A day of shoe misery - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

A day of shoe misery

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Well, today has been a pretty tough day in my world of shoes.

First, I ordered a few items from a prominent designer (winter sale), and returned items from different orders in the same box, with the appropriate forms. My return box contained two pairs of shoes that were gorgeous but ill-fitting, as well as a dress and a pair of jeans. The return was processed more than a week ago. Dress, check. Jeans, check. Shoes...no shoes. I've spent hours emailing and being putting on hold with CS to investigate what happened to the shoes. Yesterday, I was told that my return box weighed 12lb, implying that they understood that something else must've been in the box besides a dress and pair of jeans. Today, however, I was blamed for combining orders in a return, even though the return instructions fail to mention that customers are supposed to send separate orders in separate boxes. This was a serious purchase, and has me biting my nails. It will probably deter me from ordering expensive items online in the future.

Second, I took a risk and ordered a non-returnable custom-made pair of minimalist patent Chelsea boots from Greece. It's a family-run business, and was recommended to me by someone in a fitness group. You'd have to see my feet in person to understand my desperation. Anyway,
this business has more than a 1000 positive reviews on Etsy, so I waited in anticipation for over a month. I opened the box today and was initially horrified, then crestfallen: the shoes were hideous. Much better suited for hobbits, clowns, and ducks. The toe box was so round, and so huge, and immediately made me feel very self-conscious about my feet. I then swallowed my pride, and told myself that if the shoes work for my feet, I should be grateful, because of how problematic my feet are. Alas, they didn't fit! I couldn't understand. I flipped the shoe over, put my foot on the sole, and saw that the sole was ample, with plenty of room for my feet and extra room in length. Yet they fit so tightly! I'm guessing that the company didn't use enough leather in the toe box to account for foot volume. Ugh. Super wide, tight, but not returnable because it's custom-made. The company is open to exchanges, but I would have to pay for the return, and if we have to exchange shoes a few times to make this work, the shipping cost would be expensive. There's a reason why denim, not by choice, is my stylistic home.

Shopping

32 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like a day of internet shopping misery actually. But so disappointing! Hope for a dramatic turnaround in the shoe hunt soon.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I hope you can spend the evening doing something to soothe your soul. What rotten luck!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh no! That sounds so frustrating. I would be terrified to order something custom-made without being able to see it in progress in person, without a generous return policy.

My husband once had some shirts custom made at Ralph Lauren in NYC. He was so excited to go pick them up...until he tried them on. They were skin-tight. Somehow they had been cut to his exact measurements, without allowance! Fortunately, they didn't charge him. He didn't bother reordering.

I hope you get to the bottom of the missing returned shoes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What an awful day for you. Ugh. I am so sorry.

Are your shopping options for footwear pretty much limited to online? At this rate, a trip to the big city might be cheaper. So frustrating.

It sounds as if you have very fussy feet. Maybe some forum members can help? Maybe you can find your "foot double" on the forum and find out what makers work for this person.

BrieN

Veteran

oh! I'm sorry. I hope the online return sorts itself out.

It does sound like a rotten shoe day; I know you have trouble finding shoes that work for you, and I wish the shoes from Greece had been the discovery you'd hoped they'd be.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Janet, yeah, ordering a custom item is very risky, and most stores--even with something simple like mongramming--don't accept returns. Years ago, I ordered two pairs of shoes from Shoes of Prey, which Nordstrom's now carries. You were allowed to return the item, and the return shipping charge would serve as a credit for future orders. I'm surprised there was no leeway offered, since men's cuts tend to be more amenable to tailoring.

Suz, I only shop online now, because I've had too many experiences of shoes feeling fine in the store and causing horrible blisters within ten minutes of wear--Fry, Doc's, Birk's, etc. Even the usual orthopedic shoes, like Birk's, Munroe, Algeria, etc. are problematic. I read shoe threads here, but haven't found my shoe twin or even shoe sibling, although I try to chime in whenever I see people struggling with some of foot issues (wide forefoot, narrower heels, low volume). In the summers, I scour buses and subways for people with similar feet, but haven't seen any--perhaps because they wear orthotics and require closed shoes, or they don't like having people stare at their feet. The one company that works best is Lems, but those are too masculine/casual for me outside of the gym...great for running and lifting, though.

