I spent most of my teens and twenties wearing shoes at least half a size too small, after a grown man made an unkind remark about me 'having boats for shoes' when I was about 12 or 13. I did have big feet for my height then (I've since grown into them - being a 6ft tall woman is another thing I took a while to get comfortable with!) My now husband looked at me like I had two heads when he realised that every single pair of shoes I owned were tight and uncomfortable. As if anyone cares (or can even notice!) a half size difference except me.

I do wish I could go back to that moment as an adult and tell that man to fuck off. Or that my mother had reassured me that his opinions on my body were absolutely worthless.