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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.
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— by Angie
on May 2, 2013
White, dainty, low heeled pointy toe pumps were on my Spring 2013 shopping listand I recently found a pair that fit the bill. I had searched high and low all year, trying everything that tickled my fancy between $50 and $500. I finally settled on Bella Vita’s Wow pump. The toe box looked particularly elegant, the soles were not black, the leather is super soft, and the footbed is extra comfy. It outshone all the white pumps from better-end designer brands like Stuart Weitzman and Kate Spade, whose pumps usually work really well for me. Just another reminder toleave no retail stone unturned.
The catch? I found myself between two sizes. Size 6.5 was a dash tight everywhere, although my long toes had plenty of room. The size 7 was too big, even with an added insole. So I remembered something my Mother used to do when she wanted some of her shoes to fit a little looser all over. In fact, this is how she used to break in brand new ballet shoes when she was a dancing teen back in the ’50s. The trick is towet your feet, put on the shoes and walk around in them for an hour or two. It’s a little squelch-y but you get used to it. Walk around at home, or take them out for a spin. Repeat the process a few times and you’ll find that the leather stretches over time and molds to the shape of your feet.
I received the pumps last Friday morning. In the afternoon I tried the wet foot trick around the house for a couple of hours. I repeated the exercise on Saturday morning, even taking them out to run errands. Yup. I was walking around with damp feet in brand new shoes. It’s not that bad! The shoes dried by the evening, by which time they were less tight and more comfy. So I wore them with hose and a skirt to a birthday party on Saturday night. I will repeat the process if they start to feel tight again. But so far, I’m sorted.
This shoe stretching method does have its drawbacks. First, it is most effective when the leather is really soft. And second, because you need to put the shoes through their paces with wet feet, it eliminates the option of returning them. But if the method does not work, you can still have them professionally stretched at Nordstrom or a cobbler. I could have gone that route in the first place, but decided not to. I had a pair of expensive pumps overstretched and have had to subsequently pop in two insoles so that they stay on my feet. Plus they never looked the same again.
Anyway, the wet foot trick might be worth a try from time to time when you just need a little more ease in the fit of your shoes.
71 comments·Add a comment
What a helpful trick, Angie. Thanks for sharing. These pumps are so pretty. White footwear is high on my priority list for summer.
Well, mother knows best
That’s a great tip. I used Shannon’s potato method to stretch out some oxfords, but this sounds like another good alternative.
The shoes are lovely too btw.
Interesting idea… My daughter wears half a size larger than myself and she volunteers to walk around in anything that I feel needs stretching… It works every time! I keep asking her if she is really ok doing this as I can’t imagine it’s comfortable, but she keeps reassuring me it’s fine. Since i never ask her and she has always volunteered it, I guess she really means it!
I’ve had a few peep toe sling backs that were tight in the toe area and I have put deodorant containers in them and left them for a week and it worked perfectly!
Diane G
Well who knew? I’ve never heard of that way of going about stretching a shoe, but it obviously works. I have a question though Angie… Does it only work if the shoes are leather lined or have no lining at all? I find that some shoes have a textile-type lining inside and wondered if it would work on those. BTW your shoes are lovely
No kidding! Now I’ve heard everything I find myself in between sizes all the time in U.S. sizing – why don’t they make size 6 3/4?? Meanwhile, it’s good to know the wet foot trick is an option!
Oh, Angie! How fascinating! I was just about to PM you with a question about your Loeffler-Randall Felix booties. (The question still being: would you say they’re narrow in width? I seem to remember you having a narrow foot.)
This will be a very useful tip, regardless!
Wow! So that’s why I used to pray for rain when I wore some shoes. Interesting! I am so excited to try this out.
Sounds squishy, but I will try it : > I have some lovely almost-right shoes.
Great tip – and great new shoes!
I own those very shoes and I too, will vouch for their beauty and comfort. I do nearly the same thing as you Angie, but instead of wetting my feet and walking in the shoes, I wet cloths and stuff them in the shoes very tightly. The operative word is VERY TIGHTLY. Has worked for me every time. I’ve enjoyed reading other comments.