Diana

Veteran

You might want to check out Aurora Shoe Company. They custom make the shoes based on a tracing of your feet, and I believe they are returnable. (I haven't personally tried them, but I know people who swear by them.)

https://www.aurorashoeco.com/

Barbara Diane

Veteran

:(. I hope the return sorts out soon.

Jane

Veteran

I find shopping for shoes a challenge . I've tried all sorts of different approaches and budgets. I would definitely invest in the return of the boots to the shoemaker - even if only to ask them to see if they can stretch them.

jenanded

Veteran

I am not sure of your feet details if you are looking for a shoe twin... I know I am twins with at least one other so not sure given your shoe lament sounds like mine.

Style Fan

Veteran

What a nightmare. I have bought many shoes that were very expensive and ended up being torture chambers for my feet. It is so hard to tell what shoes are going to be like until you wear them for awhile. I have found a couple of makes and styles that work for me but that doesn't help someone else. Our feet are so particular.
I haven't gone the custom route. I have had some custom clothes and jewellery made. For some reason it never turns out quite right except for one ring.

Lucy

Veteran

Oh what a shame. No advice, just commiserations...

Bijou

Veteran

So sad to hear this, I also have fussy feet and for that reason have never bought shoes off the internet. Hopefully the items that you bought from the designer will be resolved and you get a full refund because you returned the items. As for the shoes from Greece, that is seriously bad luck and definitely a lesson for us all to be cautious when dealing with companies that don't provide refunds. Hoping you come across the perfect shoes and on discount too, you deserve it!

Chris987

Veteran

Wow that really stinks. I don't have any suggestions, sounds like a rough situation. I've seen quite a few postings here on YLF about fussy feet, with lots of ideas and suggestions. Maybe you have already looked at them? If you do a search for "fussy", "forum titles only", you'll find a few of them. If you do NOT filter on forum titles you get a much bigger list but would have to sort through them.

Anonymous

Horrible. I am sorry this happened to you.

LaPed

Veteran

Yikes! I have a hard time with shoes, too, and limited local retail options. I basically only order from Zappos, Nordstrom, or Amazon Prime at this point. I need the returns process to be hassle free.

Be patient with the CS folks, though! Post-holiday is their busiest season (my mom runs the returns department for a mail order company) and things can get pretty backed up. I'm still waiting on a couple of my December returns to process.

Sisi

Veteran

Oh wow. Do they have Camper where you live? Have you ever considered to have your shoes hand-made by a good cobbler? I hope you will finally find "your" brand.

(You made me giggle with your "I scour buses and subways ... "! He-he. Excellent strategy!)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SUCH rotten luck. Shoes are sooooo tricky.

JAileen

Veteran

I'm so sorry. I also buy only returnable shoes too. Nordstrom and Zappos are great. I think once you find a company that "gets" you, you'll stick with them.

My big toes curl up, so high toe boxes are critical for me. I've found that Salomon is great for this. So that's what I stick with for hiking.

RobinF

Veteran

Wow, very disappointing! That is one reason I shy away from internet shopping, just too iffy. I'm lucky in that my feet aren't very picky though, that would be the worst.

lpr200

Veteran

Big hug of sympathy

Anonymous

Hugs! I have the fussiest feet in the world, and the one thing I hate more than anything else is to walk around in uncomfortable shoes. You have my sympathy!

Sal

Veteran

Oh GF, how difficult and frustrating!! No advice here - just my sympathy!!

