices more often.
Bubba136 Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 I don't want this to sound wrong, but the stores located closer to ethnic (specifically African American) areas seem to carry larger sizes in more choices more often. There is a large population of African Americans located in the area where I live. And, Jep2438 is correct. The stores in my area, especially the ones located in the areas where this ethnic group likes to shop, carry the larger, wider shoes especially for these shoppers. Most of the styles in these sizes, though, have lower heels and, while feminine in appearance, tend to have lower heels (1½" to 2½") and wouldn't appeal to most of the male heel wearers that frequent this forum. Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public.
gary0618 Posted February 11, 2010 Posted February 11, 2010 I tend to stop in my Local DSW Stores whenever I am passing by. In the past, I have found a few pair of 12's. Not often though. And recently, I have not seen any 12's. But today. On their website, quite a few pairs. Nothing really great, but a few nice pair. Take a Look. http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/search/search.jsp?searchTerm=Women@size@12# FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE
BoyLegs Posted February 12, 2010 Posted February 12, 2010 I need at least a 13W, depending on the maker. I recently bought these at Shoe Express and am quite pleased with them.
gary0618 Posted March 30, 2011 Posted March 30, 2011 Check out Zappos.com http://www.zappos.com/romantic-soles-emitate-black-snake-synthetic They have many heels in size 12 to 14 even! FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE
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