Is there ever a case for shoes needing to get 'worn in'?? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is there ever a case for shoes needing to get 'worn in'??

agrace

Prior to my time on YLF, I just accepted the old belief that shoes have to be worn in. Now, I'm a huge skeptic and want comfort when I first put them in, obviously not complete comfort that comes with time, but I simply will not buy shoes that are killing my feet anymore. It's just not worth it.

I just received these cute flats from Lands End (http://tinyurl.com/ylntx47) and I love the colors, the style, and even the fact that the sole is a tan color (I got them in 'luggage' and black).

But my complaints are:
1. They squeak horribly. As in, you can hear me coming a mile away

2. They are soooo stiff! They are not buttery or soft at all.

Major pro: I only paid a $31 for them on promo. But if these can't be resolved with time, back they will promptly go.

Does anyone think these two things will be resolved with time?
Thanks as always!

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14 replies

Latest reply was from agrace

janetinvirginia

agrace,
I've always wanted my shoes to be comfortable from the moment I put them on.

Those shoes are awfully cute, but I don't know how much stiff leather softens up over time. If it were me, I'd return them.

Kristine

Veteran

I think I'd return them. Stiff leather is probably always going to be basically stiff leather. And who knows about the squeaking?!

$31 isn't a fortune, but it's not dirt cheap either. You can do a lot with $31 (scarf, earrings, killer belt, etc.). And if you don't love them, you're not going to wear them. I wouldn't spend the closet space on them! Plus, they're basic so it shouldn't be that hard to find a similar pair that work better for you.

A motto I heard somewhere is...you don't need more shoes (or clothes), you need the right shoes.

garmenta

I've had Lands' End shoes and they were so stiff on my feet that I had pain and blisters. Some inexpensive shoes fit fine and are comfortable, but I was sadly disappointed in these. Don't suffer another minute! If you can't resell them somewhere, give them away.

Lands' End is great for many things--dresses, sleepwear, puffers--but not for shoes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Some brands of shoes *do* need to be worn in - like Docs and Fryes. Some boots too. But stiff leather is a hard one. I'd return these shoes.

janetinvirginia

Angie,
How do Frye's and Docs feel when you first put them on? Is it just a matter of them being a little stiff when you move?

Steph

Veteran

Can you tell where the squeak is coming from? If it's the sound of the sole on a floor, maybe you can have a cobbler add a new sole to the shoe and that would help? If the squeak is due to air escaping when you walk, maybe putting in an insert would help? I hate when I have squeaky shoes, so I'm going to follow along to see if anyone has additional suggestions for solving that problem!

Dashrashi

Veteran

I always have trouble with breaking in shoes, because if they're so uncomfortable that they need to be broken in, they're too uncomfortable for me to bear wearing around during the necessary breaking-in process. I treat breaking in as a happy surprise at this point--a happy accident by which wearable shoes become comfortable.

I totally feel you on the cuteness of tan soles, though. I looked at the LE flats for a while, and then found these at Gap:
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=727423022
The leather is super-soft (slipper-like), but they run really really big. I'm usually a 9-9.5, and I had to take an 8 in these. I really recommend them.

elpgal

Veteran

Oh agrace, I got these shoes and promptly returned them. LE is really good with returns so no harm in trying. My feet are very fussy and the leather felt unnaturally stiff.

Anonymous

A squeek in the shoe is always a no go for me.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I'm with San, squeaky shoes are an instant deal-breaker. I suspect you can do better.

Maya

Veteran

I don't expect shoes to be instantly comfortable, but I won't accept stiff leather. There are some things I have control over: I can always add an insole, pop in a moleskin, heel grips, etc. I'm even willing to get the shoes stretched. But you can't change the softness of a pair of shoes. If the shoes are stiff, they will remain stiff. The squeakiness probably has to do with a weird air pocket being formed somewhere.

fathenry

Veteran

I think the feet get worn in more than the shoes when the shoes are stiff! If you wear them long enough your feet just build up calouses, do you really want to wait for that to happen

agrace

Well, as always you wise ladies are telling me the truth and I think these ought to be returned
I do feel like the leather color of the 'luggage' pair is hard to find. Banana has a woven pair in a like color but they ring in at $90. And the tan sole on the Lands End pair seems very chic to me.

Sigh. Well, thank you for the advice. I do believe these will be going back but I'm glad I tried. My experience with Lands End shoes is thus concluded that a) they run really really big (I'm usually a 9.5 or 10 and in a 9 these were still a smidge big) and b) their shoes are not their strong point.

Thanks as always!!

agrace

Dash - I saw those and actually attempted to buy them in the cherry tomato red but they really *do* show my toenails as one of the reviewers pointed out. I did not try them in black though. I'll have to try those so thanks for the recommendation!

Other than the shoes, I continue to be impressed with the Lands End clothing. Just not the shoes...