Leather shoes are not just comfortable, fashionable and beautiful. Leather shoes are prestigious, even status-bearing, and for many, leather shoes are simply mandatory element wardrobe!
It's safe to say that leather shoes will always be in demand. According to modern historians, the first shoes used by ancient people were made of leather - even then the advantages of this material were obvious.
By the way, the oldest leather shoes in the world are 5,500 years old and were found in one of the caves in Armenia. Moreover, interestingly, it was preserved quite well!
Today, despite the fact that you can find a dozen shoes on sale various materials, genuine leather shoes are still very popular! Moreover, the variety of models allows every girl to buy leather shoes to suit her own taste.
The main problem is how to make sure that the shoes are really leather? After all, modern artificial materials often do not differ at all from natural ones in appearance!
How to tell if shoes are leather? 7 secrets
1. Most leather shoes are marked with a special badge - it is placed on the outside of the sole or on the inside of the shoes. But on some women's leather shoes, manufacturers simply put the word “leather” on them. In English it is written “genuine leather” or simply “leather”, in Italian – “vera pelle”, in French – “cuir”, in German – “echtleder”.
2. When buying shoes made of genuine leather, you need to pay attention to them inner part, not covered with a lining - if the material consists of textiles or polyamide, then it is definitely leatherette. If the surface is rough and looks like rough suede, then it is most likely leather.
3. With some experience, leather shoes can be identified by smell - they have a specific, recognizable aroma. Although unscrupulous sellers now often use special aerosols with a leather scent. You definitely shouldn’t buy inexpensive “leather” shoes if they have an unpleasant, chemical smell.
4. Carefully inspect the surface of the shoe and press the leather with your finger where there are no seams. If small wrinkles appear at the point of pressure, which quickly disappear when the material is straightened, this is leather.
5. Place your hand on your shoes for 10 seconds - leather shoes quickly warm up and begin to give off heat; substitute shoes will not be as “responsive” - they will leave a feeling of coolness, and a foggy spot may even appear on their surface.
6. Carefully check the seams on the shoes: if the seam is peeling and fragments of fabric are visible in it, then it is definitely leatherette.
7. If you do not have the opportunity to inspect the shoes yourself (as, for example, when purchasing from an online store), ask the seller to present accompanying documentation and remember that real leather shoes simply cannot be inexpensive!
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Yes, real leather women's shoes, even on sale, are not cheap. In this regard, buyers often have a question: are shoes made from genuine leather really that much better than shoes made from modern leatherette, or maybe it’s not worth overpaying?
Leather or leatherette? Pros, cons and other nuances:
Price. The main thing that deters you when buying leather shoes is their price. That's why In this regard, leatherette shoes definitely win.
Quality. Many people categorically claim that genuine leather shoes are definitely of better quality than artificial ones. You can argue with that! Modern manufacturers learned how to produce materials that are not inferior in quality to natural leather! Another question is that they are also not cheap.
- By the way, many designers, for example Stella McCartney, do not use genuine leather in their collections at all.
Comfort. Leather shoes adapt to the shape of your feet better and faster, meaning they are much more comfortable to wear. There are several ways to break in leather shoes, but the most acceptable is to use special means for breaking in. Traditional methods may damage the skin. In addition, in shoes made from natural materials, feet sweat less.
Moral aspect. The question here is, of course, twofold. Many people do not buy leather shoes on principle because they do not accept the killing of animals. But there are also those who do not buy leatherette shoes because they do not want to pollute the environment with petroleum products that appear in the manufacture of this artificial material. So, everyone decides for themselves!
But if you decide to fork out the cash and buy leather shoes, it won’t hurt to understand the features of caring for them. After all, if you care for them incorrectly (or not at all), then all the listed advantages of this natural material will come to naught.
How to properly care for leather shoes? Current tips:
1. Very important point- This is the proper cleaning of leather shoes. You need to remove dirt from the surface of your shoes immediately upon arriving home and for this you need to use soft cloth, soaked in warm water. At heavily polluted You can also use special cleaning foam.
2. After this, the shoes that have been wiped dry should be lubricated with cream at night (not before going out).
3. If your shoes are wet, you can dry them only with an electric dryer or by stuffing crumpled newsprint inside. Drying under batteries is strictly contraindicated!
Experts also advise giving your shoes a rest, that is, not wearing the same pair of shoes for several days in a row - this way they will last you much longer!
