So because I’m known to be the resident shoe slut around here (the number of pairs of shoes I own falls within the 150 range at last count), I’ve just been asked by a friend where to get pretty neon shoes. Of course there’s Aldo, Nine West and Steve Madden you can fall back on but to avoid a case of ‘Who Wore It Best’ I prefer to cast my net into the WWW. There are a couple of trusted online stores I frequent and I’ll show you some of their sweet offerings in a bit but first, what should you take into consideration when buying shoes online?
5 Tips For Online Shoe Shopping
1) Very often, sizing is the most crucial element. To know whether the size 7 listed is in US or UK measurements, first determine the country that the online store is operating out of. This information is usually found at the ‘Contact Us’ page.
2) Established shoe stores should have universally accurate sizing information but to play safe, measure your feet in cm and match that against the store’s size chart. I’ve found that going with European sizing (i.e. size 38, 39, 40 etc), which is unisex, is the safest as it also applies to men; great for when you’re buying sneakers. Do note also that different brands go with different sizes (it’s not always consistent!) so just because you’re usually a size 7 doesn’t mean you’ll always be.
3) Given the huge hassle of returning online orders overseas, always go half a size up when in doubt. It’s better to have some breathing space than to cramp your feet into ill-fitting shoes. Besides, you can always stick insoles into your shoes or ball pads on your heels to get a snugger fit.
4) Make use of coupon codes and promo deals when shopping online. There’s a discount out there every other day. Got a brand you like? Sign up to its email newsletters and keep an eye out for special deals and seasonal sales. Many overseas online stores offer free or flat-rate shipping – you defo don’t wanna deal with V-Post (which calculates cost of shipping based of both volumetric and actual weight) when your package contains shoes (too heavy!). Got friends who need new shoes? Gather a bunch who are interested and do a bulk purchase so you can split shipping costs. Do keep the total order under $400 or your purchase will be subject to GST at the customs.
5) Make sure that the store you’re making a purchase at allows returns and refunds. While sending your purchase back for an exchange or refund can incur additional costs on your end (stores don’t usually cover return shipping costs, and if your shoes are heavy, it can come up to quite a bit), it’s always better to have that option. You know… just in case.
I’ll need to disclaim that while my tips above have worked for me, they may not be applicable or true for everyone. At the end of the day, always exercise caution when shopping online and make sure there’s a Customer Service hotline you can call should something go wrong. Now, for the eye candy.
15 Neon Spring-time Shoes We Love
Shipping Rates
Asos.com – Free Standard Shipping from the UK, 9 to 20 working days
BooHoo.com – £6.99 from the UK, 5 to 10 working days (max 10 items per order)
GoJane.com – US$30 upwards from the US, 2 to 4 weeks
Heels.com – Quoted on checkout from the US, 7 to 14 working days
NastyGal.com – US$15 from the US, 2 to 4 weeks
Net-A-Porter.com – Free Express Shipping from Hong Kong, 2 to 3 working days
ShopBop.com – Free Express Shipping from the US, 3 working days
And since we’re on the topic of neon shoes, I would also like to draw your attention to local label Depression‘s SS13 Shoe collection, Blackout. These futuristic neon flatforms are super quirky with odd shapes and contrasting hues, and are defo landing on my shoe rack. Visit them at #03-05A Cineleisure!
Do you heart neon too? Which pair tickled your fancy, and what do you look out for when shopping for shoes online?
Images via: Main (germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org), Product Images (various websites as stated), Depression Label shoes (Press Information)
a dose of pretty | Singapore Beauty & Lifestyle Blog by Jazmin Kelly Six 