Plus Footwear
Best foot forward for autumn/winter…..
‘Stylish and classy shoes in Euro size 41 are hard to come by and I know. I happen to be one of those women whose prayers have been answered by Kathryn Kerrigan. This smart cookie spotted a need in the marketplace for beautiful and well made shoes for tall gals and decided to take matters into her own hands. She put here ideas on paper and brought them to reality with the aid of masterful artisans in Spain and Italy. The results? A lot of happy women.’
Kathryn Kerrigan is the first luxury, fashion footwear company to specifically design shoes for women who wear size Euro 39-46.We then discovered that because our footwear is fashionable, comfortable and elegant, women who wear a size smaller than Euro 39 also wanted to wear our shoes. Now all of my designs are available in Euro size 36-46. Our shoes are all hand crafted by artisans in Spain and Italy of the finest materials, each shoe passes through several hands before reaching our stores.
Handcrafted in Spain, Kathryn's designs give the soles a well-deserved break from constricting fabrics, uncomfortable heels and flats. The handcrafted construction provides gentle control without rough materials and machine-made fabrication. The soft leather lining allows the soles to breathe without constricting or pinching the toes. The moderate arch and soft, elastic back found on the ballet flats provide additional comfort. www.kathrynkerrigan.com
'Of course, I have girlfriends who are experts at buying the most luscious shoes, which look fab on their nice size 5 & 6 feet! So, I decided to stop feeling jealous and do something about it. Sourcing has been fun if not a little frustrating.
There are so many amazing companies producing fabulous shoes but often only up to size 41, not willing to invest in the larger lasts (moulds) to produce the bigger sizes. I really believe this will gradually change as more and more young people are growing up taller and with larger feet. For now I've found a few good suppliers I hope to work with and hopefully develop with as this website grows.' Katie Long. www.katielongshoes.co.uk
What's happening with larger-size shoes?
Should we have a bit of faith?…
It doesn’t seem fair that you should miss out on the fun if you happen to have larger feet – for thousands of us who wear a UK size 9 upwards our only resort just a few years ago was footwear specialists whose priority was fit rather than style.
Now it has become a little better for us – although it has to be said that the greatest variety is still only available online but these companies should in all faith start to get a higher profile in the market so hopefully this may lead to a lot more shoe stores extending their own size ranges or including specifically designed collections.
Highstreet fashion shoe retailers like Faith, Office and now Primark have extended their range to size 9UK on selected lines which is encouraging but it is infuriating that highstreet giants like Marks and Spencer whose plus-size fashion collection still fails in many ways to challenge us at all. This missed opportunity is also apparent M&S’s shoe ranges where little or no effort has been made to increase its sizes.
…or shall we be more realistic?…
Looking at the success of Evans and their Georgina Goodman designer shoe collection which was a huge hit a few years ago and sold extremely well – ultimately proving there is money to be made in this market - this makes it so perplexing to see some of our favourite companies closing down over the past few months as they should be supported not only by the customers whose needs they furnish but also the general fashion industry who should finally acknowledge a lot of girls – including models have big feet.
It is also hard to understand in this day and age why we do not see shoes standardised to at least a size 9 if not 10 as a norm – maybe it is time that a nationwide foot and shoe survey is initiated to see how fit and size has changed if that is what it needed to get shoe manufacturers to take notice.
We’ve been a bit hopeful…
Whatever happens we have attempted to compile a list of shoe companies out there that go into or specialise in larger size shoes with a more fashionable outlook.
Shoe trends
Skyscraper platformed sandals including finely detailed embellishment and heel detailing. Gladiator sandals and sandal boots. Sandals with ties and tassels, fringing, studs, beads will be the holiday favourite.
Although the emphasis is height the trend in ballet pumps is still here. This season print, colour and finish make ballet pumps a strong favourite. Exotic skins, bonded fabrics and applied decoration through to block colours and metallics highlight.
Flat Grecian sandals also feature strongly with lots of straps, ties and finishes, also look at flats with stone, stud and cabouchon stone additions.
(Main pics: ZOEY green khaki boot from Kathryn Kerrigan, COVINGTON polka-dots from Samanta, LEWI in orange from Aldo Special Sizes, Biker boots from Evans and DAYNA slingback in silver from Totally Large Shoes.)
Red Group
From left: 'Basento' raspberry red suede mid heel shoes from DUO, Hogl Slingback in Red from Parris Shoes, 'Viv' pump in red from Samanta Shoes. 'Noella' in red patent from Hush Puppies and Miz Mooz 'Tillman' in red from BarefootTess.
Berry Group
From left: 'Casio' Cute Flattie in dk red patent from After 8, 'Persian' in dk pink and 'Cupid' brogue both from Hush Puppies,. Fashion pump in berry from Evans.
The new winter casuals
From left: Josef Seibel ankle boot, 'Mustang' Warm Lined Ankle Boot, Josef Seibel ¾ boot all from Magnus Shoes and 'Ayla' boot from Totally Large Shoes.
The animal group
From left: 'Colorado' boot from Angeline Tournier, 'Seattle' wellie in leopard by BFT from BarefootTess. Leopard print ballet pump from Evans and 'Wales' bootie in leopard by BFT from BarefootTess.
New Brogues
From left: 'Perry' grey Oxford lace up from Kathryn Kerrigan, high blue platform brogue from Dorothy Perkins (9). 'Ronnie' brogue coral nubuck from Office (9), St James heeled brogue from Selve.
New winter wedges
From left: 'Matkowsky' in beige from Aldo - Special sizes. 'Fiora' brown nubuck mid heel wedge boot from DUO. Suede and fur ankle boot from Evans.
www.after8shoes.co.uk www.aldoshoes.com(Special Sizes) www.amazon.co.uk/shoes www.amberandjade.com www.angelinetournier.co.uk www.atlastshoes.com.au www.barefoottess.com www.bigandbeautifulshoes.com www.cinderellashoes.ie
(Autumn wellies BFT Seattle Stripe from BarefootTess and KIRA from Kathryn Kerrigan)
www.crispinsshoes.co.uk www.designershoes.com www.dorothyperkins.com www.duoboots.com www.evans.co.uk/shoes www.faith.co.uk www.frenchsole.com www.hottershoes.com www.katielongshoes.co.uk www.kathrynkerrigan.comwww.large-shoes.co.uk www.large-size-designer-shoes.co.ukwww.laredoute.co.uk
www.magnusshoes.com www.office.co.uk www.tallgirls.co.uk www.samantashoes.com www.selve.co.uk www.shoesofyourdreams.com www.simplybe.co.uk www.totallylargeshoes.co.uk www.webstersshoes.co.uk www.vivaladiva.com
Selve -The Shoe individualiser
A new way of buying shoes when you have specific needs
Choose from a range of ‘classic’ and ‘seasonal’ styles and then discuss your needs from for example a different choice of heel that is more suitable for your needs – a choice of skins and leathers are also given for an individual feel.
Your design is handmade by their Italian shoemakers usually within 28 days of placing an order for shoes and 6 weeks for boots. Sizes available within the range are 1-11
Initially your feet will be scanned at their ‘Foot Lounge’ for perfect fit – your unique specifications are kept on record to make re-ordering so much easier.
www.selve.co.uk
Spring/Summer Plus - Footwear coming very soon!
