Trying on shoes... socks or no socks?

[eggcellent]

I'm sure you're all suitably excited by this title.

I was in Newlook earlier trying on a pair of court heels, and naturally I took off my socks when trying them on. My DSis, who was present, reckons this is absolutely appalling behaviour, and even though I wouldn't wear socks with them if I bought them, I must keep my socks on when trying them in store "for hygiene reasons". But surely then I wouldn't get a true feel for the shoe and its fit? AIBU?

YABU. I wouldn't try on shoes without socks/pop socks.

I think the issue with trying a shoe that is suitable for bare feet is that the fit can be different with a pop sock. The foot becomes more slippy with a pop sock and so the shoe may not rub, put a bare foot in there and you then find it rubs as the skin is in direct contact with the shoe. I quite often have to try with the pop sock and then try without but then I wouldn't try a shoe if I ever had some form of infection.

I used to work in a high end shoe shop so I understand the difficulties. The only other solution is to take anti bac wipes and give the shoe a wipe down before and after trying.

Was the consensus in buying 2nd hand shoes?

in the UK (and actually, in places I've lived in Europe), I think of it as unacceptable - you should wear socks. BUT, when I lived in Asia it was entirely normal not to wear socks when trying on shoes.

But then in Asia everyone took their shoes (well, flipflops) off and left them outside the front door - even the blokes delivering my washing machine.

I try them on with socks first then usually ask for a pop sock if I'm keen

I have a persistent verucca and I always carry pop socks around in my handbag (old ones with runs or snags in them) in case I see a nice pair of shoes. I would never inflict my verruca on someone else and they hardly take up any room.

But is the 'trying on sock' they provide you with clean?! Not much point trying to avoid verrucas/athlete's foot etc if they give you some minging old sock that half a dozen people have used before you!

You can't check the fit with socks on, or pop socks really!

Even in very expensive shoe shops, I've never been given pop socks, and everyone has tried on with bare feet, it's normal!

Thing is, what do you then do with the pop sock? It always makes me panic as to put it back in the box is manky but then if I put it in my pocket that feels like theft. I’m not going to hand them back to the shop assistant as that’s equally unfair for her to have to touch them. I always end up walking off looking for a bin by the tills leaving my handbag and children abandoned by the seat

What, is this a thing? I genuinely didn't know people covered their feet to try on shoes?!

I have never owned a pop sock, I had to Google what one is. I assume you can get them wherever you buy your normal socks?!
I'd be surprised if new look have them, seems quite an expense for them considering the shoes are £20

I must file this thread in the same place as...
Wash sheets every morning on boil wash
Throw out flannels after one use
and
Wash every towel that might have touched part of my body once

I cannot begin to imagine the faff of driving to shopping centre to go shoe shopping, buying pop socks to try them on, finding the ones I like, coming home to order them online, finding they're out of stock, so picking my second choice and waiting a week for the parcel to turn up only to find I'd ordered the wrong ones!

If you over embellish and describe transaction in problematic manner,yes it’s a faff

Alternatively, try the item on.use the pop sock you’ve taken with you.order item in store or on your phone.ipad.you know the portable tech that means you don’t have to return home to order.have item delivered to a location that suits you eg work,home,stire

Socks all the way

Does everybody honestly take pop socks with them? I love my shoes, I go shoe shopping and I've never in all my days seen anyone take out their own personal pop socks out their handbag to try on shoes

If I find shoes I like, I want them now, not have them delivered to work or whatever. If I said this to anyone I know, they would assume the shop was out of stock of my size and think I was barmy for going home without them!

I do. I really really do. After all, most shoes, you wear them with socks or tights anyway. How can you be sure of the fit if you don’t.

Pop sock I keep one in my bag

Except for in the dead of winter, I wear most of my shoes without socks or tights but everyone's different.

I'm the same as Roussette, I'm pretty much always bare foot in my shoes, except for trainers when I'm running or boots when it's really cold

Even in very expensive shoe shops, I've never been given pop socks, and everyone has tried on with bare feet, it's normal!
I have genuinely never seen anyone do that, but I have see shop assistants stop a few people trying, and offer them a pop sock.

Always pop socks for hygiene imo not bare feet

If the shop has pop socks I'd use them but I'm not fussed enough to take my own. Wouldn't do it if I
Wearing full thickness socks to try on shoes that you'd subsequently wear without socks is pointless, the fit will be completely different.

have a persistent verucca and I always carry pop socks around in my handbag (old ones with runs or snags in them) in case I see a nice pair of shoes. I would never inflict my verruca on someone else and they hardly take up any room.

You really think that a popsock is an effective barrier for a verruca?

How would you suggest I try on new shoes @Grimbles? Obviously when my shoes start letting in water I really ought to replace them.

And YEARS of cryo stuff from the nurse at the GP surgery hasn't shifted it. Nor home cryo. Nor Bazooka extra strength. Nor banana peel/vinegar/gaffer tape/MN home remedies.

Shall I just cut my hobbit feet off? Or continue to be considerate when replacing worn out shoes?

How would you suggest I try on new shoes @Grimbles?
Shall I just cut my hobbit feet off? Or continue to be considerate when replacing worn out shoes?
No, just put a plaster over the verruca if you might be going to try on shoes .

As someone who likes to wear shoes on bare feet a lot (even trainers, so shoot me!), I still take socks with me if I set out to buy shoes. I've seen plenty of people trying shoes on bare feet though.