Are heel gaps a problem with pumps? - YouLookFab Forum

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Are heel gaps a problem with pumps?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Pre-kids I was a size 7 for all shoes except 7.5 for sneakers. Post kids my feet seem to have grown a bit and now I'm between size 7-7.5. I can still fit into my old size 7's, but when I buy new shoes I've been mostly buying 7.5's because they seem more comfortable for my feet (except for shoes and boots that run consistently large in the reviews, like I went with 7's in the Frye Melissa lace-ups and Stuart Weitzman Giveable flats).

But now you guys are pointing out that I seem to have a gap in the back of the heel in my pumps. I never noticed this before and just went with what felt comfortable, but now that you point it out I do notice it. Is this a problem, kind of like having a gap at the top of your boots when you have skinny calves (which I also learned about here and now struggle to avoid)? In the blue pumps which are size 7.5, I went back to White House Black Market to try the 7 but that one was way too cramped for my toes and forefoot so I kept the 7.5. The Fossil buckle pumps are a 7 (they ran large in the reviews). I could try a 6.5 but I think I will run into the same problem.

The pumps I have are comfortable and do not slip at all when I walk so do I need to do anything or not worry about it? The bottom of my heels do seem to go all the way to the back of the shoe and the forefoot (where the balls of the feet are) are filling out the shoe nicely. Maybe it's because my ankle is too slender? Or maybe my feet are wider (I do have a slight bunion tendency, not extreme, but a little bit)? I never thought of my feet as wide, and it's really hard to find wide width shoes (not sure that I'd really need them anyways).

So what should I do? I don't think I can size down because then my toes and forefeet are squished. Do I need some sort of heel inserts if my feet feel fine in the larger size and don't slip? How bad does it look? (I never noticed the back of my pumps as I typically only see them from the front).

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

LoP

Veteran

Your feet might be sliding down more as the day progresses. I noticed it in your earlier post today (great outfit!), but didn't get a chance to comment. Maybe the jell party inserts would help. I use it with a couple of pairs that I have a foot sliding problem. However, if the shoes are tight around your feet, they might make it uncomfortable on top of your feet.

rae

(website)

Veteran

For me, there are a few factors involved:

How long do you stay on your feet? When I buy pumps, I get them with a little gap in the back, because I know that my feet are going to swell up after walking for a while. When I don't have that gap, I get heel blisters.

Will your foot fly out of the shoe? Sometimes I have to pass on too much of a gap, because the rest of the shoe doesn't hold my foot in. :T

How MUCH of a gap is there? If it looks odd, it looks odd, bottom line.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Actually, the foot doesn't seem to be sliding downward in these pumps, that is the funny thing. My forefoot fills up the entire front of the pump. It's only the back that appears to be gappy, but even then the heel is not sliding up and out at all when I walk. Like the Stuart Weitzman flats, I went with the smaller size 7 because when I wore the 7.5's, the heel was slipping up and down when I walked. If these were slipping forward or my heel was slipping out, I would try harder to size down, but I feel comfortable in these shoes even though it looks funny.

If I need inserts, where would I put them? In the heel?

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Oh, I wouldn't fret too much about it, GP. The gap is quite negligible (I've seen hundreds of "celebs" in pics wearing their pumps - and strappy shoes - with MUCH bigger gaps, out and about on the red carpet, for goodness sakes, and people still rave about their style, yadda yadda!) I'm also a 7.5, but depending on the shoe style and fit, I vascillate up to 8 or down. Comfort is VERY important for yourself and the health of your feet, and in order to avoid a small gap, you'd have to kill your toes and possibly be unable to walk after several hours or less. Try some gel or other inserts and see if that fixes the gap, but honestly I wouldn't toss beautiful shoes for that (verrrry minor) reason!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if maybe it's more how your foot and heel are shaped? I would be flap flap flapping out of these with every step due to my narrow heels. But if you feel stable in them and they are comfortable I'd assume they're the right size.

Beth

Veteran

I'm thinking the same thing as Malina re. foot shape.

I've seen pictures of other people with gaps at the back of their heels and always wondered how on earth they didn't walk right out of their shoes. I know I would. So if your foot feels comfortably enclosed and the shoes stay on, I'd think you're OK~

Tina

Veteran

Any time you have a heel your foot will tend to slide toward the front, especially when standing still. I realy don't think this is a problem, it is more a matter of fact. I haven't watched What Not To Wear in a while but I know when I did, Stacy loved her heels and I often noticed this on her. As Helen mentioned, you would have to kill your feet to avoid it. These shoes are gorgeous, where them with pride. I also love the second pair. Do you think that the higher heel makes the gap worse? I've noticed that the more my foot has to arch the more likely I'll have a gap.

Travelgal Nicole

Veteran

If you take your shoes to a shoe repairer they can put a cusion in the back of the heel that goes around the back of your foot. I've done this before for shoes that did slip. It also made the shoes more comfortable. If its not a problem though for you I wouldn't worry about it.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I have same issues with almost any shoe that has a closed back but that's because I have narrow feet. The only solution is to put some inserts in the back to give it a bit more of a tighter fit. Although in my case, most of my shoes now have strap across the back(sandals) so I don't have to deal with this and thankfully I live in warm weather and can wear sandals year around. Believe me, I know how you feel:(
I'd say as long as they stay on your feet, wear them and don't worry about the gap!

