Finding shoes should begin with choosing a style you like, but that is far from reality for anyone who wears a shoe size smaller than a US women’s 6 (about a UK 4 or EU 37).
While I can’t relate firsthand, I interviewed several Shorties who can. I learned that the smaller the shoe size, the less shopping is about personal taste and the more it becomes about compromise.
At a US women’s 5 (about a UK 3 or EU 36), the experience is inconvenient, to say the least. At a US women’s 4 (about a UK 2 or EU 35), the search becomes much harder. Below that, Shorties truly have their work cut out for them.
The name of the game is resourcefulness – and relentless searching. May this crowdsourced guide save you time, help you compromise less and lead you to your next favorite pair of shoes!
More Search, Less Choice
Shopping for shoes in small sizes is not for the weak. The process can be expensive, unsatisfying and seemingly endless.
One Shortie, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented how expensive shoe shopping can be as someone whose size falls between a US women’s 4.5 and 5 (about UK 2.5–3 or EU 35.5–36). Finding stylish footwear that actually fits is so rare, she told me, that when she finds a pair, she buys it immediately.
Lauren Page, a Shortie from England who wears a US women’s 5 (about a UK 3 or EU 36), described ordering a ton of pairs, only to end up keeping the ones that fit rather than the ones she actually likes.
When Style Outgrows the Size Range
If you wear a shoe size below a US women’s 6 (about a UK 4 or EU 37), chances are you first noticed the limits of mainstream footwear sizing when you began looking for on-trend styles or quality dress shoes.
During her teenage years, Amande, who wears a US women’s 5 (about a UK 3 or EU 36), longed for heels and trendy shoes, but they never came in her size. She would end up buying a larger size and adding insoles, but the shoes never looked right. “It made my feet look way too big!” she says.
Resourceful by Necessity
When women’s footwear isn’t available in their size, Shorties have learned to improvise. Two of the most common workarounds are making larger shoes fit and shopping in the children’s department.
Making Bigger Shoes Fit
Wearing shoes one or two sizes too large and compensating with thick socks, insoles, heel grips or toe pads is far from a perfect solution. For many Shorties who wear a US women’s 5 (about a UK 3 or EU 36) or smaller, however, it has become something of a rite of passage.
Like Amande, Lauren resorted to insoles and thick socks to get larger shoes “somewhat close to fitting.” Her time-saving tip for anyone relying on the same workaround is to buy a lifetime supply of pre-cut insoles.
Kids’ Shoes, Adult Compromises
Shorties can be grateful for the additional choices youth sizing provides while resenting having to rely on the children’s department. Both reactions are justified – every advantage seems to come with a catch.
THE PERKS
Compared with women’s shoes below a US 6 (about a UK 4 or EU 37), youth shoes are often easier to find in brick-and-mortar stores, allowing Shorties to try them on before buying. They also tend to cost less, and some casual styles are nearly identical to the women’s versions. Amande, who wears a US women’s 5 (about a UK 3 or EU 36), especially appreciates paying less for youth versions of the adidas Samba and Gazelle.
Lauren finds the children’s section particularly useful for leather shoes and prefers youth boots from Dr. Martens and UGG to their women’s equivalents. The zip fasteners on Dr. Martens’ youth boots make them easier to put on, while their softer leather means they “rarely need breaking in.” She also finds youth boots better proportioned to her shorter frame because their shorter shafts hit lower on her legs.
Based on my interviews and research, the following categories and brands tend to work well for Shorties shopping youth sizes:
Categories
Casual sandals
Sneakers
Rain boots and snow boots
Brands
Teva
Nike
Adidas
Converse
Vans
Birkenstock
Ugg
Dr. Martens
Zara
Zara was recommended by another anonymous Shortie, who said some styles “look polished enough” to pass for women’s shoes.
FINDING YOUR YOUTH SIZE
If you’re unsure where to begin in the children’s department, use the conversions below as a starting point. In US sizing, the general rule is to subtract 1.5 from your women’s size to estimate your youth size.
