’m an absolute fiend for boots. This is because I really dislike wearing pants (I just always fee like a lumberjack in them) so a healthy collection of boots is necessary to get me through winter. The one thing I really freaking hate about boots though is how long it takes to wear them in.
I’m a shoe snob so I only buy good quality leather and good quality leather boots feel like cement strapped to your feet for at least a few months before you break them in. The boots I’m wearing in the picture above only lasted me about a season and a half before the soul wore through (not cool) so I had to get some new ones to replace them.
Wearing
Metalicus drees
Bonds tights
Religion cardigan
Ecco boots
Jewellery from Byron Bay, Rose St Markets, Thailand and coin necklace from my grandfather
Randolph sunglasses
I bought new boots a few weekends ago for an absolute steal. They’re from Ecco and they were $199 down from $500. They also lined with Gortex which I know is good because George Costanza a told me so. I’ve become quite the expert wearing in newbies and because I’m such a kind hearted soul, I’m going to share my advice on how to break in new boots…
Tips for breaking in new boots…
– Wear them out for dinner, particularly if you’re driving. Short walks to and from restaurants are perfect for starting the breaking in process. Don’t try shopping all day in them. There will be so much regret.
– Pack comfortable shoes in your bag. This is essential. New leather boots can absolutely destroy your feet so make sure you have a back up for at least for the first few weeks of wearing them in.
– Wear them around the house. I break all my shoes in at home in my pjs. I used to do this when I was a kid for dancing when I had to break in new tap or ballet shoes. Even if you just wear them for half an hour each night in front of the TV, they will slowly get softer and softer. Plus it’s hilarious wearing leather boots with a nightie. Bonza.
– Wear them briefly in summer. If you can pop your boots on every now and then to duck to the shops in summer, they’ll be beautifully worn in by winter. Also your feet are usually puffier in summer so they’ll get some extra stretch.
– Get some proper socks. Trouser socks won’t cut it, you need proper padded hiking socks. Don’t go too thick or you won’t be able to get your feet in them but do go for some extra padding to protect your feet in the breaking in period.
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Are you a boot wearer? Any fool proof tips for breaking in boots?
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18 Comments
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Good tips from a boot expert! It’s past time for me here in qld to clean and pack my beloved boots away. I bought some earthies chara for a steal at the end of winter a couple of years ago – no wearing I required – most comfy things ever! I read somewhere, though I’ve never tried it, that if your shoes are too tight, put on a couple pairs of thick socks and then the shoes and blow hot air from your hair dryer on them – they will soften and stretch instantly. Xx
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Author
You know I don’t think I’ve ever worn boots in QLD! It’s always sandal weather for me there!
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good one smags! … all good tips too!
I love boots! … any kind of flat boots!
major tip … never buy boots that are too small!
big mistake and I’ve learnt the hard way hun!
“those boots are made for walk’n!” … first record I ever bought!
lol m:)X-
Oh yes! You can’t ever wear in a heel that’s too small – so uncomfortable!
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Great tips! I love boots, though it doesn’t often get that cold on the Gold Coast to wear them but when it does i love to wear them.:)
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I totally! I don’t think I’ve ever worn boots on the GC!
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I stuff scrunched up newspaper in mine when I’m not wearing them. I’m sure it’s psychological but it makes me feel that they’re being worn in and that it makes the leather “give” a little.
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I do that too Sammie! It also helps keep them in shape while you’re not wearing them. x
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I’m sure it helps! I don’t do that but that’s because I live in Melbourne and I wear my boots nearly every day!
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Hey Sammie, definitely not just psychological. I used to play AFL and that’s the trick we used, wet them a little stuff ’em right up tight so they stretch a little and put them a couple of metres away from the heater/open fire or oven, they’ll supple up and have a little give. Enjoy.
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I’ve often wondered, why the brown boots? because you wear a lot of black and grey. Is it for a pop of colour? do you like playing off warm and cool tones?
I recently got a pair of boots in wide calf – because I kept thinking most regular calf ones were too snug – only to realise wide calf boots are TOO wide. I guess I have to stick to ankle boots : (-
I view any natural leather colour as neutral. Black boots and black tights (while I do still wear them together) often look too heavy and I hate fake coloured leather so that only leaves brown. I actually didn’t know you weren’t supposed to wear brown boots with black and grey. Is that even a thing?
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Maybe it’s a dated thing? like not wearing navy and black together? I just thought because black and grey are cool tones, and brown is a warm tone, they’re kind of opposite sides of the spectrum. That and the whole breaking up the line of the leg. Really I think anything goes nowadays, so if that’s what you’re comfortable rocking, it probably looks better because of it. I know I break a bunch of dated style rules and feel more confident because of it.
I just looked it up and found this interesting list, that I will put aside to read later: http://stylecaster.com/fashion-rules-to-break/ and thought you might like too.
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I’m a big boots fan too Carly – this year it was all about the ankle boots….. I bought like four pairs…. maybe five…. who’s counting though! Love your tips – if you can get hold of some dubbin it’s great for softening the leather and protecting it too. x
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I have some ankle boots but I just don’t think they’re supposed to work on me. Stumpy short legs and ankle boots don’t mix.
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Love boots of all shapes and sizes but my all time fav’s are new rocks. Being a more mature lady now I stick to the more sensible end of the range now…mostly :p
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Oh I’ll look them up! I’m loving Merryls at the moment too. I need really hard wearing ones because I walk everywhere – like 10kms per day!
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Pingbacks
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[…] Boots from Ecco – I can’t even tell you how in love I am with myself right now. At the end of last winter, I knew these boots needed re-soleing so rather than put them in the cupboard and wait until next winter I DID IT STRAIGHT AWAY! So when I went to get them out for the first time this winter, they were all re-soled and ready to go. Thanks past Carly. You’ve done it again. […]
[…] Boots from Ecco – I can’t even tell you how in love I am with myself right now. At the end of last winter, I knew these boots needed re-soleing so rather than put them in the cupboard and wait until next winter I DID IT STRAIGHT AWAY! So when I went to get them out for the first time this winter, they were all re-soled and ready to go. Thanks past Carly. You’ve done it again. […]
