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

VZ = Venezuelan Sizing. Please do not attempt to match up VZ with your EU size - they are not the same. Example - if you are a 39EU, you are a 38VZ.

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!

HCD High and Mid Heel Sizing Information

The chunky heel on these shoes make them super stable, and there is a fantastic gel-like cushion in the instep. For the high heels, the angle is quite dramatic, 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! :D

HCD 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 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 Platforms sizing info

Platforms are more structured in the toe box than the flat mary janes, but should fit essentially the same as your Mary Jane Chocolaticas, unless you wear your Chocs as a perfect or snug fit, 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

HCD Sneakers sizing info

HCD Sneakers are a more tapered/rounded toe box in comparison to the MJS and platforms, and as such lose a little width compared to the core ranges. The length is slightly longer, and the innersole is removeable, so you can replace the thick, bouncy insole with a thinner one if you need a little wiggle room on sizing. :) You can also add your own orthotic without sacrificing depth, which is fabulous! We recommend ordering your normal HCD MJ or flat fashion shoe size when trying the sneakers, unless you have a very wide foot, and then you might want to try the size up.

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

Orthotic Friendly? Yes, with removeable innersole!
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes

HCD Sandals sizing info

HCDs glorious, lightweight wedge sandals are amazing! Adjustable buckle on the slingback strap means these pretties can be set to your preferred fit and then just slipped on when it's time to dress and go! If you find the strap is loose (depending on he shape of your foot/ankle), you can use "boob tape" to help the strap stay in place! :) We recommend buying the same size you'd normally choose in HCD flats as the sandals are a wide fit and very accomodating of many foot shapes. Most customers are finding they can wear 2 sizes comfortably thanks to the adjustability of the buckled strap and the extra wiggle room allowed by the peep toe. Extra soft cushioned lining makes them extra comfy as well!

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

Orthotic Friendly? Not really as they are so open.
Wide Foot Friendly? Yes

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 11 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)