Why Shoe Fittings Are Important

The number one thing we recommend our customers do before selecting a pair of shoes is understand their feet and what works well for them. The list goes on, but let's start here... Are your feet wide with a high instep? Are you wider at the front with a narrow heel? Are your feet long and narrow causing you to slip out as you walk? Do you struggle to walk in high heels but still want the elevation from the ground to elongate your legs? Whatever your specific concern is, we promise we'll do everything we can to find a remedy.

To make things a little easier, we have created a 10-point checklist. Following the following tips will ensure a perfect fit is always achieved.

• Have your feet measured. Our feet size and shape continue to change over time. Don't rely on the fact that you have always worn a certain size. It is likely that size is no longer the best fit for you! 
• Fit your shoes to the larger foot. Most people have one foot that is larger than the other, so make sure you have BOTH feet measured.
• Have your feet measured at the end of the day. This is when your feet are the largest. As we spend time on our feet they tend to swell so getting fitted at the beginning of the day can sometimes be deceiving.
• Try before you buy. Just like clothes, not every size feels the same. The size marked in your shoes varies from brand to brand.
• Make sure the shoe fits your foot comfortably. Look at the shape of the shoe; it should resemble the shape of your foot.
• Remember that shoes do not always stretch over time. They should fit when you buy them.
• The ball of your foot (the widest part just before your toes begin) should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe.
• The shoe should have enough depth to fit your toes. This is especially the case if you have hammertoes or other conditions. Shoes with too small of a toe box will cause rubbing and will cause calluses or sores.
• Stand up and make sure there is space measuring the width of your finger between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
• Always stand and walk around in the store. Make sure your shoes are comfortable! 

Shoes serve more than one function. Additional to looking good, they also need to protect our feet. Shoes should cushion our body weight and stabilize our gait. They should support our overall skeletal system. With these requirements in mind, selecting footwear is an important process and one many people don't dedicate enough time to doing. Peter Sheppard Footwear prides itself on offering the widest range of European footwear to women in Australia and beyond. Each shoe is carefully considered to ensure it suits our customer's foot.

To read more about our commitment to fitting, please click here. To browse our online store, please click here.