There are many reasons why more people gravitate towards online shopping, including better prices, convenience and more variety. When shopping for clothes and shoes online, you want to ensure that you get the right sizes. It is disheartening to find the perfect shoe only for it not to fit you when it arrives. Here are some ways to ensure that you get shoes that fit you perfectly when you shop online;
- Measure Your Feet
While measuring your feet may seem like a no-brainer, it is important because your foot size changes with time. When you start losing weight, your foot may become smaller requiring you to reduce your shoe size.
To measure, place your right foot on the paper and mark two dots; where your longest toe is and at your heel. Use a ruler and draw a straight line connecting the two dots. Mark on the paper the distance you measure between these two points. It is best to use centimetres. You should also trace your foot and measure the largest part to determine the width. Repeat this process with your left foot. If there is a difference in the lengths of your feet, use the larger measurements. Compare your size to the size indicated on the shoe you want to buy.
- Conversion Charts
Most online retail stores will have shoes from different brands on their page. The shoe sizing standards are not one-size-fits-all, and different manufacturers use sizing charts that are used in their respective countries. It is vital to have a conversion chart while you shop online to convert the indicated shoe size to a sizing system you understand.
A conversion chart eliminates the dangerous guessing game that may leave you with a shoe that is bigger or small than your actual size. These conversion chart sizes are shown in centimetres because it has a lesser error of interpretation when compared to inches.
- Material
Shoes are made from different materials depending on what the shoe is meant for. Most high-quality dress shoes are made of leather, and running shoes are made from carbon rubber. The materials used affect how the shoe will behave when wet and even when exposed to heat. Leather shoes can feel a bit snug at first but then fit better after a few wears, so getting a size bigger will only crease the shoe. Understanding the material of the shoe will help you know what the right fit will be or if you should get a size up or down.
- Brand and Store
Many online retail shops will carry shoes from different brands, and you need to pay attention to this as you browse. Purchasing shoes from a brand you are familiar with will reduce any chance of getting the wrong fit. If you are trying out a new brand, even from the same shop, then using the conversion table is your best bet for the perfect fit.
There are some unscrupulous retailers that will not follow the rules for indicating accurate shoe sizes. It is best to shop from a verified and trusted online shop. You can go through the customer review section to get a better picture of the brand and shop. If the review section is marred with queries on the return policy, this might indicate that the shop has not correctly marked the shoe sizes.
Be sure to also check out their refund and return policies in the event that you don’t get the right fit.
- Other Factors
After measuring your foot and finding the right fit according to a shoe sizing chart, you need to consider other factors. One important aspect to think about is whether you will wear the shoes with socks or not.
When buying shoes, you hope they will give you some service and can be worn for some time. This means that you should consider other changes that may occur and change your shoe size. For instance, if you are pregnant, your shoe size will change with time. You may want to get a bigger size or hold off on buying expensive shoes.
Online shoe shopping is a delicate art that you will get better at as you shop. Using the tips above gives you a better chance of picking the perfect fit and enjoying your new shoes.