Buying shoes is one of the most complex tasks in shopping. The wrong pair of shoes can ruin not only your day, but also your health. Today we’ll figure out how to choose fashionable shoes correctly in regular and online stores, and also always feel good and look great even in 12-centimeter stiletto heels.
How to choose shoes in a store
- Choose shoes in the evening when the feet have already swollen a little and have reached their maximum size. This way you can choose shoes that will best suit the fullness of your feet and save yourself from feeling shackles on your feet at the end of the day.
- Don't buy narrow shoes if you have wide feet. This is especially true for patent leather shoes - they practically never wear out. In general, any tight shoes lead to poor blood circulation, varicose veins and the appearance of bunions. Well, and the obligatory calluses - do you need such sacrifices?
- Pay attention to the insole. It should be soft, made of genuine leather or suede. Synthetic insoles or no insoles at all can lead to unpleasant odors and blisters.
- Check the depreciation, bending the shoe slightly at the point where the widest part of the foot is located. Ideally, the shoes should bend slightly and the insole itself should be rubberized - this will soften the impact of the hard surface on the feet and relieve pain during the day.
- Do not rush. Before buying, you need to spend at least 10 minutes in shoes! Walk around the store, feel everything: is it comfortable to stand in such shoes? Doesn't it pinch or rub anything? Is there any pain when walking? Can you move your fingers freely? Does your foot slip forward when walking? If you answered “yes” to at least one question, look for another couple.
- Don't forget to ask for a guarantee. The warranty period for shoes is determined depending on the material and type of shoe, usually from 45 to 90 days, and is valid throughout the season. So, the season for summer shoes begins on May 15 and ends on September 15, for autumn shoes - from October 15 to December 15, and so on. If you bought shoes out of season, the warranty will begin from the start of the desired season.
How to choose shoes on the Internet
- Determine your foot size correctly. In the evening, when your legs are a little swollen, stand on White list paper and trace the foot with a pencil. Measure the length of your foot from the big toe to the heel at the longest point. Use this number as a guide when determining your size using the sizing charts of online stores.
- Pay attention to the size table. Sizing charts differ depending on the country of manufacture of shoes. So, for example, European size 39 corresponds to American 8 and British 6. In good stores, size tables are given in several options: European, American, British, sometimes Asian. Buyers are often confused with British and American sizes - to prevent this from happening, pay attention to which country you buy shoes from.
- Don't be lazy to find all the necessary information about the desired pair: its plumpness, find out if it’s too small, if the size matches universal mesh. World-famous stores often indicate such nuances; in other cases, all information on popular brands can be found on the forums. And in Shafa it’s even easier - write to the seller and he himself will measure you everything you need and tell you about the nuances.
- Pay attention to the material. Shoes made of genuine leather wear out a little over time and take the shape of the foot. Artificial leather and other materials cannot boast of such advantages.
How to choose heels
- Pick up optimal height heel. Yes, yes, everyone dreams of 12-centimeter stiletto heels and a flying gait at the same time, only a few have access to such luxury. Ordinary girls need to learn to walk in heels. For years. Therefore, if you choose one of the first pairs, stop at 6-7 centimeters and, if you feel comfortable, gradually increase the height. But remember that the higher the heel, the higher the likelihood of curvature of the foot and spine, as well as flat feet.
- Choose a size slightly larger than usual. The fact is that in high-heeled shoes, the foot moves forward and the toe becomes longer. To prevent it from resting on the toe and causing pain, carefully select the size: for heels 5-9 cm - half a size larger than usual; for heels 10-15 cm - one size larger than usual; for heels above 16 cm - 1.5 sizes larger.
- Stand in your shoes for 10 minutes. Don’t sit, don’t walk, just stand—do you still feel comfortable? You can take it!
- Take a test ride. If you have already bought the coveted pair, before you go somewhere for a long time in it, take a few short walks near your house - this way you will let your feet get used to it, decide on a suitable gait and avoid the ridicule of others.
- Remember your health. High-heeled shoes, no matter how comfortable they may seem, are not the healthiest choice for the musculoskeletal system. Try not to wear high heels all day and take your shoes off as soon as possible.
Often we buy shoes based only on their appearance. It is important to us how attractive and fashionable the shoes look. But the choice of shoes must be approached with the utmost seriousness: your health depends on what you wear on your feet.
Choosing shoes
Poor quality or simply unsuitable shoes can darken your life with minor but annoying troubles, such as blisters. In addition, much more serious problems may arise - diseases of the veins, joints, muscles and even the spine. Therefore, the two main rules for choosing shoes are very simple: 1) it is better not to save money and 2) to refuse beautiful but uncomfortable shoes.
