How should a slingback shoe fit?

[Alistra]

I am 6" tall, so in the past I have mainly worn flats or shoes with small heels. I have decided I need to get out of a fashion rut by trying some new things! I ordered two pairs of cute peep toe shoes with 2.25" heels (love Zappo''s super speedy shipping!!!). One pair is too large, so it is going back (perhaps for an exchange as it really cute!). I am unsure about the second pair. There is a bit of room behind the strap. It is elastic and does not adjust. Is this ok? WIll it be comfortable? How do I know if it fits right? Thanks!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Those are super cute!

does it slide off your foot when you walk? does it feel secure? do your feet or ankles wooble when you walk? try to runa few steps, what happens then?

 

[Alistra]

LOL, I just noticed that I said I was six inches tall!

Oops, I meant six feet tall!

Thanks Bella_mezzo! They don''t really slide around too much, or slip off. I am not having trouble walking around my house. I am just concerned that they feel a bit loose in the back. I am not at all used to this style, so maybe it just feels a bit strange. They do look cute though! A total departure from what I normally wear!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Honestly, a bit snug. The elastic stretches pretty easily and then they become loose and not much you can do unless you have them cut and resewn by a leather repair and this isn''t always economical to do....it is kinda nice when slings have adjustable straps so the looseness doesn''t have to become an issue b/c you can just keep tightening them....

cheers--Sharon

 

[Alistra]

Thanks canuk-gal. Drat, I was afraid of that! I seem to have difficult feet to fit, so I don''t love buying shoes. Now I have another criteria to add to my shopping checklist. Good to know though. Perhaps I should return this pair.

 

[FrekeChild]

Have you tried ball of the foot cushions? I believe foot petals also makes a slingback cushion, where it''s just a strip that goes along the inside of the strap. I would rather buy shoes that are slightly too big and make adjustments than buy some that cut into my foot because they are slightly too small. I''ve had that happen and it looked like someone slashed my achilles and I couldn''t wear normal shoes for weeks.

 

[Alistra]

Thanks FrekeChild! That is a great suggestion. I have a really hard time finding shoes that fit me well (I am a size 10.5 which makes even finding shoes more difficult much less ones that fit well). I would love to be able to make this pair work!

 

[Alistra]

Sheesh, I am a total heel neophyte. I just looked-up Foot Petals - wow! If they really work, they look like a total Godsend! Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

[rockzilla]

Alistra...I am 5''10" and probably close to your shoe size (I can fit a 10 in shoes that are open-toed/slingback, but 11s are too big except for boots or things that require a thick sock)

Wanted to throw out a recommendation for my favorite shoe brand - bandolino. I buy their slingbacks every year (they come out with the same basic shoe each season, but change up a different detail, e.g. buckle, lining, etc) They have around a 2 inch heel and are SUPER comfy, and a 10 fits my in-between feet!

The best thing about slingbacks is they give you a little extra "room" especially if there is elastic around the heel.

http://www.zappos.com/bandolino-jarno-light-natural-black

Best slingbacks ever!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 2/8/2010 6:39:23 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Have you tried ball of the foot cushions? I believe foot petals also makes a slingback cushion, where it''s just a strip that goes along the inside of the strap. I would rather buy shoes that are slightly too big and make adjustments than buy some that cut into my foot because they are slightly too small. I''ve had that happen and it looked like someone slashed my achilles and I couldn''t wear normal shoes for weeks.

I send this! I put them inside the straps of all my slingbacks (I''m a size 5 but can rarely find anything smaller than a 5.5) and they are great!

 

[Alistra]

Thank you rockzilla and Dee*Jay! I mentioned the Foot Petals to my husband, and he was like oh I get it they are tools to adapt your shoes!

It looks like Zappos has lots of cute Bandolino shoes!

 

[katamari]

You might also need to have the slingback taken in. As someone who has freakishly narrow ankles (so much so that they are disproportionate to my feet and legs), I often have to take slings with elastic backs to my cobbler and have the strap shortened. Often a 1/4 inch makes a world of difference in fit. This is only a good solution in a situation like your case where the next size is not the answer. It usually costs me 10 bucks, but makes the shoe much more wearable, so I feel it is worth it.

 

[Alistra]

Thank you katamari. Tailoring for shoes! Sounds like a great idea! At that price it would be totally worth fixing the shoes so they fit correctly!

 

[Maisie]

Whatever you do, never let your feet overhang the back of the shoe! That looks awful!