The Best Shoe Hack You Never Knew

Being a petite woman has many fit challenges…and they’re not all with your clothes. This post shared the importance of correct fit and alterations for your clothes. Today I’m sharing alterations of a different sort. Shoe alterations. Do you do it? Did you know it could be done?

I have difficult feet. Bunions, several broken toes from crashing into things, a cyst causing a hammertoe and general lack of padding on the bottom of my feet mean…my feet hurt. I usually live in flat shoes, but was inspired to make a pair of heels work for me this spring.

I fell in love with the new block heel and these Vince Camuto shoes caught my eye. I really wanted to wear these so I got creative to make them work.  I took them home, sprayed them with shoe stretch and wore around the house for several hours, wearing heavy socks. Once I was certain they were wide enough, I took them to my cobbler who cut 1/2″ off the heel height. You can’t tell they’ve been shortened unless you know I did it!

Now, rather than throw my body weight forward onto the ball of my foot, they angle me backward and puts the weight on my heels, where it belongs.

These block-heeled sandals were also too high for me so the cobbler removed 3/4″ from them.

Alterations make all the difference between looking well-dressed and looking over-powered when you’re petite. Invest in alterations and include your shoes in the mix.

Have you ever had heels shortened on your shoes or boots?