October 08, 2024
There's nothing quite like the disappointment of slipping on a new pair of shoes you can't wait to show off - only to find that they're slightly too big. However, with a few tips and tricks you can learn how to make shoes tighter.
While sometimes the best course of action is to get your shoes exchanged for a tighter fit, our handy guide to how to tighten thigh-high boots, women's trainers and more is a good alternative. What's more, it'll really help you out if you're set on a style or find it difficult to get shoes to fit correctly.
You can usually tell that your shoes need tightening when they feel loose and uncomfortable to walk in. Obviously, this only applies to shoes that are a size too big in length or width - it would be a hard task to tighten a pair of size 12s down to an eight, for example.
Incorrectly fitted shoes leave plenty of space around the heel and toes. The general rule is that if you can fit more than a finger-width behind your heel, the shoes are too big. Likewise, if there is more than a half-finger of space between your big toe and the end of the shoe, consider tightening or swapping the shoes for a smaller size.
A little heel slippage is normal, but not too much - this causes blisters and chafing.
If you'd like to make your shoes tighter, insoles are a safe bet. An insole is extra padding that you place inside your shoes to add comfort or tighten the fit. A good set of insoles will cushion and support your foot, as well as providing more of a snug fit for loose shoes.
Insoles can be made of foam, gel or leather - and can be bought over the counter. Some insoles are purposefully fitted to the exact measurements and form of your feet. Here's everything you need to know about insoles.
How to tighten your shoe depends on what material they're made from. There are several good ways of ensuring most trainers and dress shoes fit more snugly
Leather shoes require a little more tinkering to ensure a correct fit. The good news is that leather can be shrunk by using a few items you'll likely have lying around your home. If you're looking to shrink dress shoes or women's sandals, follow these steps:
These steps won't necessarily work for leather boots and shoes that have been heat-treated to prevent stretching. For these, it's best to seek professional advice or use specialist inserts to reshape the leather gradually.
Thigh-high boots are prone to slipping down as you walk. These are some good ways to tighten them:
✔ Wear tights or thick leggings to pad out the gap between your boot and leg.
✔ Use a few strips of fashion tape to stick the boot to your leg.
✔ Fill the gap behind your leg with a piece of rolled-up card. This should help prevent any slouching.
✔ Tying an elastic band or hair tie around your knee will give your boots something to grip. Just be careful not to tie it too tightly around your leg.
✔ Keep your boots in shape by stuffing them with boot trees or newspaper when not in use. This will stop the boots leaning over or stretching in places. Likewise, you could use boot clips to hang them up in your wardrobe.
These top tips for tightening thigh-high boots can also be applied to knee-high boots, too - but check out our comprehensive guide for more advice.
Chelsea boots are a classic design for men and women, because they go with a range of outfits. Perfect for winter and smartening up your outfit, it's possible to breathe new life into your boots by tinkering with the fit a little.
Shoes that are a little loose aren't a lost cause. If you can't swap them for another size in-store, follow these simple steps and fashion your own fit. If you want more advice on buying and fitting your ideal pair of winter boots, we can help there too.
Check out the shoezone blog for more style tips and footwear suggestions for every occasion.