Having wide feet has always meant there’s a battle between wearing a shoe that is comfortable and chic, a shoe that is far too tight, or a shoe that may be comfortable but that isn’t all my style and doesn’t feel very fashion-forward. I know there’ll be readers out there who feel me on this struggle.
Ever since I went on the hunt for wide calf boots in autumn/winter, I knew that I would need to conduct the same experiment once the weather got a bit warmer and I’m pleased to show off my findings.
Without further ado, let’s go.
Winnoh
Best for: pastel mules
As a woman who grew up looking for chic, wide-fit shoes that were comfortable and up to her style standards, Winnoh founder Melissa Epifano just gets it. When it comes to a sandal or a heel, the mule is a shoe style that I’ve always struggled with because of that narrow upper strap. I love the fact that Winnoh works with a small, family-owned factory in Portugal as well. The brand has also recently started producing wide-fit trainers.
I have the leather mules in ‘sky’, which are such a beautiful spring shoe. These ones are made of leather so are super comfortable and doesn’t rub and cause blisters. The sky-blue colour is the perfect warm-weather shade and I actually find it goes with so much of my wardrobe! I’m a dopamine dresser through and through, but I think that shade is just enough of a pop of colour for anyone who wants to dip their toe into the colour wheel.
Read more on summer fashion:
- Summer dressing 101: what to wear to a BBQ
- The summer shoe styles you will wear on repeat all season
- I’m a seasoned bottomless brunch goer – here are my top tips for dressing for them
- The best Hunza G swimsuit and bikini dupes on the high street now
Sargasso & Grey
Best for: expensive-looking slides
Sargasso & Grey is a British footwear brand specialising in shoes for women who have bunions, which can be very painful and thus makes it difficult to find comfortable shoes. Their ethos is that everyone should have their ‘Cinderella moment’ with footwear that fits and looks great. The shoes are created with a wider toe box, which means more room at the front and memory foam-padded soles for extra comfort.
I immediately fell in love with the tan leather wide-fit sliders – Hermes sandal dupe, anyone? I know quite a few people who love the Hermes pair but have said that they’re only really made for people with a narrower foot, so these are perfect for those of us who need a bit more room!
Calla
Best for: chunky sandals
Founded by Jennifer Bailey, Calla is on a mission to bring back the comfort in footwear. The founder also started the brand having suffered with bunions so wanted to create a ‘walking on clouds’ moment for her customers. What’s great about Calla is that it offers a lot of information about bunions and tutorials on how to measure your foot so you know you’re getting the right fit.
They have a pretty wide range of shoe styles available as well, from trainers and boots to sandals and heels, all crafted with luxury leather and suede.
The Olivia fisherman sandals are beautifully on-trend for this season – they’re such a great style that will see you through spring and summer. And as they’re made from leather you just know this they’re going to be a wardrobe staple that’ll last. I can see these with a really simple jeans-and-a-tee outfit with an oversized blazer.
Van-Dal
Best for: classic sandal styles
Van-Dal is a British heritage brand that has been crafting women’s shoes since 1936. It originally started in London’s East End but found its feet in Norwich and garnered a reputation for creating high-quality shoes for wide feet. The styles also vary from loafers to court shoes, wedges and trainers to even slippers.
If there’s one thing I’m gonna find, it’s a dupe, and these Sundae tan leather sandals from Van-Dal are for anyone who is looking for an ATP Atelier moment but finds that toe strap uncomfortable. If you’ve got a broader foot or want a more structured sole, these are for you! I love the asymmetrical strap for something that adds a little difference to such a simple sandal shape.
I hope I’ve introduced you to a few new great brands for wider feet. Sizing in all areas of clothing and footwear can feel so tricky but these brands have been catering to our needs for a while now. it’s great to know that we can shop confidently and find shoes that are not only comfortable and good quality but also super-stylish.