Fashion editor Hannah Skelley on Saturday highlighted a set of footwear brands she says address common fit problems such as broad feet, wide calves and bunions, recommending options that range from high-street wide-fit lines to bespoke bootmakers and brands using supportive, sustainable materials.
Skelley, writing in a fashion column published Sept. 13, 2025, singled out five labels — Vivaia, Esska, M&S Wide Fit, Duoboots and Sole Bliss — for their combinations of comfort-focused construction and accessible styling. The recommendations include knit trainers made from recycled materials, padded insoles and hidden stretch panels designed to reduce pressure on bunions and splayed toes.
Vivaia is noted for knitted styles intended to feel as comfortable as trainers while accommodating bunions. The Chinese brand uses 3D-printing technology to turn recycled plastic bottle yarn into a soft yet supportive shoe upper and adds extra-grippy soles for stability. Skelley wrote that the designs have been seen on celebrities including Katie Holmes and Bella Hadid.
London-based Esska, active for nearly two decades, was praised for playful silhouettes with super-soft insoles and padding that supports the arch without pinching wide or splayed feet. The brand’s mid-height platform sandal is described as a wardrobe staple for occasion wear, while its seasonal flats selection is popular around the holidays.
High-street retailer Marks & Spencer’s Wide Fit range was recommended for shoppers seeking inexpensive, ready-to-wear solutions. Lisa Illis, head of womenswear design at M&S, told Skelley the line aims to provide “the extra room that standard footwear often lacks, with hidden elastic inserts and zips that handle real stretch.” Many styles in the collection are priced under £50, she said.
For those who struggle with calf fit or boot zips, Duoboots was highlighted for its made-to-measure approach. Customers enter simple measurements via the label’s online process and receive boots crafted to those specifications. Mary Alice Malone, Duoboots’ chief brand director, said the company’s wide-calf boots are produced using precise measurements; the bespoke service is billed as costing under £300.
Sole Bliss, a British brand sketched in as a red-carpet favorite, markets roomy toe boxes with disguised depth, three layers of memory-foam cushioning and a hidden stretch panel designed to cushion bunions and joints. Founder Lisa Kay told the editor the construction is aimed at protecting and comforting the foot for prolonged wear; the brand has been worn by figures including Dame Helen Mirren, Julia Roberts and Queen Camilla.
The recommendations reflect a broader retail trend toward inclusive and comfort-driven design, with high-street ranges offering wider lasts and specialist labels introducing customization and sustainable materials. Skelley’s round-up frames these choices as practical investments for shoppers who have struggled to find footwear that balances style and fit.
Shoppers seeking a new season update can find the brands across direct-to-consumer websites and high-street retailers. Prices and availability vary by style and retailer, with some bespoke services and sustainable construction commanding higher price points than mass-market wide-fit ranges.
Skelley’s column appears as part of regular fashion coverage that also spotlights seasonal trends and wardrobe investments. The recommendations aim to guide readers toward brands that address specific fit needs while remaining stylistically current.