Streching shoes

[abc123]

Hi all,

Please excuse me if this has already been discussed, though I searched and couldn't find any thing of use.

I have a pair of shoes (tassel loafers) that are a bit small. I generally wear a wide size, and these are a regular. I have heard people reference the streching of shoes, and I was wondering if it is possible to expand the width/length slightly, how much it costs, and if these are any negative effects to the structure of the shoes. If anyone has any experience doing this, I wold love to hear about it!

Thanks in advance gents!

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by abc123

Hi all,

Please excuse me if this has already been discussed, though I searched and couldn't find any thing of use.

I have a pair of shoes (tassel loafers) that are a bit small. I generally wear a wide size, and these are a regular. I have heard people reference the streching of shoes, and I was wondering if it is possible to expand the width/length slightly, how much it costs, and if these are any negative effects to the structure of the shoes. If anyone has any experience doing this, I wold love to hear about it!

Thanks in advance gents!
I think the answers in general are: 1. It can be done. 2. A number of folks here have done it themselves using various methods, but a number of people have suggested that having a professional shoe guy do it may be safer, in that should know how to ensure even stretching that won't make the shoe end up looking distorted. If you're going to try yourself, there are commercially available (cheap) products you can apply to the leather first to make it more amenable to stretching. 3. I have no idea what it costs to have them professionally stretched, but I would not expect it to be terribly expensive, as there is no actual alteration of the construction of the shoe.

 

[DocHolliday]

Shoes usually can be stretched by about a width, and my cobbler charges $5 for the service. It's best to find a place that does a slow stretch over several days.

If you think you'll need to have several pairs stretched, you might be better off buying your own stretcher. They're available pretty cheap at stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond.

 

[odoreater]

I bought a stretcher on ebay for $20. Basically, I coat the top of the stretcher with a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water and stick it in the shoe and stretch the shoe with the stretcher. I then leave it like that for 24 hours. After 24 hours I take it out again and repeat the process for another 24 hours. I then take the shoes and wear them at home while wearing two pairs of athletic socks. This usually does the trick for me. I most recently did this to a pair of EG I bought for the sale where the right shoe was too tight and it worked pretty well. I've also done this a number of times in the past to several different types of shoes and always with good results. The only problem is that after doing this a brand new pair of shoes looks like a pair of shoes that have been worn a few times (i.e., you see creasing on the top of the shoe).

 

[abc123]

Thanks for all the responses. I was afraid it would be a expensive and risky procedure, so this is encouraging. I only have one pair, and don't really want to risk it myself, so I'll have it done professionally. Anyone know of a reputable place in DC or the Maryland side of the metro area? Many Thanks.