I was shopping for shoes at Nordstrom Rack earlier this summer when a fellow size 10-shopper looked at me knowingly. “Narrow feet?” she asked with an empathetic smile. Surrounded by sandals, wedges, and flats too wide for our slender feet, my new best friend and I commiserated on the difficulty we have shopping for size 10N shoes.
Finding winter boots and other cold weather shoes is only marginally easier. It helps that I can layer socks or add orthopedic-like inserts to fill up all that empty space around my narrow feet and small ankles, but it doesn’t solve the problem completely.
Shopping for shoes, no matter what the season, can be as frustrating for me as trying on jeans. Except that instead praying the jeans I take into the dressing room will button around my hips and not look too baggy around my thighs, I’m hoping I won’t step out of whatever sandals or boots are currently in fashion.
While I’m still searching for the perfect pair of jeans, I might have found a solution to my summer sandal woes: Sven Clogs. In my 35ish years of wearing shoes, I don’t think I’ve ever owned a pair of clogs because their wooden bases have always been too wide.
However, Sven’s Swedish clogs, clog boots, and clog sandals are all custom made to fit your feet, whether they’re extra narrow or extra wide. You can customize your clogs further by choosing the base color and leather type and color.
So I traced my feet on a piece of paper and mailed the drawing to Sven Clogs in Minnesota last month, and they recommended the size I should order: 42 Narrow Base with XN lest. (I told you have I have huge feet!) I picked the Criss Cross clogs in Honey Nu Buc leather with a medium heel and natural base.
And they fit perfectly. They’re comfortable, too — in part, I’m sure, because they fit so well. I’m not gonna lie, though. At $205, they’re the most expensive pair of sandals in my closet. However, as I’m getting older (and wiser?), I’d rather spend my money on quality versus quantity. I want my clothing and shoes to fit properly and last a long time.
Even though the kids are heading back to school, fall doesn’t officially begin until the end of September. That means sandals are still in style!
I plan to wear my Sven clogs until my toes get cold (or until I can order these boots and these closed-toe clogs). Right now I’m loving how they look with sundresses, but they’d be equally chic with cropped jeans and a lightweight sweater.
Now the really exciting part! My friends at Sven Clogs want to give away one pair of clogs to a lucky A Girl Named PJ reader! The winner can choose any clogs (except clog boots) in any leather and color option. Sorry, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
To enter the Sven clogs giveaway, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.
One winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 1st and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is randomly picked. Good luck!
(Photography by Reema Desai for A Girl Named PJ. Sandals c/o Sven Clogs. Denim vest from Target. Striped dress from Loft.)
I’m a sucker for the red Mary Janes!
THe black halter top closed toe shoes are so, so cute. How do certain clogs somehow look sexy even though they’re blocky wooden things on your feet?!
I love these:http://www.svensclogs.com/halter-top-clogs-closed-toe-sven-style-150-223.html
Oooh…so hard to chose! I like Z strap ankle clogs…but I also like the red t-strap ones too! Love the photos in the post.
I love the shearling clog bootie!
These beauties: Criss Cross Clog – Medium Heel – Sven Style # 3823
Yes please!
I love love the peep toe bow tie clog!
I love the criss-cross clog sandal with the high heel. I’ve been looking for a slip-on style sandal all summer–this one would be perfect!
Those are so cute! I have one pair of Sven clogs that I love, but I would equally love another pair!
I love…. the square accent closed toe. Beautiful!
I love the low heeled sandal in red. There is something about red shoes. Also, didn’t think clogs could ever be cute be these are awesome!
I covet the closed back clog. Classic
I am after the peep toe tstrap in yellow!
I’d love the 11″ Shearling Clog Boot – BENDABLE
So cute! You look great in all these photos, girl! I love the bowtie peep toe and the mary janes!
I’m torn between the Leaf Cut or the Biker Strap! Holy moly there are so many that I like!
I’ve been ogling a pair of these for awhile (they have a t-strap style I LOVE). Super cute pics, btw.
I love the halter top clogs!
I would love the pr. she is wearing in the photo. They look very comfy. I hope you have wide sizes because I usually wear a wide.
I have a pair of Mary Janes in a camel color but I feel like a pair of bright t-straps are what I really need now!
I love the cleopatra!
Everything is beautiful! So hard to choose… My favorites are the Lacy clogs and Criss Cross clogs though ?
http://www.svensclogs.com/clog-boots-1/clog-boots-11-double-straps-med-heel-style-49-223-11.html
I’m loving their bow tie peep toe clog in nude!
I like yours, the mary janes, or the open toe sandals!
So many cute options. I like the Mary Jane peep toes or the T straps. I now live in a city with more months of warm weather!
Maybe the Mary Jane ones? I cant pick so many pretty options to choose from! (also these pics are fab!!)
PJ you are too cute! Love your outfit and those clogs so much. I really want those halter top clogs you linked to!
I think I’d have to go with the Z ankle strap, but there are so many cute styles that it’d be a tough choice!
J’adore the Mary Jane clogs !
Blue ankle strap clogs!
Love the z-strap in blueberry leather. I feel your pain! I have big + wide feel and absolutely nothing fits right.
I love the ones you have on but would get them in a deep brown strap
First off, you look adorable in these pictures.
I’m totally into the Cleopatra Clogs and the Criss Cross Clogs!
I want to start by saying your outfit is adorable and I love your blog! I would really enjoy owning all of Sven’s clogs but if I had to choose, I would choose the Cleopatra Sandal Clog! They are perfect for work and would even look great for an evening out on the town! And they look oh so comfortable which is a definite bonus!
I have such a thing for Kiltie Clogs, those are probably my favorite!
You look adorable!
It’s a tough choice, but I think the mary janes with perfs are my favorite.
