Women with particularly small feet have great difficulty finding shoes they like in a size that fits. The smallest size that most chain shoe stores carry is a size 6 ½ to 7. This is the result of teenagers outgrowing the previous generations and the majority of shoes sales ranging from size 8 to size 13.

Shoe stores that cater to the over 50 crowd carry smaller sizes, but typically in styles that most people in their thirties and early forties are unwilling to wear. This can be frustrating for those who are still young enough to be searching for a stylish shoe.

Naturally, any shoe store is willing to order in a style for a customer at no extra charge. However it can be difficult to be positive of the shoe size without trying on the shoe, which is why most people don't purchase shoes from a catalogue. Depending on the shoe, a person with an average size of 6 may run as small as a 5 ½ or as large as a 6 ½.

The girl's department will fit a foot that can wear a shoe as small as a 5, although most of the styles are for little girls. Sometimes, however, an individual can get lucky and find a great shoe for their small foot. The best part is children's shoes cost less. However those women with feet between the sizes of 5 and 6 ½ are left without many options.

Ironically, the boy's department will usually carry shoes that fit and believe it or not in styles that are suitable for most women in their thirties and early forties. Boy shoe styles have undergone a transformation over the past few years and many of the styles have become more feminine. Granted, there won't be any high heel dress shoes, but for a regular shoe that goes with jeans and even casual business wear, the boy's department carries an excellent alternative. Boy's sizes run up to the equivalent of a woman's size 7.

It is important to inform the management team of your favorite shoe store that they need to carry smaller sizes for women. If they are made aware of the demand they are more likely to keep a better stock. It is equally important to acknowledge those rare stores that do carry a smaller shoe stock to encourage them to continue to do so.