For me buying new shoes is a real ordeal. Shoe shopping is time consuming, brain hurting and it is expensive. It can take me up to a month until I find something that I like which fits my budget, personality and my feet. I wish I could just grab an 8.5 size pair and go home, but not all sizes are the same. Also a size just determines the length of the shoe, some shoes are just too narrow or too wide. And some have impossible high heels, shoe rims that pierce into your skin or zippers that just don’t zip up. Here is my shoe shopping saga on how I go about when searching for that perfect shoe.
1. Window shopping. When in need of new shoes I am on a prowl, hunting for those shoes that I want and need. I decide what type of shoe (flat, pumps, boots, sandals) I am looking for, and then I spend weeks window shopping. Selectively remembering which brands, stores, and looks appealed most.
2. Price. Everyone has a budget. So what is your maximum? Are you willing to pay $300 for a pair of shoes that will last you 2 seasons tops, or is a $100 your cut off line. Decide your maximum and look at the shoes that you are thinking about buying. If they are over your budget say goodbye and carry on.
3. Inspect the shoes. Think of a store where you saw most variety of shoes that you liked. Go into that store and inspect all shoes that you liked. Touch them. Look at them. And smell them if needed. If the stitching looks good, shoes don’t smell like glue, they can stand on their own without falling, the leather is nice and soft, and there are no rough edges proceed to the next step. If shoes have any obvious defects don’t even think about trying them on.
4. Try them on. Ask for your size and + half size. This will save you time. Then once you have the shoes, try both of them on. When they are on go for a stroll inside the store. Are they falling off? Is one shoe a bit too snug? Can you balance your walk? Is there any discomfort at all? If they are not comfy, give them back.
5. Inspect the shoes. If you like these shoes and they are comfortable (i.e. you can wear them in your daily routine and by the end of the day you won’t have any pain) don’t rush into buying them. Take off the shoes and inspect them for defects: scratches, stains, glue marks, bad stitching, etc. If all is well take them home.
I hope my suggestions will help you out when shoe shopping and will save you a buck. I am currently in a process of shoe shopping for spring shoes, so if interested keep posted on my progress and other shoe related blog posts.
Diana ♥
Before winter kicks in we have the luxury of enjoying our fall and late summer shoes. He are my all time favourite shoes, which are my personal classics:
1) Sperry Top-Sider “Josephsen” shoes. Low heel slip on boat shoes that had my heart as soon as I saw them in navy blue (one of my favourites shoe colours) $100
2) Tretorn “Omli” are lovely rubber rain boots with warm fleece lining, which makes them ideal for fall and winter - just add warm socks. $85
3) Diserens in midnight black. I always was fond of Dr. Martens, when I saw these shoes I was just blown away. Floral pattern has never looked so good on a shoe $170
4) Clint Eastwood, Wild wild west, desert, saloons and cowboys. All that is missing are the cowboy boots. Love the stitching detailing on these Anick shoes by Jeffrey Campbell. If you are lucky you can get them on sale for $170 or lower.
5) I discovered Keds 2 summers ago and I am in love with them since. I think that they have to be in everyone’s closet - perfect summer and spring shoes, super comfy, great for maintenance (just throw them in a washer, they are canvas), and good for fall if it’s not rainy. They come in a range of all rainbow colours and I just love them! $20 when on sale, regular price $40
6) Love manly shoes on women! I used to wear my step father’s dress shoes all the time when I was in high school. And now that these boy-girl shoes are in I have the great opportunity to stock up. These forest green Druetta shoes by WeWhoSee are a dream. $35 on clearance, regular price $120
7) If I had unlimited income I would spend it all on John Fluevog shoes. Their daring and beautifully crafted shoes are to die for. Needless to say that the quality is impeccable and they will last you a lifetime if treated with respect. My fall pick are these gorge Portside pumps $305
8) These shoes definitely have a WOW factor. If you want an alternative solution to the usual cocktail shoes pick these beauties by Sam Edelman. They also come in black $265
9) I LOVE ankle boots & Geox. They make amazingly comfy and anti smelly shoes. I own a pair of their ankle boots for over a year now and they are incredible. These lovely Minear shoes are the closest thing to what I own $180
Stores where I shoe shop: http://www.littleburgundyshoes.com , http://www.fluevog.com/ , http://www.townshoes.com/ , http://www.localeshoes.com/ , http://www.geox.com/
Diana ♥
