The Best Shoe Stores And Brands For Small Feet

If you're a woman with small feet, you're probably tired of being asked if you buy kids' shoes and shoving insoles in your boots to get them to fit. Most stores carry women's shoes starting at size 5, yet, these tend to sell quickly and are not always available in every shoe. And, if you wear a size 4 ½ of 4, your options are even more limited.

In fact, trying to get away with a shoe that's too large can be harmful, "caus[ing] blisters from too much movement against the skin," making us "more likely to trip or fall," podiatrist Casey Ann Pidich told New York Magazine.

Research shows that people's feet are getting larger, with the Independent noting that only 1.8% of all women's shoes purchased in the U.S. in 2006 were size 5. "People are getting taller and heavier, as they have for generation after generation," William Rossi, a podiatric historian, shared with lifestyle blog Divine Caroline (via Stylecaster). "And their feet are getting larger in proportion to their bodies."

Still, it shouldn't be so tough for those of us with small feet to find shoes that fit. Luckily, we've come to the rescue! We've done our research and gathered info on over 20 shoe stores and brands that cater to women with smaller feet and some that run small or narrow. So, follow along with us as we explore the best shoe stores and brands for small feet.

Upscale department store Nordstrom began as a shoe store in 1901 and didn't add women's apparel until 1963. While the popular department store today carries everything from clothing for men, women, children, and babies to jewelry, accessories, makeup, and more, their shoe department is still a major draw, especially for those who wear small-size shoes. "Nordstrom started as a shoe store, so it's focused on the foot," podiatrist Yolanda Ragland, Fix Your Feet founder and CEO, told New York Magazine. Nordstrom stocks many brands that offer shoes size 4 and above and others for those with narrow feet.

According to the mag, Nordstrom shoppers whose feet are not the same size can even pair two different-sized shoes together. The Odd Slipper founder Sindy Sagastume said she buys most of her size-4 shoes at Nordstrom. Sagastume favors Sam Edelman, which offers many styles in size 4. And in 2016, Nordstrom began offering 3D scanning technology to accurately measure customers' feet to ensure a well-fitting shoe, according to Business Wire. Other Nordstrom brands with sizes smaller than 5 include Dolce Vita, Tory Burch, Vince Camuto, Sarto by Franco Sarto, Munro, Linea Paolo, Naturalizer, Ecco, Stuart Weitzman, and more (more info below on some of these brands).

Nordstrom's outlet store sister brand Nordstrom Rack also offers size 4 and 4 1/2 shoes in-store and online, ensuring you'll likely find what you're looking for.

Marmi is a boutique shoe store offering fine Italian-made footwear for women with feet of all sizes and widths since 1986. The company only sells its own brands, Vaneli and Sesto Meucci, both of which, according to the Marmi website, are recognized "for their unparalleled quality and sophisticated Italian silhouettes with contemporary updates." This family-owned shoe store specializing in sizes 4 through 13 with widths ranging from narrow to wide features an array of styles – from casual to formal — including boots, wedges, flats, heels, sandals, slides, loafers, sneakers, and more. We spotted a pair of black suede boots embellished with pearls we've been obsessed with ever since. Disclosure: These well-made shoes have a price tag to match with typical prices ranging from $225 to $375; yet, with their quality, they are worth every penny.

Marmi shoes are available online or at any of their retail locations in Newport Beach, California; Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; Alpharetta, Georgia; Edina, Minnesota; Charlotte, North Carolina; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Nashville, Tennessee; and Dallas and Houston, Texas.

Cinderella of Boston is another shoe boutique specializing in petite shoes since 1939. According to their website, the owner's wife had difficulty finding shoes for her small-sized feet, so he made a couple of pairs for her, and the rest is history. While Cinderella of Boston offers shoes in various styles, from heels to boots to flats, their shoes appear to be super affordable, with prices anywhere from $22 (on sale at the time of publication) to $130.

However, unlike Marmi, Cinderella of Boston only has one retail store location in — you guessed it — Boston. Suppose you don't live anywhere near Boston; no need to worry. In that case, Cinderella of Boston ships worldwide. You can also purchase online from their website, including a sizing chart and detailed information on orders, returns, and shipping. And, with pre-ordering, you can snag shoes you love on their website that haven't yet hit their shelves — this option guarantees they'll be yours, so you don't miss out.

