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[Airan]

I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks, and the dress code there is business smart, in contrast to my old job where it was just casual all the time (a perk I will sorely miss...). As such I'm looking to buy a new pair of smart-looking shoes to replace my decade old ones, which while super comfortable look decidedly battle-worn.

I've not bought any leather shoes in years but are they supposed to be stiff as a rock? In almost every one I've tried the toe caps are pinching my toes when I lift my heels to take a step. It's a shame because I found one pair of shoes to have very comfortable cushioned soles and if not for it pressing down on my toes I would've bought them. Should I just buy them and endure until they soften up (if they do...), GAF? I don't want to splurge only to discover I have to suffer crushed toes.

 

[Fou-Lu]

Leather shoes will stretch and conform to your feet and become much softer with wear.

 

[entremet]

Leather shoes will stretch and conform to your feet and become much softer with wear.

Yep.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

They should get more comfortable after you break them in. But yeah, you'll be uncomfortable for a bit. Maybe there are more expensive dress shoes that are immediately comfortable but I wouldn't know anything about that.

 

[KSweeley]

What kind of dress code is "business smart"???

 

[Earthbound64]

Leather shoes will stretch and conform to your feet and become much softer with wear.

Yep.

This.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

What kind of dress code is "business smart"???

The opposite of business dumb, obviously.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

Break them in by wearing them round the house, while you're sitting at your desk, on the couch etc and you'll be fine

 

[sixteen-bit]

Give 'em time

 

[Rktk]

Leather shoes stretch over time but if they are causing pain from the outset I'd say they are not ok.

 

[jelly]

Got to break them in.

I hate buying smart shoes, some have extended pointy toe boxes, instant no, others are loose around the heal and the styles are so shit mostly. I just want a smart, not flashy pair of leather boots to wear with a suit and be smart casual, so hard to find. Chukka boots get close but then have two eye holes and are looose around the ankle which is horrible. Clarks were terrible for that.

 

[milanbaros]

Give them a couple of weeks and they will soften and become much more comfortable.

 

[cvxfreak]

Leather shoes will stretch and conform to your feet and become much softer with wear.

Unless you have Hugo Boss shoes.

 

[rokkerkory]

How much were they?

 

[Kraftwerk]

You can fix this with an easy at home remedy.

Take a plastic bucket or bin. Fill it with coca-cola. Not any of the diet or zero stuff, regular coke.

Then take a ziplock bag and fill it mentos. Use a needle to make very small holes in the ziplock bag. Stuff the bag inside the shoes and throw them into the bucket. Do this outside as it will get messy. The chemical chain reaction will cause pressure to build up inside the shoes and expand and soften them up.

Rinse the shoe with water after, let them dry and voila! soft and slightly expanded leather shoes that will be very comfortably. No need to wear them for months to break them in.

 

[MudoSkills]

You might have bought new shoes, but you haven't really paid for them until they make you bleed.

A work colleague told me you can soften them up with a hair dryer - not that I've tried it.

 

[cybamerc]

You also need to try different shoes. If the last, that the shoes are made from, does not match your feet adequately the shoes will likely never become comfortable.

 

[shira]

Leather shoes will stretch and conform to your feet and become much softer with wear.

Maybe a few millimeters, but if shoes aren't comfy from the get-go I wouldn't buy them thinking I'll just wear them in

 

[GatorBait]

What kind of dress code is "business smart"???

I'm going to hazard a guess here that it is that range of dress between "business casual" (which can include polo shirts, khakis, and more casual dress shoes) and full "business professional" (which is typically categorized as wearing a full suit and tie).

So probably button-up shirts, nice dress pants and shoes (i.e., no loafers). The main question mark in my mind would be whether ties are required or not.

I could be wrong, but anything dressier than that I've only see categorized as "business professional."

 

[KSweeley]

I'm going to hazard a guess here that it is that range of dress between "business casual" (which can include polo shirts, khakis, and more casual dress shoes) and full "business professional" (which is typically categorized as wearing a full suit and tie).

So probably button-up shirts, nice dress pants and shoes (i.e., no loafers). The main question mark in my mind would be whether ties are required or not.

I could be wrong, but anything dressier than that I've only see categorized as "business professional."

Thanks. I'm familiar with business casual and business professional but never heard of business smart before.

 

[pa22word]

remember op: the true way of breaking in leather wear is to fill them up with water, put your feet in them, and don't take them off for 2 weeks. true story!

 

[Monocle]

What kind of dress code is "business smart"???

The opposite of Trump's outfits?

 

[GatorBait]

Thanks. I'm familiar with business casual and business professional but never heard of business smart before.

It's not a term I've heard being regularly used, but I've had those types of dress codes in the past, so that's what I'm assuming. Curious to hear clarification by the OP.

remember op: the true way of breaking in leather wear is to fill them up with water, put your feet in them, and don't take them off for 2 weeks. true story!

Here's a lifehack shortcut though: just wear them in the warm bathub for a couple hours and they will shrink and conform to your feet, much like what you'd do to help break-in and fit a pair of quality denim jeans.

