Short Story: The Day The Last Shoe Dropped

by AlterationsNeeded on October 6, 2010

As a petite, I often learn the hard way that I am wearing the wrong size. One of my most memorable stories is the day the size 6 shoe dropped…literally…

I was a fresh college grad, eager to join the workforce and had just scored an interview at a large company, for which I was completely unqualified. I needed to dress to impress, but I was 22, and my closet was still suffering from “I-don’t-know-how-to-dress-myself-itis”. Luckily, I had one ugly black skirt that went to my knees, a stretchy button up blouse that I found in the juniors department, and had scored my first pair of adult looking pumps. Steve Madden black 3 inch closed toed pumps with pink stitching, in a size 6.

(These are not my shoes, as they have long since been given away. These, however, are available on eBay in size 9!)

Uh, yeah, sure, I guess they fit. I mean, I didn’t really know because I’d never seen a pair of shoes smaller than a size 6 to try on before this point in my life. The heel slipped a bit, but I just slapped a few gigantic heel liners back there and everything was going to be just fine!

I went on my interview and after a traumatic questioning session, I got to go on a tour of the facility. Following behind an exceptionally quick walking tour guide, I began to sense something was wrong. My shoes, after a few hours of wear, had become…slippery…and my feet were holding on for dear life. I gingerly, but quickly clomped my way down hallways and through rooms, sweating very un-lady-like because I knew I was in the middle of a serious fashion crisis.

Then, as we walked (I clomped) through a particularly busy room, it happened. My foot swung out to take a step, and my shoe decided it was time to go. Flying across the room in front of me, it loudly landed, and then slid some distance underneath a desk. I turned bright red as I fished my shoe out from under the desk with my naked foot, and the “tour” ended shortly after that.

As I clomped back to my car, I pondered how I could not keep shoes on my feet, yet millions of other young professional women seemed to have no problems at all. Perhaps I was not a size 6 after all. Oh yeah, and I didn’t get the job.

I have since discovered myself to be a size 5, sometimes even a size 4.5 shoe. There have been no flying shoe incidents since.

Elle

What a story. I have relatively large feet for a petite (sz 7) so I never had too much trouble finding shoes but I can understand how difficult it must be to find shoes when your feet are 5 or below…I mean, on sale racks the sizes start at 6 so I imagine that's the smallest sizes available at most department stores. And in spite of how traumatic the incident must have been for you, you have become the queen of small shoes so I guess we all live and learn.
curls-and-pearls

LOL What a crazy story!!!!! Oh poor you, I'm feeling embarassed for your 22 year old self, but it's great that you've learned from it. I too have large feet for my size like Elle – size 7!

That's ok, look where you are today. If the shoe didn't drop you probably would've been hired and who knows, you would STILL be wearing size 6 shoes!
R.L.

Oh noooo! I had a similar experience a few years ago with Xhilaration shoes I bought from Target to wear to an awards event in college (the kind where you get called up on stage individually and walk up there by yourself). The shoes fit while walking around the house. Luckily before leaving for the event my feet were sweating enough to slip out and make me realize that these size 6 shoes just didn't fit. I then invested in heels with a strap across the front… but thank god for online shopping because size 5.5 is the smallest size I see in stores. I'm a size 5 but wide, so it's extra hard for me to find comfy stylish heels. Thank god for sneakers…
CynthiaC

I have that problem ALL THE TIME! I'm a really small size 5 (though bigger than most 4 1/2s….if I can find them – LOL…..though I might be a size 4 1/2 now, thanks to vanity sizing)……I often resort to Mary Jane shoes, since the straps help my feet stay in place, but at the same time I don't like wearing shoes that look like they belong to a 6 year old!
Anonymous

Wow…how horrifying! I have a similiar problem but width-wise. I have relatively normal size feet (6.5) lengthwise, but they are EXTREMELY narrow! Even if a shoe fits me lengthwise, after a few wears they tend to slip off because my feet aren't wide enough. If a shoe doesn't come in narrow, I find myself having to go down a half-size (and endure the pain the first few wears) but even that doesn't always do the trick! Not to mention, its so not cute to have 1/2-inch gaps on either side of your shoes…lol!

