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Buying shoes in Europesize can be challenging due to their different size measurements in men and women’s foot wear. Although European shoes are made in a similar fashion to those in the U.S., contouring to both narrow and wide feet, the different sizing can throw off any shopper. By knowing how to convert your shoe size, you will be able to purchase European shoes abroad or online with ease.

Womens Size Conversion

Women’s European shoe sizes range from 35 to 43. Because there are no half sizes, it is easy to remember the conversion chart. Since U.S. size 4 corresponds with European 35, and U.S. 12 corresponds with European 43, all seven other sizes fall within the range respectively.

U.S.-to- European Sizes (Women)
4 – 35
5 – 36
6 – 37
7 – 38
8 – 39
9 – 40
10 – 41
11 – 42
12 – 43

Men’s Size Conversion

1. Men’s European shoe sizes range from 39 through 49. Measured similarly to women’s shoes, there are no half sizes and these number correspond directly to U.S. sizes 6 through 16. U.S.-to-European Sizes (Men’s)6 – 39
   7 – 40
   8 – 41
   9 – 42
   10 – 43
   11 – 44
   12 – 45
   13 – 46
   14 – 47
   15 – 48
   16 – 49

   Children’s European Shoe Sizes

2. 
   Children’s Size Conversions

   Children’s European sizes are separated into three separate categories—infant, toddler and youth. The sizes run from 16 up to 39 and do not come in half sizes. Infant sizing runs between 16 and 20 and corresponds to U.S. sizes 1-5. European toddler sizes are 21 to 30 and youth shoes run between 31 and 39.

   Children’s European sizes are the hardest to distinguish due to their extensive breakdown. If traveling in Europe, most shoe stores will have a conversion foot measurement tool on hand.

   Half Size Step Up

3. For those who are in between sizes on the U.S. charts, you may feel more comfortable with a larger European size. For example, if you have a women’s U.S. size 8 1/2, European size 40 may have a greater chance of fitting better. This same principle applies to both men’s and children’s sizes.

Ask!

4. If you are traveling in Europe, do not hesitate to ask the shoe attendant your size. Most shops will know the U.S. shoe conversion off-hand. When shopping on-line, almost all shoe sites will have a link to a conversion chart so your European size will be easily accessible.

Sex and the City 2 opens up this week, and all the buzz has gotten us thinking about all the fantastic shoes that have strutted through the series over the years. Most of these shoes have been worn by Carrie Bradshaw, who calls her shoe obsession a “substance abuse problem” in the first season. When Carrie gets evicted from her apartment, she deduces that she must have spent $40,000 on shoes over the years and that she will “literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes.” As someone who recently had to invest in a hefty shoe-rack, and has already run out of room on said rack, I can relate – although I really hope I haven’t spent $40,000 on shoes.

Carrie comes face to face with the urban shoe myth

Through Carrie’s shoe obsession, Sex and the City helped catapult designers Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo to international fame. In 2002, we see how deep Carrie’s shoe lust runs when she discovers the Manolo Blahnik “Campari” mary janes, which she always believed was “an urban shoe myth.” I remember falling in love with those shoes along with Carrie and while I could never afford Manolos, I have learned that Charles David makes an affordable substitution.

Many shoes made their appearances in correlation with Carrie’s seemingly bad luck with shoes; back in 2000, early in Season 3, Carrie misses a ferry to meet a politician friend due to lost shoe. Carrie is left on the dock, running after the ferry yelling, “I’ve lost my Choo! I’ve lost my Choo!” These particular Jimmy Choos, one of Carrie’s favourite, were a feather-trimmed sandal that were discontinued shortly after the episode aired. However, due to the popularity of the series, they were put back into production in 2008.

Also in season 3 of the series, Carrie had the misfortune of being mugged. Carrie pleaded with the mugger, “You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks.” Unfortunately for Carrie, this mugger had great taste in shoes and took off with the Manolos. Mugged for Manolos! How much does that suck?

Carrie in her ill-fated Christian Louboutin ruffle heels

Later in 2002, when Miranda goes into labour, Carrie has the great misfortune of having Miranda’s water break on her fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin ruffle heels! Nasty! These are from Louboutin’s 2001 collection, so they’re hard to find, but Louboutin has since made newer ruffle heels, and Carvela makes an affordable substitution, too.

