Shoes for All Sizes
"One size fits all" doesn't work when your feet aren't average, which is why shoes used to come in widths. "My dad owned a shoe store for 57 years," says Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of Jeffrey New York, a megachic boutique in Manhattan's hip meatpacking district. "He sold everything from AAAA to B, and women bought shoes by width almost as much as by length." These days shoe sizes are usually a lot less specific, so you must be guided mostly by brand: Certain lines are better for broader feet, others for slim ones (and there are a few considerate makers that continue to produce shoes in a range of widths). Whatever your feet need, here's how to hit your stride.

Narrow Feet
What to look for:
  • A well-fitting heel—too loose and you'll wobble (and risk a sprained ankle)
  • Straps, laces or ties, so that you can adjust the shoe for a closer fit if necessary
  • Leather rather than suede (the latter is too yielding to give adequate support)
  • Round toes, which make very long, thin feet look more in proportion
Where to find:

Azzedine Alaia (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); BCBGirls (www.nordstrom.com);
BCBGirls (www.nordstrom.com);
Bottega Veneta (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Chanel (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Christian Louboutin (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Delman (www.piperlime.com); Fendi (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Franco Sarto (www.nordstrom.com); Isaac Mizrahi (www.piperlime.com); Jean Michel Cazabat (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Kate Spade (www.neimanmarcus.com); Lanvin (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Manolo Blahnik Collection (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Marc by Marc Jacobs (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Marc Jacobs (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Michael Kors Collection (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Miu Miu (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Pierre Hardy (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-753-7300); Rene Caovilla (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Yves Saint Laurent (www.bergdorfgoodman.com)

Wide Feet
What to look for:
  • Suede or soft calfskin that stretches where you need it
  • More covered styles—broad feet "spill" out of bare, low-cut shoes
  • Moderately pointy toes to add length (but beware shoes that narrow radically in front; they can trigger pinched nerves)
  • Shoes the same color as your skin, to make feet seem less prominent
  • Nonbinding design—feet bulge unattractively around straps
Where to find:

Alejandro Ingelmo (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Anyi Lu (www.piperlime.com); Ara (www.tiptopshoes.com); Birkenstock (www.zappos.com); Dansko (www.zappos.com); Ecco (www.zappos.com); Finn Comfort (www.zappos.com); Gucci (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Guillaume Hinfray (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Helle Comfort (www.zappos.com); Henry Beguelin (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Henry Cuir (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Hush Puppies (www.piperlime.com); Jimmy Choo (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); KORS Michael Kors (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Manolo Blahnik Classics (www.bergdorfgoodman.com); Marina Rinaldi (Marina Rinaldi, NYC; 212-734-4333); Mephisto (www.tiptopshoes.com); Merrell (www.tiptopshoes.com); Nina (www.nordstrom.com); Pedro Garcia (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Robert Clergerie (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Rockport (www.piperlime.com); Thierry Rabotin (www.tiptopshoes.com); Think! (www.zappos.com); Tod's (Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; 212-753-7300); Tory Burch (www.bergdorfgoodman.com)

Narrow, Wide or Average Feet
The following manufacturers turn out at least a few styles in A, B and C widths:

Amalfi (www.nordstrom.com); Annie (www.zappos.com); Circa Joan & David (www.nordstrom.com); Clarks (www.piperlime.com); Cole Haan (www.neimanmarcus.com); David Tate (www.zappos.com); Easy Spirit (www.zappos.com); J. Reneé (www.zappos.com); Lifestride (www.piperlime.com); Linea Paolo (www.nordstrom.com) Magdesians (www.nordstrom.com); Munro (www.nordstrom.com); Naturalizer (www.smartbargains.com); New Balance (www.tiptopshoes.com); Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com); Prada (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Salvatore Ferragamo (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272); Sesto Meucci (www.piperlime.com); Söfft (www.nordstrom.com); Stuart Weitzman (Jeffrey New York, NYC; 212-206-1272) Sudini (www.piperlime.com); Taryn Rose (www.neimanmarcus.com); Trotters (www.nordstrom.com); Vaneli (www.smartbargains.com)

These lists were compiled with the help of the following retail experts: Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner and buyer, Jeffrey New York; Sally Ross, vice president and divisional merchandise manager of footwear, Bergdorf Goodman; Galen Hardy, buyer and director of casual lifestyle, zappos.com; Anne Egan, women's shoe merchandise manager, Nordstrom; Shari Shakun, vice president and general merchandise manager, smartbargains.com; Corey Vason, designer and merchandise buyer, piperlime.com; Rebecca Gaston Crow, ladies' shoe buyer, Neiman Marcus; Lester Wasserman, salesperson, Tip Top Shoes.