Pretty Small Shoes is a U.K.-based distributor of women's shoes in hard-to-find small sizes. The company launched in 2009 to provide women with petite feet worldwide the ability to select from a large number of footwear options priced from $109 to $399. As its website describes, Pretty Small Shoes is "the world's leading online store for high fashion petite shoes in children's sizes." The online shoe retailer offers shoes in women's U.S. sizes 2 through 5 (whoa!), though they specialize in U.S. size 4 (equivalent to U.K. size 2). With over 1,200 pairs of "beautifully made, fashion-forward small shoes" to choose from, including a large selection of shoes on sale for as much as 60% off their original retail price, you're sure to find just what you're looking for.

Pretty Small Shoes, which has an in-store location in the U.K., ships worldwide. If you don't live in Europe, you may worry about purchasing shoes from an overseas company. However, this worldwide shoe distributor offers "fully guaranteed, secure" sales, with returns accepted within 30 days. Their website also provides a ton of helpful content, including reviews from petite fashion bloggers and a page that compares Pretty Small Shoes and Cinderella of Boston.

Nina is a stylish and affordable brand of women's dress shoes. And, with 39.5K followers on Instagram, it's clear they are a popular formal brand for women. Nina's large bridal selection has come in handy for many of us ladies with petite feet who find most bridal shoes for small feet are typically only available in stores from upscale European designer brands, such as Jimmy Choo, which is out of the budgets of many. Nina shoes bridal even has its own separate Instagram page offering daily bridal inspiration.

While Nina shoes start at size 5, we have found some of them to work for those of us who wear a 4 ½ or 4. We also found one reviewer who wrote how pleased she was with the narrow width of the Nelena Silver Dreamland shoe she purchased. "I have a narrow foot, and find it difficult to achieve a comfortable fit without sacrificing style," she wrote. "This dressy sandal checked all the boxes. Just the right amount of support, adjustable ankle strap, and perfect heel height make this shoe a winner."

Nina shoes are simply gorgeous and are a great choice for anyone seeking a comfortable, affordable dress shoe. They are sold online and in stores such as Nordstrom, Macy's, Zappos, Belk, and Rogan's Shoes.

Online shoe retailer Zappos is the place to find small sizes in various styles and prices, especially since the massive online shoe store (now owned by Amazon) carries a wide assortment of brands, including some from this list, such as Naturalizer, Sam Edelman, and Stuart Weitzman. And, when we say "small," we mean it — Zappos carries women's shoe sizes starting from size 2! However, while offered, the selection for these smallest sizes is, well, tiny. Options open up extensively at size 4 and up.

According to Insider, Zappos, like Nordstrom, began a program in July 2020 allowing customers to purchase single shoes of different sizes, perfect for those with one foot larger than the other — many of us, in fact. "Over the years, Zappos has had many requests from customers about selling single shoes, or shoes of different sizes," the company's website reads. "This program stems from these requests."

Those of us with petite feet love Sam Edelman shoes. The brand, led by its namesake, has "been a dominant force in fashion, making an indelible impact on some of the most renowned contemporary footwear brands throughout the past 40 years." Once known as Sam & Libby, named after Edelman's wife and company co-founder, the brand has grown to include clothing, accessories, and a wide selection of footwear for women and children.

One of Sam Edelman's most popular shoes is the Felicia ballet flat. If you wear a small size shoe, you'll thank us for the suggestion. They are one of the brand's few styles that come in an optional narrow width (via PureWow), and they're extremely comfortable — that's probably why they're available in a wide array of colors and prints. Its reviews rate the Felicia flat a 4.6, and some of the 2,500+ reviews on Nordstrom's website equate the flat to "walking on clouds."

These days, Sam Edelman operates retail stores in New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. You can also purchase online via their official website or at Nordstrom, Macy's, Zappos, Shopbop, and Amazon. While Sam Edelman shoes are available elsewhere, we only listed retailers offering them from size 4.

Since 2002, LINEA Paolo has been designing "extraordinary shoes for extraordinary women," which are available from size 4 through 9 1/2. Their website also offers a wide assortment of fine women's footwear, from boots, booties, flats, and mules to pumps, sandals, and sneakers. There's even a Lookbook to check out fabulous photos of the brand's latest collections.

We love their Yemina Women's Pearl Festooned Pointy Toe Mary Jane Slingback Suede High Heels offered in black, pink, tan, and green suede, as well as their Western-Inspired Stack Heel Fashion Boots in suede and leather.

You may have spotted a pair or two of the brand's sneaker wedges (perfect for those who are also petite in height!) at Nordstrom online. In addition to Nordstrom online and Nordstrom stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, these designer shoes are sold via the official LINEA Paolo website and Nordstrom Rack, Zappos, and Amazon.