Women’s to Youth Shoe Sizes (US)
2 → Measure by foot length*
2.5 → 1Y
3 → 1.5Y
3.5 → 2Y
4 → 2.5Y
4.5 → 3Y
5 → 3.5Y
5.5 → 4Y
6 → 4.5Y
*A US women’s 2 does not have a consistently listed youth equivalent, so consult the brand’s foot-length chart.
For UK and EU shoppers: The 1.5-size difference applies specifically to US sizing. Children’s footwear often carries the same or a similar UK or EU number as the women’s equivalent, but conversions vary by brand. Start with your usual UK or EU size, then confirm it against the foot length listed for the specific shoe.
Regardless of whether you’re buying women’s or children’s footwear, treat any conversion as a starting point. Several Shorties I interviewed own multiple pairs from the same brand in different sizes, showing that fit can vary even within one company.
THE CATCH
A youth shoe being long enough does not guarantee that it will fit properly or provide the cushioning and support you need.
Potential fit issues:
Width and overall volume
Heel fit
Cushioning
Structural support, including whether the arch support sits in the right place
Youth shoes are designed around children’s feet, so their proportions and construction can differ from adult footwear even when the length is comparable. Whenever possible, try them on before buying.
Amande recommends paying particular attention to width. “Wide feet might feel a bit squished in them,” she says.
THE DRAWBACKS
The biggest drawback to kids’ shoes is that they are exactly that – shoes for kids. They can look juvenile, and they’re not necessarily made to last.
Lauren has encountered this durability trade-off with youth Dr. Martens. Their softer leather means they rarely require breaking in, but she finds herself replacing them every other winter.
Reactions to youth sizing are mixed. While Priya, founder of The Petite Label, was disappointed when she grew out of the junior size range, other Shorties resent being relegated to the children’s section in the first place. Through my interviews, I came to understand that wearing youth footwear can feel gratifying in a hacking-the-system sort of way, yet also slightly infantilizing.
As Lauren puts it, “No self-respecting 34-year-old wants Velcro fastenings on her shoes, does she?”
Your Options for Women’s Shoes
Unsurprisingly, women want to wear women’s shoes—including Shorties who wear a shoe size below a US women’s 6 (about a UK 4 or EU 37). That often means hunting down ready-made pairs in the right size, whether new or used. If the search comes up short, a cobbler may be able to adjust a slightly larger pair, or a shoemaker can create a custom one.
Where to Buy Women’s Shoes in Small Sizes
Finding retailers that carry women’s shoes below a US women’s 6 (about a UK 4 or EU 37) is half the battle. I wasn’t able to find current data showing what share of the women’s footwear market these sizes represent, but the limited selection across the retailers I researched speaks for itself.
With help from several Shorties, I put together a list of retailers carrying women’s casual and dress shoes in these sizes, including high heels. Scroll down to the size you wear for your best chance of finding a petite-perfect pair.
US WOMEN’S 2 – 2.5
UK 13 – 13.5 / EU 32 – 33
United States
$$$
Widths: Medium and wide in select styles
Shop in person: Boutique in Santa Ana, California
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included
Europe
$$$
Shop in person: Boutique in Milan, Italy
Italy based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included
$$$
Multi-brand retailer specializing in extended shoe sizes
Widths: Standard and wider in select styles
Germany based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees may apply outside the EU
$ – $$$
Ready-made and made-to-order styles
Netherlands based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included outside the EU
$$$
Portugal based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees due upon delivery outside the EU
$$$
UK based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included in checkout total for select destinations
$$$
Ready-made and made-to-order styles
UK based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included
A word of caution: Most of the website’s imagery appears to be AI-generated, so the shoes may look different in person.
Small Shoes by Cristina Correia
$ – $$$
Handmade and customizable styles
Widths: Custom width adjustments available
In-person fittings: By appointment in Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees may apply outside the EU
$$$
UK based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included
Australia
$$$
Australia based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees not included
China
$$
China based
Shipping
International
Approximately two to three weeks to the US
Import fees not included
A word of caution: Most of the website’s imagery appears to be AI-generated, so the shoes may look different in person.
