Q I have wide feet and cannot find office-appropriate shoes that do not give me blisters. Please help.

A Numerical shoe sizes indicate the length of the shoe, while shoe widths are defined by letters, from AAA (very narrow) to EEE (very wide).

The average width for women’s shoes is a B and most shoe brands manufacture shoes in B or C to cater to the mass market.

In your case, opt for footwear made from stretchable materials such as nappa leather, which can comfortably accommodate the swelling of your feet over the course of the day. Shoes with minimal seams are also gentler on tender feet.

Arch Shoe Salon at Millenia Walk shoe boutique Sole 2 Sole has a line of wider-cut shoes for working women called Arch At Work.

The range comprises mainly of peep-toe (above right) and round-toe styles with two-inch heels jazzed up with retro details and pops of bold colour. Suitable for both work and play, the range is priced from $212 to $234.

Sole 2 Sole also stocks shoes from London-based designer Meher Kakalia, who is well-known for her soft and comfortable nappa leather ballet flats.

Available in a variety of soft pastel colours, each pair is priced at $279 and can be folded to fit into your bag.

Alternatively, there are a slew of styles that come in a wide fit at English online shoe retailer cosyfeet.com. Mary Jane flats start from £25 (S$51) while low-heeled strappy leather pumps will set you back £50.

The online retailer ships here, with a postage charge of £6 and a delivery time of between five and seven working days.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.