SugarDragon
I heard of this, but with rubbing alcohol instead of water. Would alcohol be less likely to stain leather?
My feet are a half size apart a d this trick may be just the ticket to stretch the left shoe a bit. I’m also a fan of Shannon’s granny’s potato method.
Love these shoes…. I have done the wet shoe (boot) trick but never just used a wet foot. Sounds a lot quicker to dry than putting the shoe on then stepping in the filled bath tub! I have pinned these shoes (in metallic!) as a potential replacement for my worn gold wedges. thanks for sharing the shoe and trick
I have just tried to stretch some new oxford shoes. I tried a different method that someone told me about. Put a plastic bag (jiffy works well) with water in the shoe and then put it in the freezer. As the water freezes it expands and stretches the shoe. I think it has worked as the shoes do feel more comfortable today.
I would appreciate it if someone could let me know what Shannon’s Granny’s potato method is.
I just came across a similar sort of tip on how to stretch the waist band of jeans by up to an inch: spray liberally with warm water- front and back. Then pull/stretch on one side and then the other. wow, water can do even more tricks than I thought!
I have a foot that is a 1/2 size semiwide so this is always a problem for me. I’ve used the rubbing alcohol (I think Rae turned me on to that) and it worked for slightly tight shoes, but not all of them. I have never tried the full wet foot because it does sound squelchy. I have also had a pair (SE Pettys) stretched at Nordies successfully. I do think it works for real leather only and probably not on patent?
Gorgeous shoes, so nice to find a pair that tic all your boxes -and don’t have black soles!
Love the tip on how to stretch out leather – thank you!
Great idea, Angie- I’ll have to try it. I have a shoe stretch spray that works pretty well, but plain old water is simpler and always available. Thanks for the tip. Oh, and those are pretty white shoes, too!
Alicat
Thanks for the tip, Angie! Love the shoes, too.
Don’t mothers and grandmothers know EVERYTHING?! So glad the water trick worked for you Angie and I will keep this in mind as an alternative to the potato trick.
clearlyclaire
I love your new shoes Angie, and thanks for sharing the stretching out trick! I’m sometimes in between sizes, so that should really help. I can’t wait to see you sporting your new pumps in a fabulous outfit!
Great tip. Seems like I have been having that problem a lot lately. shoes are either too tight around my toes or my heel slips like crazy.
Great tip! I remember being told about it by my cousin (from an all-girls household, different from mine). We had bought new shoes for her and she despaired that she couldn’t wear them the following day at an event because she hadn’t “broke them in” Je ne les ai pas cassés, literally, I haven’t broke them, is what she had said in French, which had left me puzzled… she couldn’t wear her new shoes because she had not tore them yet? Then she explained that she meant wearing them for a couple of hours around the house to make them comfortable, completely floored that I had never heard of the concept myself. Nope. When you grow up with guys, you do like the guys and you don’t break your shoes unless you throw them on somebody. (Which I don’t recommend doing).
Anywho, you bring a new twist – or should I say contorsion – to this tip: wet the feet. Am trying it this very morning with very cute but slightly tight pointy toed flats.
Would it also work with patented leather?
Wet feet! Amazing. I wonder if Shannon’s grandmother’s “potato” trick is similar because a potato, after all, is damp. Another trick I’ve heard is to put them in the freezer stuffed with water-filled baggies.
As for me, I am glad for the tip on sizing of these particular beauties. I suspect I might be personally safer with a 7 in these!
Clever trick! I think I shall try this on my wedding shoes, since I’ve been trying to break them in before the actual wedding. I think this is easier than the potato thing because I never seem to have a potato that’s the right size!
Great tip, and another reason to buy leather shoes with leather lining!
Well, I never heard of such a thing! Thanks for the tip. I’m going to try it on some shoes that have been giving me problems.
amazing tip! I have to try with a pair I have at home!
Those are so pretty, Angie, and what a fantastic tip for stretching shoes. I can use all the help I can get in that department.
I’m glad this was a helpful tip
Shannon, correct me if I’m wrong, but you soak potatoes and pop them into the shoes. The potato swells and so does the shoe. Is that right? Good old Granny!
