In 2020 alone, over 80% of consumers made online purchases. Spring is here and it’s time to refresh your wardrobe; shopping online for shoes is the way to go. Out with the snow boots and fluffy slippers and in with the warm-weather kicks.
Most people are buying their clothes and accessories online now, but choosing shoes online can be a challenge. You can’t try your shoes on ahead of purchasing them, and if you’re a half size, this may be difficult.
We’re here to offer a bit of advice to help you find the perfect pair of shoes. Read on to learn more.
Start By Checking Your Closet
Before you even look at the first online shoe store, make sure that you take inventory of the shoes that you already own. We all have style preferences, and sometimes those preferences can lead us to buy near-replicas of shoes that are already in our wardrobes!
Do you really need a new pair of heels? Is your closet really missing another pair of running shoes when yours are still in good condition? Probably not, so don’t waste your money and precious closet space.
If you know that you want a new pair of shoes, but you already have something similar, consider donating the pair that you already have. This way you’ll make room for the new shes and you won’t waste the old ones.
Know Your Exact Size and Measurements
This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people buy a pair of shoes online just to realize that they don’t fit when they arrive. They bought the right size (or so they thought), so what happened?
Shoes are very difficult to buy online because feet are all so unique. If your feet are slightly wider than average, a less flexible pair of shoes in your size might not fit you.
Shoes also vary, even within the same brands. You may find that a pair of sneakers from one brand in a size 7 fits perfectly, but another pair from the same brand is far too small.
Don’t even get us started on buying shoes from other countries. The shoe size options are all different, and even finding equivalent sizes isn’t an exact science.
Lucky for you, most online shoe stores provide sizing charts with measurements on them. Measure your feet before you buy your shoes so you can make sure that you get a perfect fit.
Remember, you want your shoes to be comfortable. It’s better to go a size up than a size down, especially if you know that the shoes aren’t going to stretch or “wear in.”
Try Similar Shoes On In-Person First (If Possible)
If possible, it’s always better to try on a similar pair of shoes in a brick-and-mortar shoe store before you make a final purchase online.
There are plenty of reasons that someone would shop online rather than in person. The prices might be better, there might be more varieties, or you might have coupon codes. Regardless, the biggest downside of shopping online is that you won’t be able to try before you buy.
If you can’t find an identical pair of shoes at a local shoe store, try to find a similar pair that comes from the same brand. They may not feel identical, but you’ll get a good idea of whether or not the shoes are actually going to work for you.
Walk around in them for a minute, see how they look on your feet, and then make your online purchase. You won’t regret it.
Don’t Always Put Form Over Function
When you’re shopping online and there are so many options, it’s hard to remember that shoes are functional above all else. An uncomfortable or unnecessary pair of shoes will live, unused, in your closet forever.
Make sure that you know why you’re buying the shoes in the first place and that you don’t get sucked in by a good price and a unique look.
Let’s say that you suddenly get drawn in by a flashy pair of 8-inch platform heels. Those shoes are fabulous, but if you know that you’re never going to be able to walk in them, what’s the point of buying them? Those are what most people would consider “sitting shoes” and they’ll just take up space in your closet.
If you struggle with painful foot problems, you’ll also want to make sure that stylish shoes aren’t replacing comfortable and supportive air-conditioned shoes . Sure, that new pair of trendy sneakers might be cute, but if they don’t offer the arch support that you need, why would you buy them?
Browse Different Shops
Even if you have a go-to online shoe store, consider window shopping a bit on different websites to make sure that you assess all of your options. You might be missing a better deal or a more appealing pair of shoes!
Rarer pairs, like the Vans Sk8 Mid, may not be available in the colors or sizes that you want from more popular shoe stores. You’ll have to dig deeper to find what you want.
For unique or out-of-style shoes, don’t underestimate reseller sites. You can get a good deal on a pre-loved pair of vintage shoes that you never would have found in a conventional shop.
Read Online Customer Reviews
If you can’t find the shoes in a local shoe store, the only information that you have access to is the product description and the photos. This isn’t often enough to know whether or not a pair of shoes is really right for you.
Customer reviews will fill in the gaps. They’ll let you know if the shoes are sized correctly, if they’re high-quality, and if the shipping was quick. Look for reviews with photos so you can see what the shoes look like in real life.
Choosing Shoes Online Is Easy
There are so many shoe stores on the web that shopping can be overwhelming! Use this brief guide to make choosing shoes online a breeze. You’ll find your new favorite pair of kicks in no time.
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