I usually wear 8.5-9 in shoes - closer to 9 in heels. I saw that these run big so I went with an 8.5. These run huge! Returning and thinking about trying a 7.5. I don't know if it's worth the risk though. They look well made, but they just look so bulky. I'm not sure if it's just from the size of the shoe or if the heel really does just look like the heels my 60 year old typing teacher in college wore...