14 Jun How to: Buy Thrifted Shoes

I have to say I’ve amassed quite a shoe collection courtesy of my local thrift stores. But exactly how do you buy second hand shoes? For some there’s the ick factor of wearing someone else’s shoes and other’s are just clueless on how to make sure they’re getting a quality piece.

Check out five tips to thrift shop for shoes.

Come Prepared
If you know you’re going thrifting, bring a pair of socks or knee highs so you can try the shoes on. Besides avoiding direct contact with unsanitized shoes, you’ll get a more accurate idea of how they really fit. If you’re trying on a pair of boots without any socks, they may be too tight when you finally rock them with a pair of thick socks in the fall or winter.

Quality
Before trying the shoes on, look at the quality. I mean seriously inspect the shoes at every angle. Are there stains on the suede? Is the leather scuffed or scratched? Is it discolored? I suggest looking the shoe up and down before actually trying it on because there’s nothing more heartbreaking than trying on a pair of shoes that fit you perfectly…just to realize there’s a major flaw in them.

Heel Strength
If the quality is good or decent, check for how strong the heel is. There’s no point in thrifting a fly pair of stilettos if it’s going to randomly break on you. Test the heel strength by tugging on the heel. Does it feel wobbly or flimsy? If so, put it back. Or just purchase them and be prepared to replace the heel before wearing.

Does it Fit?
This seems obvious, right? But I think we’ve all been so head over heels {pun intended} for a pair of shoes that we buy them even if the fit is a wee bit off. A slightly uncomfortable shoe turns to torture after an hour or so. Many thrift stores have a no return policy, so don’t waste your cash on those $10 platforms if they’ll just collect dust in your closet.

Clean
So now that you’ve purchased your shoes, the next question is how to sanitize them? Wipe the inside of the shoe down with rubbing alcohol. Some people also use bleach. Mix 1/4 cup of bleach and water and using a spray bottle, spritz the solution on the inside of the shoe, but be sure the liquid doesn’t come in contact with the outside of the shoe, the bleach can ruin the material. Air the shoes out over night. If there are insoles, you definitely want to replace them.