US WOMEN’S 3 – 3.5
UK 1–1.5 / EU 33 – 33.50
You can shop at all the retailers listed above, plus the following:
Petite-Shoe Specialists
$$$
France based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees may apply outside the EU
Extended-Size Brands
$$$
Widths: Narrow, medium and wide
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included in checkout total
$$$ – $$$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
UK based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included for most destinations
Multi-Brand Retailers
$$
UK based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees vary by destination
$ – $$$
Size 3.5 only
Preloved footwear
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees due upon delivery
US WOMEN’S 4 – 4.5
UK 2 – 2.5 / EU 34 – 35
You can shop at all the retailers listed above, plus the following:
Comfort-Focused Brands
$$$
Widths: Slim, narrow, medium and wide
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
US only
$$$
Designed with a podiatrist
Widths: Narrow, medium, wide and extra wide
Ready-made and made-to-order styles
In-person fittings: By appointment in New York, Chicago and Washington, DC
US based
Shipping
Domestic and select international destinations
Import fees due upon delivery
$$$
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included in checkout total
$$ – $$$
Widths: Medium/narrow and regular/wide
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
Germany based
Shipping
Orders ship only within the country or region selected on the website
Import fees typically do not apply
Designer Brands
$$$
Widths: Narrow, medium and wide
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and select international destinations
Import fees included for most destinations
$$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and select international destinations
Import fees vary by destination
Trend-Forward
$$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included in checkout total
$$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
France based
Shipping
Domestic and international through regional storefronts
Import fees may apply outside the EU
Multi-Brand Retailers
$ – $$$
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees included in checkout total
US WOMEN’S 5 – 5.5
UK 3 – 3.5 / EU 35 – 35.5
You can shop at all the retailers listed above, plus the following:
Trend-Forward Brands
$$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees vary by destination
$$ – $$$
Available directly and through multi-brand retailers
Shop in person: Multiple locations
US based
Shipping
US and select US territories
Import fees do not apply to available shipping destinations
$$ – $$$
Shop in person: Multiple locations
Spain based
Shipping
Orders ship only within the country or region selected on the website
Import fees typically do not apply
$$
Limited styles
Shop in person: Multiple locations
Spain based
Shipping
Orders ship only within the country or region selected on the website
Import fees typically do not apply
Sneaker Brands
$$$
Shop in person: Multiple locations
France based
Shipping
Domestic and international
Import fees may apply outside the EU
$$$
Shop in person: Multiple locations
China based
Shipping
International, including the US, UK and EU
Import fees included for listed destinations
Small Sizes, Smaller Quantities
As with petite clothing, smaller shoe sizes are often available only online and may not be offered in every color. I was disheartened to learn that even brands with extended sizing often produce their smallest sizes in extremely limited quantities, making them especially likely to sell out.
10 Small-Shoe Shopping Tips
Now that you know where to shop, here are 10 ways to improve your odds of a Cinderella moment – the shoe-fits part, not the losing-one-while-rushing-home part.
Get first dibs. If you live near a store that carries your size, ask a sales associate to contact you when new pairs arrive. Do not overlook outlet stores – Stuart Weitzman, Tory Burch and other designer footwear brands have them.Otherwise, sign up for email or text alerts so you know when new styles drop.
Play the long game. Small-size shoe shopping is an ongoing pursuit, so keep an eye out even when you are not actively searching. You never know when you will strike gold. One anonymous Shortie called patience “the best tip,” while another recommended trying “different brands in different places.”
Think twice before ordering from abroad. A promising international order can become an expensive mistake if it needs to go back. Before buying, check who pays for return shipping, whether duties and taxes are refundable and whether an exchange requires placing a new order. Even when import fees are collected at checkout, return postage is often your responsibility.
Replenish your favorites. Once you find a well-fitting pair you love, do not be shy about repurchasing it. Several Shorties I interviewed swear by this approach.