You should not buy new shoes in the morning: by evening, your feet usually swell slightly, and shoes purchased in the morning may seem tight. Make sure the shoes fit perfectly - fit snugly, but not constricting. Tight shoes can cause poor circulation, ingrown toenails, or crooked toes. Don't buy shoes that are too tight in the hope that they will wear out over time - don't force yourself to walk in uncomfortable shoes for a long time. However, you should not wear very loose shoes that allow your feet to dangle. Such shoes can also cause calluses, and the leg muscles are constantly under tension.
“When trying on, always wear both shoes, experts recommend. - Be sure to walk through the fitting area. While walking, you should lightly feel the toe of the shoe with your fingers, but not rest against it. Run your hand over the surface of the material and make sure that your toes do not stick out with tubercles on it».
Choose shoes with fairly soft, flexible soles. Bend the shoes in your hands. In high-quality shoes, the sole bends easily, and the top of the shoe does not deform too much. The very thin soles are comfortable to walk on only flat floor, walking in such shoes on asphalt can hardly be called pleasant - your foot will feel every pebble.
For every day, it is best to choose shoes with small wide heels. A passion for high heels can have a negative impact on your health.
“High heels are harmful not only to the forefoot, but also to the middle and rear., says orthopedic surgeon Andrey Kardanov. - The problem is that in the position of the foot almost “on tiptoe” the load is distributed in an absolutely non-physiological way - some parts of the foot are overloaded, others, on the contrary, are too unloaded. In addition, a high heel completely “turns off” the spring function of the foot. Ideally, with each step, the foot should “spring”, softening the load. And when wearing high heels, every step feels like a blow to the spine. The result is osteochondrosis, herniated intervertebral discs, which manifest themselves as seemingly causeless back pain.
So, heels higher than 2-4 centimeters are not recommended. Of course, if necessary, you can wear shoes with a 12-centimeter heel, but such shoes should not be casual. It is best for each pair of casual shoes to have instep supports (built-in or glued on), that is, an insole or half-insole. The insole completely conforms to the shape of the sole, and the half-insole is located only under the heel. The purpose of the insole (and half-insole) is to support normal (or already falling) arches of the feet. This will avoid flat feet. If after several days of wear new shoes If you feel that your feet are uncomfortable, either change your shoes or contact an orthopedic salon to select the appropriate arch supports or insoles.”
In hot and cold
Most good choice for any season - shoes made of natural material, which will allow the skin of the feet to breathe and will not interfere with natural heat exchange. We recommend shoes made of genuine leather, nubuck, suede, and textiles. Shoes made of leatherette can be hazardous to health, especially for summer shoes: under the influence of temperature, various chemical components of this material begin to interact with the skin of the feet. In addition, shoes made of leatherette do not allow air to pass to the feet. As a result, you can “earn” diaper rash or fungal diseases.
If you do buy shoes from artificial materials, make sure that at least the lining of the boot is made of genuine leather or textile - for health, first of all, the material with which the foot is in direct contact is important. You should also pay attention to the material from which the insole is made. Ideally, it should absorb unpleasant odors, remove moisture, kill bacteria - it’s great if the insole is impregnated with a special antibacterial composition.
Do not forget that natural materials, unlike artificial ones, wear out and take the shape of the foot over time. By the way, in hot weather your feet swell a little, keep this in mind if you buy summer shoes.
In summer, it is not recommended to wear patent leather shoes, which do not allow moisture and air to pass through easily. IN patent leather shoes You can go to any celebration, but for every day it is better to have open sandals or shoes made from natural materials.
For spring and autumn, it is important that the boots do not allow water to pass through and at the same time allow the foot to “breathe”. If demi-season boots or boots are fastened with a zipper, it should not start too close to the sole, otherwise your feet will get wet if you step into even a shallow puddle. Unlike summer shoes, boots should not fit closely to your feet (you won’t wear them on bare feet) - you need to try them on with a thick sock.
The main thing in winter boots or boots is - sole. It should be thick enough, with a special anti-slip protector. It is safest to wear boots in icy conditions with a varied tread pattern - for example, one part in the form of stripes, the other - rounded protrusions. The heel of the boot should also have a tread and be rubber, not plastic, otherwise the foot will slip.
Leather shoes lined with... natural fur, for example, sheep or tsigeika, and a fur insole. By choosing the right winter shoes, you don't have to worry about the harsh cold and slippery sidewalks.
