Matching Continental Shoe Sizes to British Ones

[Rodge2]

In an attempt to get ahead of the cold weather (ridiculous-sounding today, I know) I have been eyeing up the ladies boots in Next (I tried eyeing them up in M&S but quickly stopped!) The thing that confuses me in Next is that whilst I am normally a size 7, and that usually seems to equate to the continental size 40 (for example in Clarks), in Next it seems to relate to size 41 (which is normally an 8 in most other shops). Does this mean that the size 7 boots I buy in Next are bigger than the ones I buy in Clarks? Or is it just that the conversion is an approximate thing?

These are the boots I am eyeing up as I thought they were good basic staples and they have good reviews. What do you think?

http://www.next.co.uk/g47214s7

[rsvp]

rodge - you have now horribly confused me cos I'm a UK size 6 and have always looked for continental 41 - maybe I'm way behind the times but it's always worked for me!!!!

[rojash]

"Does this mean that the size 7 boots I buy in Next are bigger than the ones I buy in Clarks?"
Quite possibly - shoe (and clothing) manufacturers are notoriously sloppy about sizing.

"Or is it just that the conversion is an approximate thing? "
That too - there is no direct equivalent.

[rojash]

Incidentally, I'm normally an 8 in UK or either a 42 or 43 in continental.

[follyfancier]

I have just bought a pair of Jane Shilton Boots, I asked for a size 7, they fit me perfectly and the box is marked as 41

[saxy_jag]

It's similar to being able to fit into a size 14 dress at one shop and needing a 16 in the shop next door. It's mostly down to the shape of the lasts used by individual manufacturers. They're all slightly different. It's just a matter of learning which sizes you need from different shops/manufacturers.

As a rough guide to fitting, the shoe should fit snugly around the heel without pinching, chafing or falling off as you walk (with boots, make sure the foot fits as well as the calf). You should have between 10-15cm gap between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe - about a finger's width. For shoe width, place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the foot and gently draw them together in a pinching motion. You should just be able to ruckle the leather up from the foot, but not so much that you can actually get a grip on it.

[redcrx]

"You should have between 10-15cm gap between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe "

http://www.google.co....,s:20&biw=983&bih=515

[craft1948]

http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html

[Rodge2]

Ha-Ha you made me laugh, saxy_jag, then redcrx made me laugh more! It is very confusing as you say. Here........

http://www.marksandsp...ation-Help/b/47652031

M&S say that ladies size 7 is a 40.5! Who has ever heard of that?

I am currently wearing a pair of Josef Siebel sandals which fit me perfectly and they say 40 on the soles.

Anyway, what do you think of the boots? Can you suggest any nicer? They need to be comfy and black.

[craft1948]

I think the boots are quite nice Rodge..............I buy all mine from here and can highly recommend them

http://www.rubbersole...P3qwqsCFYUKfAodRkQ6tw

[bushbaby_de]

I'm a size 6 (shoe, not body unfortunately) and I buy size 39 in Next if that helps

[Lyndsay1984]

Shoe size conversions are a nightmare and they are most definitely approximate. They vary massively from manufacturer to manufacturer - like clothes, really. I take a 7, like you, except in M&S I take a 6.5. In M&S they mark this as a 40, but in most other stores I've seen 7 equal 40, which is what I go by. However, in Next, I take a 41 :) I'm not sure if that helps but I do seem to be the same as you. I worked in a shoe shop for a few years and have far too many shoes to count.

Oh, and the boots look good - I saw similar ones in brown in Topshop before. Comfy. Might be worth trying on a similar pair in store in your size, if you can - get an idea of your size there. Also for the love of all things good, check the sole. It might be slippy and need some scoring or similar before wear.