Fancy footwork
Your shoes tick the final fashion box for your outfit, but they sometimes need a bit of help in the comfort department. Take our tips for happy feet and long-wearing footwear.
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HEEL HACKS
Tape for Toes
Heels
add a little bit of height but a whole lot of confidence. When wearing high
heels, all of your weight is brought to bear on the ball of your foot just
below the toes.
Heels
add a little bit of height but a whole lot of confidence. When wearing high
heels, all of your weight is brought to bear on the ball of your foot just
below the toes.
Hack: Did you know that by taping your third and
fourth toes together (counting from your big toe, so the two before your little
toe) you relieve the pressure on a nerve found between these toes? This is
where toe cramp usually comes from. Use any tape, but for open-toe shoes use
one that’s skin coloured.
fourth toes together (counting from your big toe, so the two before your little
toe) you relieve the pressure on a nerve found between these toes? This is
where toe cramp usually comes from. Use any tape, but for open-toe shoes use
one that’s skin coloured.
The Blistering Truth
The
most common pain faced when wearing pumps is that of chafing – mainly on the
back of the heel and the pinky toe. Pumps also offer no arch support because
they’re so flat, so you might find your lower back is achy after wearing them
for long periods. Invest in a good inner sole that cushions the arch of your
foot.
most common pain faced when wearing pumps is that of chafing – mainly on the
back of the heel and the pinky toe. Pumps also offer no arch support because
they’re so flat, so you might find your lower back is achy after wearing them
for long periods. Invest in a good inner sole that cushions the arch of your
foot.
Hack: Rubbing the sole of your foot with a dry
stick deodorant helps to absorb moisture which can cause your foot to slip in
and out of the shoe. This will reduce chafing and blistering, and also help
with odour. Another option is to cut a panty liner in half and stick it to the
inner back of the shoe, which works as well as a plaster.
stick deodorant helps to absorb moisture which can cause your foot to slip in
and out of the shoe. This will reduce chafing and blistering, and also help
with odour. Another option is to cut a panty liner in half and stick it to the
inner back of the shoe, which works as well as a plaster.
Slippery Slope
Ever
bought the most glorious shoes, only to leave them lying in your cupboard
because the soles are
so smooth that you end up slipping and sliding, especially on smooth surfaces
like tiles?
Ever
bought the most glorious shoes, only to leave them lying in your cupboard
because the soles are
so smooth that you end up slipping and sliding, especially on smooth surfaces
like tiles?
Hack: You can roughen the soles of your shoes with
a grater or a stiff wire brush, to give you more grip and save you from looking
as though you’re practising a weird dance.
a grater or a stiff wire brush, to give you more grip and save you from looking
as though you’re practising a weird dance.
Breaking in
Not
all shoes, especially heels, are comfortable at first. What you need to do is
wear them in before you go out in them for hours at a time.
all shoes, especially heels, are comfortable at first. What you need to do is
wear them in before you go out in them for hours at a time.
Hack: Put a pair of thick socks on your feet, then
put on your heels. Using a hairdryer, blast hot air over them for a minute or
two, to soften the shoe. Walk around in the house until your heels have completely
cooled down – now they will be molded perfectly to your foot.
put on your heels. Using a hairdryer, blast hot air over them for a minute or
two, to soften the shoe. Walk around in the house until your heels have completely
cooled down – now they will be molded perfectly to your foot.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SHOES LAST LONGER
1.
Keep your shoes in shape by stuffing them with newspaper. It also absorbs
moisture and odour.
Keep your shoes in shape by stuffing them with newspaper. It also absorbs
moisture and odour.
2.
Protect suede shoes in wet weather by using a water-resistant spray.
Protect suede shoes in wet weather by using a water-resistant spray.
3.
The soles of your shoes take the most punishment. You can get removable sticky
sole protectors at shoe repair shops, to help the sole last longer.
The soles of your shoes take the most punishment. You can get removable sticky
sole protectors at shoe repair shops, to help the sole last longer.
4.
Use a pool noodle cut to size in long boots when storing them in your closet,
to help them keep their shape.
Use a pool noodle cut to size in long boots when storing them in your closet,
to help them keep their shape.
5.
Polish and clean your shoes regularly. There are many good products on the
market that are designed to prolong the life of your footwear.
Polish and clean your shoes regularly. There are many good products on the
market that are designed to prolong the life of your footwear.
6.
Keep embellished or expensive shoes in a drawstring bag to avoid chafing and
damage.
Keep embellished or expensive shoes in a drawstring bag to avoid chafing and
damage.
7.
Sneakers need a wipe down as well. Those with white soles will look newer for
longer if you simply use an old toothbrush and mild soap.
Sneakers need a wipe down as well. Those with white soles will look newer for
longer if you simply use an old toothbrush and mild soap.
8.
Don’t throw your shoeboxes away. They were made specifically to store your
shoes.
Don’t throw your shoeboxes away. They were made specifically to store your
shoes.
9. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes for days in a row. Shoes need time to breathe and recover their shape.
10.
Did you know that leaving a tea bag in your shoes overnight can help get rid of
odours?
10.
Did you know that leaving a tea bag in your shoes overnight can help get rid of
odours?
SURVIVAL KIT
Always
keep these handy in your shoe closet:
keep these handy in your shoe closet:
Inner soles:
These
provide cushiony soft relief from hard soles. They also help too-big shoes to
fit better.
provide cushiony soft relief from hard soles. They also help too-big shoes to
fit better.
Heel support:
Flat
shoes put strain on your heels – these elevate and give support.
shoes put strain on your heels – these elevate and give support.
Ball-of-foot cushions:
These
provide relief from the pressure of wearing high heels.
provide relief from the pressure of wearing high heels.
Heel grips:
These
prevent your feet from slipping in and out of your shoes, and cushion against
hard inner backs that aren’t worn in.
prevent your feet from slipping in and out of your shoes, and cushion against
hard inner backs that aren’t worn in.
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