About leather v. faux leather shoes - YouLookFab Forum

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About leather v. faux leather shoes

Wendi1984

I am doing a lot of online shopping for shoes/boots lately. (Mostly browsing at this point, but I do want to buy a pair soon.) I don't have a very big budget, so I am having trouble figuring out if it's worth it to buy faux leather. My experience with faux leather so far is that it's uncomfortable! Does the comfort level of faux leather vary much; will faux leather from a good brand feel better than faux leather from Target? Or should I save up a little longer and get real leather?

I recently bought some cute oxfords at Target; I was eager to try wearing oxfords, but I didn't want to pay $$ until I knew that I'd really wear oxfords. Anyway, for twenty bucks, I got some cute but not very comfortable shoes. I put foam pad at the heel to prevent rubbing, and put in padded insoles. I can definitely wear them to events where I'm not doing a lot of walking, but I'd never wear them to the mall or zoo. Is this typical for faux leather?

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Amy

(website)

Veteran

From my experience it is...I'm sorry to say. If there's one thing I would budget more for in my wardrobe, it's shoes. I can't stand to have unhappy, uncomfortable feet.

kkards

Veteran

i think its partly the material, but also the actual way the shoes are put together. (most athletic shoes are not leather, but they are worn for comfort). i find that shoes are one area that price and quality are often linked (not saying that a $400 shoe is better than a $100 shoe, but i tend to find the difference between a $20 shoe and $100 is HUGE). do you have a marshalls, tj maxx or dsw near? they usually have some great values.

Diana

Veteran

Yeah, in my experience faux leather is almost never comfy, regardless of price. It's because it's essentially plastic, so it does not stretch or conform to the foot the way real leather does, and it does not breathe.

If you really don't want to wear leather (for example, for ethical reasons) then I would stick to fabric, like canvas, or technical materials, like those used in running shoes, because at least those will breathe. They won't look like leather though.

Wendi1984

Sounds like I will just save up a little longer and stick with leather.
Thanks!

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any complains on faux leather's comfort. And I own faux leather from Pimkie, a rather cheap and youth-oriented brand.

That said, I noted that... (Too-much-detail spoiler alert here. Beware! Don't say I didn't warn you first!) foot odor happens more often with faux leather than with true leather. If you rotate your shoes everyday and plan on wearing the faux leather only with socks, no problem. If that's not the case, you might consider either saving some more or going for a different material. Suede tends to be cheaper, looks elegant enough and is, as long as you spray them before the first use with a water repellent product, surprisingly long-lasting.

Isabel

Veteran

For dacades, I scrimped on shoes. I liked a variety ( ironically, a variety of black and brown, LOL ). Then I discovered comfortable shoes. I also learned what made them comfortable and long wearing : leather. I still get non-leather "fun" shoes at places like Payless every once in a while. But they are made for super comfort nor do they last very long.

unfrumped

Veteran

Agree re: leather. Not only comfort, but durability--frequently the faux leather will scuff or faux suede rub off and the shoe may look shabby in just a few wears. Leather dye finishes are more durable and will usually respond to protectants and polishing. I will occasionally buy a fabric-based (upper) shoe in order to get a fun pattern and at least these are usually comfortable, if not durable, so aim to get these on sale/discount store.
Agree that you don't need to spend $400 but watch for sales, discounted shoe stores. I've had some really good luck at TJMaxx & Marshalls, but also have made some poor choices there with sales goggles, and so have gotten really stern with myself about what I'll buy there. At my store, there are very few real finds, but mostly the designer or brand name on its low-end production items.

Thistle

Veteran

I splurge on shoes. I have tender tootsies and a bad back. Now, that being said, you don't have to buy $300 shoes to get comfort. But this is an area I would sink a big portion of your limited budget. Shoes and outerwear and the two areas I spend the most on.

Perhaps you can check out discount places like 6pm.com. Also, check for amazing sales on Amazon. Some of the fabbers here have gotten shoes on Amazon for 60-70% off.

I recommend Clarks as a brand. They tend to be reasonably priced to begin with, and you can get them on sale for around $50 or so. Still not cheap, but comfy, comfy shoes.

Try this link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9.....82116408#/

ironkurtin

Veteran

I know that Stella McCartney makes high-end faux leather but I have no idea if they are more comfortable or less stinky than my own experience with nonleather shoes.

DonnaF

Veteran

I have EXTREMELY fussy feet. I have had occasional great luck with faux leather and faux suede -- as well as occasional bad luck with pricey (for me anyway) leather shoes. The faux stuff MUST be 100% comfortable, even in the late afternoon, and I suggest wearing such footwear with socks or tights to absorb foot sweat especially since they are warmer than regular shoes. I also do not expect such shoes to last very long or have much padding or support, but the same thing can be said of cheap leather shoes.

Wendi1984

Thanks for the advice, y'all. Thistle, I have owned a pair of Clarks in the past, and I have my eye on a couple of pairs now, hoping they'll go on sale.

I also have fallen for several pairs of shoes at Boden, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. They will definitely be going on my Christmas wish list.

What I am drooling over:
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....d=30191787
http://cdn.bodenusa.com/en-US/.....-Boot?cm_m
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....HOES_BOOTS
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....s-_-reward

Von

Veteran

I have not had the best luck with faux shoes, though some faux styles are more acceptable to my feet than others. For example, I bought a pair of woven leather peep toes from Naturalizer last year. Comfy and cute...but while they won on the comfort front, they lost on the durability front as the woven faux leather strips started to break and snap (which ruined the shoes). I have a few pairs of Naturalizers that have fared better though, and they are not so rigid, which means you don't have to expect them to stretch.

I have found faux patent leather to be the worst offender as far as foot pain, sweaty feet (more foot TMI), and bad fit.

anchie

Veteran

I have the worst experience with the faux leather. But it is in area of TMI - stink related

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've had some faux leather that has worn really well, but in general it does seem to breathe less and survive a shorter period than leather. But not always, and sadly it doesn't always correlate with price or brand. I've had some Payless and Kohls shoes that have lasted for years and some expensive shoes that have just fallen apart. *shrug*