https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 14 May 2026 07:34:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2083067 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 00:18:38 +0000 Inge 2083067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Nodding here. My footwear suffers quite a bit too: I live in the city centre and walk almost everywhere. People stepping on toes while on public transport doesn't hurt either. And now that I have a doggy, who needs walking at least 3 times a day, often stopping by muddy dog parks with uneven surfaces, it hasn't gotten any better.</div><div><br /></div><div>No tips or help from me, I'm afraid, but just wanted to say that I feel your pain ;-)<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2083012 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 22:38:00 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2083012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I'm not sure I understand--by "sole scuffs" do you mean scuff marks on the bottoms of the shoes? And the color is coming off the bottoms of the heels? Isn't that what those parts of the shoe are supposed to look like? <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But if the soles and heels wear unevenly, that is a problem that can interfere with your gait. It comes from unevenly/incorrecting loading and moving your feet to begin with, and then exacerbates the problem. If that's what's going on, and you can't straighten out your step on your own, see an orthopod or a physical therapist. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hear you on the marks on the backs of shoes from driving thought! Frustratingly, even now that I don't have a car, I manage to damage shoes while going places when I'm not driving--I tend to absent-mindedly hook my toes under the bus seat in front of me, arg! The resulting marks on the tops of the toes are not pretty. Fortunately, I've yet to permanently damage any. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>BTW, for my birthday the year before we moved here, I gave my mom all my boots and she took them to the cobbler in our hometown. He repaired some, put rubber heels on leather soles on others, generally got me all set up. That was a great present. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lisbeth, I recall mentioning to the SA in a Clarks store that I had completely worn through the soles of my Clarks while living in Germany, walking my kid a mile to the bus stop every morning, then a mile to my office, and picking him up every afternoon at a different bus stop that was even further, in addition to all the other walking to market or whatever. He flat-out refused to believe me!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>PS it is worth finding a GOOD cobbler! Idk which made me angrier--the end of a heel coming off the first time I wore them after repair, or the cobbler's "I don't care" attitude when I took them back. He wanted to charge me for the job all over again, was irritated that I hadn't noticed the piece fall off and brought it back...that's what drove me to my mama and the cobbler back home. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082962 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:01:11 +0000 BrieN 2082962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m a big supporter of my local cobbler. But I often want to wear my shoes ASAP after buying them so I have come up with a temporary solution. I have a supply of heel taps I bought online and I simply stick them to my new shoes. They are meant to be hammered into the heel but I’ve never managed to do that but the glue holds those heel taps in place indefinitely. I’ve had a lot of luck with this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082950 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:27:01 +0000 nemosmom 2082950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I remember when I took my Frye riding boots out on their maiden walk around downtown SF...&nbsp; I had JUST gotten off the bus and was walking to my office when I tripped over a curb, and busted the toe of one of the boots. The layers split right open!&nbsp; I was SO MAD!&nbsp; They've been repaired and re-soled at least 5 or 6 times since and are still going strong. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A good cobbler is worth their weight in gold to me - along with a great tailor!&nbsp; <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082948 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:21:23 +0000 Janet 2082948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenna, those are both really cute. I love the aesthetics of the shape of the second one, but I have a feeling the first one is easier to use.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082943 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 19:56:26 +0000 texasgal 2082943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just a plug for my Rothys. Have worn them twice in rain (once walking many blocks in a driving rain storm)- rinsed them out in sink and then mostly dried off with towel. They were good as new the next day (I wear them regularly and they look good as new 3 years later). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082927 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 18:49:04 +0000 Liesbeth 2082927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah I can relate... block heels on highstreet shoes are often in lower quality materials these days it seems. I once owned a cork wedge sandal from Clarks (so not really cheap) that got a chip in it after one wear exposing the non-cork matetial underneath :(. I also get scuff marks easily, especially on the insides of the foot (near big toe) - do I walk weird or something?? Long live shoe polish, dark colors and smooth leather. Suede is becoming too high maintenance for me. I also can't stand a scruffy looking shoe.<br /> I'm lucky to have many cobblers around but they can only help with sole/heel damage imo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082884 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 15:41:19 +0000 Anonymous 2082884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, total toe scuffer here too! And never met a suede or cloth heel, heck, even wood, that I couldn’t quickly destroy.