Ever go shoe shopping and find yourself easily getting distracted by shiny things and walking out of the store carrying boxes filled with shoes that you never intended to buy In the first place? It happens to the best of us! Believe it or not (since time flies as I get older and older), we are entering inter a new shoe shopping season–oh happy day! As we begin to gear up, navigate our way around the department store or online store, and get ready for some shoe shopping, we must stop and think: do I really know how to shop for shoes? I know it sounds like a silly questions since we tend to feel like as women, we are born knowing how to shop for shoes. But sometimes, it’s easier said than done, so let’s work on it–together!
How to Shop For Shoes: Tips & Tricks
Come Prepared
Have a clear picture in your mind before you hit the store or your search engine–know what you want! (Reference: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying on Impulse) If you know that you need to add some new shoes to your closet, but don’t have an exact idea of a pair you are looking for, leaf through your favorite fashion magazine for inspiration. More times than not, you can bring those images to the store and find something similar just by perusing the premises. BUT–make sure you stay on course, because its easy to leave buying the opposite of what you came for!
Know Your size
This sounds silly, I know. But there are a lot of people who have never actually had their feet measured and have been spending their lives buying the wrong size, the same way many women do with bras! Take some time to have your feet measured and learn what that size is converted into international sizing so that you buy the same size no matter what brand or designer you are shopping.
In addition, if you are pregnant or just had a baby–revisit the shoe measuring contraption
Do Some Research on Brand Tendencies
It’s important to do a little research before shopping no matter what, but this is a great time to really read the comments that people are leaving about a pair of shoes you are interested in. People will be honest and say if they are fitting snug or big or wide–there are so many different categories shoes can fall into! After a while, you will start to notice a fit trend among different brands and designers and be able to recognize and buy the right size for you.
Talk to the Sales Associate
I know that it can be a huge pain sometimes to sit down and strike up a conversation with the sales associate–especially if you are in a rush, but I can’t stress enough how beneficial this is for your whole shopping experience. Sale associates are there to help you figure out how to shop for shoes in their department and want to help–it’s their job!
Not only will they be able to give you insider information and feedback other customers are saying about the shoes you are trying on, they will also give you some insider information if you form a great connection. (Translation: They will probably tell you when the shoes are going on sale or where you can get them cheaper!)
Read the Fine Print Before Purchasing
Know what you’re getting yourself into. Learn the store’s policy for returns ahead of time so that you aren’t left with something that you don’t really want after you take it home. As much as we try to avoid it, we know that impulse purchasing exists and will happen, so do yourself a favor and check out the fine print before leaving the store or clicking “purchase”
Have any tips that I overlooked? Share with us in the comments below!
Fashionably Yours,
Allison
Good idea! Always be sure to measure your feet in centimeters as this is the global unit of measurement in the footwear industry; place you heels against a wall and measure to the tip of your longest toe – some brands offer conversions online (6pm is good about that as well as zappos). If you are a half size – stick to brands that offer this size as other brand shoe constructions may be too tight or too big. Last thing – ask a shoe salesperson what a “Brannock Devise” is. The look on his/her face will be priceless!