Tight-fitting shoes

Isn't this essentially discussing the exact same topic 😕 ?

A few weeks back, I spotted these absolutely stunning ballet flats over at Zara—not quite flat, mind you, but they had this lovely little lacquered platform heel, and the upper part was a soft grey adorned with a bow.😍😍 They were just gorgeous... but my bank account simply wasn't having it at the time.😢 Fast forward to payday; the memory of those shoes popped into my head, so I made a quick dash to Zara, feeling quite optimistic that they might still be there! And sure enough, there they were. I went straight to try them on, naturally. What happened? Well, I started by trying a size 6 in US sizing (since I usually fluctuate between a 6 and a 7). The length felt alright, but I could tell they were pinching me just a bit. So, I moved up to a 7, which fit perfectly, but when I actually tried to walk, the shoe felt loose; my foot would almost slip out, leaving enough room that I could practically tuck my toe behind it.😕 I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, so I immediately called a colleague from the nearby Walgreens where I work to get her take. She just insisted, "Oh, just grab the 6, they'll stretch out once you wear them in," and went on about how they did the same thing to her.
So, being swept up in the moment, I bought the 6, feeling so happy and convinced that I’d finally found my dream shoes. I wore them today—truth be told, I spent the entire day walking around town before heading into work—and let me tell you, by the time I got to my shift, I was in absolute agony. It was so bad I actually had to go buy something else just to find relief. Now, I'm sitting here feeling so incredibly frustrated with myself. I don't know what to do; I can't exactly return them because I've already worn them (even if they don't look used, really), but I'd be heartbroken to sell them, especially if they don't have the 7 in stock if I ever need to replace them. I just don't want to let them go.😢 Not really,🤣 but they've dug into my skin so deeply that I genuinely don't know how to fix this.

shadowmaker31 said:A few weeks back, I spotted these absolutely stunning ballet flats over at Zara—not quite flat, mind you, but they had this lovely little lacquered platform heel, and the upper part was a soft grey adorned with a bow.😍😍 They were just gorgeous... but my bank account simply wasn't having it at the time.😢 Fast forward to payday; the memory of those shoes popped into my head, so I made a quick dash to Zara, feeling quite optimistic that they might still be there! And sure enough, there they were. I went straight to try them on, naturally. What happened? Well, I started by trying a size 6 in US sizing (since I usually fluctuate between a 6 and a 7). The length felt alright, but I could tell they were pinching me just a bit. So, I moved up to a 7, which fit perfectly, but when I actually tried to walk, the shoe felt loose; my foot would almost slip out, leaving enough room that I could practically tuck my toe behind it.😕 I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, so I immediately called a colleague from the nearby Walgreens where I work to get her take. She just insisted, "Oh, just grab the 6, they'll stretch out once you wear them in," and went on about how they did the same thing to her.
So, being swept up in the moment, I bought the 6, feeling so happy and convinced that I’d finally found my dream shoes. I wore them today—truth be told, I spent the entire day walking around town before heading into work—and let me tell you, by the time I got to my shift, I was in absolute agony. It was so bad I actually had to go buy something else just to find relief. Now, I'm sitting here feeling so incredibly frustrated with myself. I don't know what to do; I can't exactly return them because I've already worn them (even if they don't look used, really), but I'd be heartbroken to sell them, especially if they don't have the 7 in stock if I ever need to replace them. I just don't want to let them go.😢 Not really,🤣 but they've dug into my skin so deeply that I genuinely don't know how to fix this.

It sounds like a 6.5 works for you, but they don't even carry that size. Plus, let's be real, one foot is almost always slightly stronger than the other anyway. Maybe try getting some skin stretching spray? It actually helps. Also, maybe steer clear of wearing those flats at work for a little while until your feet recover.

