Sizing

Please be aware that our sizing guide and charts are advice only… every foot is different (EVEN TWO ON THE SAME BODY!) and the information provided here is to help you make the best decision possible, but is not a guarantee of a perfect fit. We are always happy to exchange though, so please order with confidence. 

SugarPOP sizing information

SugarPOPs are a roomy fit and the strap is an extra cm longer than industry standard to allow for varying ankle widths, making it fabulously adjustable. You can easily add extra holes to make the strap longer or shorter if needed.

When trying on SugarPOPs, if there is a bit of extra room (for example a gap at the back), just securely sit your heel in the heel cup at the back of the shoe and then do up the strap comfortably. If you do this and can see “toe cleavage,” then you can safely go down a size. If no cleavage shows, then this is the best size for you, but if you still have more wiggle room at the toe than you’re used to, we recommend adding one of our toe cushions found here. If you are feeling pressure on the toes but the heel is seated in and fitting perfectly, 90% of the time, you’ll be more comfy in the size up. There’s only about 6mm difference between each size so it’s not as though the size up will be a cm too big.

I have a wide foot so I designed SugarPOP to be comfy for me, meaning they’re a fairly wide fitting shoe. If you have a narrow/slim or shallow foot, you would benefit from a half-insole found here

If you already own Chocolaticas, my recommendation is this: if your Chocs are a perfect to snug fit, you will want to size UP in SugarPOPs. If your Chocs are a roomy or loose fit, you will likely want the same size in SugarPOPs.

“Will they stretch?” Not really. Some very keen customers have had a go at stretching them and had a ½ mm or so of success (we’ve had customers report good things about putting the end of a pool noodle into the opening of the shoe when they’re not wearing them to stretch them a bit), but the bottom line really is… if they’re not comfortable when you put them on, we recommend the next size up.

Orthotic friendly? Some orthotics will fit, but as the SugarPOPs are open on the side, they will show.
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes, especially if you follow the advice above and size up.

 

Chocolaticas Sizing information

New to Chocs? Choose the size nearest your most-often purchased AU size in fashion shoes (not boots or runners/trainers) – for example if you are usually an AU9, sometimes 9.5, choose US9/AU9.5/VZ39; if you’re an AU9 that’s occasionally an 8.5, then size down to the US8/AU8.5/VZ38. Mary Jane Chocolaticas (with the strap across the top of the foot) are soft and pliable, making them comfy and forgiving. Most customers report feeling that they are a roomier than average shoe because of their wide toe box and the adjustability offered by the mary jane style.

If you’re already a fan and are adding to your collection, refer to the VZ size printed on the bottom of your current shoes in a cute little love heart (found on the heel), and simply choose the same VZ size when ordering; for example if there’s a 37 in your love heart, then choose US7/AU7.5/VZ37. Easy peasy!
For the “in between sizes” customer who can’t decide whether they should buy the snug fit or the looser fit: my advice is always to go bigger. Swelling, socks or tights in winter, etc will all cause the smaller size to feel uncomfortably tight some days. Yes, they give a bit with pressure and if you are desperate for a certain style and the bigger size is out of stock, then by all means, grab them… but if all sizes are available, I’d rather see you pop an innersole in to fill space, than buy the smaller ones and potentially not be able to wear them comfortably.

Compared to SugarPOPs – because SugarPOPs are a completely different fabric and shape, it is difficult to compare them with a flat, canvas shoe with a square toe. But for most customers, if your SugarPOPs are a perfect to snug fit, you will want to choose the same/nearest size in Chocs, so for example if you wear an AU8 in SugarPOP and they are a perfect or snug fit, you will most likely wear the US8/AU8.5/VZ38. If your SugarPOPs are a loose fit, lots of wiggle room at the toe, go down a size in Chocs.

“Will they stretch?” Yes, but only really at and around the toe… not so much at the piping across the top of the shoe. If you feel pressure on the top of the foot, that is not likely to soften much, so we recommend sizing up. Chocs definitely soften up with wear, but they won’t stretch unless there’s pressure on them (tight fit), and they definitely will not collapse and lose shape like ballet flats do.

Orthotic friendly? Yes!
Wide foot friendly? Yes!

Original HCD Double topping heels Sizing information

The chunky heel on these shoes make them super stable, and there is a fantastic gel-like cushion in the instep. The angle is quite dramatic though, so if you don’t wear heels often, be aware that there is a bit of pressure on your ankle due to the 10cm angle. Practice makes perfect with these beauties and we recommend wearing them around the house as much as possible to get used to walking if you’re not normally a heel wearer. Your partner or housemates will LOVE it!

