I don’t know about you, but when it comes to shopping for shoes, I am always so confused and feel like it takes me forever to make a decision… I just bought 3 pairs recently and it took over an hour and half to buy them! When shopping for shoes, you want to have more than fashion in mind — you’ll also want to consider function and keeping your feet in good shape.
These 10 tips can help you choose the right shoes:
- Take a tracing of your foot with you. Place any shoe you think you might buy on top of the tracing. If the shoe is narrower or shorter than the tracing, don’t even try it on. I need to make this a habit, would save me a lot of time I am sure.
- Shop for shoes during the afternoon or evening — your foot naturally expands with use during the day, this ensures the shoe will not become tight as the day progresses.
- Wear the same type of socks to the store that you intend to wear with the shoes, so you know how it fits exactly.
- Have a salesperson measure both of your feet — and get measured every time you buy new shoes. Feet change with age, often growing larger and wider. If one foot is larger than the other, buy a size that fits the larger foot. Also pregnancy changes shoe sizes, so definitely do this a couple of times when you first buy shoes after becoming a mommy!
- Stand in the shoes. Press gently on the top of the shoe to make sure you have about a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. This provides enough room for your foot to press forward as you walk. Wiggle your toes to make sure there’s enough room. Often times it’s these toes who suffer if the shoes aren’t a good fit.
- Walk around in the shoes to determine how they feel. Is there enough room at the balls of the feet? Do the heels fit snugly, or do they pinch or slip off? Some shoes need to be broken into, but don’t rely on that.
- Trust your own comfort level rather than a shoe’s size or description. Sizes vary between manufacturers. And no matter how comfortable an advertisement claims those shoes are, you’re the real judge. If you need a brand you like, stick to it, it often helps narrow down the decision making!
- Pay attention to width as well as length. If the ball of your foot feels compressed in a particular shoe, ask if it comes in a wider size. Buying shoes that are a half-size bigger — but not any wider — won’t necessarily solve the problem.
- Examine the soles. Are they sturdy enough to provide protection from sharp objects? Do they provide any cushioning?
- My go-to brands for comfort are: Naturalizer, Aerosoles, Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Clarks to name a few!
Hope this was helpful, do let me know your favorite shoe brands in the comments below!
Until next time, stay comfy!
raindropstosunshine 