Wondering how to stretch shoes?
Or, if its even possible?
Whats a person to do?
Boris Barthes
Lets be realthe prettiest shoes often come with a little pain, says stylist and fashion business strategistNina Vargas.
Luckily, there are a few ways to solve the age-old dilemma.
Read on to find out how.
Ill-fitting shoes can lead to pain, discomfort, and even injury, saysDr.
Liza Egbogah, a foot expert and shoe designer.
When shoes dont fit well, more than your feet suffer.
They can also kill your confidence and your wreckposture.
Not to mention: They simply dont look good.
How to tell if your shoes are too small?
If you feel any pain or squeezing when you put your shoes on, thats an obvious first sign.
If you try on shoes and they feel uncomfortable, theyre too small, Marshall agrees.
However, sometimes, it can be difficult to know.
A shoe may feel okay when you initially put it on, but become uncomfortable hours later.
Depending on the activity youre doing or the weather, your feet may swell.
All the more reason, then, to have some extra space.
Can you stretch any shoe?
Slip-on shoes, while more convenient, need to fit perfectly from the start to avoid long-term issues.
This is why its important to ensure that the length fits properly initially, Marshall says.
Which materials can be stretched?
Most shoes can be coaxed into a better fit, but materials matter, Vargas says.
Leather is the best material for pliability, says Marshall.
Its durable, breathable, and molds to the foot over time.
In that vein, suede is also stretchable.
Suede, like leather, can also be stretched, agrees Acton.
One exception to the leather rule?
Patent leather, which usually gets its signature shine from a polyurethane or acrylic coating.
This coating seals the leathers natural flexibility, making it very resistant to stretching, Acton says.
Woven fabrics, like canvas, may offer some stretchability, but it really depends on the shoe style.
The results can vary based on the weave and stitching of the material, Acton notes.
Textile uppers are breathable but often lack stretch, Marshall adds.
As for other types of materials that are usually a no-go?
Synthetic footwear, while durable, doesnt stretch and isnt breathable, says Marshall.
This will help the shoes to form to your feet for a better fit.
Below, a few more tricks it’s possible for you to employ at home to stretch shoes.
A shoe stretcher can help create more space in specific areas of the shoe, notes Marshall.
They are often used for issues like corns, bunions, or other joint problems.
To use, first determine which parts of the shoe require stretching by trying them on.
Is it a length issue or a width issue?
A certain spot of the shoe?
(This is important so that you could fit it inside the shoe.)
Just be careful not to over-stretch!
Its better to go slow and repeat the process as needed.
If you dont have a shoe stretcher, Marshall recommends using a broomstick.
This creates a small pocket in the specific area without altering the overall fit.
The heat will help make things a little more flexible.
Leave the shoe on and walk around while it is still warm and until it is fully cooled.
If all else fails?
Take them to a good cobbler, Acton says.
They know what they are doing.