Carrie’s precious silver Manolo d’orsays

In 2003 during season 6, Carrie lost another pair of Manolos, this time after attending a baby shower at Kyra’s – an old friend of Carrie’s. Kyra requires everyone to remove their shoes, much to Carrie’s dismay. At the end of the party, Carrie discovers that her silver d’orsay Manolos are missing. To add insult to injury, when Kyra offers to pay for the missing shoes, she refuses to pay the full $485 price – saying that it’s ridiculous to pay so much for shoes. Carrie feels like she’s been “shoe-shamed” and pontificates on a woman’s right to shoes (you go girl). In the end, Carrie announces a wedding to herself to celebrate her single lifestyle, and registers with Manolo Blahnik for one item – silver d’orsay heels, which Kyra gifts upon Carrie.

Carrie Bradshaw in (L to R): Jimmy Choo “Atlas”; Balenciaga silver heels; Dior Extreme Gladiators

The arrival of the first Sex and the City movie saw a plethora of fabulous shoes on the big screen. To name a few, the Jimmy Choo “Atlas” sandals, Balenciaga silver heeled stilettos, and the Dior Extreme Gladiator sandals – which Carrie wears in three different colours. I actually have a knock-off the Dior gladiators in a purple snake print; they’re one of the highest, yet most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, so I can see how Sarah Jessica Parker was able to run in these heels. I highly recommend! Try the Steve Madden “Madalynn” for an affordable version.

Carrie wears “Something Blue” for her wedding

Carrie also sports a pair of Manolo Blahnik “Something Blue” buckled heels that are the first shoes in Carrie’s closet in her and Big’s home – these shoes became insanely popular after the movie and may have saved the company from going under! Says Manolo himself, “We had a very good year last year, thanks to those stupid satin shoes. That shoe saved our company.”

The influence Sex and the City has had on style is immense, and I assume this will continue with the release of the sequel. I hear we’ll be seeing some Brian Atwood, Christian Louboutin and Giuseppe Zanotti! Check out Running with Heels for shoe spoilers! I think for my favourite SATC shoes, it’s a toss up between the Dior gladiators and the Balenciaga heels, but it’s so hard to pick! What are your favourite Sex and the City shoes?

Polyvore users are pondering shoe choices for the upcoming months, including ballet flats, high top sneakers, and the ever-popular gladiator sandals.

One relatively little-known label, Paloma Barceló, has entered the brands’ top ten at #4 for offering so many summer options, including sandals, espadrilles, and wedges (all of them are available at http://www.shoptheshoebox.com). Also, Anna Molinari, the Italian brand known for its flirty, 1960s-inspired pieces, is making a comeback for summer, rocketing to #1 in brands.

As for sites, conceptual online stores such as thecorner.com or paristexas.dk remain popular, while Matthew Williamson is still the users’ go-to designer site.

Top Brands
1. Anna Molinari (new)
2. Alexander McQueen (+1)
3. Balenciaga (+1)
4. Paloma Barceló (new)
5. Proenza Schouler (-4)
6. Chloé (+1)
7. Future Collectables (new)
8. Christian Louboutin (+2)
9. Casadei (re-entry)
10. Max Mara (re-entry)

Top Sites
1. tacori.com (no change)
2. maxandchloe.com (+1)
3. forzieri.com (+2)
4. refinery29shops.com (+4)
5. stevenalan.com (new)
6. matthewwilliamson.com (+3)
7. thecorner.com (-3)
8. paristexas.dk (new)
9. aliceandolivia.com (re-entry)
10. youheshe.com (re-entry)

Top Celebrities
1. Leighton Meester (no change)
2. Audrey Hepburn (no change)
3. Miranda Cosgrove (+3)
4. Blake Lively (-1)
5. Lady Gaga (no change)
6. Taylor Momsen (-2)
7. Kristen Stewart (+2)
8. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (no change)
9. Emma Watson (-2)
10. Jessica Stam (no change)

Top Trends
1. knuckle rings (new)
2. high top sneakers (+4)
3. ballet flats (+5)
4. fedora hats (re-entry)
5. denim shorts (re-entry)
6. high waisted skirts (-5)
7. denim vests (re-entry)
8. mini skirts (re-entry)
9. lace tights (new)
10. gladiator sandals (re-entry)

Polyvore, which lets users express their current fashion preferences in the form of collages, receives five million individual visits a month.