LaPed

Veteran

GF, I just noticed that you mentioned Lems. If Lems work for you, check out Soft Star Shoes. They're made in Oregon, their reps are super helpful with fit/sizing, and they do returns and exchanges, even on customs, as long as you return them in new condition. They're not exactly revolutionary, style-wise, but the Metros and Ballerines are pretty darn cute.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Doc's are a beast to break in; Frye's less so but still I find need some time.
They have a tendency to use thick leather, so I'm not sure why you're expecting immediate comfort. Also I've heard there is a big difference in UK made versus Chinese.
Even Birks require a bit of time, the whole molding to your foot.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

LP, I tried Soft Star a few years ago (and didn't know about the return policy) and end up having to donate the shoes. My feet looked like they were wearing large drawstring bucket bags (vanity, I know). The new lines seem cute, but very casual. There also doesn't seem to be enough structure in the shoe to hold an orthotic/toe device in place.

Annagybe, the Frye's boots I tried on in the store felt amazing and soft, they became really cramped in the toe quickly. I also got horrible blisters in the heel (not uncommon) because my foot doesn't have enough of an indent or is too low. I had $40 rubber insoles attached to the shoes, thinking they would be my go-to boots, so I need to decide whether it's worth paying to have them stretched, or whether I should cut my losses now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ok. Can you remember the most comfortable shoe (fashion shoe) you have ever owned? This problem has got to have a solution!

elpgal

Veteran

I think I can guess where you ordered those custom shoes from because I have 2 pairs from the same place. You are correct about the lack of structure and issues with the upper. I sent them back the first pair I ordered and they were very helpful and worked with me and sent me a better fitting pair. A closed toe shoe I ordered from them looks pretty clownish but it fits better than other and has a bit of the Fluevog vibe, so I wear it. I think the issue is that once you make the forefoot wide and the heel narrow, it is difficult to cut a well fitting upper using just one or two pieces of leather. The best fit, IMHO would be if they used a leather with more structure and molded it. On the upside, they do get the sole right. So, it might be worth exchanging them.

I tried both Aurora and Soft Star and ended up having to return the shoes. Neither will make a custom footbed. They use your measurements to determine the best size

There is one other bespoke place that makes men's shoes (can't find the link and can't remember the name) but the shoes are pricey.

If you haven't, try Xero. They are CO based and offer returns. They don't do custom sizes and have only barefoot styles. I like their sandals and plan to try their closed-toe shoe when they release the women's version this spring.

Anonymous

I also have a pair of the Drifter chelsea boots. I got the pebbled, not the patent. I was also disappointed when I got them. For one thing, it took 2 months from when I started the convo to when I received my order. Of course that all makes sense, because they're custom made and they're shipping across an ocean, but 2 months is still such a long time to wait in this day and age! By the time they arrived, the excitement had long worn off.

I ordered based on a foot tracing and I actually expected them to round off the toe but they are kind of shaped like my foot, with the shoe jutting out a bit at my pinky. They're a bit odd, but very very comfortable. Maybe the pebbled leather breaks in better than the patent. I like them overall but probably will not order from them again.

The thing about "clown shoes" is that shoes with a tapered (or worse, pointed) toe box aren't healthy. A healthy foot is shaped like a wedge, widest at the toes, so a healthy shoe is going to give space for the toes and inevitably look different from what we're used to. It's just because we have this idea in our heads that "fashionable" shoes are shaped like shoes, not like feet.

I don't see Vivobarefoot mentioned here. Have you tried them? I have several pairs in different styles and really like them. They have a more refined look than the Drifters (which of course look a bit handmade, because they are). You mentioned orthotics so I'd also recommend you look into Otz. Otz shoes come with a Birkenstock-style footbed that can be removed, leaving lots of nice volume inside the shoes. They are zero drop, light, flexible, and foot-shaped. The styles are a little on the funky side, not exactly polished or office-appropriate. But there are a few that would work well for casual looks, like the Pilgrim sneakers or some of the espadrilles. They also make a Chelsea boot but it's more rugged looking.

Lems are great; the Primal 2 sneakers are available in some colors that feel less masculine (I have the purple and red; they also make a bright turquoise). I don't have much hope of them making a cute women-specific style, though. I've seen photos of the Mary Jane they used to offer and... not good.

I only wear "barefoot" shoes these days so I Have Opinions, clearly. You could also follow calceology.com as she is the most fashion-forward blogger/grammer for women's minimal shoes that I've found so far.

12