Has anyone managed to stretch out Irregular Choice shoes?

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 2023-04-03T14:11:05+00:00

I have a hen do this weekend and I found a gorgeous pair of IC boots on Vinted, they were brand new in the box, only been tried on inside, the soles are immaculate and clearly never been outside. An absolute steal at £30! But they're too small 😩 they're meant to be a 7 (40) I'm a 7 but they're so tight! Is there anything I can do to stretch them out a bit??

Bellevu · 03/04/2023 15:11

Following with pained interest

Original poster

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 03/04/2023 15:13

The lovely boots 😍

Has anyone managed to stretch out Irregular Choice shoes?

OP posts:

LilyRose88 · 03/04/2023 15:20

I find Irregular Choice shoes really uncomfortable unfortunately, as I love them. 🙁 Maybe try wearing them with really thick socks around the house. And take a pair of trainers with you on the hen do for when you can't bear to wear the shoes any longer! Sorry I can't be more help.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/04/2023 15:39

Get some leather stretcher spray from Clark's

Original poster

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 03/04/2023 15:39

LilyRose88 · 03/04/2023 15:20

I find Irregular Choice shoes really uncomfortable unfortunately, as I love them. 🙁 Maybe try wearing them with really thick socks around the house. And take a pair of trainers with you on the hen do for when you can't bear to wear the shoes any longer! Sorry I can't be more help.

Thankfully the do is mostly sitting down (dinner and then a show) so walking will be minimal at least 😄 I just don't fancy numb toes from them being squeezed too much! Might have to pack some flip flops 😅

OP posts:

rbe78 · 03/04/2023 15:54

Try putitng on a pair of really thick socks (walking socks, or two or three pairs of normal socks), then put on the shoes and heat them up with a hairdryer. Wear them until they've cooled down, then repeat a few times. The heat helps them stretch. Won't work miracles, but might help give you a little bit more room.

TheFoz · 03/04/2023 20:44

Unfortunately you have to size up with Irregular Choice shoes.

Porkandbeans1 · 03/04/2023 22:15

The zip lock bag, water and freezer method has worked for me before.

Travelfan2021 · 03/04/2023 22:17

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LuckyDipForTheEuro · 03/04/2023 22:20

Nothing to add other than they're stupidly small and pointy.

Newmum110 · 03/04/2023 22:20

I always have to size up in irregular choice shoes so I unfortunately wouldn't hold out much hope OP

LuckyDipForTheEuro · 03/04/2023 22:21

I've similarly ridiculous high dramatic Lipsy heels and they do at least fit.

strawberryseed · 03/04/2023 22:24

I second Clark's leather stretcher. Spray and wear your with your thickest socks around the house. Repeat a few times and when you wear with normal socks they should be fine.

mybeautifuloak · 03/04/2023 22:42

Jeezus they are ugly

Original poster

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/04/2023 14:21

mybeautifuloak · 03/04/2023 22:42

Jeezus they are ugly

Well thankfully I don't give a shit about your unwanted opinion

OP posts:

Original poster

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/04/2023 14:23

Thanks all! I currently have 3 pairs of socks on and I'm periodically blasting them with the hairdryer, they're definitely improving! Will try the bag of water and freezing overnight tonight!

OP posts:

highfidelity · 04/04/2023 14:31

If the shoe is too short in the length, then no, you can't stretch it out. If it's in the width, then yes.

The best way to stretch shoes is to steam the inside with a kettle and use the top of broom handle (as well as your hand) to manipulate the leather. Keep boiling the kettle and repeat as necessary. It's the way shoe shops stretch shoes and far better than filling a bag with water and freezing it overnight.

However, all that said, given the shape of the shoe, you're not going to get a lot of stretch out of it. They're also going to be quite painful to walk in after a few hours - a shoe like that needs to be bought in a size larger than needed and worn with a padded half sole.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 04/04/2023 14:45

I have never managed to stretch a pair of IC shoes. I just suffer.
Some pairs fit like a glove but it really depends on style.

Original poster

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/04/2023 14:47

highfidelity · 04/04/2023 14:31

If the shoe is too short in the length, then no, you can't stretch it out. If it's in the width, then yes.

The best way to stretch shoes is to steam the inside with a kettle and use the top of broom handle (as well as your hand) to manipulate the leather. Keep boiling the kettle and repeat as necessary. It's the way shoe shops stretch shoes and far better than filling a bag with water and freezing it overnight.

However, all that said, given the shape of the shoe, you're not going to get a lot of stretch out of it. They're also going to be quite painful to walk in after a few hours - a shoe like that needs to be bought in a size larger than needed and worn with a padded half sole.

Luckily it's a mostly sitting down evening, meal and a show!

I didn't know about having to size up in IC shoes, I've never had any before so when I saw these in 'my' size for £30 on Vinted I snapped them up immediately! I won't make this mistake again that's for sure 🤣 the length isn't too bad, it's the width thats the issue but they're definitely improving!

OP posts:

highfidelity · 04/04/2023 15:08

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 04/04/2023 14:47

Luckily it's a mostly sitting down evening, meal and a show!

I didn't know about having to size up in IC shoes, I've never had any before so when I saw these in 'my' size for £30 on Vinted I snapped them up immediately! I won't make this mistake again that's for sure 🤣 the length isn't too bad, it's the width thats the issue but they're definitely improving!

Show quote history

Have never worn IC shoes - they're definitely a brand that isn't something I would ever wear because I don't consider them stylish, so am not speaking from my own personal experience. However, having worked with footwear previously, I can tell from the shape of a shoe how it will fit. The shape of the shoe means the bulk of your weight will be on the ball of your foot, hence suggesting a padded insole. In addition to this, the shoe has a major vertical slant, which means it will come up small, hence the suggestion of buying a larger size. Also, given the shape of the last, there will be little movement in the sole when you walk - there's a good chance the sole could crack or even split at the break point.

Tbh, life it too short suffering footwear that is too small, even for a few hours. Even so, you love the shoes and want to wear them - I wish you (and your feet) well for your evening out.

FlappyFish · 04/04/2023 15:15

At least you know for next time! That style is called Abigail. IC 40 is a 6.5 really, 41 a 7. The upturned toe is an IC thing on their heels.

good luck. I’ve stretched a 38 to a 39 before, but it is style dependent.

purplecorkheart · 04/04/2023 15:17

The shoes are 6 1/2 if they are 40 and with irregular choice you tend to have to dg up a size normally so you need to stretch them a size and a half. Some cobblers can stretch shoes but I am not sure if they could do that much.

WhatFreshHeckle · 04/04/2023 15:59

I once had a pair of IC shoes and they were too small which was annoying as they didn't seem to bad in the shop and I thought they'd stretch but they did not. I ended up selling them I think.

They aren't to everyone's taste as a brand so you may get strong opinions on here op! I only dabbled that one time and was put off by the discomfort and never bothered again.

Monsterjam · 04/04/2023 16:19

mybeautifuloak · 03/04/2023 22:42

Jeezus they are ugly

@mybeautifuloak don’t be a dick!

WhatFreshHeckle · 04/04/2023 16:33

Too bad*