https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 14 May 2026 09:24:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466287 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:29:44 +0000 Queen Mum 466287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>you mean like in my whole life? too many to count. Since YLF, a handful. I'm getting better ;-)<br /> I would do exactly as you propose...wear old shoes to class, and swtich once you get there so that you can test them out IRL without scuffing the sole. If the sole looks clean, it's returnable.</p> <p>In fact, I bought a pair of shoes at Target the other day and wore them to take my kids to lunch. When I got home I realized they were a no-go. The soles still look brand new so I'm returning them. I also did this a while back with a pair of shoes I wore to the mall. After walking from one end to the other, my feet were about asleep. The soles were still pristine, so back they went to Macy's. I had parked in the parking structure that has a coated floor, so that helped keep them clean. I don't feel bad at all,it's not like I wore them for an event and then returned..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466224 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:33:37 +0000 nancylee 466224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to make a lot more shoe mistakes in my younger years....most of them related to impracticality. Example: After I started freelancing I kept buying cute pumps even though I didn't work in an office anymore. Getting rid of them was a painful process of admitting defeat..and since then I've become very focused on whether I will actually WEAR the shoes I'm thinking of buying and how I will wear them.</p> <p>I'm much more likely to make a clothing mistake these days...but thanks to YLF even those are becoming fewer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466172 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:18:22 +0000 Claudia 466172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"How many shoe mistakes have you made?"</p> <p>I wish someone would hand me a check to cover my mistakes over the years. I'd probably feel like I won the lottery.</p> <p>I also have two different size feet, 8.5 and 9, which complicates things, a very high arch and narrow heels.</p> <p>I agree that returning shoes that don't show wear is not a problem. I use to work with a girl that had worked in a shoe store or the shoe department of a retailer and she said they had to take back worn shoes that hurt a buyer's feet. That was about 10 years ago, so I don't know if that is still true or a general policy across the board. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466169 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:16:05 +0000 Kristen 466169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely, I have made tons! The worst were styles I thought I would love but after two wears I realize are completely not right for me. I am getting better at that one because I am more deliberate about picking ones that go with outfits I already own, not new outfits in my imaginary to-be-bought closet. I had a deep desire to get a pair of grey boots this fall, but all have gone back, even the ones that fit and were comfortable, because when I tried to pair them with my closet nothing worked.</p> <p>As for comfort, I now stick with brands I have tested and worn into the ground, and even more than that I avoid the brands that have fooled me in the past. Van Elis, for example, fit very narrow on me, no matter what, so as much as their styles tempt and would work perfectly, I don't even try them on anymore.</p> <p>For returns, if I am unsure if a new pair will work out, I only step on carpet on them in a trial run either all around my house, or sometimes at work. Generally within an hour or two I know for sure if I am keeping them, so I either keep them on and wear them everywhere, or I switch into the other shoes I brought and wore outside, and put the new ones away for return. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466163 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:03:09 +0000 Suz 466163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ouch! I feel your pain. </p> <p>I am wondering if I have made more shoe mistakes than clothing mistakes over the years, or if they are simply more obvious (and usually, more expensive). The way they sit there, looking pretty (but unworn). A blouse you can tuck away and hide even from yourself; a pair of shoes is THERE. </p> <p>Most of my mistakes have been cheap discount store finds (similar to clothing mistakes). I rarely make that particular mistake any more. And do my best now to shop stores or brands that I know are good for my feet. Also, I must ignore all talk from SAs about how I can always put a heel grip onto the back and everything will be fine; that is just nonsense for me. Now I simply nod, thank them, and leave the store if they start feeding me that line! </p> <p>Even so, I did make a mistake in the spring, buying a cute sandal that broke after only a few wears (but was unreturnable). I wish I had not worn it outside. I like the idea of trying that tape on the bottoms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466103 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:02:05 +0000 catgirl 466103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't made a lot recently - the only ones I can think of are the mustard Fluevogs, which are totally wasting around. I used to make the mistake of buying cheap shoes, back in my 20s - but I could wear them back then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-466102 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:00:07 +0000 stringy 466102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's made lots of shoe mistakes. I'm slowly improving, and ruling out stores that have given me nothing but mistakes, but it really is depressing sometimes when I think of the wasted money on unreturnable shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465955 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:38:22 +0000 KeepCalmAndCarryOn 465955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh man. Quite a few. Thankfully not in a while, because I'm a grad student and I'm broke. But I bought a teetering and gorgeous pair of Nine West strappy sandals for my graduation from art school that I'm still embarrassed to think of because I literally wore them once, then looked at them lovingly in their shoebox for the next few years until I literally grew out of them with some needed weight gain. (Who knew that you can gain weight on your feet?!)