~GRITS
thegoodgirlgoneblog.com

Aww, that's really embarrassing. In terms of dropping shoes, I once let my shoe slip off my foot on purpose to get a guy's attention…and it worked! He asked for my number ;)
Angie

this is inspirational haha. I am definitely a 4-4.5 shoe but I'm forced to buy size 6's often and they never fit correctly. When I find a good size 5 in a store, I just die of happiness inside.

can you believe once upon a time i thought i could wear size 8's!? silly junior high me

<3 angie
pandaphilia.com
TinyInTexas

I wear a 6.5 so I don't really have trouble with shoes, but I feel your pain. I was leaving work a few months ago wearing slingbacks, and the heel got caught in the cuff of my pant leg, the shoe went flying, and I took a nasty spill in front of everyone. Tres embarassing. Also I totally remember those Steve Madden shoes! I think Target did a knock-off of them too.
Em

OMG how mortifying! Props to you for sharing that story! And really, you handled the situation as best you could. Good thing you know your true shoe size now!

I still kind of have that problem with pumps, even when I'm wearing the correct size (usually 5.5 or 6). Pumps have a way of not staying on my heel so sometimes they just fall off my foot, especially when I'm wearing stockings. That's probably why I've always gravitated towards boots. My right foot is also smaller than my left foot. That's a bit tricky for fit, as well.
Pamela

Yay for you discovering your real shoe size. I'm a size 5.5 and it frustrates me to no end how every store has a million pairs of all sizes and our little section has 3 pairs of shoes (lime green kitten heels, no less). Shopping for shoe sales? Forget about it!

http://greatwhitetee.blogspot.com/
Alterations Needed

CynthiaC – I'm not a fan of strapped Mary Jane style shoes for that exact reason…so childish! But I can see how they are extremely helpful in keeping shoes on your feet!

GRITS – Oh man, narrow feet are tough to fit. =P

goodgirlgoneblog – LOL…nice!!!

Angie – Size 8?! How did you walk? That's crazy!

TinyinTexas – Yup, Target did have a knockoff. I think I found them on sale at Nordstrom Rack and was so excited to have my first pair of "adult shoes". LOL.

Em – I still have not mastered the art of shoes + stockings/tights. I fall out of my shoes all the time when I try.

Pamela – Sale shopping is very frustrating…all those racks of size 7-8…but a only a few measly pairs of size 5-6. Ugh.
Anonymous

Same thing happened to me, at a funeral home during a visitation. I walked up some steps and the right shoe flew off my foot and hit an innocent lady standing in line, waiting to see the family. I was in my 40s at the time.
I now look for t-straps when they are going to be worn with tights :)
elleandish

I totally feel your pain. During interviews I'd wear these pointy, low heeled pumps that were ill fitting and I'm sure it didn't help me in the confidence department.

Like Em i still have a problem with pumps :( I normally buy a size 7 shoe but with pumps I try to find a size 6.5… they still have problems staying on~!

In Japan I saw these interesting shoe accessories.. they were actually SHOE BELTS. Little elastic bands with decorations like bows and such that you wear with pumps so they don't slip off the shoes.. Genius. Needless to say I bought a pair. :D
PetiteAsianGirl

Looks like several of us can "sort of" relate to your story : ) I'd love to see some photos of 22 yr old AN without her petite fit knowledge. Even though I'm a whole size bigger than you in shoes, my 6's kept slipping off during interviews and such and I finally realized I was a 5.5. Now I refuse to buy shoes that are even a little bit big unless they are strappy or if they are boots.
The Little Dust Princess

hahah what a story! That has actually happened to me before too, but it only slipped off. :P
voguerugger

I am not a petite, but I love your blog nonetheless (phenomenal fashion sense – I love the layering!). Even non-petites have trouble with shoes! I'm a size 7, and I bought a pair of size 6.5 shoes today and the right one slips a bit off my heel. Thank goodness for heel inserts, because my feet are obviously not the same size. Also, I completely agree – pantyhose are the shoe-devil!
PetiteXXS

