We’ve all done it – seen a pair of shoes that look divine but that we never actually wear once we’ve purchased them, or trying to squeeze ourselves into footwear never designed for our shoe size in the first place.
These are just some of the common mistakes many of us make over the years when buying shoes, whether sneakers, sandals, heels, loafers, boots or other designs. Give yourself less grief and guilt and save money by making sensible choices. There are many common shopping mistakes to avoid.
In This Post
Making Rushed Decisions
If you’re like many people, you’ve probably rushed a buying decision when shopping. Unfortunately, not taking enough time to work out whether a pair of shoes suits or not can lead to regrets. When rushing, you won’t spend enough trying shoes on and will likely miss finding out about the terms and conditions of purchase, too, which can come back to bite you.
Often these quick and less-than-ideal decisions happen if you spot a pair of shoes at a significant discount, especially when they’re the last ones in stock. Not wanting to miss out, you might snap them up without carefully considering your choice. Also, it can happen if you’re shopping with a group of people and are getting the hurry-up, or when you find interesting footwear just before a shop is about to close.
Rather than spending money on a product that isn’t right, ask stores if they can hold shoes for you until the next day. This way, you can think about your selection more and try the pair on again when not so rushed.
Sacrificing Comfort for Style
Another mistake is sacrificing comfort for style. Admit it: haven’t you bought at least one pair of shoes just because they looked cool, and you disregarded if they’d actually be comfortable enough to wear over and over again?
While it’s easy to get caught up in temptation when shopping, try to remember that you’ll be wasting your money if you buy footwear with heels that are too high or narrow or shoes that rub the back of your ankle, squeeze your toes, etc. Don’t assume that the size you usually wear will work for a new brand or even the latest shoes released by a designer you buy from often. Sizings change from style to style and year to year.
There’s no point splurging on gorgeous products if they end up gathering dust in your closet because you can’t force yourself to wear them. Hold out for footwear that not only looks great but feels nice, too, and fits appropriately. For example, check out a Cavender’s boot store near you for shoes that are stylish but also designed and manufactured well, so they support your feet rather than hurting them.
Not Considering Current Wardrobe Options
Have you ever bought a pair of shoes you fell in love with when browsing in-store or online but then got the products home and realized you had nothing to wear them with? If so, you’re not alone! Avoid outlaying money on shoes you won’t get much wear out of by considering all your current wardrobe options first. Think about the colors of clothes in your closet, as well as what shoes you already own.
Buying Cheap Over Quality
Don’t forgo quality for a bargain, either. You’re typically better off investing in quality shoes rather than cheap ones as they last longer, provide more support, are more comfortable, and tend to look more elegant. More expensive offerings may seem like too much of a splurge, but consider the financial impact of buying cheap gear that only lasts a couple of months or needs constant repair work.
Consider Practicalities
Other factors to consider when you go shoe shopping next include practicalities like durability, weather appropriateness, maintenance needs (some shoes are easier to clean than others), and how fast shoes are to get on and off. Products with lots of laces or tricky zippers and the like might look cool, but if they’re a pain to get onto your feet, you probably won’t end up wearing them much.
If shoes have lots of adornment on them, check to see if they’re well attached or not, too. Also, check return policies and, when buying online, find out about shipping costs and timeframes, especially when you need new footwear in a hurry for an event.
These are the key elements to keep top of mind when you next shop for shoes. Take your time when buying and think things through so you don’t waste any money.