Q: I'm in my 50s and have small feet (UK size 3) and cannot find any shoes that fit. Can you recommend where to buy low-heeled shoes for an evening function?

A: Your best bet is to stick with Asian brands such as home-grown chain Charles & Keith. Also, opt for styles with straps like Mary Janes that are more secure so that the shoes can still work if they are a teensy bit bigger than your feet.

If you ever find yourself in Japan, do stock up. The streets there are lined with stores that stock small sizes in all kinds of lovely designs to cater to the small feet of the locals.

In Singapore, the Luxury Collection line from multi-label shoe boutique Her Glass Slipper (02-26 Chevron House, tel: 6438-0211), is a good bet. Sizes for its dressier shoes start from UK size 3 and prices range from $200 to $400.

Ziegler Shoes (02-22 Tanglin Mall, tel:6733-9575) stocks an eclectic selection of cute European and Australian brands and sometimes carries smaller sizes such as European size 35 (UK size 2.5).

Mephisto next door (02-27 Tanglin Mall, tel:6734-2082) is a Spanish brand that also brings in smaller sizes such as European size 35 once in a while, although the designs are a tad more casual.

Adrian Thoo, the owner of Her Glass Slipper, adds that cuts can vary a lot depending on the brand. So do try on shoes that look like they may fit, even if they may not be labelled your size.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Aug 29, 2008.