K/R and How should sandals fit?

I've been very absent the past few months as life has kept me busy, but I have a burning question - How should sandals fit?

YLF has pushed me to upgrade my shoes. You have educated me so that I can no longer lean on the crutch of "no nice styles/colors come in comfortable wide widths". But I struggle with how much space should be at the toe and heel.

3 examples:
#1-3 I purchased last summer for my Alaska/Hawaii weddings adventure. they are a regular width so I sized up to a 7. They are the least comfortable pair, although they aren't bad - I wore and danced through two whole weddings without needing to take them off.

#4-6 K/R BOC Mimi in blush - These are a 6M but B.O.C/Born are often generous widths that work for me. Only whole sizes so I fear the 7M would be far to much shoe real estate at the toe. Very comfortable

#7-9 K/R I kind of love these, and so I need honest opinions to be sure I'm not swayed by their sub $20 cost. No name incredibly cheap sandals from the discount store so no find. They are remarkably comfortable for pleather shoes. The ankle strap is a bit loose, but I think I could sew them, or leave it if it doesn't look bad otherwise. Also only whole sizes, so I don't think I can go up or down. I would totally purchase a higher quality leather version if I could find them in a wide width.

Do these fit properly? I have a poison eye for too much shoe in front of the toe, and for the heel hanging off the back, and tried to strike a balance here, but I really don't know how they should look.

I will post next week for outfit advice with these but first I need to know if they fit or if I need them to be bigger/smaller.

This post has 9 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dillard's

Alex Marie Sera Strappy Wedge Sandals

View Info

Top Pick

Macy's

B.o.c. Mimi Wedge Sandals

View Info

Top Pick

5 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

They all look good to me. There might be a smidge extra room in the front of the last pair, but it’s not bad. I’d have to see the next size down to compare. It can be hard to judge when your foot is not moving. My feet slide forward when I am striding, so that little bit of extra room in front is nice to have.

I’d rather more room than not enough...I don’t like when toes are hanging over the top nor spilling out the sides. That’s a bad fit for the foot. Ugh, I so dislike buying and wearing sandals, so I feel your pain.

Jenni NZ

I do feel there is a bit much space at the front of the cheap pair. Otherwise I love them, in fact the most of all 3 pairs. I like the contrast of the bright white on your foot and the arrangement of the straps. I don't know if it matters that there is a little too much space.

Becky

I also have wide feet, and agree that fitting sandals can be a challenge. Nothing looks "off" to me except possibly photo #5: It looks like maybe the outside edge of your foot hangs a bit over the edge of the footbed? That's one of my own personal poison eyes, plus it makes the sandal very uncomfortable to wear over time.

Suz

(website)

One sure way of telling whether a sandal or shoe fits is whether the arch support/ curve is in the right place for your foot. If it's not, that sandal does't fit, no matter whether the overall length or width is fine.

The first two pairs look like they fit, and it sounds as if they provide comfort. (Always a good sign, LOL.)

The third pair look as if they could be a quarter to a half a size large. But if you can add another hole to the ankle strap that will secure them better. Your feet may perspire more in pleather and shift around uncomfortably over time, so you may be grateful for the extra toe room.

Elizabeth P

I think the first two pairs fit fine. I'd like to see the "cheap" pair in the smaller size - given there is room at the toe and the ankle strap, they look a bit big all over.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Karen13, have you tried sandals in a wide size? The first pair look too narrow on the toe box.

Second pair fit well.

Third pair look too long. You need a shorter, wider pair.

JAileen

The first two look fine, and the third pair looks just a little long. The most important thing is how they feel. I’d also be concerned with tripping, with shoes that are too long. That might not be a problem for you, but with my feet, it’s always an issue. I love the look of the second pair.

3style

I think that the “cheap” pair aren’t made to fit your toe shape, and that it’s not a size issue. I can tell because they would fit mine. See below.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

LaPed

Karen, I think my feet are similar to yours and I often run into the issue of having extra room in the toe due to the tapered footbed at the front. I can wear a wide width sometimes but in many cases the wides are volumetrically larger, rather than just being wider across the footbed. In sandals, this means the straps are usually too loose on my feet, which are wide across the toes but not particularly high-volume. Sandals whose straps are fully adjustable, like many Birkenstock styles are, are the best solution to the that problem, but finding dressy sandals with fully adjustable straps is almost impossible...

Agree that the BOC's look like they fit the best, and that the white discount sandals look to be a bit too large (long in the front but also roomy in the ankle/heel). The first pair, to me, looks uncomfortable based on where the strap hits your toes, and it also looks like you could use some more room widthwise.

karen13

Thanks everyone for the feedback - I think the consensus is confirming my concerns! I will try the cheap white ones which I love in the next size down, but I suspect it will be too small as there are not half sizes. SO the search will likely continue! I like the blush BOCs but didn't really need them so will have to think about whether they fill a previously undiscovered wardrobe nee.

I do look for wide sizes where possible, but it is so hard to find them in B&M stores and my feet are fussy. Thanks to YLF for not letting me settle!

I will post another thread enlisting YLFs help in my specific near term need search so as not to confuse things.

Category