One of only a very few companies that exclusively makes and sells small shoe sizes, Cinderella of Boston has been properly heeling women wearing shoe sizes 2 to 5.5 since 1939.
I had the opportunity to visit the Cinderella of Boston store in Westminster, CA, to see the merchandise first hand. While there, I also got to chat with the company’s merchandise buyer, learned all kinds of fun facts about shoes and fit, and got to run around the store trying on shoes. Fun day huh?
Very few things in life have the ability to make me feel…um…large…but seeing all those tiny size 2 and 3 shoes gave my size 5 feet a complex.
No one told me my ruffles were trying to escape!
Cinderella of Boston started as a catalog company in Boston, Massachusetts, hence the name. In the early days, the shoes were sourced out of California, which meant the owner had to fly back and forth quite often. Growing tired of making the long flights to California, as well as enjoying the SoCal weather, the owner moved the entire company to Orange County in the early 80’s, where it is today.
The entire operation is run by only five employees! Can you believe it? I was also surprised to find out the styles are designed in house by the employees and owner each season. If there is a style you’d really like to see, let them know! With the disappearance of domestic manufacturing, the shoes are now sourced out of China and Brazil.
With the vast majority of business coming from their e-commerce site, the Cinderella of Boston store isn’t the most posh place in the world, but if you’re in need of some small shoes and want to try them on for yourself, it gets the job done. Don’t expect plush seating or pretty decor, but you will find tons of hard to find shoe sizes. The location is also very nondescript and off the beaten path. We almost drove past it on our way to visit.
What it lacks in good looks, the store makes up for in knowledge. I got to chat with the merchandise buyer, Chuck, about the shoes, store, and customer base while I was there and learned quite a bit. In the business for a long time, he knows about fit, and shoe construction. While I was trying on shoes, he noticed right away that my feet were narrow, and taught me a new term. Apparently, in the shoe making biz, narrow feet are called “skimpy”! I’ve joked that I’m scrawny, skinny and puny…now I can add skimpy to the list!
See my review of a pair of Cinderella of Boston shoes here.
If you stop by, tell them Kelly sent ya!
More from Cinderella of Boston:
Review of Cinderella of Boston Shoes
How fun!! Wow, size 2?!? That's insane!
I love those vintage cataglogs on the wall, so cool!
It's like being a kid in a candy store! I don't have trouble with shoe sizing since I have big feet, but I can see how petites with lovely small feet would love to browse through those racks!
Oh, that is like every girl's dream: to have a tour in a shoe manufacturing process! That and being locked up in the mall, lol.
I bought some CoB peep toes in size 3 but they are too small for me actually. There's a first for everything I guess! Still have been hesitant to order again!
@Jen: If you can photocopy a picture of your feet and fax it to them, they can tell you what size you are. I am a sz 2 in children's, but a sz 3.5 in women's. CoB is based on women sizes.
@AN: did you try on the Roman? I bought it in black, but there's something weird about the fit. I thought the peep toe was too small and my feet kept slipping out of the shoes when I'd walk. Returned. I think it should be more of an ankle booty. I love the Karen in red.
Can't wait for the fall/winter collection. I hope I wont be let down.
What a fun experience you had! I can't believe someone would wear size 2 in shoes. Did you end up getting the "Karen". Those would be perfect for upcoming Fall
My sisters are huge fans of this brand! They have tiny feet!!!!
How cool you got to experience this! :)
I've never bought CoB but I've heard about them! Cute shoes… and my size 5 would feel HUGE for once, too :)
Hanna – I used to dream about getting left behind in a mall all night as a kid…lol What a wonderful dream =)
Aubrey – No, the Roman is probably one of the only styles I didn't try! Doh! Totally agree, the Karen is super cute.
PetiteLittleGirl – No, I didn't end up getting the Karen. It was cute, but I have so many peep toes that I need to branch out. I'm actually excited to see their fall collection.
Wow you're so lucky to have been there! One of these days when I end up in Cali I'll try to make my way to the physical store. I've heard Westminster is a good area to shop in general if you're petite because there is a large Vietnamese population there. And a lot of those girls run petite.
I think I'm going to suggest to them for more tall wedge heels. And I do kind of wish they had a free return shipping policy like Zappos. But I can understand how that would be difficult for them.
Maybe if I ever get myself to the area, I'd visit the store. It is, after all SHOE HEAVEN for those of us with teeny feet!
I would go bananas in there! It's very rare to find anything that would fit my size 4-5 babies xD
When I saw the title I got really excited thinking it was located in Boston. LOL
When I saw the title I got really excited thinking it was located in Boston. LOL
Wow you're so lucky to have been there! One of these days when I end up in Cali I'll try to make my way to the physical store. I've heard Westminster is a good area to shop in general if you're petite because there is a large Vietnamese population there. And a lot of those girls run petite.
I think I'm going to suggest to them for more tall wedge heels. And I do kind of wish they had a free return shipping policy like Zappos. But I can understand how that would be difficult for them.
I ordered the Roman as well. I love them but the peep toe is too small. The shoes are often too narrow but Cinderella of Boston is a blessing to those of us with really tiny feet. I hope that they start carrying higher heels (4 inch +) and more wedges and platform since they are all the rage this season.
There’s also other store for very small feet in Florida “Alonai” the name of the store. Love there shoes. http://www.alonai.com/tienda-l/C2.32/petite-clogs-mules-size-2.html
The company did not relocate to the OC I in the 80’s. It actually first moved to West LA down on Fairfax. I remember my mother shopping for shoes there when I was a young child. It wasn’t until much later that it moved to the OC.