Your favorite pair of dress shoes is getting pretty banged up, and they don’t look quite professional enough any more. You’ve noticed some discomfort after walking around in a pair of old boots all day. Your hiking boots aren’t exctly waterproof anymore. You really just need a new pair of shoes to step up your style.
Whatever your reason for shopping may be, we here at Englin’s Fine Footwear want to make sure you get the most out of your experience! Find the perfect pair of shoes by asking yourself the following five questions before you buy:
What do I plan to do in them?
Do you need a supportive and stylish flat for work like the Vionic Women's Ava or are you looking for something with a little bit of height like the OluKai Women's Ho'ou'i?
Knowing what activities you’ll be doing in your new footwear is important. You want to make sure that you buy something both comfortable enough and durable enough for those activities. Are you looking for something to wear at work where you’ll be spending most of the day on your feet? You should probably consider shoes with a lower heel height and comfortable insoles. Do you plan to wear the shoes on hikes or other outdoor adventures? You’re going to want something designed specifically for durability.
Consider the occasions on which you plan to wear your new shoes. By knowing what you need from a pair of shoes in terms of comfort, durability, and style you can get an idea of what types of footwear and brands might have what you’re looking for! Knowing what you need out of a shoe is an important first step towards making sure you go home with the perfect pair!
What size do I wear?
You might be surprised to learn that your shoe size can change over time! Aging, pregnancy, and a host of other factors can cause your feet to change size. We suggest reading up on proper shoe sizing right here on our blog and having your shoe size measured by a professional at least once a year.
What do I plan to wear with these shoes?
Neon sandals and pop culture prints are eye catching and appealing; however, to make sure that you’ll get the most wear out of a pair of shoes make sure that what you’re buying can be easily integrated into your existing wardrobe. We’ve all bought a pair of shoes that we absolutely adore but just can’t seem to find anything to wear with. Prevent shoes from piling up unworn on the closet floor by considering how you’ll wear them before you buy.
Of course, sometimes your closet needs a major shakeup. Styles and tastes change, but the same question holds true. Even if you’re looking to completely revamp your style, it helps to have an idea of what you want your new look to be! If you’re a young professional looking to upgrade to a business-appropriate wardrobe, imagine what kind of shoes you’ll need to finish off your looks. Conversely, if you’re recently retired and trying to take your wardrobe in the opposite direction, think about what shoes work well with more casual styles.
Do I know how to care for these shoes?
Shoe care is tricky, but taking good care of your shoes means that your investment will look nicer and last longer. Suede requires different cleaning methods than leather; tall boots have more issues regarding keeping their shape than short boots; sandal footbeds get dirty more quickly than other footbeds because they’re more exposed. Basically, every shoe is going to have a different set of needs when it comes to caring for it, and you want to make sure that you know what those needs are. Luckily the internet is full of resources! Pinterest is full of helpful hacks (and you can even follow us @englinsfinefootwear!) and of course we have two blog posts full of shoe care knowledge that you can find here and here!
How do I know I’m getting the best value for my money?
Everybody wants the most bang for their buck! Investing in a good pair of shoes is one way to make sure that you get it. Our prices can be higher than, say, a discount shoe store, but our brands are high quality (it's right in our name: Fine Footwear!). When you purchase a pair of excellently crafted shoes that pair of shoes is going to last. In contrast, a cheap pair of shoes will look good for a while, but they will quickly begin to show signs of wear. The lower-quality material used to produce that shoe will be more vulnerable to damage and won't be built to be easily taken care of. You'll have to replace that shoe every year and possibly even more frequently! Shoes made with better materials last longer. Leather can be reconditioned; firmly affixed soles will remain attached to shoes; water-proofed or water-repellent shoes won't suffer in harsh weather. A high-quality shoe may cost more upfront, but you'll be able wear those shoes season after season without having to replace them. Over time you'll actually save money by not having to shell out to replace your shoes year after year! In fact, some companies will even repair your shoe if it gets damaged for a lower price than buying a whole new pair of shoes, saving you even more money in the long run.
Keeping an eye out for special events and savings is another great way to get a good value for your money. Englin’s Fine Footwear is coming up on trunk show season (an event you can learn more about here), so we’ve got something going on in stores almost every weekend in September. Being on our email list is a great way to find out when trunk shows and other sales are going on, so be sure to sign up in store or by scrolling to the bottom of this page and signing up for our newsletter!
Taking the time to ask yourself a few questions before you commit to purchasing a pair of shoes can be the difference between purchasing your new favorite pair of shoes and purchasing a pair of shoes that end up lost and unworn in the back of your closet. Every foot and every brand is slightly different, however, so it's natural that you might have more specific questions. If you need more personalized answers, don't hesitate to reach out to us! The footwear professionals on our customer service team can be reached by the live chat feature here on our website, via phone at 1-800-705-SHOE (7463), by Facebook messenger, or in one of our fine physical retail locations!
Now that you know the right questions questions to ask, head over to englinsfinefootwear.com and find the perfect pair!