I’ve been dying for a pair of plain Svens – mid-heel. I LOVE my clogs!
Such a hard choice! I’m loving the red criss cross sandals, though!
oh my…those red mary janes 🙂
my daughter would love these:
http://www.svensclogs.com/children-clogs/mary-jane-with-flowers-ankle-strap-style-0154-12-f.html
i personally love these in natural:
http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/double-strap-thin-ankle-strap-sven-220-83.html
I’d pick the Side Slit Clog Sandal – Ankle Strap
I loooooove sven clogs!! I used to have a pair that I wore to PIECES, but they were the perfect everything shoe. I love that they go from skirts to jeans so well. Dying for a pair of the halter clogs or z straps! Adorable outfit, by the way. Love that vest.
I would be happy with any of the Sven clogs. They a recall gorgeous.
I think I would get the 2 Buckle Sandal – Low Heel – BENDABLE- Style # 0463. but I might change my mind! I like several of them a lot.
http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/low-heel-clog/2-buckle-sandal-low-heel-189.html
Low heel plain black clogs! DREAM SHOES.
http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/low-heel-clog/plain-clog-2-low-heel-austrian-base-sven-style-0913.html
I like the closed back styles! And the Mary Janes.
The halter-top clogs are sweet! The perfect way to start fall.
I would pick the brown buckle sandal clogs http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/2-buckle-sandal-clogs-bendable-style-7063.html
criss cross clog (sooooo cute) 🙂 ty for the chance!
These are my favorite
http://www.svensclogs.com/mary-jane-clogs-ankle-strap-sven-style-154-12.html
I just discovered these clogs, and now I have about six pairs in my shopping cart. Too hard to choose, they’re all beautiful! Partial to the t-bar styles, though.
Hi! I just followed the contest instructions but am not sure if they worked for me completely. Either way, I love Sven clogs and am looking to replace my brown bendable ones!
The black halter tops, for sure. They are my new favorites.
I feel your pain on the size 10 front. I often have a hard time finding cute and comfortable shoes. I have been eyeing the halter top clogs for a year, I know the quality of shoe is completely worth the price.
I have been swooning over sven clogs for the past year. I am pretty much in love with all of sven clogs. Truly beautiful. I wouldbe so grateful to win these shoe pictured aboved or any of their styles! Your article was a great read and I am happy to know about you now. Thanks!
LOVE SVEN! Would love a pair for my wardrobe. Been obsessing over the closed back clothes for awhile.
I have a red pair of Sven Mary Janes and they’re my favorite shoes ever! My next pair will be a closed toe, low heel style in another bright color for sure.
So hard to decide. The buckle weave sandal clogs #1483 strike my fancy, but the cross cross clog sandals that you got are pretty lovely too!!!
The Sven clogs look amazing! Would love to win a pair of clog sandals! ☺️
Ugh the halter tops are so good!! I want them in tan and black, so hard to choose ?
I love the red suede Mary Jane style! So cute and fun 🙂
Loving the maryjanes and Sherpa booties!
Being able to choose just one pair is a challenge! But I could seriously go for a pair of the high heel halter top clogs in black,!
I want the medium heel halter top clogs! In Navy? Or brown? So hard to decide! I love Sven clogs. They’re the best and most comfortable.
I adore this cross cross style! They are so versatile, making them worth the higher price tag. Gorgeous color options, too!
Oooo, maybe the leaf punch clogs or the mary janes??
I’d love a pair Mary Jane medium heel of course!
I can’t decide! Maybe the t-straps…
I would choose the Closed Back Clogs with the Bendable base- Sven Style in Brown.
I’m so obsessed with the halter clogs in black! Would want to wear them every day with every outfit!
Ooh, tough choice! I think I’d have to go with the Halter Peep Toe clog in Mahogany Nu Buc!
Oh please! Please, please, please! I’ve been dreaming of this pair for eons.
http://www.svensclogs.com/womens-clogs/low-heel-clog/bow-tie-clog-low-heel-sven-style-130-13.html
The choice is a tough choice; criss cross, halter back, closed heel, plain clogs, there are just so many wonderful SVEN styles! It would take me a few days, or 47 hrs to decide. Thanks!
Love the closed toe halter clog for fall!
I like the New Z Ankle Strap style. 🙂
Definitely something with a T-strap!
I love the sandal clogs!
I’m swooning over the criss cross clogs and the plain clogs. I’m moving to LA in a few weeks after living my whole life in New England, so a pair of clogs I could wear year round (!!!) sounds amazing! A fresh new pair of clogs would certainly help make my move easier 🙂
They just set out a new Mary Jane-esque style that has mendrooling but let’s be honest, I’d totally get a pair of closed back clogs with a either the weliven detail or the tied detail on top. I gotta get my butt up to Chisago City!
I love the black halter top clogs with wooden soles. So simple and stylish. I agree, quality is worth paying a little extra for!
I would pick one of the cute sandals
These shoes are gorgeous and so are you, friend!
I love your shorter hair!!! Super cute!
Loving these photos of you! And I’m with ya in trying to find good shoes in size 10 (ugh…for me I feel like they never make enough of the cute shoes in the bigger sizes, so I see them in the small sizes, but never in 10!). And I think you sold me on the criss cross clogs – so cute! The peep toe ones are pretty great too!
Halter mid heel clog in Black Nubuck!
So many great choices. I have my eyes on the Z ankle strap mid heel pair.
Love the Peep Toe in black!
I love the photos in this post PJ – so well done! And those shoes are beautiful! Bummed I missed out on the giveaway but glad to see you had so many entries.
Has there been a winner posted? If so, where is it listed? I’ve been looking and unable to locate. (Sorry.. this smartphone is smarter than I am.)