Most everyone knows the frustrations of buying a nice new pair of shoes, only to find that they hurt their feet, slip off, or just don't feel comfortable - like shoes should. With just a few simple steps, however, you can avoid these problems to help ensure that you have comfortable feet, whether you are on the job or going out for a night on the town.
Know Your Feet
When shopping for shoes, being able to try them on is wise, but if you do choose to buy your shoes online, knowing about the unique qualities about your feet can be very helpful in helping you find a perfect fit. For example, if you have pain in the arches of your feet, then you will want to look for shoes with added arch support. If you cannot find shoes you like with arch support, you can always purchase arch supports to place in your shoes. Knowing how much foot support you need will be important when shoe shopping, too. Another thing to consider is whether or not your feet pronate - this is a condition where one puts the majority of his or her weight on the sole of the foot, sometimes causing it to be uncomfortable. A proper fitting shoe can help alleviate this discomfort. Also consider details like the width of your feet, the shape of your toes, and if you have bunions or not. Knowing these details should help you decide if you need shoes with extra width or other special shoes. This is where shopping online can be a benefit - it is often easier to find these special types of shoes online.
Research Different Brands of Shoes
A great thing about the internet is that you can search for the exact details that you want in a shoe, and typically, more choices than you imagined present themselves. Once you find a set of shoes with the specifications you want, look them all over, compare reviews, and find out which is the best. Then, head out to the stores knowing exactly what you want. That way, you will know what to ask for if you need to place a special order. Or, of course, you can always purchase the pair online.
Shop Around
Having some knowledge of the kind of shoe you want will also help you save some time when it comes down to shopping for your shoes. Personally, I hate spending much time shoe shopping - it used to be that I would scan a store, then once I targeted in on something that looked good to me, I would buy it, sometimes without even trying it on! While I usually ended up with a pair of shoes I liked, appearance-wise, the shoes I bought did not always feel comfortable. The problem with this is that they had to last me for months. Now, I realize that taking a little extra time to shop around saves me lots of discomfort. So look around at different stores, try on different brands, and don't let the salesperson pressure you to buy right away - remember, you're going to have to be wearing the shoes for quite some time! You'll be more likely to find something comfortable, you'll have shoes that you can actually wear in your closet, and you may even save yourself a trip back to the store to return unwanted shoes.
Sizing Up
One of the drawbacks of buying shoes online is that you cannot try them on - and yes, that is quite a big drawback! Sometimes it is not enough to know your shoe size and simply order that, the reason being that sizes often differ between different companies. If you know your show size in the brand you want, it is likely that you will be safe ordering online, but if not, beware of size differences. Also be aware that international shoe sizes can vary greatly - so be on the lookout for that.
Determine Where You Want to Buy Your Shoes
Now that you know your foot shape, you know what style you want, you have done some research on different brands and have shopped around; it is time to decide where you want to buy your shoes. One important thing to consider is which stores you can afford right now - what is your budget? Will you be wearing these shoes every day or just occasionally? If you will be wearing them regularly, you might want to spend a little more on them. Consider your budget and determine the best quality shoe that fits your price range. Now consider what stores fit in with your budget, and which stores you would feel comfortable shopping in. Remember, you want to spend a little time looking around. Would a department store fit in with your budget? Would you be more comfortable in a popular chain store or in a small shop? Or, do you prefer to buy your shoes online? If you do want to purchase your shoes on the internet, just make sure you shop from a reputable site. Sometimes online auction sites can be great places to find deals on shoes, too. Just be sure you get what you want, because most, if not all, online retailers will not accept refunds for shoes.
Katya Coen is a regular contributor to Shoe Guide - Your source for shoes for all walks of life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katya_Coen
No comments:
Post a Comment