Double Toppings have a roomy toe box but are much firmer and more structured than the Chocs. There is essentially no give in the fabric upper. Around 60% of people will fit the same size in the higher heels as Mary Jane Chocs, but if your Chocs are a snug fit, you may find that going up a size is more comfy.

“Will they stretch?” If you are super keen and want to really give it a good solid go, we recommend trying the following: wet some crumpled newspaper and put it in 2 ziploc plastic bags. Jam the bags into the toes of the shoes and put them into the freezer overnight. You might get a mm or two of stretch from this method, but its not guaranteed. Your better bet is to buy the size up and stuff the toes with our Foam Toe Cushions.

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, for most orthotics

Wide Foot Friendly? Not as forgiving and wide as our flats ranges, but they have a rounded toe and are a medium to wide width. We recommend sizing up if you have a very wide foot.

 

HCD Mid-heels Sizing information

As with the original DT heels, they have a wonderfully stable and easy-to-wear chunky heel, with the extra comfort of the gel-like instep cushioning. The upper shape is the same as the original higher heels, but with only half the heel height (5cm). They are excellent long-wear heels!

HCD Mid Heels have a roomy toe box but are much firmer and more structured than the Chocs. There is essentially no give in the fabric upper. Around 70% of people will fit the same size in mid heels as Chocs, but if your Chocs are a snug fit, you may find that going up a size is more comfy.

“Will they stretch?” If you are super keen and want to really give it a good solid go, we recommend trying the following: wet some crumpled newspaper and put it in 2 ziploc plastic bags. Jam the bags into the toes of the shoes and put them into the freezer overnight. You might get a mm or two of stretch from this method, but its not guaranteed. Your better bet is to buy the size up and stuff the toes with our Foam Toe Cushions.

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, for most orthotics

Wide Foot Friendly? Not as forgiving and wide as our flats ranges, but they have a rounded toe and are a medium to wide width. We recommend sizing up if you have a very wide foot.

 

HCD Slip-ons Sizing information

The first collection slip ons in canvas upper (Freakshow, Egypt, Tacos and Nerdy) had a wide fitting upper but it is not as deep as the MJ Chocs. Many people found that  their same size in the slip ons were too tight. Freakshow and Nerdy have now been restocked in the new fit profile explained below.

All the subsequent releases (Garden, Ombre, Dino, Fallen Angels, Colorama, etc), have an improved fit profile and slightly more depth, so most people (around 65-70%) are finding they can now fit their usual size in the slip ons, especially if their Mary Jane style Chocolaticas are a loose fit. Those with snug/firm fitting MJs still might want to size up in the slip ons, especially if they have a wide foot, as the lower depth in the toe box of the slip ons can cause toes to feel cramped. Narrow feet often find the slip ons hard to keep on their feet.

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, for most orthotics
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes!

HCD Platforms (Double Cream) sizing info

Collection 1 Platforms were about 3mm larger (half a size) than their same-sized Chocolaticas counterparts. For example, if you buy a 39 Choc and a 39 C1 platform, there will be around half a size of extra length in the platform, so if your Chocs are loose, you will need to go down a size. C1 styles that have not been re-released in the corrected fit are Gravity, Frankenstein and Habana Flowers.

Collection 2 Platforms are about 2-3mm smaller than their same-sized Chocolaticas counterparts. For example, if you buy a 39 Choc and a 39 C2 platform, the platform upper will be noticeably tighter, so if your chocs are already snug you will need to go UP a size. C2 styles that have not been re-released in the corrected fit are Ganguro, and Walk the 80s.

These first and second release platforms require a different gait (walking style) than other shoes. Most shoes have some flex in the sole, our platforms do not – which means your foot will move up and down inside the shoe unless you are an absolute expert level platform wearer. We highly recommend practicing around the house before wearing them to any event where walking around will be required, and we highly recommend wearing socks or even a bandaid on your heel to prevent blisters until you get the gait right with any C1 or C2 platforms.

Collection 3 and onwards – HCD have worked hard to get the fit and feel perfect in the platform ranges and we believe they have finally come as close to perfection as is possible with a platform with the release of C3.
Styles such as Sushi, Pink Widow, Rockabilly, Rainbow and the restock of Tiki, Op Art and Thank You Music etc have this new fit profile and you can feel comfortable ordering any of these styles from Popping Candy and they should fit essentially the same as your Mary Jane Chocolaticas, unless you wear your Chocs super snug to your toes or if your toes point significantly upward – then you might need the size up. The gait/height might still take some getting used to, but the comfort and wearability is miles ahead of the previous collections!

