WHAT style shoe should I wear? Is this my correct size? How can I tell if the shoes are really well made? These questions and many more must be answered each time a pair of shoes is selected and bought.
It is important to answer these questions wisely, for the purchase of a new pair of shoes can have a profound effect on a person's overall health and happiness. Ill-fitting footwear can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, even leading to headaches, backaches and leg cramps. To a large degree, painful foot ailments such as corns, nail troubles, toe deformities and flat feet can be avoided by a careful selection of footwear.
Do Not Sacrifice Comfort for Style
How, then, should one go about buying shoes? Unfortunately, many choose shoes for style rather than for comfort. More often than not, this type of buying leads to considerable pain. Further, the owner will probably cast off the shoes, being no longer able to endure this form of self-torture in the interest of fashion.
So, in buying shoes, do not sacrifice comfort for style. Select appropriate shoes for 'the purpose for which they will be used: walking, working, casual, special occasions, or constant wear.
Be Sure of the Right Fit
You can buy good shoes but still end up with painful feet if you are not careful to get a good fit. Helpful in this regard is checking the time of day before you buy a pair of shoes. Why? Because if it is very early in the morning, you may not get the right fit. Since feet tend to swell somewhat as the day wears on, it is wise to buy shoes in the late afternoon. Remember, too, that hot weather will cause one's feet to expand.
Many persons find it desirable to have their feet measured when purchasing new shoes. For one thing, sizes may vary with different makes of shoes. Some have found, too, that it is wise to stand while their feet are being measured. The foot will expand, and one is more likely to get a better all-round fit. Further, since one foot is likely to be slightly larger than the other, have both feet measured and pick a size to fit the larger foot.
Heels should be snug but not tight. Also the height and shape of the heel need to be considered, especially in women's shoes. Women generally have four times as much foot trouble as men, largely because of high-heeled shoes. The higher the heel, the more the body is projected forward, and to maintain balance the body is bent backward at the hips. This is unnatural and results in a variety of leg and back problems if unreasonably high heels are worn over an extended period of time. Generally speaking, heels should not be higher than one and a half inches and should produce a good broad base on which to stand. Almost naillike or so-called "spike" heels are not conducive to good foot care and posture.
The widest part of your foot should spread easily across the widest part of the shoe. There should be enough room for the toes to lie straight, and the shoe should be a little longer than the longest toe. If you cannot wiggle your toes to some extent, the shoe is too small. When shoes are too tight or too short, toes may be forced back into an inverted V position called hammertoe, a common deformity. A shoe ought to be comfortable when you buy it; it is unwise to rely on a "breaking in" process to ensure comfort.
After buying a pair of shoes, you can try them on again at home, but walk only on a rug. If you have doubts about the fit, you may be able to exchange your purchase.
Children shoes
Special attention should be paid to the selection of children's shoes. Poorly adjusted shoes are the most common cause of foot problems in children and adolescents. The problem is often that they outgrow their shoes. In this sense, The World Book Encyclopedia states:
"In children 2 to 6 years of age, the size of the shoes changes every 4 to 8 weeks, from 6 to 10 years, sizes change every 2 or 3 months. Months until your feet are fully developed. "
Many parents who have children who quickly outgrow their shoes rather than wear them discover that a brand of low-cost shoes serves the purpose. When you buy them, one can feel inside the shoes and check the rough edges that could cause discomfort.
Children's feet are growing and need careful attention to prevent deformities in later life. In the United States, the American Medical Association estimates that between 50 and 80 percent of children have some foot defects. Therefore, it is good to leave some "growing room" when selecting children's shoes, possibly three quarters of an inch of space in the toe area. Be careful of signs of wear that develop in one place consistently, as this may indicate that shoes are too small or poorly adjusted and could cause abnormalities in the feet. Usually, it is not a good policy to pass shoes from one child to another, because the shoes are molded to the characteristics of the user's foot.
Search for quality and workmanship
Especially when shoes are for adults, quality and good workmanship are important because you want them to last. Carefully examine the shoes you plan to buy. Watch for signs of poor and neglected construction. At the top, loose threads, seams with rough edges and excess volume, extended needle holes and visible traces of stickers are things to keep in mind when buying shoes. Also check the sole stitch; If it is uneven and leaves the edge, it is a sign of poor labor.
Is the shoe lined up? It should be, at least in the upper opening, to avoid stretching and friction and to absorb perspiration.
Low-priced shoes are not always a bargain when it comes to durability, appearance and comfort. Really comfortable shoes usually cost more. Do not judge the durability of a shoe by mere thickness of outer soles. Durability depends more on the quality of the workmanship and leather.
Shoe Care
Important for the life of the shoe is proper care. Yet shoes are often one of the most neglected items in a person's wardrobe. When you buy a new pair of shoes, it is wise to lubricate them with a good polish before using them; This will protect the finish.
The first few times you wear new shoes it is good to be sure that tongues and laces are smooth and straight. Then they are likely to remain that way for the life of the shoe, but if they start crooked, they can stay that way.
A shoehorn helps to put on shoes, and it is good to loosen the laces when removing them. This prevents the seams from tearing and the back from breaking.
If you have more than one pair of shoes, you can lengthen your life considerably using one pair a day, and a different pair the next day. Ventilation between wear helps prevent perspiration from rotting the leather. As for shoes not in use, many people find it beneficial to put a shape or shoe tree on them. This prevents wrinkles and wrinkles. However, the type of shape used should not cut off the free flow of air and, therefore, prevent the air shoe from properly.
From time to time the shoes should receive a cleaning. Wash with a damp cloth, sponge or brush, preferably with leather soap. This eliminates encrusted foreign matter and allows the polish to work on more freely. Do not neglect the edge of the sole and heel in the cleaning process. Rapid rubbing with a cloth warms the leather, making it more receptive to polish.
Apply a moderate amount of shoe enamel and work well with an applicator. A breath of dust does a good job as an applicator and can often be kept inside a can of enamel. Rub the shoe quickly with a polishing cloth. This works the wax on the leather, producing a dry, hard finish and leaving no excess wax. The luster will last for some time and can be renewed by a quick rinse. To maintain a good appearance, repeat this process as often as necessary, possibly once a week if the shoes are worn consistently.
Be sure to have replaced heels and soles as needed. In addition to looking shabby, heels and shoes out of place place a strain on the feet.
The shoes you wear definitely have a great effect on your health and your enjoyment of life. Therefore, you are wise if you choose your footwear carefully, avoiding the excesses of fashion, taking into account the need for comfort, durability and a pleasing appearance.
