VIC: Footwear – Where to find large sizes

[Anonymous]

Hi Carol – I’m not sure if your size 11 is a male 11 or a female 11?? If male, then I cannot offer a suggestion. If female, it’s probably time you visited the stores, again. I’m a male 9-10, depending on brand/style. Target now often have size 11 shoes. Probably 50-75% of their lines. Their widths are too bad, either. They do occasionally go to 12. The good thing with Target and other ‘department’ stores is that you can buy, take home and try, if you don’t feel comfortable shopping as a girl. Returns are NEVER a problem with them. An alternative is Diana Ferrari. They have two ranges – one of which is Supersoft and the other is just called Diana Ferrari. Their (wider fitting) Supersoft range often goes to a 12 but always to a generous 11. Their regular line generally stops at 11 but, I’ve found that some of those go OK, as well. You really need to try them on – if you are at all close. Cut/fit can vary so much within the same brand.

If you can shop as a girl, Myer / DJ’s often have 25-35% off – just bide your time. Even if you can only shop as a male, you can always try “I was asked to checkif you have this in ……. colour in a size …..?” Buy them, (2 pairs, maye e.g 11 and 12 and say that you’ll be returning the size that doesn’t fit. (at one store, in my ealry shopping days, the assistant suggested something like “if your’se not shopping for someone else, you may find it more convenient to try them here. We can use the storeroom and I can help fit you”.

I digress here for a little – I haven’t done this with shoes, but I did see a gorgeous dress ina store a few years back. I was away, on business and without girl gear and time poor. I found a public phone, called the store and when connected to the department and asked for the duty manager. I explained that I was interested, was from interstate, and was asking for her assistance. Could she accomodate me if I returned for a fitting? She advised me to come whenver it suited me and to ask for her by name. We went to the racks, she picked out two sizes of the item in which I was interested and also another couple of styles which she thought would fit well. She explained that the dressing rooms in that depatrement only had bar room style swing doors. She took me to the other side of the store into some more private rooms and offered to wait close by in case I needed assistance. We both did OK. I ended up a different more expensive dress than the one in which I was first interested and she got a sale . A digression from your question I know – but if you are a male 11 – ring a big store or a manufacturer or distributre. Tell them your need, If they can help, ask whenit would be most convenent for them. I have only had one knock back – that was at a hotel-based hairdresser / beauy salon in the USA late one Saturday. I’m still not sure if they wanted an early close or didn’t want me?

If you buy your shoes untried, and try them at your leisure and if your’re not comfortable with retiurns, you can always go to a different location of the same store. But these, days 75% of the staff are casuals and you are unlikely to hit the same assistant time after time.

Ferarri also run outlet stores in most capital cities. These outlets tend to stock excess or discontinued lines but I find 2-4 pair a year which I cannot leave on the shelves. I could buy more, but I have agreement with my wife to keep my stock of girl shoes less or equal to hers.!! In Adelaide, there is never a problem in shopping either as a male or female. The range is laid out on racks by size and the majority of GGs are usually an aisle or two away. From time-to-time, I’ve been there as a male and after seeing some possibilities have fronted the counter to ask for hoisery socks to try them on. The only negative is that there are no returns at the outlet stores.

I hope that you are a size 11 ‘girl’ – then, you should be OK!!

Remember, also, the shop by phone.

[Anonymous]

Hi I have found that Pay Less Shoes have larger sizes which are pretty good and they have at the moment where the second pair is half price.

I have tried buying shoes of ebay but I have found that trying the shoes first and buying them brand new is best for your feet.

Regards

Jen

[Anonymous]

Thankyou very much for your replies, unfortunately I am Male size 11, which does make it difficult, I believe there are some places on the net re larger shoes so I will start looking online soon.

Carol

[Anonymous]

Hello to all on TGR,

Bought two pairs of very nice high heeled “strappy sandals” last week from Glamazon Shoes in Essendon, (Melbourne.).

They are great for my favorite “weakness”, after five and evening wear.

Mira, the owner is very TG Friendly, (She is mentioned on the Seahorse Vic website.)

Great almost over night postal service and good prices too.

Happy shopping

Caty

[Anonymous]

I have found Rosenbergs in Windsor to be a great shop. They are really friendly (but you can go in boy mode and buy girls shoes if you wish).
They do ladies sizes from 11 upwards (with some 10’s I think).

I have bought 3 pairs there in the last few months and their prices are competitive.

They also do mail-order from their website http://www.rosenbergshoes.com.au/
Love to all
Gracex

[Deleted User]

Carol,

Although I am not in Victoria I know the delima you are going through.

I have looked at shoes on ebay. After contacting the sellers I was finding shoes ranging from size 13 to 16 having the right length but not the right width.

I have a local shop I am trying to get up some nerve to visit for a physical fit. They are online.
http://www.shoes-of-hollywood.com.au/

To give you an idea. My foot is 28.5cm x 12cm

I am yet to go out dressed so it is a nerving prospect for me.

If I get there and find any that fit and you are of a similar size I will try to remember to post another reply.

[Anonymous]

If you live in Northern Melbourne and require larger shoe sizes try Mc Laughlan shoes in the West Heideldburg Mall (Cnr Oriel Rd and Bell St)Brilliant sympathetic service,two women ,magic! The shop even offers a private fitting area.I just tried on mine in the main area.What are people going to say? Are they going to kill me?WTF?Love this shop.XN

[Anonymous]

Sad to say Mira has had to close her shop. Woe is us faithful CD customers. Glamazon was a lovely place to shop both in person and on line. I bought some gorgeous shoes from her over the last three years and still very happy to wear them.

I’m sure we wish Mira all the best for her future.

With tear in corner of eye

Caty

Hi to all on TGR,

Some months back I wrote about how I had been able to buy some nice “strappy” evening sandals from Glamazon Shoes in Essendon Vic.

Good service, good prices and good delivery.

This time around I decedied I needed some new “slippers” aka ballet flats. I like to have these when I am getting ready for some “Caty time”.(The others were so old they were made here in Oz and were looking very much worse for wear!!).

So back to the Glamazon website and to Mia the owner for some good advice, which was duly received.

Two pairs plus postage for circa $ 50.00… Great range of colours too..
Only one problem, yes they are the correct length for my big male foot, but the width is a problem. But I wore them for a couple of hours today and whilst they hurt a lot first up, they soon stretched.

So anyone out there in need of such an item, “get onto Glamazon”.

Happy dressing,

Caty

[Anonymous]

I’m also a size 11 in females and I’m finding more and more options out there. This includes Target, Rivers outlets and some Payless shoes. I have also had great success buying through Ebay, in particular http://stores.ebay.com.au/exbuy/