large size shoe buying strategy help

jwhite44 · 19th September 2008, 12:40

(I apologize if this is long)

I have sz 12/13 feet so, like others with large feet, buying heels is not a simple task, but more of an adventure. Even though some stores (Payless, maybe DSW) carry sizes up to woman's 13, my feeling is they are still going to be too small for me. (I'm going with the normal '+2' size adjustment for male shoes, so I'm figuring I need a 14-15 W size).

The last set of heels I bought (a while ago) ended up being a 5" pump from Fredericks (mail order). I picked their largest size (13), but they are not surprisingly, small. My goal now is to get a pair shoes that has the 'good' discomfort of a high heel without the 'bad' discomfort of having my foot packed into a too-small shoe.

I started to look into fetish stores in my city. One had a website that showed some heels that went up to 16-17. I got up the courage to go to it (not bad at all once I got in), but perhaps typical of in-store inventory, they only had some of the shoes available, and only in a few sizes. Perhaps not surprising, no large sizes in stock.

I'm going to see if there are any other stores like this near to me. Since based on a decent amount of searching already, I thought this was my best shot, I'm not expecting to find anything else. Any suggestions for other places to try, expectations I may find something?

There's two options I can think of at this point:
1. For a local store, many allow you to order shoes. I'd probably be paying higher prices, and availability is sometimes listed as 2-6 weeks (probably submitted as a once-per-month shoe order). Also, I'm not sure what the return policy would be if I'm not happy with the fit. However, I would be able to pick up the shoes.
2. Mail order. That isn't my first choice, because I need to be discreet, and don't have an easy place I could have a pair of heels delivered to. I had an idea that I could get a mailbox (private or USPS), and have an order delivered there. That's a disadvantage, as I'd rather not have to go to that amount of effort, plus there's the cost. Advantages are I'd have a lot bigger selection. Places such as www.sexyshoes.com have a big selection (including large sizes), and are flexible on returns (though shipping costs can add up).

[Digressing slightly - one advantage of a place like sexyshoes.com is they also carry wide heels in addition to large. Although I don't need wide shoes for any men's shoes I wear, I was wondering if wide womans heel would be a provide a better fit? If it would, then mailorder is probably the way to go, since I've seen no local stores so far that carry large and wide heels.]

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

t-strap lover · 19th September 2008, 14:10

Sexyshoes is a great choice. Iv'e never seen any shoe at DSW larger than 11. There are several stores that carry large sizes. google the internet. Also open toe sling back shoes with a 3" or 4" heel would probably work for you in a size 12. Don't rely so much on those fetish sites, they all carry the same thing. bad fitting shoes. Check out the online dept stores and online cataloge sale sites. A lot of them carry 13w and 13ww.

Bubba136 · 19th September 2008, 15:16

Leslie Shoe Comany (sexyshoes.com) is a good company to deal with. I've purchased several pairs of shoes from them over the past 10 years and never had the first problem with their service. While the quality of their shoes isn't as high as LSB's standard, the shoes are nice enough to wear anywhere. The prices are reasonable for the product, also.

vector · 20th September 2008, 05:57

I've also ordered from Leslie Shoes COmpany with great results. You may want to get a PO (or no PO) box and use Ebay. Once you know your sizing, you can find some great deals.

I owe (blame?) the explosion in my shoe collection to them!

Thighbootguy · 20th September 2008, 19:43

Jwhite44 -

First Welcome to the forum!

Do consider the concept of “Support your local merchant”. If you have a store that can get the shoes you want (providing they aren’t price gouging) you might give them a try. If they are selling shoes, they should know how the sizing of their brands run and should be able to tell you what size should fit. That puts the responsibility for the correct sizing on the store. If they get it wrong, they should get you a different size. It wouldn’t hurt to ask before you give them any money. If they won’t stand behind their service, sexyshoes will.

Enjoy your heels.

Maximilian! · 20th September 2008, 23:22

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'd don't know what your price range is but here are a few shops I have had dealings with that carry large sizes::

http://www.italianheels.com - Custom order shoes/boots. Excellent quality in my opinion (I've ordered the Indira boots). Since it's custom it takes time for them to complete your order and shipment but it arrives. It seems that they make/carry sizes up to 45-46 european size which is 14-15 womens US size.

http://www.fuss-schuhe.de - Never bought from them though they have some nice shoes with large sizes.

http://www.silhouette.nl/en/ - Good quality and large selection of shoes/boots in large sizes. I've bought 2 pairs of boots from them.

http://www.world-of-high-heels.de/Shop/ - Never bought from this site but someone in the forum did and recommended them.

I'm sure there are other good quality shoe sites out there...

jwhite44 · 21st September 2008, 01:00

Thighbootguy (and others), thanks for the welcome. I'm wise enough (at least I'd like to think so), and not so poor, to be able to support a bricks & morter merchant, even if there's a price premium involved. I knew that when I went to the one store (for comparison, the same pair of 5" pumps they sell for $60, is only $47.50 from Amazon). However, I felt that almost any price premium would be worth it, if it allowed me to try on the shoes.

The sales guy (yes, guy!) did state that they could order my size, but I said, "I was really hoping to try them on, to make sure they fit." He didn't really have anything to say to that (knowing I'm a male 12-13, I'm sure he understands the difficulty in knowing the fit of such large sizes). If I can't try them on, and I'd likely need to wait 2-6 weeks for them to order my shoe as part of my order, then they aren't helping my purchasing task. At that point, I'm not sure I have many options but to go with mailorder.

t-strap lover, your idea to look for smaller, 'backless' shoes is a great one. I did some online searching at sears, target, walmart, macys - from an initial look, I didn't see much there. Bakers has some awesome shoes (always had), but only one pair in a sz12. Payless so far appears to be the best: several different shoes, some with sizes up to 13W, ridiculously low prices, and the option to order and pick up at a store. I can't their styles would be my first choice otherwise, but for 'ease of purchase', right now, I'm not sure they can be beat.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Thighbootguy · 21st September 2008, 02:32

I'm sure there is a Payless store in your area (probably several). Go in and try the shoes on! Really, go in and try them on. No one will bat an eye at a guy trying on heels in a Payless store. Search around on this forum for "Payless" and you will find hundreds of post that reinforce that statement. I go in wearing thigh boots with 5" stilettos and have never had a comment other than, "Welcome to Payless."

Some Payless stores carry more large sizes than others. If your local store dosen't have 13s in stock, ask the manager which store in your area might have them. I have also found that their shoes run a little large.

You can order shoes at their web site and have them delivered to your local store! Ask the manager what the policy is on ordering shoes and finding out that they don't fit. I have had managers encourage me to order stuff on line to be shipped to their store.

crotchboots-m · 21st September 2008, 04:06

thighbootguy,where is the ponytail on your avatar?

roniheels · 21st September 2008, 04:54

I wear a size 12 high heel shoe. I have an exotic boutique that stocks high heels up to size 17. I have bought many pairs there. But I have bought some very nice high heels at Payless Shooes and Famous Footwear. I have bought a few pairs of high heels by mail order, but I enjoy going into the store and trying them on, and even wearing them out of the store. Good luck on your search.