 

[Alucrid]

What kind of dress code is "business smart"???

it's the british way or saying dress pants and a collared shirt

 

[Captain Tuttle]

Maybe a few millimeters, but if shoes aren't comfy from the get-go I wouldn't buy them thinking I'll just wear them in

Yeah, I've been burned by this before

OP, go to shoe store where they actually measure your feet with one of these

 

[New002]

Got to break them in.

I hate buying smart shoes, some have extended pointy toe boxes, instant no, others are loose around the heal and the styles are so shit mostly. I just want a smart, not flashy pair of leather boots to wear with a suit and be smart casual, so hard to find. Chukka boots get close but then have two eye holes and are looose around the ankle which is horrible. Clarks were terrible for that.

Dunno about with a suit, but take a look at the Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill boot. If you have a store definitely pop in to get fitted for a boot.

 

[nhlducks35]

You want to make sure the ball of your feet matches up with the widest part of the shoe, otherwise your shoes are incorrectly sized

I recommend going to an Allen Edmonds store and getting sized. Granted, their shoes are about $200-$300 but will last you for many years, and can be resoled (my dad has a pair that are 26 years old)

 

[Patrick S.]

You have to pee in them and then put them on to widen them while they are still wet.

 

[Airan]

I'm going to hazard a guess here that it is that range of dress between "business casual" (which can include polo shirts, khakis, and more casual dress shoes) and full "business professional" (which is typically categorized as wearing a full suit and tie).

So probably button-up shirts, nice dress pants and shoes (i.e., no loafers). The main question mark in my mind would be whether ties are required or not.

I could be wrong, but anything dressier than that I've only see categorized as "business professional."

Yeah pretty much this. Far as I can see ties aren't necessary - didn't see anyone wear them during my interview. It's probably not the most common term but it describes it well imo. Basically I just need some new dress shoes lol.

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll try some more next time I go shopping but that pair I mentioned sat really well with me, so maybe I'll endure some discomfort while it breaks in. If not, then lesson learned and I'll just get another pair.

 

[whatsinaname]

A matter of price I am afraid. I haven't found comfortable leather boots/shoes under $150-$200.

 

[Banderdash]

You can also soften up the leather by rubbing polish into them.

And when I say rubbing, I mean working... like properly, like for hours at a time.
Get that polish well impregnated in the leather.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

A matter of price I am afraid. I haven't found comfortable leather boots/shoes under $150-$200.

I've had good luck in the past with Kenneth Cole Reaction and Perry Ellis.

But I've recently discovered Allen Edmonds, so I'll a few more classy things in my arsenal.

 

[Rest]

Pour rubbing alcohol inside the shoe any place that it rubs or pinches. As long as it's wet it will be soft, and you can break in a pair of shoes in a few minutes. Once the alcohol evaporates, the leather will set again, and the shoe will be the shape of your foot.

If it has a gloss finish, this will be ruined and it will become matte. You may be able to polish it to a shine again with lots of elbow grease.

 

[TacticalHotdog]

Break them in by wearing them round the house, while you're sitting at your desk, on the couch etc and you'll be fine

Alternatively, put shoe stretchers when you take them off so you can break them in without actually wearing them.

 

[siddx]

Your shoes shouldn't hurt you. If they do they aren't the right fit or are just terrible shoes. I've tried all kinds of brands from expensive to dirt cheap and surprisingly, the best leather "dress" shoes I ever owned as far as comfort were dockers.

 

[cyberheater]

It sounds to me that you've bought the wrong size.

Try the next size up and go to Clarks.

 

[edbrat]

At John Lobb super posh shoe maker your first pair is around four grand (GBP) and they make a wooden replica of your feet so you can pop back in and get new pairs done for the rest of your life for around two grand a pop. Anyway those are so stiff when you get them that people walk around bleeding for months but then they fit perfectly for the rest of your life.

 

[peakish]

All leather shoes I've bought have been super stiff at first and given me sore heels for the first days I wore them. Honestly, some of them even tore my skin when I pushed too far in them before they were broken (right now my heels have a hardened patch from the last time I did this). I'm slowly learning how important it is to take it slow with these shoes, but it's worth it because the fit is incredible after I've broken them in. They're really comfortable.

However, no pair I ever bought hurt while I was trying them on in the store. Stiff, sure. Hurt, no. Ask the staff to help you get the size and fit correct. If they don't seem to know this try to find a different store. I feel lucky with having found a store run by people who love shoes and know how they should fit so that you grow into them with use.

 

[Airan]

It sounds to me that you've bought the wrong size.

Try the next size up and go to Clarks.

Heh, I've only been into Clarks actually (seems to be the only shoe store in the UK that's not just selling trainers/sneakers).

I'm normally a size 9, but that was too tight, so tried half a size up, which was great except for the toe pinching bit. Going up to 10 and the shoe felt too loose.

 

[GoldenCrow]

At John Lobb super posh shoe maker your first pair is around four grand (GBP) and they make a wooden replica of your feet so you can pop back in and get new pairs done for the rest of your life for around two grand a pop. Anyway those are so stiff when you get them that people walk around bleeding for months but then they fit perfectly for the rest of your life.

That is pretty standard with high quality leather shoes. However once you go through it for the first time you will never make the mistake of not using something to protect your feet. I found wide zinc oxide tape on the areas you know are a problem is the best prevention.