Kate Middleton shoe size: What Irish women really wear for comfort and style
When people ask about Kate Middleton shoe size, the UK royal’s known size 6 (US) or 37 (EU) shoe measurement. Also known as British women's shoe size, it’s often cited as a benchmark—but in Ireland, it’s not the size that matters, it’s the fit. You can wear the same size as a Duchess, but if the sole doesn’t grip wet pavement or the arch doesn’t support hours on cobblestones, you’re just carrying around expensive paperweights.
Irish women don’t buy shoes because a celebrity wears them. They buy them because they survive the rain, the mud, the 10-mile walks to school drop-off, and the 12-hour shifts on hospital floors. That’s why Crocs are common in hospitals, Thursday boots are praised for their width, and runners—not trainers—are the real name for everyday shoes. Shoe size? It’s just one number. What counts is foot support, the structure that prevents heel pain, arch collapse, and knee strain after standing all day. It’s why nurses pick Crocs, why older men choose waterproof slippers, and why women over 60 still wear knee-length dresses—with sturdy ankle boots underneath.
Even the most famous shoe sizes mean nothing if the brand doesn’t handle Irish weather. A size 6 in Italy might be narrow. A size 6 in the US might lack cushioning. In Ireland, you need a sole that doesn’t slip on wet stone, a heel that doesn’t sink into muddy paths, and a material that dries fast. That’s why Clarks outsells Nike here—not because it’s trendy, but because it lasts. And why Thursday Boots, with their 1.5-inch lift and roomy fit, are quietly popular among women who walk the DART line every morning in rain and wind.
You won’t find a single Irish woman who says, "I bought these because Kate Middleton wears them." But you’ll find plenty who say, "I bought these because they didn’t leak on the way to the hospital," or "They didn’t hurt after walking the kids to school in Galway." That’s the real standard. The celebrity number? Just noise. What you need is a shoe that works when the Atlantic wind hits, when the puddles are ankle-deep, and when your feet are screaming by 5 p.m.
Below, you’ll find real stories from Irish shoppers—what works, what doesn’t, and why the perfect shoe has less to do with size and everything to do with survival.