Fashion victims
Undoubtedly, every woman wants to look fashionable and elegant. The shoe industry offers many ways to make your legs look slimmer and longer. Stiletto heels, narrow toes of shoes, platforms - it is difficult to argue with the fact that such shoes are more feminine than rough boots with thick soles. But how safe are these fashionable delights?
The dangers of high heels have already been mentioned. But you shouldn’t overuse platform shoes either. Firstly, a high platform (like a stiletto heel) does not exclude injuries: it is easy to twist your foot on it. Secondly, when walking on a platform, the ligaments and muscles of the foot are left without “work” and flat feet may develop. If you do buy such shoes, choose a platform that is wide enough and therefore more stable. Remember that neither the hairpin nor the platform are completely suitable for driving a car. The heel can cling to the mat, making it difficult to move your foot from one pedal to another, and the thick platform does not allow you to feel the pressure of your foot on the pedal.
Another favorite by many fashion detail- a pointed toe is also not harmless. These shoes squeeze your toes, bringing them closer to each other. Wherein thumb and the little finger are lowered, and the rest are raised. All this threatens with deformation of the fingers, the formation of painful calluses and “bumps”. Since the body weight presses the foot into the wedge-shaped space (especially if, in addition to the pointed toe, the shoe has a heel that is 5–6 centimeters or more high), the entire load is transferred to the bones of the middle toes. Because of this, transverse flat feet occur, and painful corns form on the soles.
Children's shoes
Probably, the only thing more important than your own health is the well-being of the child. Incorrectly chosen shoes are dangerous not only because they cause inconvenience to the child: the baby begins to be capricious, and parents sometimes do not even understand that the whole point is in unsuitable shoes. While a child's foot is in the formative stage, it is very important that shoes do not interfere with this process and do not provoke problems such as flat feet.
What should children's shoes be like? “Under no circumstances should a child wear shoes that are too big for him to grow into, but they shouldn’t be too tight either,- says pediatric orthopedist-traumatologist Mikhail Trunev. - A rigid, moderately ribbed sole and a rigid upper are desirable. Demi-season and winter shoes should fit the ankle joint, that is, be high".
Experts advise purchasing boots for children made from natural material with a small heel, a fixed heel and a soft heel, an orthopedic insole and a wide toe. Children's orthopedic shoes are necessary for the prevention of foot deformities and their proper development, which is why many doctors recommend buying just such shoes for children under 4–5 years old.
In move
Anyone who plays sports knows how much the right clothes and, of course, shoes for training mean. Sneakers should be very comfortable so that discomfort does not distract you from your activities. It is important that they are suitable for the sport you have chosen and reliably protect your leg from injury - protect against “twisting” of the foot, ensure ankle fixation and leg stability. When buying sneakers, pay attention not only to the design, but more importantly to how comfortable it is for you to move in a particular model. Flexible sole, hard heel, lightness - signs of high-quality sports shoes.
It is best to train in shoes made of leather or Gore-Tex that provide normal air exchange, with an insole that can be removed and dried. When choosing shoes for sports, keep in mind that during training the foot may increase slightly in size, and also remember that there should be some space between the toes and the toe of the sneaker. small space. In addition to universal sneakers suitable for all sports, there are special shoes for specific workouts, which a sports store sales assistant will help you choose.
Shoes for aerobics and shaping protects against injuries with the help of special inserts in the sole area. These shoes may be taller than shoes for other sports. This allows you to fix the lower leg and prevent damage to the ankle joint. Because aerobics is so dynamic, you'll need shoes that are flexible and lightweight to keep you moving easily and comfortably. The wide toe box and narrow heel of the shoe provide better traction on the floor.
For running Very light sneakers that fit perfectly on the foot are best. If your foot slips inside, you risk getting calluses and abrasions, and the risk of ankle injury will increase. You need a flexible toe that allows you to better push off the ground, and a reinforced heel. It is important that running shoes have the ability to cushion shock when they hit the ground. Therefore, sneakers with air pockets - air-filled cavities inside the sole - are suitable for running.
Football Shoes should have a wide reinforced toe area, spikes for playing on grass or a raised sole for the gym.
When choosing shoes for tennis you need to take into account what court you are going to play on - different types coatings are suitable various models. Tennis sneakers have a fairly thick sole, flexible in the toe area and stiffer in the heel, as well as a special tread that does not allow slipping on the court surface.