<br /> I was really surprised how quickly I mangled the Frye sole though.<br /> i finally bought a pair of shoes last weekend supposedly dedicated to driving only and then found it a hassle to swap shoes. It’s just my mindset no doubt. </p> <p>BTW, here’s the bag ... I can’t decide which shape is better. What do you think? </p> <p>-And Angie, mine finally arrived! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082882 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 15:34:28 +0000 Janet 2082882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can relate to some degree. I’m really hard on my summer shoes, maybe because they’re mostly sandals and less substantial to begin with.</p> <p>I have a bad habit of scuffing the toes of some of my shoes/boots — I catch them on edges of things and scrape them up. And of course heels get wear and tear from driving. I no longer wear pumps or covered-heel styles, which helps a lot — I was hopeless with covered heels. </p> <p>My running shoes wear down quickly on the outer edges, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2082875 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 15:18:49 +0000 Anonymous 2082875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ran off for Thanksgiving and am way late to reply, sorry!<br /> Haha.<br /> Excellent to know I’m not alone but also my heart aches for us all, lol.</p> <p>- @Shevia, I have one about 10 miles away but super dubious of their quality of workmanship.<br /> Yay, on your boot revival.</p> <p>-@Grace, I completely understand. Sometimes I get super reluctant to wear what I buy because I am a magnet for shoe ruin.<br /> But they continue to be my purchasing weakness and admittedly, somewhat hoarded away at times.</p> <p>@raychylou, yeeeeeessss !<br /> Car-mats. Diabolical is exactly right! Cunning. And then I also somehow scuff the sides on the brake pedal and door!<br /> It should be added, my lack of gracefulness might add to my woes, lol.</p> <p>@L’Abeille, I had a very similar experience with some heeled oxfords several years ago. Puddles are also diabolical! I love oxfords and mourn yours with you!</p> <p>@cindysmith, lol! We might have been separated at birth!<br /> I loved those boots, btw. Did the scuff come off?</p> <p>@Angie, makes total sense with all the mass amounts of walking you do.<br /> And cobbled stairs are deadly, to be sure! Actually, any cement or rock stairs always spell disaster for me!</p> <p>@suntiger </p> <p> @Jules, same! I got several pairs of Bed Stu for the purpose of hiding scuffs etc.<br /> I have also really finally accepted that leather soles are no bueno for me.</p> <p>@Cee they do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080272 Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:22:55 +0000 Cee 2080272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do cobblers still exist !? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080120 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:38:13 +0000 Jules 2080120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can relate. I'm careful not to buy shoes that don't have a decent sole on them because I know those get ruined especially quickly. And I am lucky to have a great, inexpensive shoe repair place around the corner. Some finishes just lend themselves to scuffing so I try to appreciate the "patina" - obviously that works better with eg. Timberland boots than dressy flats.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080115 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:32:02 +0000 Anonymous 2080115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Going to go visit Shevia with a suitcase full of sad worn out shoes! My cobbler, who was an hour away and only open til 2, closed down :`( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080108 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:23:43 +0000 Angie 2080108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>HAHAHA :)</p> <p>*handing Cindy some of my super power*&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080074 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:35:12 +0000 cindysmith 2080074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Are you me? My BRAND NEW white rag &amp; bone ankle booties had a scuff within one hour of putting them on. </p> <p>I was in a freaking car.</p> <p>I surrender. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2080011 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 03:19:05 +0000 Angie 2080011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm hard on shoes too, but that's because I walk a lot, in the elements, and don't have many pairs of shoes.</p> <p>Pointy toes: I killed my new white mules in Italy going up and down a billion cobbled stairs for two weeks.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079997 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 03:00:00 +0000 L'Abeille 2079997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a really gorgeous oxblood/cordovan pair of Cole Haan loafers. Thrifted but like new. I wore them to an educational day at a local hotel. A heavy downpour hit during the day, and at the end I had to walk through deep puddles to get to my car. The leather lining inside buckled and they have never been the same.</p> <p>I still mourn them. I keep thinking, I should have gone barefoot and carried them. And then I think, no, I use shoes to protect my feet, not the other way around. But I'm glad they weren't bought new. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079981 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 01:54:09 +0000 rachylou 2079981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh! Car mats are diabolical! I have gotten scuff marks on many a right shoe. The worst are black rubber mats!! I will never put a black rubber floor mat down ever again! