Top 5 Tips for Online Shoe Shopping – TallMenShoes.com

Are you thinking of buying your next pair of shoes on the internet? Tall Men Shoes has the best tips for getting the right pair of shoes online without risk.

The Top Five Tips for Buying Shoes Online

With ecommerce accounting for more and more business each year, it’s no surprise many people — especially among the younger generations — are going online to find their footwear. So if you’re thinking of going online to order your next pair of elevator dress shoes, athletic sneakers or boots, what should you do to make the experience a good one? We’ve compiled the five best tips for online shoe-shopping to help you confidently navigate the internet waters.

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1.     Know Your Foot (Measurements)

It’s no secret that shoe sizes can vary greatly between manufacturers, and obviously, you don’t get to try on the shoe you’re looking at on a website. But knowing the dimensions of your feet goes a long way towards getting the right pair. Measure the exact length and width of each foot from the longest points and keep that information handy. Most online shoe stores have sizing charts that you can use to determine what size will fit. You should also be aware whether your foot arches are high, medium or low, as different shoes are designed for different arch types.

2.     Have An Idea of What Shoes You Want

Going into a shopping session knowing only that “I need some shoes” is an easy way to fall down the rabbit hole of options (and there are a lot of options). What style of shoe are you looking for? What are you going to be using them for? Are you more interest in comfort, function or looks? Answering these questions in advance will help you narrow down your search and reduces the chances of getting distracted by something that isn’t right for you.

3.     Make Sure the Store Has a Good Return/Exchange Policy

Even if you do all your research, you still will occasionally receive a pair of shoes that just doesn’t fit, feel or look right. And there’s always the chance of a defective shoe just like when you shop in-person. In those cases, a bad return policy (or none at all) will leave you with more than just sore feet. Ideally, they should give you at least a few weeks to return the shoes for a refund, exchange or store credit, as long as the shoes are in their original condition. And a store that goes “above and beyond” is even better.

4.     Research Shipping Options and “Total Cost”

A big reason for shopping online is to get a good deals. But sometimes deals aren’t always what they seem. Some stores have low up-front costs, but gouge you on shipping so you actually pay more than at a physical store. Others have free shipping, but your purchase can take up to two weeks to arrive — and most people shopping for shoes can’t wait that long. Look at both the cost of the shoe, the estimated shipping charges and the estimated shipping time so you know what you’re getting into.

5.     Shop With Reputable Stores

Trust is important at any store, but especially online, because the store is receiving the money before the buyer receives the product. So look hard at a store’s reputation. Customer reviews will tell you a lot about their experience, and an online store will often advertise if they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau, Shopper Approved and other organizations.

How to Properly Care for Dress Shoes – TallMenShoes.com

Keep your elevator dress shoes looking nice for as long as you own them with our tips for shining, conditioning and repairing formal leather footwear.

Caring for Dress Shoes

A good pair of shoes is essential to a good outfit. But as is the case with many things in life, quality often doesn’t come cheap. In most cases, you’re looking at a minimum of $100 for a good pair of men’s leather dress shoes; higher-end models can run $300 to $500. If you’re investing in fancy footwear, then you want it to look fancy as long as possible. Our expert tips will help you take care of your formal elevator shoes as long as you own them.

Waterproofing Your Shoes

Whether from rain, puddles or spills, water will eventually get on your dress shoes. Excessive water exposure can lead to dry, cracked leather and permanent stains. Therefore, you should apply a waterproofing spray or polish on a regular basis. This could mean anywhere from once a month to once a week depending on the climate where you live. You can tell your shoes need a new coat of repellent if water stops beading on the surface.

Wash & Brush Your Shoes

Just like with hair, a lot of long-term wear can be prevented by routine shoe maintenance. Everyone who owns dress shoes should also own a horsehair brush. Use this tool to gently brush off dirt and debris or to remove the dust if they’ve been in the closet for a few months. (The brush can also be used to apply polish and conditioner.) What to use for a more thorough cleaning depends on the shoe material. Use saddle soap on leather shoes; if you have suede dress shoes, mix two parts water with one part vinegar to spot-clean stains.