Avoid final sale. Outside of replacing a tried-and-true pair, a final-sale purchase is rarely worth the gamble. Product images and descriptions cannot tell you how a shoe will fit or feel, and sizing can vary even within the same brand.
Opt for timeless footwear. One Shortie I interviewed prioritizes classic styles that stand the test of time.
Create an archive. That same Shortie stores shoes she still loves when they fall out of fashion. “It takes a long time, but they will come back around!” she says. As someone with a clothing archive, I can vouch for the thrill of rediscovering an old favorite.
Make them last. Along the same preservationist lines, protect and repair the shoes you already own. Always spray your suede and leather shoes with an appropriate protector before wearing them. Have them professionally cleaned at least once every six months and conditioned when appropriate. If you think a pair is beyond repair, take it to a local cobbler. You may be surprised by what is possible. Back when I was a Converse Chuck Taylor girly, I had the soles reglued more times than I can remember. Considering how hard the right shoes can be to find, it only makes sense to conserve the ones you have.
Make your demand known. A Shortie told me she has seen Born Shoes, Vince Camuto, Charlotte Stone and Franco Sarto reduce their offerings in her size. When a brand carries your size and makes a shoe you genuinely want, buying it shows that the size can sell. When it does not, join waitlists, use “notify me” features when available and contact customer service to request it. The more often brands see smaller sizes selling and being requested, the harder that demand becomes to overlook.
Shop vintage. Vintage expands the search beyond what is currently being produced. Joyce and Jessica, founders of Petite Mine, Petite Fit, look to it for unique silhouettes and designs. My one piece of advice when buying preloved shoes is to watch for what is commonly called “dry rot,” which can cause an older sole to crumble or separate on its first wear after years in storage. When shopping in person, look for cracking, crumbling, brittleness or separation by firmly pressing the heel and gently flexing the shoe. Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to rule out dry rot without actually wearing the shoes out and about.
Shoes Made to Fit
I’d be remiss not to mention cobblers and shoemakers, the tailors of footwear. Cobblers can alter an existing pair, while shoemakers can create one from scratch. Both are underused resources for bridging the gap between mass-produced shoes and a proper fit.
For more than a decade, I’ve counted on Andre No. 1 to work their magic – conserving and repairing my shoes, making design upgrades and turning uncomfortable pairs I love into shoes I can actually wear. I’m not the only one. They are trusted by luxury boutiques on Rodeo Drive, including Chanel and Gucci, and celebrity clients like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Making Shoes Smaller
Andre No. 1 may be the shoemaker to Shortie stars, but according to founder Gary Kazanchyan, most of the company’s work involves retrofitting footwear to smaller sizes. “Since we make shoes from scratch, we can repair or alter any size, there’s no limit,” he says.
Prices range from about $400 – $800, depending on the work involved.
Bespoke Footwear
If you’ve ever dreamed up a design or longed for a particular style that isn’t available in your size, Andre No. 1 can make your wishes come true. The first custom pair starts at about $4,000 because the price includes creating custom foot molds. Once those molds have been made, additional pairs cost around $2,800 each.
Andre No. 1 is based in the Los Angeles area, but you don’t have to be local to work with them. Although in-person fittings are helpful, virtual fittings are also available. Just be prepared for some back-and-forth shipping as they refine the fit.
In Short
For Shorties with small feet, shoe shopping is rarely as simple as choosing what you like. The smaller the size, the more the market demands compromise, resourcefulness and relentless searching.
Insoles and youth sizes can help bridge the gap, especially for casual shoes, but neither replaces access to polished, professional or supportive women’s footwear. Those options do exist, though finding them often means tracking limited releases, checking small-size specialists, searching multi-brand, secondhand and vintage retailers or, for those with the budget, turning to a cobbler or shoemaker.
The best advice from the Shorties I interviewed is to play the long game. Keep pre-cut insoles handy, repurchase what works and care for the shoes you own. My advice is to support the brands already making shoes in your size and make your demand known to those that are not.
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