When it comes to women's petite shoes and women's footwear in general, it's hard to beat Stuart Weitzman. The iconic designer shoe brand is known for its glamorous footwear; take a look at its website, where you'll find a sultry Kim Kardashian as the brand's global ambassador for their fall 2022 campaign, "Stand Strong." Stuart Weitzman shoes are beautifully and skillfully made and, as such, range in price from $150 to $2,500!

Stuart Weitzman's boots, booties, flats, loafers, pumps, heels, sandals, and sneakers are offered from size 3 1/2 and up, with 242 out of 295 styles on their website available in a size smaller than 5. Widths are available in narrow, medium, or wide, guaranteeing you'll find what you're looking for. And, because the brand tends to run narrow, according to a number of reviews on the website, you just may get away with a medium-width shoe in this brand (via PureWow). We especially love their Sondra lace-up combat-style black boot adorned with pearls.

Stuart Weitzman also offers an extensive bridal collection from size 3 1/2 to 13 in various fabrics, including leather, suede, glitter, crystal, lame, satin, and jelly. You can even filter among shoes for wedding events and various wedding party members and guests, making it super simple to shop for bridal footwear.

While Naturalizer might conjure up images of shoes known for comfort rather than style, that may be changing. Like Stuart Weitzman and Sam Edelman, Naturalizer is recognized for its wide range of sizing, suitable for those on both ends of footwear sizing extremes. Mindy Rose, vice president of Prominent Cleaning Corp in New York, told New York Magazine that Naturalizer makes "stylish" shoes in narrow, medium, and wide widths in sizes 4 through 12, such as the brand's Marianne sneaker (though only available, as of this writing, in medium and wide). Interestingly, as of publication, the first sizes to sell out are the smaller sizes (4, 4 ½, 5, 5 ½), indicating that consumers are quick to snag these not-so-easy-to-find sizes.

While the brand is clearly not shying away from its longtime reputation for footwear focused on comfort ("Comfort. It's why we exist," claims the Naturalizer website), the company is sending the message that comfortable shoes don't have to be boring. "It's time to rethink comfort," the site adds. As Naturalizer Vice President of Design Angelique Joseph said, "I'm often asked what makes a shoe a Naturalizer shoe. The answer remains the same. Our design inspiration begins with two words: Elegance & Utility. The creative tension between beauty and usefulness inspires each and every shoe we create."

You may be surprised to see UGG on this list, considering the popular brand — which has since expanded to include a home collection as well as women's and men's apparel — does not carry any sizes below size 5.

When you think of an UGG boot, what instantly comes to mind are their staple sheepskin boots, which tend to run true to size, per The Sole Supplier's "Ultimate UGG Size Guide"). When you first try on an UGG boot in your true size, you will commonly find that they feel snug from the thick sheepskin lining. This is great for those who aren't quite a size 5. Over time, though, as the boot molds to your foot, it won't feel so snug. Once this happens, you may want to wear a thicker sock. But it doesn't mean that UGGs can't be for you. Because of the nature of boots, though, they won't be so large that you feel like you're falling out of them.

It's also good to know that when it comes to UGG slippers, according to Boot World, the Ansley and Dakota slippers tend to run small — a reason for those with petite feet to celebrate everywhere.

UGGs are sold directly from UGG online, at one of many UGG or UGG Outlet stores, or at retailers that include Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Zappos, and Journeys.

For the past 50 years, Munro, a family-owned footwear brand based in Arkansas, has manufactured women's shoes of all sizes that are comfortable, stylish, and designed for the perfect fit. Offering whole and half sizes from 4 to 11, whole sizes from 12 to 14 (19 sizes in all!), and a selection of five widths (super slim and narrow for those with petite feet), Munro is as close as you can get to custom shoes — customized to fit, that is. The website even includes a detailed sizing guide with information about foot differences, Munro shoe sizing, and tips for finding the best-fitting shoes.

With prices ranging from $100 to $250, you're getting a high-quality shoe that's guaranteed to fit — definitely worth it, we think. We especially love the Averee ankle bootie in gray and the Pisces sandal, which comes in multiple colors, combos, and patterns, such as white/black combo and gunmetal woven. One customer with narrow feet said of the Cleo sandal: "I can walk for hours in these shoes. And the best part is they are very stylish." Another wrote that she was "completely wowed" with the Harrison II loafer: "I love the style of this shoe, great toe shape and adornment. The color is amazing. Plus, they fit great and are very, very comfortable" (via PureWow).