And that's pretty much it.

shadowmaker31 said:A few weeks back, I spotted these absolutely stunning ballet flats over at Zara—not quite flat, mind you, but they had this lovely little lacquered platform heel, and the upper part was a soft grey adorned with a bow.😍😍 They were just gorgeous... but my bank account simply wasn't having it at the time.😢 Fast forward to payday; the memory of those shoes popped into my head, so I made a quick dash to Zara, feeling quite optimistic that they might still be there! And sure enough, there they were. I went straight to try them on, naturally. What happened? Well, I started by trying a size 6 in US sizing (since I usually fluctuate between a 6 and a 7). The length felt alright, but I could tell they were pinching me just a bit. So, I moved up to a 7, which fit perfectly, but when I actually tried to walk, the shoe felt loose; my foot would almost slip out, leaving enough room that I could practically tuck my toe behind it.😕 I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, so I immediately called a colleague from the nearby Walgreens where I work to get her take. She just insisted, "Oh, just grab the 6, they'll stretch out once you wear them in," and went on about how they did the same thing to her.
So, being swept up in the moment, I bought the 6, feeling so happy and convinced that I’d finally found my dream shoes. I wore them today—truth be told, I spent the entire day walking around town before heading into work—and let me tell you, by the time I got to my shift, I was in absolute agony. It was so bad I actually had to go buy something else just to find relief. Now, I'm sitting here feeling so incredibly frustrated with myself. I don't know what to do; I can't exactly return them because I've already worn them (even if they don't look used, really), but I'd be heartbroken to sell them, especially if they don't have the 7 in stock if I ever need to replace them. I just don't want to let them go.😢 Not really,🤣 but they've dug into my skin so deeply that I genuinely don't know how to fix this.

I went through the exact same thing, and in the end, I just sent them all back.
Not even two rounds of stretching them over shoe trees helped at all. People on the forums suggested everything under the sun—from heating them up in the oven to slathering them in Nivea or using various sprays...
It's going to take me another two weeks before my legs are even close to feeling normal again.
Look, my feet are pretty sensitive, so... maybe yours will stretch out on you. But if they do, you can always fix them—just wash them and wipe them down.

The thing is, I’ve practically walked through the entire city in them, and I’m certainly not going to pretend I haven't worn them when it’s so obvious from how they look now that I’ve finally taken them off. But then again, if I actually tried to take them back for an exchange, wouldn't they just stare at me like I’ve completely lost my mind? I mean, who would ever want to buy "pre-owned" shoes after seeing what I’ve done to them? Honestly, aside from the soles, you can barely tell they’ve been worn; even that little little tag is still tucked inside.

I really don't know what to do here. It doesn't seem right to claim they leaked or anything like that, especially since the description clearly states they are meant for dry weather, and the idea of tearing them apart or destroying them just to force a formal complaint out of the store doesn't exactly cross my mind. My last resort might just be selling them right here on this forum. 😢 If only I knew someone working at Zara who could pull some strings for me; since I work in retail myself, I know firsthand that it isn't actually that difficult to fill out a form and send them back marked as defective, or even just getting them put on sale or something similar...

shadowmaker31 said:The thing is, I’ve practically walked through the entire city in them, and I’m certainly not going to pretend I haven't worn them when it’s so obvious from how they look now that I’ve finally taken them off. But then again, if I actually tried to take them back for an exchange, wouldn't they just stare at me like I’ve completely lost my mind? I mean, who would ever want to buy "pre-owned" shoes after seeing what I’ve done to them? Honestly, aside from the soles, you can barely tell they’ve been worn; even that little little tag is still tucked inside.

I really don't know what to do here. It doesn't seem right to claim they leaked or anything like that, especially since the description clearly states they are meant for dry weather, and the idea of tearing them apart or destroying them just to force a formal complaint out of the store doesn't exactly cross my mind. My last resort might just be selling them right here on this forum. 😢 If only I knew someone working at Zara who could pull some strings for me; since I work in retail myself, I know firsthand that it isn't actually that difficult to fill out a form and send them back marked as defective, or even just getting them put on sale or something similar...

If that's the case, they definitely won't take them back. Your only real options are to sell them or just give them away.
Maybe try taking them to a cobbler first to have them reshaped...

Honestly, I deal with sizing issues constantly. Most of the time, I need a half size in between, but that almost never exists. So, if I'm buying leather shoes, I'll just take the pair that pinches me slightly. My last purchases were Guess pumps and Tommy Hilfiger flats. In both cases, my usual size 7 was about half an inch too big, while the 6 was just a tiny bit too tight. My little trick? I soak a kitchen rag or a small towel in vodka and stuff it inside the shoe. I leave it overnight, and by morning, it stretches out just those few millimeters I need.😍 I absolutely hate buying a larger size; it looks like I'm wearing someone else's shoes, plus, if they're leather, they'll eventually stretch out another two sizes anyway.🙄

