What Size Does He/She Wear?

Tips on Tuesday

The holiday shopping season is upon us and you may be inclined to shop for footwear for a loved one.  This can be tricky when it comes to getting the size right. Below are a few suggestions that may help you be the sole angel you wish to be...

-Ask what size they wear.  Now you may be concerned that this will give your gift intentions  away but you  could  ask for all the sizes they wear: shirts, pants, shoes, hats, dresses etc.  to keep them guessing.

-Peek in their closet.Take a look at least 4-5 pairs to see which size they wear the most or  look at the size of the  type of footwear you wish to buy for them.

-While you are in the closet, snag a pair of insoles out of their shoes to take with you when  you shop.  You can  often remove the insole of the shoe you want to buy and slip in their  insoles to see if it is a fit...Or you can match up the insoles to each other to get a sense if  the length is right.

-If you are willing to take a pair of insoles perhaps you might be brave enough to just take  the whole pair of shoes.  If you are going to a full service shoe store, the staff can help  find you a good size based on the shoes you brought in.  The wear pattern, insoles,  placement of buckles/laces and break point are all clues to help get the best size.

-If this is a gift for a woman...let me level with you...we love the "process" of trying shoes  and buying shoes...so  take the stress off of yourself and get a gift certificate! Be creative  in the wrapping...perhaps put the gift certificate in a shoe box or slip it into the pocket of  a new over-the-door shoe organizer.  

-If your loved one frequents a particular shoe store it is likely that the store will have their  size history on file.  Don't panic if they know your loved one by first name and shoe size  without looking it up:) It just means they really love shoes and you are buying the perfect  gift.

-If aiming for the right size feels too overwhelming but you still want to treat their  tootsies...Find out their  ballpark shoe size and get them a pair of amazing socks.  Think SmartWool, ThorLo or Acorn socks.  Perhaps you might find a handmade pair of Alpaca or Angora hair socks to wow the one you love.  Socks are only a boring  gift if you buy boring socks.

best of sole,

abigail dagmar

When to Shop for Shoes...

Tips on Tuesdays

Naturally, I am inclined to recommend shopping for shoes any time the mood or notion strikes you.

But...Is there a best time of day, week, month or year to buy footwear?

A general "rule of toe" is to shop for shoes in the afternoon.  This advice stems from the idea that most peoples feet are a bit swollen in the afternoons and it is best to fit shoes to your feet when they are at their "largest".

The point is to learn when YOUR feet are in their swollen state.

Mine tend to be biggest in the morning...I notice that is when my slippers feel the snuggest. Some folks find that their feet are swollen more after spending several hours walking around or after eating salty foods.

OFF SEASON...Is the time to buy shoes for the best prices and Pre-Season Sales for the best selection of style and sizes especially if your wear a popular size.

Also, buy shoes when you need them.  Continuing to wear worn out, done-for shoes can wreak havoc on your feet, knees and lower back.  As much fun as it is to buy shoes when we want them it is wise to make sure the shoes we wear the most (work shoes, running shoes) are replaced when needed.

We have all heard of retail therapy and we know there are much more constructive ways to deal with the stresses of life but...once in a while we indulge in denial and distraction and go shopping.  I will say that nothing chases away my blues quite like a new pair of shoes.

My favorite time to buy shoes is when I am on vacation.  Shoes are the perfect souvenir. You have something practical packed with memories in every stride. You may only step in the same river once but you can sure wax nostalgic when you wear those shoes again. 

love and new shoes,

abigail dagmar

Patent Leather Pick Me Up...

If you have scuffs, dirt or marks on your beloved patent leather shoes...fret not!

Windex to the rescue! Yep, a spray of Windex can save the day...(and no! I have not been watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding")

A squirt or two applied to a paper towel and rubbed vigorously over the offending mark will bring your patent leather back to its' pristine shiny brilliance. (thank you Anna Lisa!)

patent love,

abigail dagmar

The Long and the Short of It...

Tips on Tuesday

So you are special...not your average foot size and feel limited in your selection of shoes in your size. Any customer I have had with feet longer than a size 10 and shorter than a size 6 has that longing in their sole to just pick up a pair of shoes on display and try them on in her size.

Of course, men's sizes and kid's sizes can often work but obviously the styles aren't always what you are after...but if you are looking for athletic or duty shoes this can be a good place to start.  Also, be sure to hit the sale racks and if you have small feet and live in a big city be sure to go to "sample sales".

Many retail stores carry a limited selection of small and large sizes.  It is not that the shoe store owners have it out for you...it is just a matter of dollars and cents.  Size 8 1/2 is what pays the rent, utilities and employees.  Be sure to support your local shoe stores that do specialize in hard to find shoe sizes or they will have to cut back on their selection...making the problem worse.

Online retailers have some advantage in terms of offering a wider variety of styles in your size.  They often can pull directly from a vendors stock so they don't actually have to have the size in their own warehouse.  Also, they typically can carry a larger amount of stock because they are not using any physical "showroom" space to display their products. Thus, more room for more sizes...hurray!

The Long of It...look for styles with a rounded or blunt toebox and straps that run horizontal across your feet if you want your feet to look smaller...but I say...embellish your feet with any shoe you love that fits great. These online retailers specialize in your size: barefoottess.com and longtallsally.com

The Short of It...look for styles that have an elongated toebox and straps that have vertical or diagonal strapping if you wish for your feet to look a bit longer...but I say...celebrate your feet with any shoe that fits perfectly.  These online retailers specialize in your size: alonai.com and  cinderellaofboston.com

In general, zappos.com and shoes.com offer a wide size range in many styles.  You can search their inventory "by size" so that you are presented with choices that actually come in your size. 

Love and Fit First,

abigail dagmar

To Arch or not to Arch?

Do you really need arch support? Unless you get to walk around barefooted in ideal conditions like sand and soft grass all the time you might enjoy some lift in your arch.  Learn about how your arch behaves and discover that your own feet hold the answer..."to arch or not to arch?"