Shoes are one of those things that a lot of people have been buying at thrift or thrift stores lately.. This is a way to find a branded pair for affordable money or to please yourself with inexpensive original shoes, sneakers or sandals. To find those perfect shoes, you should follow a few rules. Which ones exactly, says Refinery29.
People, going to a second-hand store, often do not know what shoes they need, and often make situational purchases, guided by a momentary impulse. To avoid wasting your money, decide right away what kind of shoes you need.. If you are looking for red cowboy boots, be prepared to visit more than one store and, possibly, more than one city.. Replacing your dream with the first boots you come across is a so-so decision.
Never ask your friends to buy you shoes, even if they know all the requirements down to the shade and heel height. Go to the store in person. Shoes are something that must be tried on.. Vintage shoes often run small, so you run the risk of spending money on a pair you won't be able to wear and won't be able to return..
When buying used shoes, the first thing you should pay attention to is their condition.. This will tell you a lot about how often or for how long the shoes were worn by their previous owners, how long they have left to live, and how comfortable they will be for you.. Check the shoe for wear by inspecting the body to see if there are deep creases in the leather or discoloration. The heel of a shoe tells you a lot. Is the heel level with the floor or are there places where the rubber has worn off High heels usually have layers of wood and a piece of rubber that touches the ground - check to see if this rubber has worn off. If you see wood, this is a sign that these shoes are very worn.. The outsole will also show signs of wear.. Dyed soles will begin to wear off after the first wear and will gradually continue to wear off from then on.. Imprints and dents from small stones will indicate that the shoes were worn outdoors.
When you bring your used shoes home, you will need to wash them thoroughly to remove any bacteria that may be living in them.. Use warm water and a damp cloth and wipe the shoes inside and out. To disinfect the inside, make a solution of tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol and water. Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a fantastic and safe cleanser.. It is also an excellent deodorant. Rubbing alcohol is not safe to use on leather and suede, so be sure to only use it on fabric and nylon.
Removable insoles can be replaced, soles can be washed with soap, warm water and a brush, the inside can be disinfected with spray or wipes, or even buy UV shoe sanitizers.
Another understandable problem is wear and tear.. Buying a completely torn pair of shoes isn't the best idea, but if you find just the right pair, even if they're not in the best condition, they can be brought back to life. The main thing is to find your master. He can refit and replace heels on most standard shoes, and change the soles of everything from Birkenstocks to combat boots.. Just make sure the rest of the shoe is in good enough condition to justify repairs.
If you have a creative streak, an imperfect pair of thrift store shoes can be turned into unique and stylish ones.. Suede shoes or sandals can be repainted, and the sandals can be decorated with embroidery and beads.
Focus previously wrote about what clothes you shouldn’t buy at a second-hand store.