The sandals once sported solely by hippie-types and outdoor enthusiasts, Birkenstocks have seen a resurgence in the 2020s. The iconic brand, which goes as far back as 1774, is known for its comfortable footbed, a word that Carl Birkenstock first used in the 1930s to "describe anatomically shaped inner soles with special support elements."

We love that many styles come in narrow widths and that just about every pair of Birkenstocks has adjustable straps so you can tighten and loosen them as needed. PureWow pointed out a few of their favorites we thought you should know: the Arizona Shearling in suede leather; the cozy, comfortable, cute sandals which have seemingly brought UGGs to Birkenstock; the Bali Oiled Leather Sandals, which provide both back and front adjustable straps; and the Yao sandal, a more subtle look with the same adjustable straps.

Birkenstocks are sold online via the official website, Birkenstock retail stores in Soho and Brooklyn, New York, and in authorized retail stores including Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Macy's, Famous Footwear, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Journey's, which stocks a nice selection of sizes 4 and 5.

Bella Vita's cute and comfortable footwear is designed for women who do not "want to sacrifice style for comfort." The brand is a no-brainer since most styles are priced under $120. According to its brand page on 6pm's website, "Each pair of Bella~Vita shoes offer exceptional styling and detail, all with comfort and wearability in mind." Furthermore, each is "crafted using luxury materials and a nicely padded footbed."

Though Bella Vita shoes start at size 5, those with narrow feet may just have luck with these. For instance, the brand's Wilma snakeskin booties with 2 ½ inch-stacked heel runs narrow, so it's a perfect shoe for those with narrow, small feet, as PureWow noted in its roundup of the best shoes for narrow feet.

You can find a variety of Bella Vita footwear at a wide range of retailers, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, DSW Shoe Warehouse, 6pm, Amazon, and Walmart.

Since 1906, New Balance has manufactured supportive and comfortable athletic shoes for everyone. Their women's running, training, and lifestyle sneakers not only start at size 4 ½, but they also come in five widths: narrow, standard, wide, X-wide, and XX-wide.

PureWow recommends their women's 990 lifestyle sneaker because it's extremely comfortable. This gray women's sneaker is available in sizes 5 through 12 in standard, wide, and x-wide widths. Remember that since New Balance runs a bit wide in the forefoot, it may be helpful to go a half-size down, even in a narrow-width shoe, as some reviews suggest.

For $199.99, you, too, can have the same sneakers we've seen worn by fashion editors, influencers, and celebrities, whether at New York Fashion Week or just out and about. They can be yours by shopping the New Balance website, by visiting any of their 130 stores or checking out the selection at Nordstrom, Kohl's, Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Joe's New Balance Outlet (for the best deals), and Zappos (for a good selection of narrow and even super narrow shoes).

Ted Baker London is another brand of women's shoes suitable for those with smaller feet, as the brand offers boots, heels, sneakers, sandals, slides, and flip-flops that range in size from 4 ½ to 11 ½. Ted Baker shoes also run narrow, according to the brand's reviews at Nordstrom. Though some of these reviews rate the brand's shoe negatively, for this reason, this is a positive for those of you with narrow feet! Keep in mind you may want to go up a half-size. And, because Nordstrom carries the brand's shoes starting from size 5, you probably should check out the Ted Baker London website if size 4 ½ is more your jam.

We recommend Ted Baker London's Wishiri Pump, a nude leather shoe with metallic accents by the toe and heel. The sides of this pointed-toe pump run somewhat high, giving your foot more support than a strappy heel, for example. And, because the toe area comes up a little further at the front, your feet will stay nice and secure (via PureWow).

Rothy's are a brand of shoes made of sustainable materials known for their comfortable, excellent fit. Rothy's are available in sizes 5 through 17 ½. Before you walk away, listen up: The brand's The Point flat, available in a wide variety of colors and patterns from size 5 through 13, is said to run narrow, according to many reviews. One review from Insider advised going one half-size up, while one Reddit review claimed, "Rothy's shoes love narrow feet! Especially the flats, which are more narrow around the toes. They're comfortable, but there's very little arch support. You can go up half a size and add inserts if you're wearing them for a long time though" (via PureWow). Oh, and Meghan Markle is a fan, which led to great success for the brand, according to PureWow.

The $149 price point is a bit steep, but the author of this detailed review and we think they're worth it. And, with free shipping and returns, you have nothing to lose. Find them new online at Rothy's or pre-owned at Poshmark or Walmart.

We love Tory Burch for the designer's commitment to supporting and empowering women. In 2009, Burch launched the Tory Burch Foundation to "advance women's empowerment and entrepreneurship by providing access to capital, education and digital resources and tackling stereotypes that hold women back," according to the designer's official website.