Comfortable, “healthy” shoes will provide you with pleasant and effective workouts, will allow you to get less tired during work, entertainment and walking, will protect you from diseases - in a word, it will literally help you to stand firmly on your feet in any situation.
The choice of leather shoes should be approached with all seriousness, especially if your budget is limited: the purchased pair should be comfortable and practical, the material should not be too capricious weather conditions, and the style of the shoes is to match the required clothing style. We'll talk more about how to choose shoes later.
Types of men's shoes
First, let's figure out what types of men's shoes exist and how to choose men's shoes based on the purpose of wearing them.
Oxfords
These are classic men's shoes, which are characterized by closed lacing and a seamless transition from the ankle boots to the vamp. As a rule, they are made in black or dark brown colors. Oxford shoes look very elegant and complement the look well. business man, but in an informal style of clothing they will look inappropriate. You shouldn't choose men's Oxford shoes to wear with jeans, but they will go very well with a suit.
Derby
Unlike Oxfords, the lacing of the Derby is open, the boots are sewn on top of the vamp, and the lace strips can diverge to the sides when unlaced. These classic men's shoes look less formal than Oxford shoes, so they are not tied to one style of clothing.
Brogues
Many classify brogue shoes as a separate type of men's shoes, but find similarities in them with both derbies and oxfords, which causes confusion. The fact is that brogues characterize men's shoes from the point of view of the presence of decorative perforations in them - patterns of holes in the leather. Perforation can be on both Oxfords and Derbys, which fundamentally differ from each other not in perforation, but in lacing. It is worth noting that even though brogue shoes are now worn in business style, but for official events they should be chosen with caution - the same brogue-oxfords look less restrained due to perforation.
Moccasins
If you need comfortable shoes For everyday wear, you can choose moccasins. They are especially good to wear in hot weather. Moccasins do not have a separate sole, and in front you can often see laces that perform decorative function. You should choose moccasins for relaxation and walking, as these are not sports or business shoes.
Loafers
Externally, loafers are very similar to moccasins. They also do not have lacing, but they differ from moccasins in having a more pronounced sole and heel. Widely known decorative element loafers are a tassel on the front of the ankle boots. Once upon a time, loafers were a sign of a business person, but now they can be worn everywhere - both to work and for a walk.
Monkey
You will get a versatile pair of shoes if you decide to choose men's monk shoes. Feature These shoes are characterized by a complete lack of lacing and decorative straps sewn onto the top of the ankle boots. If you want to choose monks for work in an office with a strict dress code, choose a dark-colored model with one strap, made of smooth leather without perforations.
Leather shoes: choosing material
The most high quality boasts calf leather, which is why it is highly prized and is most often used to make shoes. It is good because it has high strength, softness and smoothness. Goatskin has similar properties.
Leather shoes made from pigskin are much cheaper, but they do not look very presentable, so pigskin is being used less and less as the main material for shoes. The elasticity of such skin leaves much to be desired, and it also gets wet very quickly.
The leather also differs in the type of finishing.
- The most convenient and easiest to use is the so-called smooth skin. If you want to choose practical leather shoes that won’t cause much trouble when caring for them, then choose models made from smooth leather.
- Polished leather requires special care - smooth, shiny, but hard, which can get scratched very quickly. The prices for products made from it and from smooth leather are not fundamentally different, so think about whether it’s worth overpaying for the additional hassle.
- Products made from polished leather look interesting, but are characterized by low wear resistance, since sanding removes it from the leather. upper layer. Not very practical to use and maintain.
- Patent leather is a beautiful, but very capricious option. It is not suitable to wear such shoes if they are too low or heat, or temperature changes, as well as humid weather. Patent leather shoes are not particularly durable, as they can crack quite quickly.
- And finally, should you choose suede shoes? Suede is not the most practical type of leather finish, as it requires special care. It is very susceptible to dirt, but at the same time it is comfortable and your feet “breathe”. If you wear such shoes only in dry weather and follow all the rules for caring for them, they will last a very long time.
- To choose a pair exactly in your size, go to the fitting in the late afternoon, with the expectation that by this time your legs will be tired and slightly swollen. If you buy shoes in the morning, you will feel cramped in them in the evening.
- In the store, put on a pair and walk at least a short distance. Listen to the sensations in your legs. You should feel comfortable, there should be no constraint anywhere, nothing should press. Don’t reassure yourself with the thought that later the pair will separate - if the pressure starts already in the store, you can be sure that you won’t be able to avoid blisters later.
We also suggest you look at how to choose men's shoes for the winter:
Take it for yourself and tell your friends!
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