While there’s nothing quite like slipping on a pair of brand new shoes in person to try them on, you just can’t beat online shoe shopping in terms of the huge variety of styles and brands to choose from.

Shopping online can sometimes feel like a bit of a gamble when it comes to getting shoes in the right size, because not every brand will have the same measurements or fit.

To help you avoid being disappointed when the postman delivers your gorgeous new shoes, we’ve put together this helpful guide to show you how to choose the correct size when shopping for shoes online.

If unsure of the fitting of any of our brands, contact us on 0214633617 and we’ll be happy to help you. 

Finding the right shoe size chart

Depending on where the company you’re ordering from is based, they might advertise their sizes differently. The three most common shoe size charts are American sizes, UK sizes, and European sizes.

Before you even start measuring your foot, make sure you check what shoe sizes are advertised on the website you’re ordering from.

For example, a size 6 in Ireland & the UK is a 39 in European sizes, and an 8.5 in the US sizing system. You don’t want to be disappointed when the package arrives and they’re way too small for you.

As an Irish shoe shop, here at The Shoe Suite, we stock both mens shoes and womens shoes and advertise them in Irish/UK sizes.

If you’re unsure, most websites will have a size guide for their shoes either on each product page or linked at the bottom of their footer.

Things you should know before measuring your feet

1. It’s a good idea to measure your feet after a full day of walking. Walking can increase the size of your feet, so if you measure after a day of being on them, you’ll know your shoes will stay comfy no matter how active you are. 
2. If you plan on wearing the shoes you want to buy with socks (like boots or trainers), then measure your foot with socks on. This will ensure that the shoe size you receive will be a perfect fit. 
3. Only measure your feet barefoot if you plan on wearing the shoes on your bare feet (like sandals or summer shoes). 
4. The difference in shoe size measurements can be as small as an ⅛ of an inch. Rounding up or down will decrease the accuracy of the measurement and you won’t be able to find a shoe that fits right. 
5. Most people’s feet are slightly asymmetrical - meaning one is usually bigger than the other. If this is the case for you, always buy a pair of shoes using the measurements for the larger foot. 

How to measure your foot for shoes correctly

Did you know your foot size can change over time? A lot of factors can change your foot size, like weight gain, pregnancy, and age. This is why it’s a good idea to measure your foot regularly to make sure you’re getting the correct size for you.

Even a shoe half a size too small can cause pressure on your foot and in extreme cases, stop the blood flowing to your toes.

Here’s how you can quickly measure your foot from the comfort of your own home. 

Step 1:
Grab a piece of A4 paper, a pen and a ruler. Next, place your foot directly onto the paper.

Step 2:
Draw a line where your heel ends and another where your longest toe ends.

Step 3:
Take your foot off the paper and measure the distance between the two dots with your ruler.

Step 4:
Figure out the length of your foot in centimetres.

Step 5:
Repeat with your other foot.

Step 6:
Find the size that matches your measurements and remember if one foot is bigger than the other always go with the larger measurement.

Try them on right away

So, you’ve ordered your shoes online and they’ve arrived safe and sound. Even though you’ve carefully measured your shoe size, sometimes the shoe you receive might not fit.

As soon as your brand new shoes arrive, try them on right away, keeping the labels on and all, to ensure that they’re the right fit.

If not, you can simply send them back and ask for a replacement in a different size.

Be sure to try them on inside, on a clean floor, to prevent any damage happening to them.

Now you know how to measure your feet and order the right size shoes - what are you waiting for? Let’s go shopping! 

We have an amazing variety of the best shoe brands for men and women - like Gabor, Rieker, Marco Moreo, and Bugatti, check out our collection of stunning shoes on our online shoe store today.

If unsure of the fitting of any of our brands, contact us on 0214633617 and we’ll be happy to help you.