RecycledBride

Which Shoe’s for You?

The right wedding shoe is beautiful and functional. Don’t forget these bridal shoe rules:

• Location, location, location. Where is your wedding being held? If it’s on a beach or in a garden, you should forget about spiky heels. They’ll sink in to earth, grass or sand, making you look like a real stick-in-the-mud. Look for chunkier heels or flats instead. If you’re getting married indoors and will be dancing on a hardwood floor, think about scuffing up the soles of your shoes with sandpaper to avoid embarassing wedding wipeouts.
• You are the dancing queen. And you’ll need a comfortable pair of shoes to ensure that your wedding is pain-free. You’ll be wearing your shoes to pose for photos, stand during the ceremony, greet guests, dance, cut the cake...whew! Your wedding is a marathon, and you’re the star sprinter. So don’t be slowed down by shoes that pinch your toes and give you blisters! If you just can’t live without a pair of sexy strappy heels for the photos and ceremony, think about changing into sandals or flats for the reception.
• A matching pair. White wedding shoes are the bridal standard, but you can get creative — or even downright funky — with the color of your wedding shoe. Pairing ivory shoes with a white gown is one elegant alternative. For a less formal wedding, metallic shoes that match your jewelry are a stylish choice. And some brides even choose shoes in yellow, red or blue hues. A fun splash of color on your feet adds flair to a unique bridal look.
• It’s all in the details. Wedding shoes shouldn’t match your gown exactly — instead, they should compliment it. If the hemline of your dress is very detailed and embellished, go for a simpler shoe. With a more basic gown, you can choose an elaborate shoe. It’s often better to choose shoes that balance your look, rather than ones that look like they were custom designed to match your dress.

Recycled Shoe Basics

Some of the shoes for sale on Recycled Bride have never been worn, and others are gently used. We know what you’re thinking: Put my feet in shoes that someone wore? Yuck! But there are lots of ways to reduce the “ick factor” when buying pre-owned shoes.

• Sanitize shoes by wiping down the inside (not outside!) of each shoe with Lysol or rubbing alcohol.
• Add a fresh new insole layer with a shoe insert from the drugstore — you’ll get an extra layer of comfort as a bonus.
• Use baking soda to absorb any moisture inside the shoes. Just sprinkle the insole with baking soda and let stand for one hour, then shake out.
• Go to your local shoe repair shop and ask them to professionally clean and sanitize the shoes. It should cost around $10.
• Keep in mind that most preowned bridal shoes have been worn just once, and for only a few hours.

Before You Buy

Don’t forget to ask the seller about these important details.

• Shoes to dye for. Find out if the shoes that you’re eyeing have been dyed, and if they are dyeable. Dyeable shoes are made of white satin, and they make up the majority of bridal shoes on the market. Many brides who wear ivory or champagne colored gowns dye their shoes to match. Since the shoe’s fabric is different from your gown material, an exact match is nearly impossible to achieve. Luckily, it’s also not necessary, since many shades that are similar to your dress will complement it. If the shoes have already been dyed, they may be dyed again — but only to a darker shade.
• Waterproofing. Shoe dye is not waterproof, and satin and silk can sustain water stains. Ask the seller if the shoes have been sealed with a waterproof spray, or have it done yourself at a local shoe repair shop.
• Wear and tear. Bridal shoes are often make of satin or silk, materials that stain and snag easily. Ask the seller about the condition of their shoes, and request detailed photos if they aren’t already posted. A small amount of wear and tear is normal, and you’re likely to get some small blemishes on your shoes within the first hour of wear anyway. But if there is noticeable damage to the shoes, the seller’s price should reflect it.