Day Vies, you crack me up.
Krish, you also crack me up. In my experience, patent has never stretched all that easily.
Diane G, shoes with a leather lining will stretch more easily. These pumps are leather lined, which was a bonus. My guess is that shoes with a synthetic lining stretch less well.
Angie – no soaking of the potatoes required. You simply find one that is slightly wider than the shoe and shove it in, with the peel still on. Because the potato is soft there is no damage done to the shoe and the moisture already in the potato softens the leather.
Oh I have to try this!
Thanks for chiming in again, Shannon. Potatoes are quite moist already. I never thought about like that. Hah! Fun
I think I’m going to have to try this. I have a pair of black Donald Pliner sling back kitten heels that are so pointy and a tad tight. I’ve worn them some but haven’t been reaching for them lately ‘cuz they hurt and I’m just not into that:).
I’m not sure I’d buy a new pair counting on them to stretch. (The Donalds were a gift.) I’m kind of paranoid that way.
Wow, never heard of this before! I get mine professionally stretched. Sounds like the wetness doesn’t damage the leather?
Am glad to report I’ve been doing this all morning on patented Beautifeel sandals http://www.sierratradingpost.c.....n~p~5334n/ and it worked!
Little tip: there was a place where it pinched: on top of wetting my foot, I wetted cotton pads (the round flat ones to remove makeup) and placed them between my feet and the leather while wearing the sandals for a couple of hours cleaning and moving around.
Or wear thick very damp socks if you’re squeamish about sticking wet feet in your shoes. It’s also quieter!
For some reason this sounds like a big “OUCH!” to me! How do you keep your feet from blistering when they are wet and inside of too tight shoes? Doesn’t it hurt your feet?
P.S. – the shoes are fab!
It’s not sore at all, Marley. On the contrary. It’s comfy – although squelchy.
Sihaya, no leather damage.
Krish! Thanks for chiming back in! Cute sandals and great extra tip
Ok. This is the cleverest trick ever! Maybe I should fish those Anne Klein shoes I have out of the donate pile and give it a try. Altho, they’re patent. Hmm…
Excellent tip for my fussy feet and new shoes! And I love the shoes as well! They are pointy without looking TOO pointy, if that makes sense. They look comfy and are tempting!
Wet feet. Potatoes. Rain. What a shoe party!!! Love it and I am blown away by these shoe-stretching tips. I just thought I’d have to donate my tight shoes or sell them on eBay.
I sure would have loved to have met your mother as you share her wonderful stories along the way. Angie, these are beautiful shoes and I love all the color choices on Zappos. I’m usually a two-inch heel person and notice these are two-and-a-half inches, but I don’t think that would make much of a difference since they are leather with a comfortable toe bed.
Great tip, Angie! And very pretty shoes.
Hmm. This is a very interesting tip, Angie. I’ve never heard this before. And thank you for sharing your (unfortunate) experience with shoes that were overstretched. I will tread carefully when it comes to professional stretching in the future.
I’m guessing this method wouldn’t work well for patent shoes since the leather isn’t very soft. I have a pair of patent pumps that are a wee bit tight on one foot….
Vicki, good catch! I’ll be talking more about these shoes tomorrow and mentioning the incorrect info on the site. They are a 2 inch heel. Higher and I would not be able to wear them.
Brenda
I checked them out online. The Gold Cross Hatch color looks interesting.
Chiming back in! I’ve been thinking… How does one style white pumps in a current and modern way?
Love the shoes, but I’m an old-fashioned girl. I’m shocked, SHOCKED!, that you wore white shoes before Memorial Day!
;->
Ohhhhh! Can’t wait for more on these shoes, because I’m liking a few of the metallic and may replace some now overly-worn kitten heels. I’m waiting for your next installment tomorrow.
Now this is a trick that will certainly come in handy. Congratulations on finding your shoes!
And did you see these in the herringbone? They’re amazing! Are they really only 2″ heels? Maybe I could pull them off? I think I’m in love – and at such a great price.