We also love that the designer's shoe line is one to note if you wear a small-size shoe. Tory Burch shoes start at size 4. Our search of the Tory Burch website generated a variety of shoes under size 5 in sandals, sneakers, ballet flats, espadrilles, flip flops, slides, mules, loafers, heels, and boots. And, since this female-owned designer brand of shoes runs small, according to Stuart Weitzman Manager of Instructional Design Angela Laurello (per SheFinds), you may even be able to fit into a shoe that's a half-size larger.

A pair can be yours by visiting the Tory Burch website or a Tory Burch store in cities including New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Dallas, Denver, and many more. Or shop Tory Burch footwear at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Zappos, Farfetch, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's (starting at size 5).

Valentino is one European luxury footwear designer that carries smaller sizes of women's shoes, starting from size 4. European shoe designers generally run smaller than American shoe brands because European women tend to have smaller feet than American women. According to Healthline, the average women's shoe size in the U.S. is 8 ½ or 9, whereas the women in these countries wear a smaller shoe size than that of American women: U.K. (6 ½ or 7), Japan (5 ½), and Australia (7 ½).

If you can afford a pair of Valentino shoes, go for it. We love their edgy but elegant Rockstud line of pumps and boots, which first appeared during Valentino's Fall/Winter 2010-11 collection, including the Patent Rockstud Caged Pump 100mm, Rockstud Metallic Ankle Strap Pump 100mm, Rockstud Caged Pump 65mm, and Rockstud Grainy Calfskin Ankle Boot 90mm – the "mm" refers to heel height — all available in sizes 4 through 12, ranging from $1,100 to $1,290.

Valentino haute couture footwear is available at Valentino's online boutique, Valentino retail stores in cities all over the world, and at upscale department stores (which only carry sizes 5 through 12).

Like Valentino, Gucci's multiple lines of haute couture footwear are available in women's sizes 4 through 12. The iconic brand is known for its fine " Italian craftsmanship" and "quality and attention to detail," offering a variety of styles in difficult-to-find American women's sizes 2 through 10 and European women's sizes 34 through 42 in both whole and half sizes. If you want a pair of the Adidas x Gucci women's Gazelle sneaker, Gucci's hot sneaker designed in collaboration with Adidas, you're in luck because the trendy sneaker is available in sizes 2 through 10 via Gucci's official website.

Gucci shoes are also sold at upscale department stores, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue and the high-end online retailer Net-a-Porter. These stores stock multiple styles of Gucci boots, pumps, slides, sandals, loafers, and sneakers in sizes 4 through 12. While you can also find pre-owned pairs on sites such as Tradesy and Poshmark, only the official Gucci website and Gucci stores located all over the world — with over 100 stores located in the U.S. alone — stock sizes below 4.

Jimmy Choo, described as a "leading global luxury brand with an empowered sense of glamour and a playfully daring spirit," headed by its namesake's niece, Sandra Choi, is another European brand of women's designer shoes offering multiple styles in European sizes 34 through 45. In fact, 329 of the brand's 470 styles, via the official Jimmy Choo website, are available in sizes 4 and 4 ½. But note that while many department stores carry Jimmy Choo shoes, they don't all carry sizes 4 and 4 ½. For these smallest sizes, your best bet is purchasing online from Jimmy Choo, at one of many Jimmy Choo retail stores nationwide and around the globe, or from Nordstrom in-store or online.

The brand is especially known for its bridal collection, which includes bridal shoes for bridal party members and wedding guests. Jimmy Choo's online bridal boutique has an extensive selection of styles and a made-to-order service for customized wedding shoes. Whether adorned with pearls, crystals, or both, these shoes are oh-so-fabulous. And we love that the Jimmy Choo website includes a size guide for both shoes and belts.

As the website describes, Taryn Rose, now part of the Authentic Brands Group of footwear brands, designs "luxury footwear that offers both comfort and style." While the brand may not sound familiar, customers include everyone from Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, and Gwen Stefani to Diane Sawyer, Sandra Bullock, and Cindy McCain.

The brand's weather-proof boots are also a go-to for petite clothing store owner and fashion blogger Chi Li, who wears a size 4 ½ on her left foot and a 5 on her right. "They don't look like those heavy-duty storm boots," she told New York Magazine. "You can wear them to a date or a meeting. I can always find my size with Taryn, and they're hands down the most comfortable dress shoes."

While you may have to dig deep to find the smaller sizes, Poshmark appears to have a variety of gently-used pairs of Taryn Rose shoes for sale.