This document provides tips for choosing comfortable and high-quality shoes. It recommends going up one full shoe size for heels to allow for foot swelling. Heels between 1.5-2 inches are most comfortable for long workdays. Leather shoes are most breathable and flexible, while synthetic materials are less comfortable and durable. Shoes that are tight when trying on will not stretch enough. Key things to check for quality include equal heel height, a straight top line, good stitching and adhesive, and a stitched leather sole. Sandals should match outfits and fit properly without hanging over edges.

1. Finishing Touch –
Shoes
Ihaveneverhadaproblemconvincingwomenofthe
importanceofshoes.It'sthemenwhoweartheir
shoesforever,andgetthemsoledandresoledlike
they'redesperatetokeepanoldfriend.It'sthetype
ofshoethatwomenchoosethatcanmakeorbreaka
totallyfinishedlook.Also,thecaretheygivetheir
shoesiskeyingivingthatall-importantfinishing
touch.Scuffedheels,sloppyfit,andsaltmarkscan
befixedinmoments.Aswelltheyshould!

2. Heels
Allow me to share an old model's trick with you. A lot of modeling is not as glamorous as you may
have been led to believe.There are levels of modeling that include promotion work, trade shows,
and other similar assignments. It means that these beautiful models must remain on
their feet, in high heels, and looking glamorous for hours at a time. How do they do it
without collapsing? The secret is to go up one full size from your regular shoe
size. If you're a size 8 in a loafer, then you would take a size 9 in a three-inch
heel. This allows for the inevitable swelling that takes place during the day.
For those who need to look “together” and polished throughout a long
and tedious workday, heels from one and a half to two inches
high are the most comfortable. Also, don't
overlookcomfortinsertsavailableatdrugstores.
Fabric
If you can afford the rich, buttery leather of a designer shoe, your benefits
include comfort and flexibility. If it's completely out of your price
range,trytostayawayfromheavy,man-madematerials.
They don't last very long, and they are low on the comfort
scale. It's impossible for a foot to breathe in vinyl or plastic.
Shoes that are tight when you are being fitted will never
become comfortable. The one exception is suede, which
does tend to stretch after wearing. Perhaps you have those
shoes that you just couldn't resist—the ones that you hoped
would stretch out—sitting in your closet. Try this:Wet the inside of
the shoes with an equal amount of water and alcohol. Stuff the shoes with newspaper, and leave
themouttodryovernight.Thisjustmightmakethemwearable.

3. What Else to Watch Out For back height and heel pinch - Hold backs together to check
thattheyareequalheight.Thenputeachshoedowntomakesurethattheysitflat.
ToeSpring- Youshouldbeabletoslipapencilunderthefrontoftheshoe.
Synthetics/Leather- Thelabelshouldstateclearlywhattheshoeismadeof.
TopLine- Lookattheinsideoftheheeltocheckthattheshoe'soutsiderimisstraight.
Topstitching - Thisshouldbestraightandwell-machined.Ifit'suneven,theshoeispoorlymade.
Sole Bonding - If you can pull the insole away, they haven't used the right adhesive. Under the
innersole,youshouldhavealittlecushionforcomfort.
Heel Attachment - If you run your finger around the inner sole and feel bumps, the wrong kind of
nailhasbeenused.
Stitched Sole - A leather sole should be stitched (or welted) to the upper sole.A channel is cut
into the sole, the shoe is stitched together, and then the channel is put back to hide the stitching.
You should clearly see the welt mark running all around the sole. Leather soles are better than
resin.
Sandals- 1.Considerwhatyou'llbewearingwithyoursandals,andpurchasethesimplestpair.
2.Ifyoutendtowearpatterns,chooseblackorneutralsandals.
3. Buy the right size.Your heels and toes should not hang over the edges of
the sandals. Make sure that the strappy parts of the sandals aren't too tight
orflimsy.