Never have there been more opportunities to buy shoes online than today. All types of shoes and boots are available, from cheap canvas trainers and beach flip flops to expensive dress shoes and boots. The reasons for buying online are as varied as the range of shoes, but the bottom line is: can a shoe bought online be expected to fit? Are there ways to improve the odds that footwear ordered off the web will be comfortable and meet your needs?
Go With What You Know
If you really enjoy wearing a particular brand and style of shoe because you know it fits, replacing that shoe with an online purchase is probably a good bet. Maybe the price is attractive or perhaps certain colors or materials are available easily only online. Even when relying on previous experience with the shoes, one thing that would be prudent is to read reviews of the shoe you intend to purchase on the web site from which you are considering buying. If your last purchase of this favorite shoe was some time ago, pay particular attention to reviews that comment about any sizing changes--length, width or even toe box and instep issues can arise if the company has made any alterations to the last, the shoe making form used to craft the shoes.
Learn By Doing
Don’t have a clue how those to-die-for shoes you found online will fit? You have a couple of options, The first is to find the shoe locally so you can try it on. Really. Although we (Valentino Garemi) carry many products that can soothe your feet from the ravages of poorly fitting shoes, definitely prefer you take advantage of any opportunity to see first hand if the shoe fits before you buy it. After trying it on and finding the fit acceptable you can buy it and walk right out, or you can go back online to purchase there. A better price, a different color, more points on a loyalty card can all make an online purchase of a shoe sensible, if it fits.
The second way to approximate fitting the shoe is to use all the tools the online realtor makes available, including information from the manufacturer or brand. Often a responsible online source will include fitting notes in the product description and a link to the company’s website. Again reviews can be helpful in determining whether a particular shoe runs long or short, narrow or wide, so read the fine print.
Try Again
Be sure you understand the return policy of your online shoe source. Typically if the only problem is with the fit you will at a minimum need to make sure the shoe is in unworn condition when returning. How do you try it on then, you say? Make sure you try it on and walk on only on carpeted areas of your home. Some online shoe sources will only issue a credit for another shoe, a real problem if you discover the brand is just not for you. If you know this going into the purchase protect yourself as well as you can by using every method possible to discover how the shoe fits. Like any online purchase, follow the instructions that come with the shoes when returning. You may need to print out an authorization, You certainly should keep the box and packaging until you are sure the shoes will work; using them to return the product is a good idea if necessary.
Final Words
Shoes will probably fit best if you are able to try them on before purchase, but life is not always that simple. Use these tips and your common sense when ordering footwear online and you will have a better chance of enjoying stepping out in those online beauties.
