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You know the story: You splurge on an amazing pair of shoes online.
Photo: Heather Hazzan. Wardrobe styling by Yuiko Ikebata. Hair by Jerome Cultrera. Makeup by Ingeborg.
They arrive after weeks of anticipation, and then .
theyre too tight (damn you, size chart!!).
Or maybe your feet are naturally two different sizes.
Or perhaps you just HAD to have those heels from theclearance rackeven though they’re a half-size too small.
But walking in shoes that pinch is something you’re free to totally avoid.
Don’t worry about creasing the skin of your new shoes, either.
If the lining is synthetic, the shoe stretcher can stick and leave a mark.
Leather-lined shoes will give a more supple finish, he adds.
Convinced you’re able to DIY this?
Here are a few quickand painlessways to stretch shoes at home.
Method 1: Stretch with a blowdryer.
it’s possible for you to speed up the stretching process for leather shoes using thick socks and ablowdryer.
The heat loosens up the leather, so it can mold to your foot.
Instructions:
Cover your feet with one or two pair of socks (The thicker, the better!)
Repeat this process until your feet slip in comfortably.
I was able to walk in them easily with just one pair of sockssuccess!
ensure to apply a leather or suede conditioner afterwards, as the heat can dry out leather.
Best for:Leather or suede oxfords and boots
Method 2: Use the freezer method.
Put your shoes in the freezer?
(Quick science lesson: When water turns to ice, it expands.
This is what stretches your shoes slightly.)
Fill a sandwich-size Ziploc bag one-third of the way withwater.
Secure tightly, leaving a little room at the top.
Place the bag in the shoe.
verify to mold the bag down into the toe area, where shoes tend to feel especially tight.
Put the shoes in the freezer until the water becomes ice.
Once the ice has formed, you might take out your shoes to thaw for about 20 minutes.
Repeat this method multiple times until you reach the size you need.
Chances are, you’ve probably seen a shoe stretcher in your dad’s closet before.
It comes in different sizes to fit both women’s and men’s styles.
Then walk around the store with the new shoes on for a few minutes.
If they hurt or press, dont buy them.
Likewise, if either foot is swimming in the shoe so that walking is awkward, dont buy them.
Cushioning pads in pressure areas, like your heel or the side of your big toe, can help.
If the blister is open, keep it closed and wash gently with mild soap and warm water.
venture to avoid footwear that will further abrade the area.
