Big-shoe ladies getting cold feet
Source: Agencies |
August 6, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DEMAND for larger shoe sizes is growing among women - but big-footed females are ashamed of stepping out in their shoes, according to a survey by British department store Debenhams.
The study questioned 1,000 women with size eight (US 10.5) or nine feet about their shoe buying, with 82 percent admitting they are ashamed of their shoe size.
Over half of the women said asking the shop assistant for their size was the part of shoe-shopping they found most uncomfortable.
"Buying shoes online can be a tricky feat which is why we decided to ask women why they were shopping behind closed doors. We were surprised to learn a case of cold feet was behind it all," said Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams spokeswoman.
The problem is not uncommon as average female shoe size has risen to a size six over the last 10 years, and demand for size nines has triggered an 80 percent increase in stocks at the department store.
The change is attributed to women's feet becoming broader rather than longer - experts believe this may be due to an increase in average body weight.
But big is not necessarily bad, as shoemakers begin to adapt fashionable show designs for larger feet, with celebrities Nicole Kidman and Paris Hilton sporting larger footwear on the red carpet.
The study questioned 1,000 women with size eight (US 10.5) or nine feet about their shoe buying, with 82 percent admitting they are ashamed of their shoe size.
Over half of the women said asking the shop assistant for their size was the part of shoe-shopping they found most uncomfortable.
"Buying shoes online can be a tricky feat which is why we decided to ask women why they were shopping behind closed doors. We were surprised to learn a case of cold feet was behind it all," said Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams spokeswoman.
The problem is not uncommon as average female shoe size has risen to a size six over the last 10 years, and demand for size nines has triggered an 80 percent increase in stocks at the department store.
The change is attributed to women's feet becoming broader rather than longer - experts believe this may be due to an increase in average body weight.
But big is not necessarily bad, as shoemakers begin to adapt fashionable show designs for larger feet, with celebrities Nicole Kidman and Paris Hilton sporting larger footwear on the red carpet.
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