Wearing shoes that are molded to a specific shape has never worked for me. I once had a pump split right down the seam 😬

shadowmaker31 said:A few weeks back, I spotted these absolutely stunning ballet flats over at Zara—not quite flat, mind you, but they had this lovely little lacquered platform heel, and the upper part was a soft grey adorned with a bow.😍😍 They were just gorgeous... but my bank account simply wasn't having it at the time.😢 Fast forward to payday; the memory of those shoes popped into my head, so I made a quick dash to Zara, feeling quite optimistic that they might still be there! And sure enough, there they were. I went straight to try them on, naturally. What happened? Well, I started by trying a size 6 in US sizing (since I usually fluctuate between a 6 and a 7). The length felt alright, but I could tell they were pinching me just a bit. So, I moved up to a 7, which fit perfectly, but when I actually tried to walk, the shoe felt loose; my foot would almost slip out, leaving enough room that I could practically tuck my toe behind it.😕 I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, so I immediately called a colleague from the nearby Walgreens where I work to get her take. She just insisted, "Oh, just grab the 6, they'll stretch out once you wear them in," and went on about how they did the same thing to her.
So, being swept up in the moment, I bought the 6, feeling so happy and convinced that I’d finally found my dream shoes. I wore them today—truth be told, I spent the entire day walking around town before heading into work—and let me tell you, by the time I got to my shift, I was in absolute agony. It was so bad I actually had to go buy something else just to find relief. Now, I'm sitting here feeling so incredibly frustrated with myself. I don't know what to do; I can't exactly return them because I've already worn them (even if they don't look used, really), but I'd be heartbroken to sell them, especially if they don't have the 7 in stock if I ever need to replace them. I just don't want to let them go.😢 Not really,🤣 but they've dug into my skin so deeply that I genuinely don't know how to fix this.

I had the exact same issue with my peep-toe ballet flats this summer—the length was perfect, but they were just way too narrow... I even tried rubbing some stretching cream inside them, which did absolutely nothing, so eventually I just stuffed a bunch of paper into the toes and shoved them in a box so I wouldn't have to look at them... they were expensive, so I just sat there and took the pain because of the price tag...😢I gave them another shot about two weeks ago and... just nothing...😲Maybe they just flared up because of that liquid and all those damn papers I piled on them... Good luck trying to track down that specific solution in town—my mom ordered this one from some catalog—and actually finding a way to spray it on... Good luck with that...

So, here’s the deal: I finally pulled the trigger and bought some steel boots.
Two pairs.
One is a size 10, the other is an 11.

I went ahead and put on the size 11 first because I couldn't wait to try them on, even though I was just wearing low socks—which, let's be honest, is my own fault for the skin peeling above my ankle on the back of my leg.
But after that...

Things got worse once I actually switched over to high socks.
Even then, they kept chafing me. I realized the leather of the boots bends exactly where my ankle bends when I walk, and those folded edges just rub against my skin and irritate my ankle constantly.

The size 10 seems like it might give me less trouble, but honestly, because of these blisters, any footwear feels painful right now.

So, I'm wondering

Has anyone else dealt with the break-in process for new Marts or Steeler boots?

If you managed to get through it without any issues, I am genuinely envious. :P :P :P

Does anyone have any ideas for softening the leather or any smart tips you could share with me?

I would appreciate it.

My current plan is to put some fabric over those friction points.
Like, tape it down so there's less irritation; I think that might help significantly.
And I suspect it might be better if I lace them up tighter.

By the way... both pairs cost me $15 each.

Thanks in advance. And please, if you don't have anything constructive or intelligent to contribute, it's better to just stay quiet.😉

When I was picking up my new Timberlands, I ended up grabbing a size seven just so I wouldn't deal with any blisters... since my feet always seem to be stuck in that awkward middle ground where one size is way too big and the next is just tiny... I used to put Band-Aids around my ankles to help with the rubbing, though honestly, it was never quite that bad for me... you really have to wear them constantly though if you want to break them in properly 🙂. Good luck 😉

Harold Williams said:When I was picking up my new Timberlands, I ended up grabbing a size seven just so I wouldn't deal with any blisters... since my feet always seem to be stuck in that awkward middle ground where one size is way too big and the next is just tiny... I used to put Band-Aids around my ankles to help with the rubbing, though honestly, it was never quite that bad for me... you really have to wear them constantly though if you want to break them in properly 🙂. Good luck 😉

Quick question
regarding that size 7?