Kari

Veteran

Honestly, I would let comfort be the rule on this one. While there is a gap, also note that we are seeing it at eye level. Most people looking at you standing up probably will never notice, and it's not aesthetically detrimental. I mean, you could buy one size smaller and get the shoes stretched to fit the widest part of your foot, but that's not foolproof and would be more costly. I think it's fine to wear shoes with a small gap if they keep your feet comfortable.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I would totally let comfort be your guide here Natalie. If your feet are comfy and not sliding around, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

My heel curves more than the angle of some of my shoes, so while the bottom of my heel fits perfectly, there is still sometimes a gap. I usually just add an insert in the top third of the back of the shoe, which creates a nice pocket for my heel while masking the gap from view.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

This is a major problem for me. If the shoes don't stay on my feet, I can't wear them. If they fit you and are comfy, then it's not an issue.

Sara L.

Veteran

I love both those pairs of shoes! I agree that most people aren't going to notice the gap and if your heels aren't coming out then they're fine. I have problems with pumps because my heels flip out when I walk. I always add the heel inserts so I can walk in them.

Anonymous

I am not sure if the gap would bother me or not. You know, pictures tend to enhance things a bit. I personally get really bad blisters if my shoe gapes at the back. That friction from that back and forth movement bruise my heels really badly.

Just an idea, why don't you get your feet measured? Years ago, I happened to oblige to a small shoe store owner's request to have my feet measured. As it turned out, I was wearing the wrong shoe size for years ( half a size too small). Most of my complaints dissappeared once I started buying the right shoe size.

ETA: About that squished toe feeling, you know, I find pumps are really a hit or miss. Some pumps are uncomfortable no matter the size. It could be that the shoe is not comfy, period.

Fruitful

Veteran

Natalie, there is also the option to have shoes stretched, if the smaller size is just a bit tight rather than your toes hitting the toebox. Or playing around with inserts.

Everyone here is saying sensible things and I guess you should probably listen to them. I'm afraid I feel (generally, not singling you out) about heel gaps like how Angie feels about lack of PPL. I'm especially shocked when I see these gaps on fashion bloggers; I've seen it on Sal a few times and I'm mystified that she doesn't seem to notice. Yes, celebrities may do this, they also do a lot of other things I wouldn't emulate. Heel gaps are like visual nails down a blackboard to me! The really sad thing is, I have some shoes with gaps I haven't got around to fixing so this is a case of do as I say, not as I do!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Natalie, the gap itself does not bather me. if they are comfortable and staying on your feet then I think it is fine.

taylor

Veteran

I am with Beth and Mo here. I think it is fine for you because the way your foot and heel are shaped, for me I always seem to walk out of pumps if my feet aren't frimley up against the back.
I have noticed the gap on others and wondered the same thing...how is that thier feet don't slosh all over their shoes....apparently you helped me realize it must be in the foot construction:)

Jem

Veteran

I think that if your foot isn't slipping out the back, then they must be fitting properly and I wouldn't worry about it! I love both of your pairs of shoes in the pictures and especially LOVE your new blue ones!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Here's my take: if the gap is small, and the shoes don't flip off your feet when you walk, you're fine. If the gap is big and really noticeable, you might look like a little girl wearing your mother's shoes -- but if that's the case, the shoes are almost inevitably not going to stay on your feet, so it's a moot point.

In shoes without any kind of maryjane strap, I can't have any gap at all or they will fall off when I walk. It must be the way I walk or the way my foot is shaped. I buy shoes that squish my toes a tad, and they stretch out to accommodate my foot after a couple of wears. This is why I can only buy quality pumps made of good, soft leather that is guaranteed to stretch! BUT if shoe fling-age is not an issue for you, then a small gap is no problem. I don't think it looks funny.

Refugee

Veteran

This is a very interesting topic to me. There is a lot of discussion here on YLF about body type and the associated fit of clothes. I believe there are corresponding issues with shoes.
More than just foot length and width there is arch height, length from toe tip to back of ball of foot, length from back of ball to heel, the difference of the ratio between the two of these, width and shape of heel, difference between the width of the heel and the width of the ball of foot . . . I could go on.
My point is I think there are as many factors involved in shoe fit as there is in garment fit.

Anonymous

I have a colleague in a dance class that told me she had this problem at first even on custom made shoes. That's because the shape of her heel who is proportionally smaller for the size she wears. So they had to put some kind on inserts only on the upper part. She had a gap just like you. But if the length is correct and the feet doesn't flap around, you don't need to do anything

krishnidoux

Veteran

Have you tried putting a frontal half-sole under the shoe sole (the best ones you can get at your shoe store, they are white and foamy)...
Or try something like these:
http://www.alycedancewear.com/.....-Shoe.html

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can relate to this. My pumps do this too - albeit not as much gaping. Need to have room around my feet! I can walk perfectly with the gap and it's very comfy.

When you have long toes and bony feet, your toes need room and your bones stick out. Soooooo, you can't fill out a shoe as well. It's a reality. And so is toe-cleavage.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks guys! I have ordered a pair of the Fossils in 6.5 to double check but if the 7's are comfier for my feet I will stick with those and not worry about the gap!