https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:25:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834389 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 01:53:25 +0000 Anonymous 1834389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's just the curse of being on the cusp of "normal". I ideally wear a 5-1/2, but a number of manufacturers now start at 6. Sometimes I adapt with insoles. More often, I choose to reward manufacturers who accomodate my size.<br /> Same with clothing. I am a 2-4 petite. But when I think about what it takes to run a profitable business, I'm forced to acknowledge that not every manufacturer can justify stocking sizes that fit 5% of the population. I allocate part of my wardrobe budget to alterations.<br /> ETA I have no idea why a picture of those earrings is visible and will not be "removed'. Apologies! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834379 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 01:20:22 +0000 minimalist 1834379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At the risk of sounding like I'm accepting the tissue paper and be quiet approach, I've been happy with a collection of insoles. Right now, am partial to Pedag, and find the full-length ones, which I need for arch support anyway, often make 11s (or men's 9s) just fine. </p> <p>It has not been my experience that European shoe sizes are any more consistent than US or UK sizing is. Without insoles, I've taken as low as 40 (men's loafers), as high as 43 (Philippe Starck burgundy spectator pumps), no squeezing or tissue paper. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834281 Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:04:07 +0000 Gaylene 1834281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kkards, you make a good point about how online shopping has given an enormous boost to those of us who fall outside of the prevailing size norms. Two observations, though:</p> <p>First, the generous try-and-return policies of companies like Nordstrom and Zappos are not the norm in most countries outside of the US. Guessing shoe fits is even trickier than guessing clothing sizes since it's much harder to get precise measurements. Emulating the try-on experience of a B&amp;M store using online shopping in Canada would mean most of my clothing budget would be eaten up by shipping, duty, and return costs. On-line shoe shopping just isn't very feasible if you live outside of the US. </p> <p>Second, while I recognize and applaud companies who do extend their half sizes throughout their size range, I'm baffled why so many arbitrarily exclude just ONE size in their sizing range--the half-size between the 10 and the 11. </p> <p>Can I just repeat, though, how much I love shoe shopping in the States because of companies like Nordstrom and Zappos who do their best to satisfy those of us who find a 10 too tight and an 11 too loose. And how delighted I am with companies like Munro which do offer a full selection of half sizes throughout their sizing range. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834138 Mon, 07 Aug 2017 10:35:37 +0000 kkards 1834138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmmm, being at the opposite end of the size spectrum i never realized this is/was an issue....i do know that wearing a 6 i have to order what i want about 60% of the time, and as kids today are getting bigger, i imagine less 6's and more 10.5s in the future...i expect that the missing size is due to supply and demand....<br />FYI, just to see, when i looked at 10.5 on Nordstroms site there were 2,272 styles available, on Zappos 9,585 -yes just a&nbsp;proportion of what was available in size 6, but not nothing. &nbsp;<br />my recomendation, reward those who carry a variety of shoes in the correct size.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834082 Mon, 07 Aug 2017 02:37:52 +0000 barbaraq 1834082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just returned from perusing my local Nordstrom Rack here in Seattle. &nbsp;I normally wear size 10, but sometimes wish I had the option of &nbsp;a 10.5. &nbsp;The 10.5 section of the Rack certainly confirms what everyone here is saying. &nbsp;It is miniscule compared to both the 10 and 11 sections. &nbsp;Sometimes I wonder if manufacturers think that when feet are as huge as a size 10 that a half size increment is too small a difference to be worth while. &nbsp;We would never notice... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1834055 Mon, 07 Aug 2017 01:15:09 +0000 Dekaf4me 1834055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hear, hear. Though I have no information or wit to contribute, I appreciate the shared cramming or waffling of feet and empathy of those wiggling a bit in 11's.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833735 Sun, 06 Aug 2017 04:44:31 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1833735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, so strange. And what Jules says, too. . ..&nbsp; What an eye-opening and puzzling thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833731 Sun, 06 Aug 2017 04:14:31 +0000 Gaylene 1833731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nebraskan, you are SO right about the pressure to cram a large foot into a smaller size. I remember as a young woman in the 70s how salespeople used to "assure" me that a size 9 shoe was the right size for my 10.5 foot. They would explain that that was the largest shoe they stocked so it had to fit!</p> <p>That's when I fell in love with Nordstrom. Boxes and boxes of size 10 and 11 shoes emerged from their stockrooms without a hitch. I actually had CHOICES! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833725 Sun, 06 Aug 2017 03:05:57 +0000 Nebraskim 1833725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I often think they just didn't make 9.5s (like how they apparently don't make 10.5s) but if women's feet are bigger, maybe they just decided to skip making 2 sizes. FWIW, I think women have always had larger feet on average but only within the past 10 years or so is it OK to "admit" your feet were bigger than size 7. My late grandmother, born in 1905, barely hit 5-2 on a good day. She wore a size 9.5 but always tried to cram her feet into smaller "more dainty" shoes. No one now has time to fuss with painful feet. For years I wore 10s but am now more comfortable in 11s. My poor spouse wears size 16 shoes. He is pretty much limited to shopping on Zappos as almost no stores carry shoes that size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833682 Sun, 06 Aug 2017 00:54:32 +0000 Gaylene 1833682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, it seems no one knows the reason behind the skipped half-size in brands which go to an 11. But I do feel somewhat better knowing my size 10.5 feet have cousins out there. :)</p> <p>Nebraska, my bewilderment is not so much that my size isn't stocked, but that it isn't even manufactured! Do shoe companies think anyone who takes a size larger than a size 10 just ought to be grateful for any big shoe--an "Oh, just stuff some tissue paper in it and be quiet" kind of attitude? