Women's Shoes

Buying shoes online is difficult when I can't try them on. What's the best way to ensure I'm getting the right size?

We carry a huge selection of brands and styles, some of which vary slightly in their sizing. If we know a shoe tends to run large or small, we'll add that information to the product description. Most importantly, we rely on our customers to share their own experiences by rating the fit. Look for customer ratings on all product detail pages below the description.

If you are considering a brand-new item that has not yet been reviewed, we suggest following our fit tips:

How do I find the right fit?
How do I measure my foot?
How do I know if my shoes are the right size?
How do I know if my sandals or mules are the right size?
I believe I have purchased the correct boot size, but my heel is slipping. What's wrong?
My feet seem larger in the afternoon. Can this be true?
How do you measure the heel heights I see on your product detail pages?
Help! My new shoes turned my feet colors. What's wrong?

How do I find the right fit?

Before You Buy

1. If shoes are only available in whole sizes, order the next half size up if you are in between sizes.
2. If you generally wear a narrow and the shoe isn't offered in a narrow width, you may want go down a half size.
3. If you generally wear a wide and the shoe isn't offered in a wider width, you may want to go a half size up to give the ball of your foot and your toes more space.
4. It's normal for one foot to be larger than the other; fit against the larger foot.
5. If you don't know your size in athletic shoes, generally order a half size larger than your normal size.
6. If you are familiar with the brand, order the same size you usually wear in that brand--the sizes displayed on our site are from the manufacturers.

After You Receive Your Shoes

1. Try your shoes on with the same socks or hosiery you plan to wear with them--this will add up to half a size depending on the thickness you prefer.
2. Try on your shoes indoors on a carpeted surface--this will protect the soles of the shoes in case you need to return or exchange them.

How do I measure my foot?

If you are unsure about your shoe size, follow these instructions to measure your foot:

1. On a piece of paper, draw a straight line that is longer than your foot.
2. Stand on the paper with the line centered beneath your foot. The line should run under your longest toe and your heel.
3. Have a friend make a mark where the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe meet the line. Repeat for your other foot.
4. Take the measurement between the heel and toe marks. Use the measurement from the larger of your two feet with the size chart below to determine your shoe size.

General Size Guidelines

Women's Shoe Size Equivalents

Women's Standard Width Equivalents

How do I know if my shoes are the right size?

A good fit is when there's no gap between your foot and the sides of the shoe, the arch of the shoe cradles the arch of your foot, your toes have just enough wiggle room, and your heel should fit comfortably without slipping when you walk.

How do I know if my sandals or mules are the right size?

Your foot should completely cover the shoe lining, without your toe or heel overlapping the end of the shoe.

I believe I have purchased the correct boot size, but my heel is slipping. What's wrong?

Most boots are constructed with a softer heel counter (the reinforced material around your heel). This makes them easier to slide your foot into, but it may cause your heel to slip a bit the first few times you wear them. Not to worry, this is normal. After wearing them several times, your boots should mold to your feet and stop slipping.

My feet seem larger in the afternoon. Can this be true?

Most people's feet swell slightly as the day progresses due to body temperature and regular activity. To get the best fit, try your new shoes on in the afternoon.

How do you measure the heel heights I see on your product detail pages?

To provide consistent information, we measure all heel heights from a sample shoe size (women's size 6). The actual heel measurement will be proportionate to your shoe size and may vary slightly for larger or smaller sizes.

We measure from the center of the heel to where it meets the sole. If the shoe is a platform, that measurement will be noted separately. Measurements are rounded off in quarter-inch increments.

Help! My new shoes turned my feet colors. What's wrong?

The dye on new shoes will sometimes rub off on your feet the first few times you wear them. This is normal for natural materials such as leather and fabric. The same qualities you love about them--that they stretch and breathe--are also the ones that cause the dye to rub off on you. It is not harmful and will come off with soap and water.