Cole Haan, Easy Spirit, Aldo, Merrell, Prada, Hush Puppies and MBT shoes for women, and how to wear them in style

Monday, September 18, 2006

Before You Buy Shoes Online

If you plan to buy shoes online, or go on an international shopping spree, you may want to consult the shoe size conversion chart below to get an idea of what your size might be in another country. This shoes size chart converts women's shoe sizes from those of one country to those of another. Of course, if you want to buy shoes online, and you want the just right fit you'll want to have your feet calculated by a professional. Then, take those measurements, and consult the manufacturer of the shoes you want to buy, and make sure you check their return policy.

Women's International Shoe Size Conversion Chart

US / Canada

China

Australia

Europe

Mexico

Japan

UK

5

35.5

3.5

35

-

21

2.5

6

37

4.5

36

-

22

3.5

6.5

37.5

5

37

-

22.5

4

7

38

5.5

37.5

-

23

4.5

7.5

39

6

38

4.5

23.5

5

8

39.5

6.5

38.5

5

24

5.5

8.5

40

7

39

5.5

24.5

6

9

41

7.5

40

6

25

6.5

9.5

-

8

41

6.5

25.5

7

10

42

8.5

42

7

26

7.5



Find Your Shoe Size - Step by Step Guide to Measuring Your Feet

1. Meet Your Supplies
All you need to get your proper foot measurement at home is:
- a piece of paper larger than your foot
- a pencil
- a tape
- and a ruler or measuring tape.
Band the paper down to the floor.

2. Tracing Your Foot to Find Your Shoe Size
Sit with your foot firmly on the floor, and your leg bent somewhat forward so that your shin is slightly in front of your ankle. Draw the outline of your foot and remember to measure your foot without shoes, but with socks like to the ones you'll be wearing with the shoes you are buying. Hold the pencil straight up and perpendicular to the paper. Make sure the pencil is resting cozily against your foot as you draw around it.

3. Mark the Length and Width of Your Foot
Use your pencil to draw straight lines touching the furthest points at the top, bottom, and both sides of the outline.

4. Measure the Length of Your Foot
Use your ruler or measuring tape to measure the length from the bottom line to the top line that you drew in step three. Be sure to hold the measuring tape straight, and find the closest mark that you can - don't round up or down radically. Write this number down.

5. Measuring the Width of Your Foot
This step will help you to determine the width of your foot. Many people will need a narrow or wide shoe. Measure the width of your foot by using your measuring tape or ruler to measure from the line on one side of your tracing, to the line on the other side.

6. Finding the Final Shoe Size
Replicate these steps for your other foot, and use the larger of the two. After you have your numbers written down, you should deduct 2 tenths of an inch from the numbers. This is to accommodate for the slight space between your real foot and the line made by the pencil. These final numbers are your actual foot measurements; you can convert them to the suitable size and width.

From Desiree Stimpert,
”Your Guide to Shoes”

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Save Your Shoes and Boots

Imagine if you had to go during life barefoot. Sounds exciting but until you begin to factor in hot pavement, rain, dirt and all the other calamities our shoes weather. Your shoes protect your feet. They also help identify your personal style and say a lot about who you are. They are an important yet often ignored part of your wardrobe.
Whether your shoes need to be renewed or repaired, your local shoe repair shop is the place to go. To keep shoes looking their best:

- Keep your shoes' shape. Use a shoe horn and loosen laces or buckles before removing.

- Don't experience with tight shoes. Your shoe repair professional can stretch and adjust shoes for increased comfort.

- Ask a shoe repair professional to replace your worn down soles and heels.

- Protective soles can extend the life of a shoe threefold.

- Weatherproof shoes and boots to protect them from the elements.

- Don't let dirt build up. Clean shoes and boots regularly. Maintain the leather luster and polish it.

- Bunions? Hammer toes? Corns? Shoe repair professionals can adapt shoes to fit unique feet.

- Stop knee, hip and back problems by keeping shoe heels balanced. See a shoe repair professional who can offer orthopedic appliances.

And, do you remember? :

Rules for buying shoes

How to combine your shoes with the most approptiate dress