Love, Mei-Ling x
Are you tired of wearing children’s shoes? If you’re longing for gorgeous, well-fitting footwear that looks stylish, keep reading! I’m sharing my top tips to help you stay fashionable without compromising on comfort.
If you’d like to see some of my shoes, click HERE.
Being petite in Australia—and indeed anywhere—can be a challenge. While it’s slightly better now, with more options available from Asia, shoe shopping remains a frustrating ordeal for anyone with my size (Australian girls' size 2.5, Singapore ladies' size 3, Australian adult ladies' size 4, or Japanese size 21.5 cm).
Fortunately, my days of being relegated to the children’s shoe section ended when I went to Japan to study. Anyone familiar with Japan knows it's a shoe lover’s paradise! The selection is stunning, with beautiful, elegant, and feminine designs available, and my size (21.5 cm) was easily found.
My first pair of Japanese-made shoes was crafted from soft leather and featured tulips on the toebox. I still miss those shoes dearly! If I can find a photo, I’ll update this post!
After completing Year 12, I visited family in Singapore, where size 3 shoes were widely available. While the quality couldn’t compare to Japanese shoes, they fit well, looked great, and were quite fashionable—plus, they were considerably cheaper!
Over the years, I’ve noticed that the availability of small shoes has started to dwindle. Size 4 is now the most common starting size in Singapore, and only a handful of brands offer 21.5 cm in Japan. However, small shoes are still accessible if you know where to look.
The good news is that you can now purchase small shoes directly from Japan. My online shopping experiences have been very positive, with no mishaps and a perfect fit each time. Japanese sizing tends to be precise, but ensure you buy items marked ‘Made in Japan’ for the best results.
In Singapore, I discovered a fabulous ballroom dance shoe shop in Orchard Plaza called Meidong Boutique (details below). They start from size 3, and all their dance shoes can be converted into regular shoes for a fee. Plus, they can be ordered in various colours and styles to suit your personal taste. My absolute favourites are a gorgeous pair of T-Bar character shoes in a lovely neutral camel tone (as pictured). They match almost any outfit and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. I've purchased several pairs from Meidong and highly recommend them if you're in Singapore and have petite feet like mine!
High heels are often a go-to for women looking to elongate their legs. Personally, I find that the current trend of excessively high heels resembles clodhoppers more than anything elegant and refined. Instead of slimming your calves, they can actually make them appear bulkier as your muscles flex more. This can also lead to a heavy gait.
For those with petite feet, overly high heels can put significant strain on the ball of the foot and toes. Don't fall victim to fleeting fashion trends; save your feet from a future filled with arthritis, bunions, and even surgery.
I’ve found that a heel height of around 7 cm strikes the perfect balance for petite feet. They offer enough elevation for almost any occasion while remaining comfortable. For everyday work shoes, a heel height of 5-6 cm is ideal. They look pretty and elegant while still being functional.
If you're on a budget (who isn't?), I recommend opting for neutral colours like beige or nude, which can be worn with most outfits. I tend to favour nudes over black, as they pair well with a wider range of colours. And let’s face it, pairing pastel clothing with black shoes isn't the best look!
To create a more polished appearance, consider pairing your heels with sheer pantyhose. I usually buy mine from Japan, where they’re inexpensive yet of superior quality. You can read my blog post extolling the virtues of pantyhose here!
In Japan:
With stores across Japan (including major department stores), Diana Ginza usually stocks sizes from 21 cm and smaller. Their flagship store in Ginza is a dream for those with tiny feet! Level 5 is entirely dedicated to small sizes, and you'll find a room full of women just like you. If you can visit, you'll be in heaven! They also have an online store that ships worldwide. Look out for the Diana Wellfit range for the most comfortable options.
Like Diana, Ginza Washington has multiple locations throughout Japan, and their flagship store is only a few blocks from Diana's. Although their small-sized department has shrunk in recent years, they still produce beautifully made shoes. Aim to shop during sales for the best deals!
I discovered this charming Japanese brand when I was expecting Bubby. Their small sizes and quirky styles instantly caught my eye. I wore a pair during our trip to Amsterdam and experienced no discomfort. While their online store on Rakuten has closed for international orders, you can still find their shoes on the Japanese Rakuten website. The inconvenience is worth it for their stylish and comfortable offerings.
In Singapore:
My go-to shop is Meidong Boutique. If you enjoy dancing, consider wearing dance shoes as everyday footwear. After all, why should beautiful shoes be reserved for the dance floor?
Contact details:
150 Orchard Road #01-61 Orchard Plaza
Singapore 238841
Tel: +65 6736 4709
Email: meidongshoes@gmail.com
I don’t have specific names for other shops in Singapore, but Chinatown is a good area to hunt for size 3 options. Just be wary of shopkeepers trying to push you into buying shoes that are too big—stick to your guns! I’ll update my Singapore list as I explore more now that Bubby is older.
In Australia:
There used to be a shop for very small and larger feet in the Dymocks Building in Sydney, but sadly, I think it may have closed. However, I found Petite Peds (https://petitepeds.com.au), which looks promising, though I don’t have direct experience with them. Let me know if you try them!
For casual, everyday shoes, Clarks children's shoes are worth considering. I just bought a lovely pair of girls' size 2.5 from Myers, and they are super light and comfy! Clarks Australia tends to offer lighter shoes compared to their UK counterparts, so I prefer the Aussie styles for both myself and my little girl. Yes, we have matching pairs—how daggy, I know, but I couldn’t resist!
In the UK:
I haven’t tried any of the following brands personally, but it’s great to know that small shoes are available there too. Check out https://www.smallfeet.co.uk and let me know what you think!
If you’re visiting Vietnam, you might find that having shoes custom-made is quite affordable and of good quality. Hong Kong also has some custom-made shops I hoped to try out but never managed to. I’ll update this list if I come across specific shop names.
If you find a truly wonderful pair of shoes that fit perfectly, consider buying more than one pair. Shoes wear out, and it’s always handy to have backups. I once had the most comfortable walking shoes from Paris (children's sized), and when they finally gave up the ghost, I regretted not buying a second pair. Don't make the same mistake!
Having small feet doesn’t mean you’re destined to wear children’s shoes for life. Thanks to online shopping, there’s no reason you can’t look elegant and polished while showcasing your petite feet in beautiful, high-quality shoes.
Take a look below at my current small shoe collection!
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