Like A Glove: Our Tips For The Perfect Slipper Fit
Slippers, being what they are, are very forgiving in terms of sizing. After all, they are designed to provide maximum comfort, and the most action they’ll see on most days is scooting from the couch to the refrigerator. Still, we all know the dreaded feeling of stepping into a new pair of slippers only to feel your foot slipping around, or worse, your toes sweaty and cramped. Below, we explain our top tips for ensuring a perfect fit.
A Note About Japanese Sizing
If you’ve ever shopped for clothing in Japan, then you know it can sometimes be challenging to be sure you’re getting your correct size. Generally speaking, Japanese sizes are smaller than Western sizes. Because of this, it’s not unusual to find yourself buying clothes one or two sizes larger than what you’re used to back home. To further complicate things, many international brands have been known to adjust their sizes for different markets (if you find an “A” listed next to the size, this means the garment has been tailored for the Japanese market).
When it comes to shoes in Japan, it can be difficult to find a shoe larger than a US size 8 for women or a US size 10 for men unless you visit a specialty store. Add to this the fact that Japanese shoes tend to be more narrow, and you have the perfect storm for sizing issues.
Luckily, Japan utilizes what is probably the most straightforward shoe sizing method around. Your size is simply the length of your foot in centimeters. However, what you’ll learn when purchasing Japanese shoes is that US sizes rarely align with Japanese standards, making international conversion charts unreliable. To ensure a perfect fit, we suggest following the steps below.
How to Measure Your Foot and Pick the Right Slipper
Grab two pieces of paper (A4 or letter size should work unless your feet are quite large).
Put on the type of socks you plan to wear with your new slippers (if you don’t plan to wear socks, that’s fine!).
Take turns standing directly on top of the paper with each foot and use a pencil to trace your feet. To ensure an accurate measurement, make sure your weight is centered directly over your foot.
Make a mark at the tip of your longest toe and the base of your heel.
Draw a line connecting both marks and measure it. The longest measurement between your two feet is your Japanese shoe size! If you have wide feet, consider sizing up.
Compare your size to the chart on the product listing. Purchase the size that is closest to your Japanese size but not under (the worst thing is your foot overhanging the footbed).