Your Mum was a clever lady, Angie, thanks for sharing her tried and true tip with us. It would never have occurred to me, but you bet I’ll be trying this out if I even experience a tad of tightness with new shoes.
Gorgeous pumps, by the way. Modern and chic!
Fab shoes Angie:)
I’d never heard of the water method either but a chemist friend told me that shoe stretch is just methylated spirits mixed with water & some added perfume to hide the smell, so it makes sense.
I just read the rubbing alcohol trick somewhere. But I might try Ruthe’s trick of wet rags in the shoes. I’m afraid my wet feet all day will make them smelly!
I own these shoes in black and I love them!
As for stretching, what I do is find the thickest atheletic socks (my DH’s), then wear (don’t need to walk) with the tight shoe for an hour or less. It hurts a bit though. So next time ill try Angie’s squishy method.
Not a hint of odour, Mamavalveeta. Trust me on that!
Update: I wore the white pumps today for 4 hours and they worked out really well.
Melinda, the only style rule we are not allowed to break is that we MUST have fun with fashion. The rest of the rules were made to be broken
Jamie, white is such a modern colour. I wear my white pumps with just about anything. It bookends the white in my hair. Today, I wore them with white BF jeans, blue and white BF shirt and gold belt. I wore them with yellow tartan skinnies, white pullover and white belt the day before. They look great with my frocks too. You’ll see me wear my new white pumps a lot, so stay tuned.
Thanks, Angie! Can’t wait!
Interesting! I’ll have to give that a try, though most of my stretching needs come up with patent leather which probably wouldn’t work with this method. Those pumps are sooo close to what I’ve been trying to find, if only they were 3″. Actually, I’d probably spring for the lower heel height of these if the toe were REALLY pointy. I’m just not able to find what I want, though, and white pumps would pull together a lot of looks for me so these might be a good option in the meantime. I look forward to hearing more about these shoes tomorrow!
I actually tried your trick today, Angie, with a pair of sandals with a strap that comes to close to my bunion. Worked like a charm. Can’t wait to try this on all my shoe orphans!
I see a pair of white pumps in your future, Jamie
Oh! Thanks for chiming in, Carole. That’s brilliant news for your bunion.
I’m stubborn. If the shoe doesn’t fit and feel good in the store, it stays there. I have wasted too much money on shoes that tore my feet up and were too uncomfortable to wear.
I wish I’d seen this before I passed up those fab studded cowboy boots out in Santa Fe. Maybe I could’ve made the 7.5 work for me.
Well, I have successfully used Shannon’s method, and it worked a treat!
There is nothing worse than a shoe that is just that bit too tight, is there?
This just reminded me- how is your toe healing Angie?
Mine was broken a couple of months ago and is still a little uncomfortable in some of my shoes!
I hope yours is progressing well.
Kelly
great idea! we used to wear in our Army boots (when they used to be leather) by soaking them in hot water and then wearing them. I’d never thought of doing it with normal shoes. I’ve got a pair of loafers that I’ll be sorting tomorrow – thanks!
Great tip Angie! I have never heard this one, but it’s going to stick in my mind now. Thanks!
I’ve never heard of this before. What a neat trick! Thank for sharing!
I wish I had known this before my sons wedding. I had bought two pairs of shoes. On the day, my favourite pair were tight so I wore the others. They were ok, but the ones left at home were particularly lovely, but I couldn’t take the chance .
Wow, this worked great. On patent leather pumps, too! Not too squishy or unpleasant either. I used my plant mister to lightly wet the front of my foot to stretch out the toe box and my foot just comfortably glided into the shoe where it had felt tight a few minutes before. I wore the shoes for a few hours, respraying my foot when I felt it was drying out — and wallah, a perfect fit, even days later. Thanks, Angie for this great, simple tip.
Yay. I’m glad it worked.
Just popping back in here nearly nine years after this post first went up to vouch for its timeless effectiveness. I’m using the wet feet trick as we speak to help a new pair of loafers mold to my wide feet. It’s worked beautifully in the past with everything from sandals to ballet flats, and I can feel the loafers easing up already. This tip’s a consistent winner, Angie – thanks so much for sharing it!
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