Lucy Parker on Wide Fitting Shoes - Confessions of a Footwear Fanatic

Lucy Parker is DUO’s very own expert on all aspects of the wonderful world of ladies boots and women's shoes. Lucy is a self confessed footwear fanatic, who for years has been an ardent fan of DUO’s perfectly fitting boots and shoes. From her footwear-filled home Lucy has agreed to regularly give us an insider view on a life stuffed to the brim with family, work, friends… and footwear!

My annual dilemma... which wide fitting shoes to pack?

Only 10 days to go before we fly to France for our much-needed summer holiday, and I cannot wait. It’s been incredibly hectic recently, and it seems like an eternity since I sat down and took the weight off my tired feet.  The tantalising prospect of a sun lounger by the pool, a glass of fizz and a really good trashy book is the only thing that’s keeping me sane at the moment... that and my heavenly collection of wide fitting shoes.

I seem to have spent an inordinate amount of time on these poor old feet this month. This week alone I have clapped and cheered at three sporting events, traipsed around two flower shows, volunteered at the school fete and danced until the small hours at a wedding – all this, and my pins are definitely ready for a well-earned break. I’ve been blessed with my grandmother’s famously wide feet, and I openly wept when I realised they were even wider after two pregnancies. HOW is that fair, I ask you?! Buying wide fitting ladies shoes on the high street is a very hit and miss experience, and if you’re a stickler for great style and quality like me, then DUO’s width fit shoe collection is a one-stop-shop no matter what the occasion.

I’ve been teaming my gorgeous new DUO wide fit shoe style Charlotte (in pillar box red) with a selection of summer frocks. Loads of people have complimented me on them. Happily for my feet they will also look great with wardrobe essential skinny fit jeans and a plain white shirt in the holiday sun, so I’ll definitely be packing them for the trip. Versatility is key. I have my eye on gorgeous new width fit style Matilda in blue too – sassy and elegant, and perfect for those warm summer evenings. Holiday packing has become a huge personal challenge since the budget airlines started to charge for each bag that is checked in. I have so many gorgeous designer shoes to choose from, and my husband Chris will be keeping tabs on the amount of space I’m leaving for him in our suitcase. It takes me a long time to whittle my wide fitting shoe selection down to the bare essentials, and even then I always try to stuff a few extra pairs in my hand luggage.

Heat, humidity and aeroplanes are a triple cocktail of suffering for any girl wearing ill fitting women's shoes because they want to look stylish on holiday. Mercifully those days are long behind me, and I have DUO to thank for this welcome reprieve.  Yes, I’ll definitely be doing very little, and putting my feet up as often as I can when we’re away, if only so that I can admire my beautiful new shoes more easily!