I actually used to think that all shoes were SUPPOSED to slip lol… and it always amazed me to see people walking around in pumps that stay on their feet! I also used to love wearing mary janes because they were the only kind that I can keep on. I have bigger feet than you, but with a narrow heel so my shoes are either too tight or if they're comfortable, then my heels would slip out when I walk. And I'm a little surprised to hear that you used to not try anything smaller than a size 6! I don't fit in a size 5 (usually), but I did see them all the time in shoe stores, albeit a much smaller selection.
Anonymous

this reminds me of when i was telling a story to my boss, and i kicked my foot out a little to illustrate a point and my shoe went flying. i was so embarrassed.
Canadianpetite

Just laughed my way thru your whole story! I'm sure you could laugh now too but was mortified then. When I was 17, my mom insisted I wear her heels — 1/2 size bigger — so I stuffed the toes and soles with Kleenex. When I entered the party house, my mom again insisted that we be polite and remove our shoes as the host watched us. I had to pick off the sweaty bits of tissue off my foot! Ewww!
Callandra

So funny! And I can definitely relate (although my shoe isze really is a size 6)
Anonymous

hehehe. awesome story I can totally relate to. I'm a size 2.5/3.5 and used to fake out wearing size 5 shoes (as those were the smallest I could find). I never learned what shoes that fit are supposed to feel like until I discovered Cinderella of Boston (luckily during college, although it took me a while to figure out that I was a size 3.5 :-P ).
Vicky

Too funny a read now. But I'm sure it wasn't that funny then for you!
SugarNikita

Funny mental image!

I think I'm actually a 5-5.5 wide. I have a lot of size 6, but my feet tend to slip out even with heel grips. I have dancer's feet (read: bunions), with a wide front foot and narrow heel. So, to fit the front, I often get a 6. But something tells me that's wrong…even my soft ballet shoes are a wide size (3.5 W, but they run 2-2.5 sizes smaller than street shoe size), and they fit much better, though still too long, I think! Ugh!
Katie

Hi! I just discovered your blog from Already Pretty and I just wanted to say that I love it! I'm itty bitty too, so I really appreciate your blog!! I was glancing at some of your posts and noticed that you have a lot of things hemmed and taken in and whatnot… I had to learn how to sew so I could manage it myself. :)
Anyways, thanks for sharing your shoe story, I'm glad you didn't trip and break anything when that shoe flew off!
Wendy

I'm terrified – I have two job interviews next week. I was planning on wearing my 4 inch black pumps in a size 5, but I'm having second thoughts now :P
Lorena

I am a size 6 and once I fell in love with a size 7 pair of shoes .. and made the huge mistake of buying them.
I cannot tell you how much hell I went through …
well actuallt I do not need to… you already know.
Dainty Chibi

My sister and I both wear size 4.5-5. It is really hard finding heels and flats that fit! What's your favorite places for these sizes?
Alterations Needed

Katie – Thanks for stopping by! =D

Wendy – Good luck on your interview! Just be sure you take preventative shoe slip measures! Heel liners usually help a lot!

Lorena – LOL. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one buying shoes in sizes too large. Proper fit really is very important, lest our shoes fly off our feet!

Dainty Chibi – Nordstrom.com is really great for shoes in sizes 4.5 – 5. Also, if you have a Nordstrom Rack near you, it's usually a mecca of small sized shoes. For more affordable options, check out Cinderella of Boston…they only make small shoes.
hypertigur

I always fear that would happen to me. I'm small too, my best size is a kid's size 2-2.5(roughly translate to a size 4 since they don't make it any smaller) and I'm 23! So it's rather hard to find not too kiddy shoes. I stay with flats now or boots, no pretty shoes =(
Alterations Needed

hypertigur – There are shoes smaller than a size 4! Nice one's too!

