I live in a small town and had to order my shoes (danskos) I wear a size 8.5 normally and ordered a size 39. They are WAY too tight on the upper part and my heels slip in them. I know I can't size down because the top will be even tighter. When I've practiced walking in them, I keep twisting my ankles too. I hear that the mens dansko shoes don't have as high of a heel but unfortunately they don't make a small enough size to go that route.