Condition & Polish Regularly

Even if you wash leather regularly, it can still end up stiff and dull from prolonged use. Keep some leather conditioner and shoe polish on hand to renew your shoes. Conditioner creams will restore softness and flexibility to the leather. A color-matched conditioner will also cover up small scratches and scuffs. Polishing your shoes regularly with either a neutral or color-matched cream also helps fix light damage while shining them up like a silver dollar. Try buffing the polish off with some panty hose if you really want them to shine!

Blast the Horn & Climb a Tree

No, we’re not talking about some new kid’s game. Shoe horns and shoe trees can prolong the life of leather footwear. Using a shoe horn to put your shoes on helps the heel keep its form and reduces wear. In between uses, put a shoe tree inside of your shoe; this holds its form, preventing creasing and shrinking. Wood shoe trees, particularly cedar, are best because they also absorb excess moisture and odor.

Look Out For Your Mortal Soles

Much of shoe care focuses on the uppers, but the house needs a good foundation to stand on. So take care of the soles as well. For shoes with leather soles, you can follow many of the care tips above. Rubber soles can be cleaned by soaking them in water and mild dish soap; use a toothbrush and toothpaste for tough stains. When your soles wear out — which typically happens much sooner than the upper — cobblers and shoe manufacturers can replace soles for anywhere from $30 to $80. This is usually cheaper than buying a new pair if the uppers are still in good shape.

Introduction to Elevator Shoes for Men – Tall Men Shoes

What are elevator shoes, and why should you wear them? TallMenShoes.com looks at the history of these shoes and how they improve your stature and confidence.

Introduction and History of Elevator Shoes for Men

Guys who follow the latest news in footwear know all about elevator shoes. These shoes are becoming increasingly popular among men who want the stature, confidence and opportunities that come from them. But if you haven’t heard of them, you’re probably wondering what the fuss is about. So lace up with our introduction to this modern way of standing out.

A Brief History of Lifting Shoes

Using footwear to make oneself taller is by no means a new phenomenon. The first notable instance goes back all the way back to medieval times. Star actors would often perform in raised shoes; this made them look more impressive on stage and also gave them more of a commanding presence.

There are several other prominent historical cases of being taller coinciding with contemporary style. In 16^th-century Spain, many men sought out the new-fangled cowboy stylish boots that added an inch or two to their height, helping them to stand higher than their partner. In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, everyone from Persian horsemen to King Louis XIV of France wore heels to appear more intimidating and lord-like. And in the 1960s and 1970s, platform shoes were popular among men as part of disco and counter-culture style.

Elevator shoes are the latest evolution of lifting footwear. While the exact origin of the style is disputed, it has taken off in recent years as men seek to become more confident and gain an advantage. That’s not just opinion, more confident men get paid more, hold more executive positions and are more attractive to women.

So What Are Elevator Shoes?

Men’s elevator shoes are basically a modern form of the high-heeled shoe that was once so popular among the aristocracy, lifting the wearer up anywhere from 2 to 5 inches. For the lower end of this scale, manufacturers can often just use a larger heel depending on the shoe style. But on shoes with bigger lifts, much of the height increase is hidden inside the shoe by added thickened sections, or wedges, to the heel area.

This discreet style helps men get the lift they want while remaining fashionable. Elevator shoes allow men to look like they’re wearing regular, stylish shoes so others don’t know their secret. Wearing a longer pair of pants that cover the heel area complete the look by making their legs appear longer.

The best part about elevator shoes is that they can be adapted to many different styles. Dress shoes and boots are the most common elevator styles because they already have a high profile and external heels, which helps conceal the lifting components and gives you a more natural walk. High-top sneakers are good bets as well. Other shoe styles such as loafers, running shoes and sandals take a little more getting used to but offer the same benefits for casual occasions. You can also get lifting inserts to add to your current shoes if you only need a small boost. Any of these options will help you stand taller and make a great impression in all aspects of your life where you need to.