</p> <p>I've realized that I can buy, wear, and enjoy a wide variety of shoes so long as I think out what I'll be doing that day and don't be overly ambitious with potential blister-givers. And that means, for my feet and my life, not buying spike heels in a momentary fantasy that I am a celebrity--unless they're for events I do not have to walk to! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465952 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:33:53 +0000 Jonesy 465952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh man, way, way, way too many. It's so sad, really. My feet are two different sizes (one measure as a 9 1/2, the other as a 10) and I wear a size 11. So, I can't usually size up, and I usually have one shoe that feels a little snug, and one that feels a little loose. So I always have to gamble with how they are going to break in--is the snug one going to give a bit, or stay snug? I can never tell unless I wear them out and about for several hours. Sometimes I gamble and lose. It's really bad news. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465937 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:09:58 +0000 Anonymous 465937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've also made mistakes no matter how hard I try not to. Right now a pair of boots I bought during NAS but have only now tried for a length of time are probably going back. I can feel one toe getting cramped. I've got the same boot in a different color that's been very comfortable and ordered the same size.<br /> Last night I wore pumps that have always been comfortable before but not now.<br /> Usually if I buy footwear a bit too big I can use inserts and sometimes thicker socks to find a level of comfort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465928 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:49:07 +0000 crazyone 465928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>actually, I think I make fewer shoe mistakes than clothing mistakes, for a number of reasons:</p> <p> a) I don't buy very many shoes, and only tend to buy them when I know that I have a hole that needs filling, so that prevents costly "occasion only" type mistakes. </p> <p>b) I've entirely cut out buying cheap shoes, and for the most part, buying shoes in person. I buy almost all my shoes online from places I can return to for free, and I check the reviews all over the internet before buying. If there are lots of people complaining that the shoes aren't comfortable, or if a lot of people are raving about how they can actually walk for miles in them, I want to know that before buying. </p> <p>c) While I find many shoes uncomfortable (I am not a high heels wearer), I have narrow but not actually "narrow" sized feet that seem to fit many shoes easily, so online shoe shopping tends to work for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465917 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:17:34 +0000 Diana 465917@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too many! Like you, I really don't know if a shoe is truly comfortable unless I wear it outside and walk around on the sidewalk, etc. For some reason things that are perfectly comfortable walking around in at home (I have wooden floors, so it's not like carpet or anything soft either) sometimes are painful when walking on the sidewalk. </p> <p>I have gotten better about selecting shoes lately, so I can pretty much eliminate the ones that will DEFINITELY be painful (like if the back of the heel comes up too high, I know it'll cut up the backs of my ankles) but I still have problems. My feet continually come up with new and painful ways to torture me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465915 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:15:34 +0000 modgrl 465915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Many many mistakes. I have 4" heels that are all day comfy and flats that kill me. Shoes are always kind of tight on me because of my fat little feet. I never really know if they are going to be comfy until I wear them for a day or two, and by that point it is too late. I really like the idea of putting the painters tape on the bottom. At least I can walk around my house for a couple of hours without worrying about them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465910 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:13:29 +0000 Anonymous 465910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can dance in all my shoes. So they are all weddings and parties and milonga worthies. But I can not really tell how the shoe will behave on a concrete pavement by wearing in on the marbled floors in the shops. Or in the house. It's really a bet. I've been better at buys lately but still. Flukes happen. And I have far to many occasion only shoes </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465901 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:03:20 +0000 rae 465901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, it did take me a good while to figure out that my feet prefer heels and arch support. One pair I had to donate, because I had abused them and my feet enough. One pair I can't quite part with yet, and two more I'll probably resell. They don't destroy my feet, but when my arches start to complain it is very hard to keep walking. :T</p> <p>I am like you and often don't know if a shoe works until after a good, long walk. The painters tape is an interesting idea... maybe a few laps around the mall? I don't think there is a problem with you wearing them inside, but I'd feel bad about returning something I'd put through *my paces.* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465859 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:35:35 +0000 bj1111 465859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>many many...i've gotten braver at returning shoes that did damage to my feet. hence my undying love for nordies, endless and their ilk. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465853 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:14:16 +0000 annagybe 465853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought a pair of expensive shoes from a sample sale, wore the once. I had to sell them, so at least I got some of my money back. But yeah, I've made plenty of mistakes. Sometimes you just can't predict. I've learned if I stick to tried and true brands for my feet my odds are better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465851 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:11:44 +0000 Amy 465851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad I'm not alone. I've also made lots and lots of mistakes when buying shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465850 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:11:03 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 465850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too can't tell if a shoe is going to work unless I wear it a few times - and usually I do have blisters or raw spots the first time or two I wear a pair, unless I am particularly conscientious and wear them only around the house for a while. My ironclad rule is to not wear anything that hurts or feels uncomfortable at the store, no matter how cute it is. But that doesn't weed out 100% of the failures. I think that's part of the process; you can't know for sure until you've worn the shoes a bit, in your real life.