How to shop for shoes
For many of us females, shoes are the ultimate fashion luxury. No matter whether we’re having a bad hair day, a ‘feeling fat’ day or are obsessed with that spot that’s appeared overnight, our feet and shoes can always look utterly divine and the epitome of style! Perhaps that’s why we love shoes so much; their ability to make us feel fantastic never fades. However, a good pair of shoes will offer more than just style and fashion, as they also need to fit well and offer us support and comfort. Shoes do affect the health of your feet and ultimately your posture, spine and entire body’s alignment over time. Basically, if your shoes aren’t designed to absorb the shock of daily walking, running and movement, your body’s joints will and this can put quite a strain on them. So, it’s wise to approach shoe shopping with care and thought for the best outcome.
Finding the Perfect Shoe
Whether you’re looking for men’s or ladies shoes, approach your shopping carefully. Firstly, don’t go shoe shopping early in the morning as your feet will be at their smallest. As the day progresses, gravity and swelling will have its effects and your feet will often go up a size. So, anticipate this by shopping in the late afternoon to ensure an all-day comfortable fit. Similarly, don’t worry too much about your shoe size ‘number’. Every manufacturer has its own cutting measurements and dimensions, so you’ll find variation of up to a full size in each direction.
The Perfect Fit
You’ll know that the shoe fits if it’s comfortable on your longest toe. Take note that this may not be your big toe! Ideally, you’ll want a thumb-width of distance between the end of your toes and the end of the shoe. When it comes to picking the right type of shoe, consider function over form. Flip-flops aren’t suitable for distance walking, unless they are specific sports flip-flops. The thin, fashion types are just suitable for the beach and short holiday distances, plus the leather thongs force your toes to over-grip and this can lead to injuries as severe as bone fractures over time. For walking, you need shoes with 3/4 inch of sole and arch support. There are some fashionable options, like ankle boots or flats, so don’t worry! As for heels, bear in mind that heights of over two inches will cause issues in the long term if your posture isn’t perfect. So avoid problems by keeping a pair of flats for walking distances in and vary your heel heights each day. It’s also worth seeing a chiropodist twice a year to keep an eye on your feet and check that they’re healthy.
Shoe Shopping Online
Bear in mind too that shoe shopping online can be a good option, especially when you’ve found a brand that you like and know your sizing. Most will offer free return shipping if the shoes aren’t right and you can search for what you need more objectively, without being tempted to impulse buy in the store! You can also buy great accessories online such as tip toes, gel cushions, foot sprays and other useful additions to keep your feet in tip-top condition!
Leyla is an avid blogger and experienced freelance writer, and loves to share her knowledge through content on the internet. Leyla is currently writing on behalf of heritage handbag and footwear brand Jane Shilton.
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