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079972 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:51:24 +0000 Grace 2079972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello,&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm new here, but your post spoke to me because this is the one area of my life where I can't quite get to the "wear the good things now" approach.&nbsp; Shoe shopping is such a chore that when I find a pair that works, I'm reluctant to wear it outdoors!&nbsp; </p> <p>Some strategies I use include: no longer buying fabric/leather covered heels and keeping my good Munro heeled shoes at the office and wearing older Danskos for the drive to work.&nbsp; I'm working on an outfit for a special theater trip to downtown Chicago in December and my shoes will probably not look as dressy as they should.&nbsp; We will be walking around the Loop to enjoy the holiday lights that day/evening and I can't bear to buy new dressy shoes when I'm likely to damage them.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079970 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:48:08 +0000 Jaime 2079970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am shocked! Rachy and Jenna where are all the shoe repair places? There is one every few blocks where I live. I am not kidding, I can think of at least 6 that I see on a regular basis. I just revived a pair of 90s square toe boots at one. Perhaps as sustainability becomes buzzier this necessary business will revive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079968 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:32:34 +0000 Anonymous 2079968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Susie, yes and yes. I definitely do that too.<br /> I think I also keep scuffing things in my car.<br /> I need a separate driving pair, I think.</p> <p>I also scuff on sidewalks and stairs, apparently.</p> <p>And like you, like things to look unworn unless I bought them RATE to start. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079967 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:29:27 +0000 Anonymous 2079967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@notsaf<br /> I think that’s going to be my longterm goal. Salvage any nice ones I damaged but didn’t ruin and then preventative measures for the rest. It’s a money sink for me otherwise. I also seem to be getting harder on them with age, I think.<br /> Maybe I walk funny or walk too hard? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079966 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:27:51 +0000 Susie 2079966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The 2 worst culprits for me are scratching metallic leather and getting dings or scratches on the outside of the heels, especially suede. I think I do it on my desk chair or catch it on a step or sidewalk. Grrrrrrr, it’s aggravating because I don’t like it when things look worn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079964 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:15:45 +0000 notsaf 2079964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely have leather soles rubberized before wearing. Coblers can add a thick or thin rubber sole depending on the style and expected wear. Very worth the investment up front and will increase the longevity of shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079963 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:10:46 +0000 Anonymous 2079963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Taylor<br /> I feel for you. Losing a great staple pair really affects the wardrobe. What kind are they? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079962 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:08:25 +0000 taylor 2079962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Winter boots are the thing I am the hardest on. &nbsp;I tend to wear a couple pr. Of boots all winter, &nbsp;and they do take a beating. &nbsp;I have to replace them every year. &nbsp;<div>I’m going to have a really hard time replacing my favorite pr. &nbsp;for next &nbsp;winter, &nbsp; they are still in good shape, &nbsp;but it’s early in the season .<br />&nbsp;These are the PERFECT boot.<br />&nbsp; I’m already searching for a replacement, &nbsp;but nothing even come close yet! :(</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079961 Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:59:27 +0000 Anonymous 2079961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Rachylou<br /> Yes!!! I wore an unworn pair of Frye boots last night. I just walked to the car and then up and down 5 flights concrete stairs to see a play, but lo and behold, damage! Took my boots off and found all the black removed from part of each heel bottom, sole scuffs and freaking abrasion on the underside edges near the toes. Argh!!!<br /> Isn’t it the suck when you save a pair or have a pair you really love &amp; instantly damage or ruin them? (I do have worse dilemmas in life but still... lol.)</p> <p>Heel &amp; toe taps might need to be a requisite for me.</p> <p>I am dubious though, about the one local shoe repair shop. It might require many 90 mile round trips for a good one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079958 Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:45:02 +0000 rachylou 2079958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I have destroyed a pair in one outing by walking across town! Actually, getting heel &amp; toe taps before wearing is helpful, but I rarely manage it. There’s only one shoe repair shop now and it’s next town over. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commiserations-welcome#post-2079957 Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:35:34 +0000 Anonymous 2079957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am wondering if anyone else is really hard on their shoes? I can wear shoes for one outing and find myself scuffing a pointy toe, grinding up the sole or marking the heels. Super frustrating<br /> I am starting to think I need to find a cobbler to doctor the bottoms of nice shoes before I wear them. I have destroyed shoes in 1 wear before. I don’t understand because I try to be careful!</p> <p> I am trying to go 2020 with no shoe purchases. Maybe some of that money can go to preventative measures for any unworn ones. </p>