Check out my posts on Pretty Small Shoes, Cinderella of Boston, and Shoes of Prey. They all go down to a size 2 or 3 in women's (not kids)

Pretty Small Shoes
Shoes of Prey
Cinderella of Boston
Anonymous

I am a new viewer and want to add my solution to the shoe slippage problem. I am a small size 4 and I am constantly walking out of my shoes. I now place a strip of double sided scotch tape on the bottom of my heel—either on bare heel or on the tights. My shoes never slip. At the end of the day, i just peel off my foot. I also, use the tape for sling backs. I put the tape where I want the strap to stay and it does not move until I want it to.
hypertigur

I always fear that would happen to me. I'm small too, my best size is a kid's size 2-2.5(roughly translate to a size 4 since they don't make it any smaller) and I'm 23! So it's rather hard to find not too kiddy shoes. I stay with flats now or boots, no pretty shoes =(
Dainty Chibi

My sister and I both wear size 4.5-5. It is really hard finding heels and flats that fit! What's your favorite places for these sizes?
voguerugger

I am not a petite, but I love your blog nonetheless (phenomenal fashion sense – I love the layering!). Even non-petites have trouble with shoes! I'm a size 7, and I bought a pair of size 6.5 shoes today and the right one slips a bit off my heel. Thank goodness for heel inserts, because my feet are obviously not the same size. Also, I completely agree – pantyhose are the shoe-devil!
Katie

Hi! I just discovered your blog from Already Pretty and I just wanted to say that I love it! I'm itty bitty too, so I really appreciate your blog!! I was glancing at some of your posts and noticed that you have a lot of things hemmed and taken in and whatnot… I had to learn how to sew so I could manage it myself. :)
Anyways, thanks for sharing your shoe story, I'm glad you didn't trip and break anything when that shoe flew off!
The Little Dust Princess

hahah what a story! That has actually happened to me before too, but it only slipped off. :P
Anonymous

Same thing happened to me, at a funeral home during a visitation. I walked up some steps and the right shoe flew off my foot and hit an innocent lady standing in line, waiting to see the family. I was in my 40s at the time.
I now look for t-straps when they are going to be worn with tights :)
Alterations Needed

CynthiaC – I'm not a fan of strapped Mary Jane style shoes for that exact reason…so childish! But I can see how they are extremely helpful in keeping shoes on your feet!

GRITS – Oh man, narrow feet are tough to fit. =P

goodgirlgoneblog – LOL…nice!!!

Angie – Size 8?! How did you walk? That's crazy!

TinyinTexas – Yup, Target did have a knockoff. I think I found them on sale at Nordstrom Rack and was so excited to have my first pair of "adult shoes". LOL.

Em – I still have not mastered the art of shoes + stockings/tights. I fall out of my shoes all the time when I try.

Pamela – Sale shopping is very frustrating…all those racks of size 7-8…but a only a few measly pairs of size 5-6. Ugh.
TinyInTexas

I wear a 6.5 so I don't really have trouble with shoes, but I feel your pain. I was leaving work a few months ago wearing slingbacks, and the heel got caught in the cuff of my pant leg, the shoe went flying, and I took a nasty spill in front of everyone. Tres embarassing. Also I totally remember those Steve Madden shoes! I think Target did a knock-off of them too.
Angie

this is inspirational haha. I am definitely a 4-4.5 shoe but I'm forced to buy size 6's often and they never fit correctly. When I find a good size 5 in a store, I just die of happiness inside.

can you believe once upon a time i thought i could wear size 8's!? silly junior high me

<3 angie
pandaphilia.com
R.L.

Oh noooo! I had a similar experience a few years ago with Xhilaration shoes I bought from Target to wear to an awards event in college (the kind where you get called up on stage individually and walk up there by yourself). The shoes fit while walking around the house. Luckily before leaving for the event my feet were sweating enough to slip out and make me realize that these size 6 shoes just didn't fit. I then invested in heels with a strap across the front… but thank god for online shopping because size 5.5 is the smallest size I see in stores. I'm a size 5 but wide, so it's extra hard for me to find comfy stylish heels. Thank god for sneakers…
Elle

What a story. I have relatively large feet for a petite (sz 7) so I never had too much trouble finding shoes but I can understand how difficult it must be to find shoes when your feet are 5 or below…I mean, on sale racks the sizes start at 6 so I imagine that's the smallest sizes available at most department stores. And in spite of how traumatic the incident must have been for you, you have become the queen of small shoes so I guess we all live and learn.
Anonymous

I wear a 5, or a 5.5 with heel liners (I have wide toes and narrow heels). I recently went up to my parents’ house and I still had a bunch of old shoes there from my fashion-disaster teenage years. I thought I might want to keep some of them, and then I discovered I used to buy size 7!