</p> <p>And I've bought several barely-worn pairs at the thrift store and happily worn them for a long time, so I don't mind passing my occasional failures on to someone else to do the same. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465843 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:00:38 +0000 Anonymous 465843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Innumerable.</p> <p>Some of the mistakes got sold on eBay, others donated to Goodwill. Live and learn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465836 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:54:58 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 465836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Countless mistakes. I have even had shoes that are comfortable for months and then one day they rub and I can never wear them again without a problem. It is very frustrating to waste so much money on shoes and boots that languish until I donate them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465828 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:49:17 +0000 ironkurtin 465828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, they do this on fashion runways too. They use that blue painter tape that peels off easily. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465827 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:48:59 +0000 Lisa 465827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have made many poor shoe purchases. And at a high cost. No matter the price any shoe I purchase and then do not keep before it wears out I consider lost money of mine. Sometimes because of impulse purchases which leave the shoes rarely or never worn and sometimes because shoes that worked for 20min at home, just do not work for an all day long lifestyle. And now that I've had foot surgery I shudder looking at my shoe collection. Easily half or more are no longer viable options for me. It's been a true "learning the hard way" experience. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465825 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:47:37 +0000 Anonymous 465825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots and lots of mistakes. Not so bad when the shoes are inexpensive, but I'm considering "investing" in some better shoes and it makes me nervous since, like you, I can't tell if they are going to be 8-hour shoes at the outset. I think I need to have some orthotics made before I buy any more shoes.....</p> <p>I met a girl once in training who put band-aids on the soles of her shoes until she was sure. That way if she walked on tile or hardwood (indoors), the soles were not scuffed and she could still return them. Hmmmm....that's a thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465816 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:39:42 +0000 Mo 465816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure how to define mistake. I did wear relatively new at the time, tall black boots to walk the 1.5 mile to a race expo the day before my half marathon, only to find I was developing blisters on the walk back! Not good 12 hours before a race. I define that as a mistake, but the boots are fine in normal circumstances.<br /> I suppose I regret buying a shoe that never gets worn. I have some sandals like that. In theory they were perfect - not too high, not too clunky - but I've yet to wear them after a year of ownership </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465815 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:36:26 +0000 ironkurtin 465815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dozens. And I agree with Janet. If *you* would buy the shoe if you saw it in the store, then it is returnable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465814 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:35:55 +0000 qfbrenda 465814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't had a lot, but my most recent were the 2 pairs of Dansko Mary Janes I bought LAST summer ('10). I thought they were great until YLF all told me to get rid of them. LOL Ouch. At $120 a pair, that was a painful mistake. </p> <p>Oh, forgot another pair of Danskos that I bought this spring that truly were gorgeous (not a typical Dansko style) for way too much. They hurt my feet. I got 2/3 of my investment back through Ebay, but still... I lost money in the deal overall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465807 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:30:22 +0000 Janet 465807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know exactly what you mean. My feet are generally not fussy, but I've definitely had e experience of a pair of shoes that felt fine in the store and at home not being too great after a full day of wear. </p> <p>I would think that a big factor in a shoe being returnable is signs of visible wear on the sole. I would think that enough walking around, even if it's not outside but indoors on a tiled or wood floor, would eventually show on the sole. But it's certainly worth trying. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-shoe-mistakes-have-you-made#post-465803 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:26:15 +0000 greenglove 465803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just curious, I have made too many.<br /> Mostly through no fault of my own. I cannot tell if a shoe is going to work until I put it to the test which means a 5 hour drawing class or a commute back and forth from the train station. It is such a drag that shoes feel fine in the store or even walking around for hours in my (non carpeted) home. Really- how could you ever tell if you only walked on carpet? Most shoes feel better with carpet. </p> <p>I am wondering if it is unethical to wear old shoes to school and then switch into new shoes in question and then switching back if I need to return. I would technically still have not worn shoes outside.</p> <p>Age has made my feet much fussier, they are tired and sore more often.</p> <p>Do you have many shoe purchase regrets? </p>