I’m not really familiar with that approach; I haven't heard anyone in my circle mention using that trick...
Where could one even find those, and what does it actually look like?

Thanks a lot for the info 😉.

Sam Turner7 said:Quick question
regarding that size 7?

I’m not really familiar with that approach; I haven't heard anyone in my circle mention using that trick...
Where could one even find those, and what does it actually look like?

Thanks a lot for the info 😉.

You can find those at Walgreens. They’re usually kept right where they keep the shoe inserts and all that sort of thing. Prices generally run from $8 up to $6.75 depending on which brand you pick. I couldn't seem to track down any good photos online, but here's one I found. I actually used the exact same ones from that company myself once... you just stick them inside the back of the shoe to support the heel (just like the name implies, I guess 😁).
http://www.tvrtke.com/zapetak-tips-d...,MF-32423.aspx

Harold Williams said:You can find those at Walgreens. They’re usually kept right where they keep the shoe inserts and all that sort of thing. Prices generally run from $8 up to $6.75 depending on which brand you pick. I couldn't seem to track down any good photos online, but here's one I found. I actually used the exact same ones from that company myself once... you just stick them inside the back of the shoe to support the heel (just like the name implies, I guess 😁).
http://www.tvrtke.com/zapetak-tips-d...,MF-32423.aspx

I use the clear ones from Scholl's. I bought a pair of red peep-toe heels that were a bit too big—I had to size up to make sure they wouldn't hurt my feet. 😁 They work perfectly with them.

I recently read some advice about stretching shoes by using a bag of water—basically, you put it inside the shoe and toss it in the freezer. If I remember correctly, the method went something like 😁 someone even included a YouTube link, but I can't seem to track it down now. If anyone knows where to find it... thanks! 🙏

Maybe try using some mineral oil... it does the exact same thing to soften things up.

So, I was checking out some stuff at a local shoe store—think somewhere like Nordstrom—and I spotted these wooden and plastic shoe stretchers. Honestly, they look like a total lifesaver if you're dealing with shoes that are way too tight...
I’m guessing you pick them based on size or something, or maybe you just bring your actual shoes along to test the fit? Plus, once you buy one, you can wrap some fabric around the end to make it even thicker and get a deeper stretch. Total game changer if you're tired of your feet being crushed.

Here’s the link:😁

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf5mJ7aR2t8

Kill me now, but I couldn't find the right thread.

So, here's the situation. I picked up these blue velvet loafers, but the top edge is digging into my feet—it’s just so tight. I stopped by Walgreens and grabbed some shoe stretching foam (the Benefit stretch product from Leder und Schuh), and since this whole "foam" thing is a bit new to me, I was wondering has anyone actually tried this before? Specifically, since they are suede, you can only apply it to the inside, which makes me a little nervous because I have no idea if I'm going to end up with permanent stains if I'm not incredibly careful. Should I just go grab some rubbing alcohol at the drugstore instead, or is this stuff perfectly safe?

Anyway...

Shake the foam, spray it on liberally, and let it sit for a few minutes. For patent leather, crocodile skin, or suede, apply it only to the interior.

Composition: propan-2-ol: 10-25%, or C3H8O—better known to us as isopropyl alcohol. Is that the same old devil my mom used to use on shoes back when I was a kid, or...? Well, unfortunately, I can't exactly ask her, seeing as Mom doesn't know what isopropyl alcohol even is, and frankly, neither do I—I'm not exactly a genius. 😁

I hope someone understands what I'm getting at. 🙈
Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hey ladies, looking for some wisdom and good advice here!

So, I ordered these leather boots (real leather!) from ASOS.
After a week of basically counting down the minutes—you know how it is :-))—they finally showed up! But man, they felt tight immediately. After wearing them for five minutes (I wasn't about to give up just yet :-D), I realized the length is actually perfect—even with two pairs of socks on—but they are way too narrow.
They felt okay after about fifteen minutes of walking around. But when I tried them on again this morning (and my feet were a bit swollen)... yeah, they were totally uncomfortable...

Do you think there's any way to stretch them out, widen them, or whatever... or should I just send them back? I'm honestly terrified of ordering a larger size, because if the fit is just naturally narrow, I might end up with boots that are way too long but still feel suffocatingly tight...
But they are so pretty... :-( And I waited so long for them... :-( And I already had a million outfits planned for them... :-(
:-D

Does anyone have a "home remedy" for what feels like the biggest crisis of my life right now? :-D