Opinion: Large-footed women deserve style, too

Knowing that some women covet small feet, I don’t want an irate reader coming after me with a size 11 high-heel shoe. What the heck, let’s do it.

I don’t want to begin on the wrong foot by referring to the growth of women’s feet in a crass way like “Footus Gigantus.” I’ll use a more politically correct “expanded underpinnings,” which might save me some grief.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in the past 20 years the average size of the American female foot has grown from shoe sizes 7 or 8 to shoe sizes 9 or 10; where 11 percent of women wore size 9 or above 20 years ago, one third of females have now grown into the larger sizes.

Men may get away with poking fun at other men with big feet, saying such classy lines as, “You would be 7 feet tall if so much of you hadn’t been turned under for feet” or “I saw a clown at the circus who must have stolen your shoes.” Don’t even think about using such barbs with women – unless you can outrun them.

One cause of increases in women’s shoe sizes is attributed to genetics. Men and women are taller than they once were. Most children today are taller than their parents.

If you were in high school during the 1940s or 1950s the tallest player on your basketball team may have been around 6 feet tall. Today, players are likely to be much taller; women basketball players now may be around 6 feet. It seems to be a fact of life – American women are growing up, their feet are growing out.

Another cause is believed to be participation in athletics in the years since Title IX mandated equal spending on women’s athletics. Running and jumping caused the body to respond by producing larger feet. If our bodies actually respond to physical activities, why haven’t we grown a third arm and hand to help juggle a drink and napkin as we eat from a plate full of finger food at receptions?

There may be many causes, but I can report with certainty that neither global warming nor E1 Nino is responsible for the growth of women’s feet, a comforting thought indeed. Anyone wearing shoes not in the average category knows how difficult shoe shopping can be. Women wearing larger sizes have always been exasperated when looking for shoes to fit. While demand has increased, shoemakers haven’t yet responded with many stylish larger sizes. Although I have never shopped for a pair of size 11 high heels, I understand the plight of women who can find little to match the more stylish smaller sizes. The Wall Street Journal reports that some women resort to shopping for larger shoes in stores catering to transvestites. No offense to transvestites, but I doubt they would have much in common style-wise with today’s modern American woman.

The large shoe shortage isn’t limited to adults. Ten percent of high school girls now wear shoes larger than size 10, yet shoemakers haven’t followed with larger selections. One 12-year-old girl who is a size 12 threw up her hands and bought a pair of men’s loafers and painted flowers on them. Others say they have settled for buying men’s sandals and sneakers; I guess they aren’t anxious to lace up a pair of size 12 wingtips.

Manufacturers may say they don’t make as many large size women’s shoes because they require more materials. I don’t know about that. The extra cost excuse doesn’t seem to apply to men’s shoes. My size 7 1/2 shoes cost the same as size 12s. Why should women’s shoes be any different?

Ladies with expanded underpinnings, stand tall, you are the new style leaders. If you keep on demanding shoes to fit, they will come.

Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.