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833233 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 20:04:40 +0000 Thistle 1833233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No idea. It is a very strange decision.</p> <p>It's why I'm not a fan of European sizing. I take a half size, so I have to size up. Always makes me feel like the shoe is a little too big. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833230 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 19:57:18 +0000 Nebraskim 1833230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For many years, the invisible size was 9.5. I cannot tell you the number of times I would ask for it, in stores both high and low end, and be told, "We get a lot of requests for that size but we don't carry it, we have 10s though." So if you get "a lot of requests," why not carry it? Baffling response on the part of manufacturers and retailers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833217 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 19:25:09 +0000 Staysfit 1833217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In men's shoes the corresponding missing size is a 12.5! It's what my DH should wear but it doesn't exist! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833211 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 19:12:43 +0000 rachylou 1833211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is that true, size 9 is the average? That might explain why there's always size six everywhere I look...</p> <p>Have to say what Donna said. After size 9, I have always found things get sketchy. I wear somewhere between 9.5 and 10.5, depending. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833189 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 18:21:08 +0000 Barbara Diane 1833189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a problem for me too. Between a 10.5 and an 11.<br />I'm glad for the explanation of size 42. Sometimes they fit, and sometimes they don't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833187 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 18:06:41 +0000 Jules 1833187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is highly irritating but not limited to shoes. If you look at clothing size charts measurements, there is often a bigger difference in inches between a 12 and a 14 than between a 6 and 8. So they are essentially skipping a size as well. As someone in this size range it helped me understand why often it seemed difficult to get a good fit. I imagine the rationale is based on sales being lower at the extremes - the same reason they make fewer size 4 or 10 shoes to begin with, but those will often be what's left on deep discount in the end while sold out of size 8. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1833009 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 02:13:35 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1833009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't get it either. &nbsp;When I was a 10.5 I just wore 10s that were too small. &nbsp;Not a great choice! &nbsp;Fortunately my foot size inched up towards 11 and shoe shopping got way easier. &nbsp;</p> <p>European size 42 is 10.5/11 in US sizes, FWIW. &nbsp; I definitely find some size 42s a bit too small, whereas US 11 is pretty much never too small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832976 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 00:33:47 +0000 binkle 1832976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tell me about it!! &nbsp;11's sometimes fit width-wise but they look too long on me, occasionally 10's work but depends on the brand... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832965 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 23:37:20 +0000 MTBGirl 1832965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It didn't go anywhere - it was never there. &nbsp;I feel your frustration! &nbsp;I've noticed this for the past 40 years or so as my feet were as big as they are now before my teens.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832962 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 23:34:07 +0000 Becky 1832962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As you say, it doesn't make sense if the brand goes all the way to 11. Makes even less sense than the way many brands begin wide widths at size 7. As someone who wears a 6EE, that is a very limiting factor. I know there aren't many of us, but . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832955 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 23:09:06 +0000 gryffin 1832955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Makes no sense whatsoever. &nbsp;I'd be so ticked. &nbsp;I've always been thankful to be a "usual" size 7 even if they go really fast. &nbsp;So sorry to hear that. &nbsp;Maybe contacting customer service would help. &nbsp;Some companies actually do listen, or so we hope. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832940 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:16:39 +0000 delurked 1832940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been preaching er complaining about the dearth of 10.5 too. It's ridiculous, especially when the average women's shoe size is a 9. Completely maddening.</p> <p>I can wear a 10 if it's generous. I like it if reviews show it runs long. I wear a size 11 in athletic shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832920 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:24:56 +0000 Angie 1832920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The mind boggles.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832902 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:00:43 +0000 Meredith 1832902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amen. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832878 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 19:30:40 +0000 JAileen 1832878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find it frustrating, too. When a 10 doesn't fit, I don't go to an 11. It's just too much of a jump. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832877 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 19:23:02 +0000 MsMaven 1832877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to know the answer to your questions. In some shoes an 11 is too big for me, and a 10 too short. It also seems that some brands that do go to a 10 1/2 are too narrow for my feet--and alas they don't make an 11.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-did-the-105-go#post-1832875 Thu, 03 Aug 2017 19:14:57 +0000 Gaylene 1832875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What possible reason could there be for shoe companies to ignore those of us who wear a 10.5 shoe? I'm disappointed when a shoe brand stops at a size 10, but I'll reluctantly accept it as a legitimate marketing decision.</p> <p>I'm baffled, though, as to what could possibly be the reason for a company to exclude a size 10.5 when Its range goes to an 11. Makes about as much sense as offering every full and half size except a 7.5. Any ideas as to why a 10.5 seems to be the forgotten stepchild of the shoe industry? </p>