As anyone with feet over a European size 38 (US 7.5) knows, finding decent shoes in Shanghai can be tricky. There’s nothing more disheartening than shopping with small-footed friends who seem to find exactly what they’re looking for among the racks, while you trudge home unshod and downcast. However, if you know where to look (and don’t mind waiting a few days, in some cases) you can have the shoes of your dreams, even if your feet are bigger than the Chinese average. Here are 10 of the best places to pick up Western-size shoes in Shanghai.

1) Scarlet’sView In Map
Scarlet’s boutique in Jing’an might look like an adult entertainment shop from the outside, but as well as a great selection of bras ranging from 32A to 48F, they stock plenty of imported shoes for women up to a size 43. Prices are pretty reasonable too, so it’s worth stocking up on a few pairs if you see a style that you like.

Add: Shop 101, 1/F, 343 Jiaozhou Lu, near Wuding Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市胶州路343号1楼101 室,近武定路
Opening hours: 09:00-20:00 daily

2) X-Large ShoesView In Map
As its name suggests, this unassuming little shop near Shanghai Railway Station stocks men’s and women’s shoes in extra large sizes. The shelves are stacked high with female shoes between sizes 9 and 12 US (European 43 to 46), and male shoe sizes ranging from 11 to 15 US (European 45 to 49). The selection covers everything from Western-style dress shoes, casual kicks, sport pumps, sandals, and Chinese-style shoes, but there’s usually only one pair of each type in each size. With an average price of around 150 RMB per pair, it’s definitely worth a trip.

Add: 931 Jiangning Lu, Rm 204, Bldg 3, Shanghai
地址: 上海市江宁路931号，3楼，204 室.
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 daily
Tel: 021 228 1 8140/13611696007
shop10683750.taobao.com

3) SmartsetView In Map
Xinle Lu is famous for its many local fashion boutiques and it also comes up trumps for larger than average size ladies’ shoes. Smartset stocks “Made in China” Western brands like Nine West and Steve Madden.

Add: 95 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Xinle Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市襄阳北路95号，近新乐路
Tel: 021 5403 5291

4) No Concept but Good Sense View In Map
Here’s another one for the ladies, the candidly named No Concept but Good Sense offers girly shoes up to a size 9.5 US (European 41). Most are imported from Taiwan and Japan, so if you like a bit of frill and a touch of bling, this is the place for you.

Add: 327 Changle Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市长乐路327号，近陕西南路
Tel: 021 5403 3983

5) Billy's Handmade ShoesView In Map
If you just can’t find a pair you like in the shops, head to Billy’s on Changle Lu. He’ll measure you up and let you choose from a wide variety of styles and materials. You can even design your own. It’s not cheap – shoes and short boots cost up to 600 RMB while long boots go for 950 RMB – and it takes about a month to finish a pair, but it’s worth it to have custom made footwear that’s unique to you.

Add: 1238 Changle Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市长乐路1238号，近乌鲁木齐路
Tel: 021 6248 4881

6) ZaraView In Map
The Western apparel brands provide a good option for larger shoes. Unlike H&M which generally only goes up to a size 7.5 US (European 38) for women and 9.5 US (European 42) for guys, Zara has a wider array on the upper end. Try and visit as soon as the new season’s ranges come in, before all the larger sizes are snapped up by like-minded laowai.

Add: 1189 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu
地址: 上海市南京西路1189号, 近陕西北路
Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 daily
Tel: 021 6279 3282

7) Marks & Spencer  View In Map
Another solid choice, especially for work shoes: trusty M&S has a good footwear selection for both guys and girls. The men’s shoes tend to be more sensible than stylish, but the ladies’ offerings include some chic shoe-boots in winter and sandals in summer. Classic flats are available all year round. As with Zara, the largest sizes sell out quickly.

Add: 893 Nanjing Xi Lu,near Shimen Yi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市南京西路863号，近石门一路
Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 daily
Tel: 021 6218 2558

8) Decathlon View In Map
If you’re large of foot and fond of sport, Decathlon should be your first stop in the search for shoes. From hiking boots to training shoes, Decathlon stocks footwear up to a size 11 US (European 45).

Add: 1258 Meichuan Lu, near Zhenguang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市梅川路1258号，近真光路
Opening hours: Sun–Thu, 09:00-21:00; Fri–Sat, 09:00-22:00
Tel: 021 5280 0077

9) Taobao.com
If you read and understand Chinese, Taobao.com is an option. The big disadvantage is that you can’t try shoes on prior to buying them, but if you’re willing to take a risk, it can yield some gems.

Website: www.taobao.com

10) ShoppingLu.com
If your Zhongwen isn’t up to scratch, there’s good news in the form of ShoppingLu.com. Launched in September 2010, it’s a smaller version of Taobao for English speakers. Despite the site being relatively new, the shoe selection is pretty decent. Many styles are available up to a size 10 US (European 43) for women and a size 15.5 US (European 50) for men, but the larger sizes have to be made specially. Another advantage of ShoppingLu is that you can pay on delivery, so if your Chinese bank account doesn’t allow internet banking, you can still make purchases.

Website: www.shoppinglu.com

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