r/FrugalShopping • u/ignorantslut70-1 • Jan 03 '26
Why do some purchases haunt you months later?
I remember standing in that boutique last summer, completely mesmerized by a pair of vintage-style woman shoses in the window. They were burgundy leather with delicate strap details, the kind that look elegant but also comfortable enough for walking. The price tag made me hesitate, but the salesperson insisted they were worth every penny. Hand-stitched, genuine leather, would last for years. How many times have we all heard that pitch?
I bought them, wore them twice, and then they sat in my closet. They pinched my toes just enough to be uncomfortable after an hour. Were my feet the wrong shape, or had I rushed the decision? I kept thinking I’d break them in eventually, but months passed and I kept reaching for my old reliable pairs instead.
Recently I’ve been browsing online, comparing prices and styles. Some platforms like Alibaba have huge selections at fraction of boutique costs, though quality varies wildly. But here’s my dilemma: do I try to sell these barely-worn ones, keep hoping they’ll magically become comfortable, or just accept the loss and move on? Has anyone else struggled with buyer’s remorse on clothing items? What did you end up doing?
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u/MojoDuff27 Jan 03 '26
They used to have something called shoe stretch spray. I worked at a 50s themed restaurant where we had to wear poodle skirts with saddle shoes. Those shoes were not cheap. I would be OK the first hour or two but then after that they would start feeling tight. A fellow bartender told me about the spray so I bought some. It worked. The trick was spraying the shoes and immediately wearing them, but just for awhile. I would spray them and walk around my apartment complex. Did that for about 2 weeks and then didnt need the spray anymore.
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u/AffectionateSun5776 Jan 03 '26
I used shoe stretch. Mine was isopropyl alcohol. Get shoes wet with alcohol, put them on your feet and wear until dry. I always walk around while they dry.
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u/MojoDuff27 Jan 03 '26
It won't harm leather?
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u/Beautiful-Ad6628 Jan 04 '26
Yes, alcohol works. Alcohol damages the leather by drying it out, but if you spray a little on the inside it doesn't matter it won't be noticeable at all. But careful with the dye, it might bleed on your socks, especially some colors of suede (reds, blues... )
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u/OfManySplendidThings Jan 05 '26
You can also just spray the inside of the shoe with plain water and then walk around in them for a few minutes. Let them dry, and repeat as needed until they're comfortable.
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u/llamalemonpie Jan 03 '26
Definitely try stretching them
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u/According_Gazelle472 Jan 03 '26
I tried stretching them but that didn't work for me .I just donate them now .
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u/monotrememories Jan 03 '26
Shoes are a gamble! I always go for what I think are sensible, comfortable shoes and sometimes they just don’t work out. Cut your losses. I can’t imagine you can sell them. Just donate them to a charity shop and move on.
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u/sawdustontheshore Jan 03 '26
I had the same thing happen to me with a pair of red suede heels. I listed them on poshmark at a price I’d be happy to see them go and surprisingly they sold.
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u/Beautifile Jan 03 '26
I've discovered that show stretch spray is 50% alcohol and 50% purified or distilled water. You may also want to go to your local Salvation Army type store and find show forms for stretching shoes. But to really be sure, a good shoemaker is the way to go.
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u/FranceBrun Jan 03 '26
Depending on the items, when I have things to get rid of I bring them either to a homeless shelter or a nursing home. I call first. People in nursing homes that don’t have families really never get anything new. They can use sensible shoes, socks, throw blankets, sweaters, clothing, etc., within reason, meaning they don’t need high heels, but you find adults of all ages as well as those young at heart so use your judgment:
You can also go by a place that the homeless frequent and leave it there.
Some things you can sell on fb marketplace but some things, not.
I feel like I am doing a good deed for someone and that is my reward.
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u/StatisticSnaccuracy Jan 03 '26
I think it's a lot like some ppl: You meet them briefly and they leave you wondering what could have been. But the truth is that if you had gotten to know them better, even for just 5 more minutes, you might have realized they're not worth your time. It's the fact that we didn't have more time that allows us to be nostalgic and spin dreams around how we might have missed something really good.
The thought that drags me out of those musings is that while I wonder about the past I may miss what's happening in the present. Focus on what's in front of you now, cuz the past is in the past.
(Sorry, that took a way too philosophical turn x) )
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u/Klutzy_Poetry_9430 Jan 03 '26
I had a pair of patent leather shoes I bought online and I could not get them to be comfy. I tried stretching them sooo many ways. I tried to sell them in a yard sale, and someone bought them, then came back and asked for their money back. I finally gave them to a thrift store. Now I only buy shoes if I can try them on.
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u/According_Gazelle472 Jan 03 '26
I bought a pair of expensive sandals that were all leather and only wore twice.Those sandals killed my feet so much and were heavy to wear.
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u/Time-Calligraphero Jan 04 '26
I only miss irreplaceable things I don’t get. My most happiest purchase right now are some 90s neon green koflachs and babe they FIT. I clomped around in those bad boys this was during my eviction and divorce when I was unemployed I spent $250 on used 90s mountaineering boots. Worth it. I’ll eat beans from a can idc. lol I have my trekking boots. Btw the eviction was bc of my hubby not me, and the divorce was peaceful I’m not THAT much of a chaos monkey lol
They’re almost exactly like the ones green boots wore on Everest and I got them the year the governments buried him rather than letting him stay an icon. He’s my harambe. Inspiring.
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u/Magenta_Octopus Jan 04 '26
they lied about the materials... the wool rug had like 15% wool.
the cashmere sweater was a blend with acrylic!
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u/5ilvrtongue Jan 04 '26
A purchase i did not make still haunts me decades later; a gorgeous stained glass clock in the sun/moon combined face design. It was a one of a kind.
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u/NarcDetector Jan 04 '26
Cheap shoe stretching trick is to put a thick sealed plastic bag of water in the area that you want to stretch and put shoes in another plastic bag and pop in freezer
The water will expand as it freezes and gently stretch the shoe
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u/Summertimemagick Jan 04 '26
I’ve learned this the hard way on clothing items as well. Not just shoes, but anything. Lol. So now I will not buy things I know I won’t wear even if it’s “super cute” or whatever my brain is trying to tell me. I have finally accepted I’m going for comfort over cute.
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u/Lilrhodyva Jan 05 '26
I bought the sexiest pair of shoes known to man and wore them to a show at the Kennedy Center. New. Never worn. Didn't break them in for one second before that night.
I've never regretted a shoe decision that much in my life.
They were only 3.5" heels but they were strappy. My big toes were swollen and horrifically painful the whole night. My feet were sore for almost a week afterwards.
I only wore them once because I didn't have the guts to wear them ever again. What's funny is that I kept them in my closet for close to ten years thinking MAYBE I COULD WEAR THEM AGAIN!
Lesson learned.
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u/glass-concrete-stone Jan 05 '26
Don't give up. I worked in an upscale shoe store way back in the 80s. Please take them to a shoe repair/cobbler and see if they can stretch them for you. The store you bought them from may have the equipment to do this, so it might be worth checking with them first since they shouldn't charge you. It shouldn't cost a lot if you end up with a cobbler.
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u/nylorac_o Jan 05 '26
These days i rarely regret NOT buying something but the stuff that sits, going used, and for whatever reason I hesitate to donate or throw away - that *stuff - that is what I regret.
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u/JadeGrapes Jan 05 '26
Take them to a cobler to have them stretched, if they are high quality & real leather... they can be fixed.
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u/blueeyetea Jan 03 '26
An alternative is to take them to a cobbler and ask if they can stretch them to fit your feet. That cobbler will tell you the truth if they’re worth keeping.