I love pretty shoes, I long for and dream of pretty shoes. But my feet don't cooperate. I have what is known as "Freds". Something more suited for stopping a prehistoric car than slipping into high heels.
Buying shoes is traumatic for me. I can shop for 6-12 months, try on hundreds, and not find a pair that fits. Or I think maybe a pair will do, bring them home and only be able to wear them once or twice before giving up. Not only are these feet hard to fit, I'm a bit picky on comfort.
Actually a LOT picky.
My feet have to feel good if I plan on feeling good myself.
My closet is full of brand new shoes only worn once. Goodwill loves me for all the new shoes I donate after purchasing them with a heart full of hope, thinking that THIS will be the pair that not only fits, but looks pretty too!
So, when these extremely comfy, 6 year old Danskos started looking too ratty to wear, I was sad. They weren't torn up, or stretched out, just stained and scuffed. I'd worn a vintage shoe clip on them that tarnished the leather and wouldn't clean off. The shoe clips kept sliding around and not staying in place, and had to go.
Plus, the sides were kind of discolored. Overall, not a good look. But they were shoes that I could walk around an amusement park for hours and still felt good!
That is a shoe worth trying to salvage.
I got out some acrylic craft paints.
The shoes were not a glossy finish, so I figured it would hold well. They are a brushed suede, which took the paint nicely. The trick was to go with colors that would blend with the original leather if scraped. Also, to go lightly, not to use a thick glob that might peel.
First step, was to clean them with an old toothbrush, including the suede sole.
After that, I painted a slightly heavy coat over the black marks with a color to match the leather. But only heavy there, not on the rest of the shoes. Then, I left it to dry.
Next, I used the same base color in a light, watered down wash, on all the leather, making sure to get around the buckle and under the straps. This was done with a small, rough, brush to work the paint down into the leather.
Over that, I did a metallic faux finish with copper and pearl.
I've been wearing them, and so far so good.
Not a pretty picture, huh? See why I call them Freds? Mr. Flintstone and I have a lot in common.
If I were to buy perfectly fitting shoes, I'd need to go to the little boys department and try on size 3 triple wides. If you've ever done that, you know there aren't many pretty choices. When I was a kid, Mom bought me "corrective" shoes. Which is a code word for Butt Ugly.
As close as I can find to corrective shoes in the adult world is Easy Spirit. Sometimes an extra wide, pretty one turns up. And some European (code word, expensive) shoes fit pretty good, like the Danskos I redid. They are often wide, always well made and hold up for years.
But I have never, ever, found a lovely pair of delicate heels that my feet would enjoy. I guess that I'll be treasuring whatever fits and keeping them as good as I can for as long as I can.
I love your “new” shoes, Karla! What a great idea!
Do you have an SAS (San Antonio Shoes) store there? I really like those shoes for comfort. I’m not sure what sizes they carry, but they are another place to try if you have one around.
try Allegrias. they are wide and very comfortable.
check out their website.
I too have to wear comfortable shoes and if I find a pair that not only look good but that I can wear all day, I wear them puppies out. I feel you pain 🙂
I *feel for* you, since I also have my own Feet Problems. -pout-
I certainly love this wonderfully inventive solution you thought of, to prolonging the life of a grrrrrreat pair of shoes. 🙂
Tessa~
Oh, karla — a kindred foot problem person. If I didn’t have my orthotics, I don’t think I could walk. And of course, they don’t work well in pretty girl shoes — I have a variety of comfy but not attractive shoes. In Michigan winter it’s especially bad because none of them — not a one — looks good with a skirt or dress. At least in summer, I can fake it a little!
Well, I think painting them is brilliant. I’ve done that with clothes that didn’t survive a spill. Shoes? Not yet!
I am really sorry…I just giggled A LOT when I saw the picture of your feet. Your so beautiful and talented, that it took me a bit by surprise! Guess you had to have ugly feet to make up for all those other great features of yours! heehee… LOVE the DIY shoe painting too!
Shoe shopping is not fun when your feet are atypical, is it? Jeannie, Ive painted or dyed clothing that I ruined too. I just hate to give up my faves!
I know what you mean. My feet are wide and I have planar fasciitis so comfort is the most important thing. I love dansko’s, aebo’s, and ecco’s. ecco’s and aebo for exercise shoes and sandles, Dansko for my nicer shoes. I still haven’t found fancy “sexy” shoes that i can wear for long. Love your idea of painting them, so cute.
Oh, the quest for wearable shoes! I don’t mind expensive shoes if I will know I can wear them but I am so hesitant to pay the money for fear they will end up being donated.
I did actually “customize” a pair of my shoes with paint one time and also discarded a comfortable pair because the suede footbed was so dirty it was embarassing, before I learned they clean right up with rubbing alcohol.
I felt sorry that I had no shoes….until I met a man that had no feet….. Unknown.
Gloria in Virginia
(Just sayin)
I’m not going to make fun of your feet LOLOLOLOLOL
I painted a pair of my shoes once after I seen shoes painted in that magazine Altered Clothing like a Somerset magazine I can’t say the name now( senior moment) another LOL
anyway they turned out just fine, I never doute they would with an artist doing the painting
These are more serviceable than arty, I think a pair done up in Altered Clothing must have been pretty cool!
You are so funny — I totally know what you mean, though. I love pretty shoes and I get really excited when I get in the mood to fool myself into thinking I could actually wear a pair that’s cute. But then reality hits. I have about 4 pairs of shoes that I can wear, and when one pair wears out I go into mourning! Your feet are cute. I had a neighbor/good friend who had “Freds” just like yours! She’s super incredibly wonderful, talented and creative, too, by the way. Maybe there’s a connection.
Smart cookie. I’ve glued some tattered shoe leather back into place, but I haven’t painted shoes since the 60’s when colorful Capezios were the rage. This makes me appreciate my luck at being able to buy standard shoes straight from Zappos. Whoops! Guess you don’t need to hear THAT. Hugs…Charlotte
I’ve got short little wide feet too. Once in a while, I find something that fits and is cute but not often. People like us can’t be shoe people. I like pretty purses instead
I think they are great!! Clever you ~
Have you tried Donald J Pliner? Garnet Hill carries a great pair of sandals by him (I believe they are called “GiGi” or something. Pricey but so comfy AND pretty!
I just bought a pair of shoes from the Aurora Shoe Company – the best thing that’s ever happened to my feet! Find them on line! You’ll be so glad you did!! xoxoxoxox
Just found you as I am looking for dressing wedding shoes in hot pink and can’t ever find anything I can wear in heels. My feet look like yours but the 4 shorties are shorter than your in comparison to the big toe! So now you know someone worse off hahaha! I love crocs sandals in the You collection. I can almost go all day long and they are pretty cute! Naot put out a good sandal that is a lot cuter than the birkie but same general idea. I feel more feminine in it anyway… but dressy I am glad the boots are back in for summer or winter or dress or casual! I can wear flats and cover those doggies! But I want to paint low heel dress shoes I can actually wear but am afraid!
Go for it! If the paint scuffs, you can always touch it up.