Ask Angie: What is the right way to "break in" shoes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: What is the right way to "break in" shoes?

Lisette

(website)

We have heard your tales of trying to fit your fussy feet and I confess they are one of my favorite features because I have fussy feet of my own, so I follow your recommendations with interest. For instance, you recently wrote up your love for the Miz Mooz line and I picked up a pair on clearance to try them out. They are a winner with me too -cute, funky, and very comfy! Putting them on the first time though got me thinking. I know that shoes should fit well and all but assuming they do, what is the best way to wear them in the beginning so that you don't get blisters callouses or worse?

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from biscuitsmom

Crystal

Can't wait to hear Angie's response.

Barbara

Veteran

What say you, Miss Angie the fab? We can hardly wait!

Louise

Veteran

I've got a feeling Angie has said in the past that the right fitting shoes shouldn't need breaking in? x

Lana

I seem to recall the same thing, Louise!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I would agree. I know I have had shoes where there is the tiniest bit of rubbing on the first wear or so, and that tends to work itself out, but if they don't already feel great in the store then it's best to move on to another pair.

Maya

Veteran

I can never tell how shoes will wear until I wear them. I just make sure I'm prepared: bandaids, moleskin, blister block stick, insoles, and heel grips.

I know in theory shoes should be perfect from the start but this is seldom thr case for me.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I have to side with Maya on this one. The Born Lovely flats (possibly my fave shoes ever) fit like a dream in the store, but the first full day of wearing them left me with a bit of chafed skin (blister-like) on the back of one heel. I knew it was the kind of discomfort that would work itself out, but I did wear band-aids for the next few wearings. I like the idea of the other tools in Maya's new-shoe arsenal.

Queen Mum

Veteran

that's kindof what I was saying Maya and Mama... sometimes you discover these little issues after you have tried them on and purchased them and often those can work themselves out, but if they already hurt in the store, I don't get them with the hopes that I can "break them in"... does that make sense?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great question!

It really depends on the ped. For example, Dr. Martens need lots of breaking in and then overnight they feel like slippers forever more. Me Toos usually don't need any breaking in at all.

Shoes should be relatively comfortable from the word go. That's the Golden Rule. But they also require *some* breaking in - especially patent shoes and patent trimmed shoes. Some shoes need to be stretched in certain areas if you have wider feet. I like to wet my feet and pop them into sockless shoes and wear them around the house for a couple of hours. Then I break them in for a couple of hours on the road after that.

I have high expectations for boots because I can wear them with socks so they are broken in at 4 hour intervals a couple of times before they make the 8 to 12 hour stretch. Most of my shoes have insoles so that they feel extra soft.

I give my shoes a few wears and then they should be broken in.

Maya

Veteran

If you have wet feet or feel a tight spot, put on some thick socks and spray them down with water. Then walk around the house with them in the shoes. I agree with Kim: I no longer bother with shoes that hurt right from the get go. Even if I think I can make them work, it never happens, and I have wasted enough time and money trying.

PalmFronds

Wow thanks for the question and answer to this post ladies! I had bought a pair of lovely Cole Haan nike air patent shoes and was horribly disappointed they were not more comfy during my crazy several hour first-time wearing. But now I have some hope after all Seems like patents need a bit more time to really break in.

Elly

Veteran

I have no patent leather for that reason-- I cannot stand to wear a pair long enough to break them in (even over multiple wears)-- which is weird because I can and do break in boots!

Maya

Veteran

I find crinkly patents are much softer than smooth patents. These are very soft:

http://www.zappos.com/me-too-prissy-black-patent

stringy

Veteran

Glad to hear this - I just bought some plum ballet flats and although they felt fine in the store, I'm noticing the back digging in to me a bit on my left foot now I've got them home.

What's this moleskin for helping wear things in? I've been putting bandaids on my feet if I'm anticipating a rough spot. Moleskin makes me think of those expensive little notebooks - I'm sure that can't be what people are using

Elly

Veteran

you can find moleskin in the foot section or bandaid section of the local drug store. It is a soft fabric with adhesive on the back-- you usually stick it to the inside of a shoe that has a sharp place, but can also apply it to skin that hasn't been damaged yet. The kind with foam backing in my favorite.

stringy

Veteran

Oh that sounds great, just what I need for this new pair. I'll have a look next time I'm at the chemist's.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Ive never heard of wetting your feet/socks to break-in shoes or boots! I will *definitely* give it a try...the only shoes that feel perfect from the start are my SAS ones- especially 'freetime' you can wear them up to 12 hours from the very first time.....