“Will they stretch?” Not really – they are a fair bit firmer and more structured than Chocs.

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, for most orthotics
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes

 

Candypop flats range Sizing information

How do they compare with Chocolaticas? Around 40% of customers have found they are the same size in CandyPOP as in Chocolaticas, especially if they wear their Chocs on the firm/snug fitting side, and/or have a wide foot.

Around 10% of customers have found their usual fashion shoe/HCD shoe size presses on the big toe or baby toe and have had to go up a size, especially if their longest toe is the great/big toe.

The rest of our customers (approx 50%) have found they need to go down a size in CandyPOPs, as they are quite a roomy fitting shoe. They are wide and soft through the middle for great flexibility while walking, but they are a more structured in the toe box for a dressier look than Chocolaticas (which are canvas, a softer material), so they’re a firmer fit.

When trying on CandyPOPs, we recommend a bare foot, with the heel firmly seated in the heel cup, right at the back of the shoe. PLEASE stand up to check your fit as your foot will sit differently in the shoe when sitting than with your body weight applied (standing). If you can see “toe cleavage” when your foot is all the way back like this, then you need to go down a size. If you cannot, but your toes are not touching the front of the shoe, this is the optimal fit as you will have the comfort of a bit of wiggle room and the shoe will mould to your foot as you walk so it won’t slip. If your toes are touching, pressing or rubbing on the front of the shoe, you need to size up.

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, for most orthotics
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes!

 

Irregular Choice sizing information

Irregular Choice (IC) shoes are difficult to give advice on because of the HUGE variation in shapes and styles they offer (everything from brogues to heels to sneakers to boots!). The following advice is general only. Always use the AU size conversion if you are comparing to HCD sizing, as the size charts are NOT the same: for example a 38 in HCD is an AU 8-8.5, where an IC 38 is an AU 7.

I would class IC as a medium to somewhat wide fitting shoe – but only in the rounded or more square-toe styles. Tapered toe styles are fine for medium to wide feet, but the pointed toe styles are best for people with more narrow feet.

If you already own Chocolaticas, my recommendation is this: if your Chocs are a perfect to snug fit and/or if you have quite wide feet, you will want to size UP in Irregular Choice. If your Chocs are a roomy or loose fit, you will likely want the same size in Irregular Choice.

“Will they stretch?” Not really.

Orthotic friendly? This will depend very largely on the style IC shoe you are ordering and we would recommend buying a size up if you want to fit a full length orthotic in any of the IC heels.

Wide Foot Friendly? Yes, especially if you follow the advice above and size up.

Once you have read all the information above, if you still have questions, please send them through to info@poppingcandy.com.au along with the answers to the following questions so that we can do our best to guide you:

• Which brand/s and style/s are you most interested in purchasing from us?
• Do you consider your feet to be narrow, medium width or wide?
• Which of your toes is the longest?
• What size fashion shoes (not runners/trainers) do you most often wear? Are you ever a half size (up or down)?
• Do you have a high instep or high arch?
• Do your feet swell in hot weather or if you're spending lots of time standing/walking?
• Do you prefer to wear socks/sockettes all the time, or are you happy with bare feet in your shoes?
• Do you prefer a snug fitting shoe, or would you rather have a decent amount of wiggle room at the toes?

Please be aware that while we are always happy to assist with sizing questions, our advice is not a guarantee of fit. As you can see from the above list, there are a lot more factors at play than just foot length when getting the correct fit, and we use our 7 years of experience selling our brands to inform any advice we give - but it is not a perfect science. Use our advice as a guide only, not a guarantee.

 

Need help with the fit of any of your existing shoe collection? 

Does this sound like you??

“My shoes rub just a touch”.

“These shoes are pinching a little at the toes”.

“My shoes have a little room in them, but I don’t want to go to a smaller size as they might then be too small and hurt”.

“I would love a little more grip inside my shoes”.

To help with these concerns we have created a number of simple solutions. These include…

✨ Soft Silicone Toe Covers (for grip, or to cushion against any pinchy bits)
✨ Foam Toe Cushions (to fill excess space at the front of the shoe, or keep you from sliding forward)
✨ Popping Candy Half Innersole (to fill excess depth if you have a shallow or narrow foot, or for friction cushioning)
✨ Popping Candy Heel Grip (if your shoes slip off or rub at the heel)