Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, Where's MY Dream Shoe?
Sure, the fairytale character we all know as 'Cinderella' had it rough at first; a mean step-mother, even meaner step-sisters, and only anthropomorphic, singing rodents and birds to keep her company. But she turned out great in the end and not only because of Fairy God Maw-Maw coming to the rescue when our little cinder girl needed some new duds and an organic mode of transportation!
Everyone knows that if not for the lovely, crystalline glass slipper she left behind, a shoe magically molded to fit her foot as no other shoe could, Mr. Prince Charming wouldn't have had the calling card of his future bride. After all, what better way to gauge the overall quality of a lady (or gent) than by choice of footwear?
All quips aside, there's more romance to her story than meets the eye. For the classic lover, it's the amor found in the fact the prince didn't care that Cinderella was poor and loved her anyway. For the true shoe lover, it's imagining her foot sliding into that clear heel cup and wanting so badly to be in her place in that exact moment. Whether such a discovery is for the office, the dance floor, the big interview, the hot date, or the great outdoors, there really is something divine about finding a shoe that feels like it was made just for you.
The Reality. You don't have to live in a fairytale to get dream quality shoes. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. TRY IT
ON! This is the rule that
encompasses all rules in the world of proper footwear etiquette. Never assume you’re only a certain
size. Depending on a brand, or
even upon the differing styles of shoes within a brand, your size will more
than likely vary. Shoes are a
worldwide market, which means countries between here and Zimbabwe are going to
have their own size conversions and their own moldings for any given brand they
manufacture, which means,
inconsistency in sizing. As with a
pair of jeans or a bathing suit, you’re not going to know how it really fits
until you try it! Buying online? Read reviews! And not just reviews from the particular
online store you’re browsing at the time.
Do a full web search on the brand+style and compare the feedback to the
description the online store provides for the shoe to make an informed choice.
Yours
truly is a size 11 on average in women’s shoes, but there are times when I’ve
worn unisex shoes like Vans or Toms in Men’s 9.5 or Women’s 10. For sandals, if they tend to run
narrow, I know I’ll have to go up to a 12 simply because the base of my foot is
set wider.
2. Coyness is Forbidden! The one-shoe method doesn’t cut it and
neither does sitting down as you closely analyze the shoe in question while
performing the obligatory wiggling of the toes. Slip, tie, strap, zip, lace on those puppies and walk in
order to get an accurate feel for them.
We encourage our Feet First costumers to not only try on as many shoes
as they’d like but to do a lap around the store in every pair.
Even I’m
a guilty of this, but only halfway ;) If I try one shoe on and like
the feel, I’ll slip the other shoe on and take a moment to walk around in them. Being what I like to call ‘a carless
wonder,’ I do quite a bit of trekking about town, so it’s important for my
personal needs to have a shoe that can function well under frequent
use.
3. Fit the Bigger Foot First. If
you feel ANY kind of discomfort when on your test walk, the level of discomfort
will only worsen once they’re yours, so save your tootsies and your wallet from
the heartache. Also, if you can
afford to, try shoes on later in the day.
The pressure from walking and being on your feet might have caused your
feet to slightly swell, so if a pair of shoes fits despite the swelling, they’re
keepers.
As I said
before, I do a lot of movin’ and shakin’ around town, and it’s essential for
me to have shoes that aren’t only of quality style but of quality comfort. Check out the Feet First styles I wear:
Similar to my pair of Bernardo Mojito's (sorry ladies, got the last pair!). The thick, genuine leather sole and straps add support and comfort unlike any other brand of sandal I've ever tried!
The Chocolat Blu Cam Women's Leather Moccasin. Comfort doesn't even begin to describe this shoe. From the moment I tried them on, I was walking on air! They're my new favorite pair.
Now It's Your Turn! In need of shoe advice or have a particular foot need (narrow width, high in-step, how to prevent blisters, etc.)? We're here for you! Leave us a comment with your shoe inquiry and either I, or one of my fellow bloggers, will answer you personally in our next post for the Cinderella Series.
Congratulations! You're one step closer to finding the Perfect Fit. We knew you could do it :)
Stay tuned, and happy shopping! xo
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