Just How Bad Can It Be?

Well, in some cases, very bad.

Every person has, or will, experience at least one shoe crisis in their lifetime.

Whether it’s a broken heel, strap, zipper, torn shoelace, ripped fabric, lost jewels, or something else, sooner or later, a “shoe crisis” will rear its ugly head, and you will find yourself wondering what you could’ve done to avoid it, or where to go to fix it.

Big or small, when this happens, hopefully, you are wearing your shoes and not someone else’s.  And that you asked before you put them on.

That Awful Feeling   

If you’ve ever destroyed another person’s shoes, you know just how troubling and hurtful it can be, especially if you wore them without asking.  Equally as disturbing is when someone wears your shoes without permission and destroys them beyond repair or replacement.

In either case, depending on your affection for the damaged pair, it can be a devastating experience.  However, a shoe crisis is not limited to damaged, destroyed, scuffed, or faded shoes.  Other scenarios can be just as disastrous, if not more so.

What Could Be Worse? 

Consider this scenario:

You order the perfect pair of shoes for a special occasion, the mail get’s held up or lost, and they’re not delivered to your door in time.

Umm, C.R.I.S.I.S!

Another scenario:

You’re getting married, and you order shoes for your bridesmaids.  They arrive a week or so before the big day, and when you open the box, the color is all wrong.

There goes your excitement down the drain — a very crushing moment.  And no matter what anyone says, it won’t make a difference because nothing, at that moment, will make you feel better.

How are you going to handle this crisis?

Ah, Crisis Averted!

There will be situations out of your control, like the scenarios mentioned above, and in those cases, you’d probably avoid ordering from that store again.  Or perhaps you’d double the number of months in advance to give yourself enough time to correct the problem adequately should it arise again.

Nonetheless, follow these tips, and you will avoid the most common shoe crises that can occur in a lifetime:

• DON’T EVER borrow another person’s shoes unless you have to, especially if they are expensive!

• NEVER loan your shoes to anyone unless the possibility of them being damaged is not an issue for you.

• If you have to order shoes for yourself or a group for a special occasion, order them at least 2-3 months earlier to ensure they get to you in time and can be returned for correction if there’s a problem.

• Weatherproof your shoes accordingly.

• Try to store your shoes in boxes, if possible.  If not, keep them in a cool area away from heat and sun.  Otherwise, you run the risk of material discoloration and may cause the soles to separate from the shoes when worn – simply because the glue becomes weaker when left in the heat.

• Always carry a backup pair of heels or flats in a soft cloth bag when attending an event.

• To avoid getting unnecessary scuffs and tears on your shoes from constantly shuffling your feet under your desk, driving, or leaning on the heels and sides of your shoes, keep a pair of flats in your desk drawer or your car to change into when needed.

• To preserve the appearance of your shoes, replace the heel tips at the first sign of imbalance.  This will prevent ripping the material at the base of the heel.  Additionally, invisible protectors are also suitable for this.

• Remove debris from your shoes immediately to not stain the fabric, especially if they are not leather.

• Consider using sole protectors to protect the soles of your shoes and heel stoppers for walking in grass or crossing through dirt or sand.

Stick to these tips, and you will minimize the number of crises you have in a lifetime; ignore them, and your shoes will become history a lot sooner than you would like.

Have a personal tip to share?  Tell us below …