Sunday, October 31, 2010

Tutorial for Stretching Out Shoes (leather AND synthetic)

As promised, here are photos of my leather boots I found at the Goodwill! It only took perseverance, time, and several pairs of thick socks to stretch them out to fit me.






















Actually, here's a SUPER EASY TUTORIAL for STRETCHING OUT SHOES TO FIT
I've done this four times, on both leather and synthetic shoes, and it worked like a charm every time.

Step 1: Find uber-cute shoes at an awesome price...only to see that they are too small. NEVER FEAR! Proceed to Step 2 (but be forewarned that the most I've had this work was a full size too small...not to say it wouldn't work for more, just that it hasn't been tested!)
















Step 2: Bring said shoes home, ogle at how pretty they are, and put them on...while wearing thin cotton socks. They will be tight. Wear them around the house, and try not to walk too much because it will be painful. I wear mine when I'm studying, reading or on the computer (which, let's face it, is 99% of my life). However! Don't hurt your feet. You still have more steps to go. I usually do this step in several half hour increments per day, and I always check at the end of the day how the shoe fits with my bare feet (or in the socks I would wear the shoes with) to make sure I don't stretch out the shoes too far.

Step 3: The next day, repeat Step 2...only while wearing two pairs of thin cotton socks. It will be VERY TIGHT. Never fear. If you can't wedge your feet in, then repeat Step 2 until you can get to Step 3.

Step 4: This day, use WOOL SOCKS. Then perhaps wool socks layered on top of cotton socks.





















Step 5: If you are still not seeing the progress you like, or if it's down to crunch time, then I have worn wool socks, with the shoes, in the shower. It's like you think I might be kidding...but I'm totally serious. This is for real y'all. (although I wouldn't do this with leather shoes, only synthetic) The socks absorb the water and expand, and the heat softens the synthetic material and makes it more susceptible to stretching. After your shower, take off the shoes and socks and stuff the shoes with a dry towel to prevent them from shrinking as they dry out and cool down. (true story, I've done this with formal high heel shoes--before, super tight and uncomfortable...after, comfy comfy comfy!)

Step 6: Enjoy your AWESOME newly comfortable shoes!

NOTE: Please stretch shoes at your own risk. I wouldn't try this on anything expensive!

17 comments:

  1. oh my. that is crazy cool. a little more crazy :) love your blog!

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  2. Thanks! :) I have had to be pretty inventive with thrift shopping and getting my new purchases to fit me...this technique has worked pretty well for me though!

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  3. I have synthetic high heels that are brand new and a bit tight. I have just tried heating the shoes with a very hot hot water bottle and then putting them on with thick socks on till they cool down.. repeating this till there is a bit of give. It has helped a bit

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  4. Thanks for this tutorial! I bought my wedding shoes online and they're too tight and I know I'll get severe blisters if I dance all night in them. I'll do this now!

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  5. Thanks! I've just bought new shoes 2day for a wedding i'm going 2 on saturday,they pinch a bit (although the right size) so was starting 2 panic til i read this! Will start 2mrw morning! Xx

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  6. I just got some brogue shoes & there one size too small for me. I'm gonna try this out, hopefully it works. There snythetic btw! Thanks!

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  7. This system works really well if you use a blow dryer on the shoe at the same time you are wearing a heavy sock. I did it on leather shoes and it works on crocs too but not sure about synthetic.

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  8. I'm gonna try the shower trick tonight. I have some brand new soccer cleats that are about 1/2 size too small. I would just return them, but that style has been discontinued. I think I better put down a towel in the shower. Cleats are slippery on hard surfaces. :-)

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  9. Wow! Definitely going to try it out. Hope it works :)

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  10. Alcohol is good to stretch synthetic shoes , add to a bit of dish soap use heavy siccers and make sure they are wet. Wear and stuff with rolled up paper and hammer yes hammer in shoe to dry repeat if needed

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  11. Alcohol is good to stretch synthetic shoes , add to a bit of dish soap use heavy siccers and make sure they are wet. Wear and stuff with rolled up paper and hammer yes hammer in shoe to dry repeat if needed

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  12. Alcohol is good to stretch synthetic shoes , add to a bit of dish soap use heavy siccers and make sure they are wet. Wear and stuff with rolled up paper and hammer yes hammer in shoe to dry repeat if needed

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  13. The hair dryer trick worked on some too-small flats I need for a wedding this weekend. Awesome!

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  14. The hair dryer trick worked on some too-small flats I need for a wedding this weekend. Awesome!

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  15. Thank you for sharing this blog, I will give it a try :)

    Flat Leather Cloud Walker

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