Our feet aren’t exempt from ideals of beauty, much like any other part of our body. In fact, a quick Google search of “beautiful feet” yields over five million results. If we take a scroll through these images, we’ll see that the vast majority of them feature women with small, dainty feet.
This isn’t really surprising when you think about it. After all, in our society, smaller is often seen as better. But what if you don’t have small feet? What if your feet are on the bigger side?
For years, women with larger feet have had to suffer in silence, forced to squeeze into shoes that are too small or opt for styles that they don’t really love because they can’t find their size. But things are finally starting to change. In recent years, there has been a rise in size inclusive footwear, meaning that women of all foot sizes can now find shoes that fit them perfectly and that they love.
The average women’s shoe size is a U.S. 8 or a U.K. 6, which is EUR 39. In the U.S., the population of women with larger feet (size 10 and up) make up around 38% of the market, according to NPD Group’s Retail Tracking Service data from 2016. But when it comes to fashion footwear, only about 20% of shoes stocked in stores are size 10 or higher.
This leaves a lot of people out in the cold, especially when it comes to trends. It’s not just that there are fewer choices for people with big feet, but also that the choices tend to be more expensive. When you do find something you like in your size, you’re likely to pay a premium of about 20% more than someone with an “average” sized foot, according to a report from CNBC.
This is all the more frustrating because as recently as 10 years ago, it was nearly impossible to find anything other than sneakers and boots in larger sizes. But now there are plenty of stylish options for big feet – if you’re willing to look for them. The rise of online shopping has made it easier to find stylish shoes in larger sizes, but there’s still a long way to go.
This trend has not been without its challenges.
One of the main problems facing companies that produce size inclusive footwear is finding qualified suppliers who can meet their production demands. Additionally, many designers feel that producing larger sizes takes away from their overall aesthetic or decreases profitability. As a result, many brands choose to produce only a limited selection of size inclusive styles.
Despite these challenges, the trend towards size inclusive footwear shows no signs of slowing down. With more and more consumers demanding access to stylish shoes in all sizes, it is likely that even more brands will begin catering to the plus-size market in the years to come.
The future of the footwear industry is size-inclusive.
Brands that don’t offer a wide range of sizes will be left behind as the market moves towards more inclusive and sustainable practices.
Size-inclusive footwear brands are not only making fashionable and sustainable shoes, but they are also making sure that everyone, regardless of their foot size, can find a pair of shoes that fits them perfectly.
Take Gustavia as an example. One of the many rising entrepreneurs at the forefront of the cause. She’s a long-standing lover of stunning shoes but no pair of heels would ever suit her size 11 feet. Working in corporate made didn’t make this easier, resorting to only jandals and men’s shoes.
Having struggled all her life to find shoes to fit large, wide feet, her pain was universal. So she founded Staavias – a plus size designer shoe brand that specializes in beautifully handcrafted footwear for women.
This is a huge step forward for the footwear industry, which has long been plagued by a lack of size diversity.
In the future, we can expect to see more size-inclusive footwear brands enter the market. These brands will not only offer a wide range of sizes, but they will also focus on sustainability and inclusivity. This is the future of the footwear industry, and it’s one that we can all get behind.
Help grow the size inclusive movement
- Educate people on the importance of size inclusivity
- Support size inclusive brands
- Encourage friends and family to shop size inclusive
- Use social media to spread the word
- Write reviews and blog posts about size inclusive products
How to shop for size inclusive footwear:
When shopping for size-inclusive footwear, it’s important to keep in mind a few things. First, make sure that the brand offers a wide range of sizes. Second, check to see if the shoes are made from sustainable materials. And finally, make sure that the shoes are comfortable and stylish.
Here are a few tips to help you shop for size-inclusive footwear:
- Make sure that the brand offers a wide range of sizes.
- Check to see if the shoes are made from sustainable materials.
- Make sure that the shoes are comfortable and stylish.
- Read online reviews to get an idea of how the shoes fit and feel.
- Ask around for recommendations from friends or family who have similar feet.
As the size inclusive footwear trend continues to grow, more and more brands are beginning to offer stylish and sustainable shoes in all sizes. This is a huge step forward for the footwear industry, which has long been plagued by a lack of size diversity.
In the future, we can expect to see even more size-inclusive brands enter the market, offering a wide range of sizes as well as sustainability and inclusivity. If you’re looking for stylish and sustainable shoes in all sizes, make sure to check out some of the amazing size inclusive brands that are out there.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
