Should I Return These Shoes?
Poplin client Jaysea showing off her shoes and accessories to communicate her authentic personal style.
Part TWO of our three part series on Returns.
As a personal stylist for women, a big part of my job is creating wishlists of various sizes. Each client receives an Uber Wishlist of 35-45 items handpicked for her. The list is designed to communicate her authentic personal style, flatter her frame and be in a cohesive color palette that ensures every pieces plays nicely with the others.
I’ve been creating these wishlists for over a decade thanks to my second client, Heidi. Heidi, then a User Experience Designer at Nordstrom, didn’t want to go shopping in person and asked for another option. In an effort to come up with a solution that would meet the high standards of a UX Designer at one of our most beloved retailers, the Uber Wishlist was born. Prior to COVID, clients chose between in person shopping, Uber Wishlists and a hybrid approach. Since COVID, we focus on wishlists and skip in person shopping altogether.
This means I’m very well versed in shopping strategically online to avoid returns as much as possible. But sometimes, returning is inevitable. The real struggle is when you can’t decide whether or not to return something and end up keep it, only to discover later that it sits in your closet unworn.
Feeling like you’ve wasted money on something you don’t wear (or worse, wear it but wish you weren’t), is THE worst.
And, it’s not necessary. There are some clear guidelines to returning that save you money, heartache and ensure that you keep an intentional wardrobe that is ideal for you. Here’s how.
5 Reasons to Return a Pair of Shoes
Poplin client NR’s style is luxurious and punk rock so these designer sneakers are just right.
They are expensive and they don’t align with your style key words.
Notice I grouped the price with the style key words? Maybe you just love a pair of shoes and they don’t align with your style key words. That’s usually a sign that you may want to revisit your style key words to ensure that you really are going toward “polished, masculine and eccentric.” If you are drawn to an unexpected style, it’s possible your words are shifting. Love trends and so you feel like your style key words change? That’s possible. More likely, some of your words should be, “current, trendy, fashion-forward,” highlighting that your style is evolving or influenced by trends. But even in that situation, be thoughtful about your other guiding words. For example, masculine vs. feminine, minimalist vs. maximalist, structured vs. flowy, sexy vs. modest, bold vs. subtle and so on. These will keep you from going down a rabbit hole with a trend that isn’t authentic to you.
If you are feeling experimental, spend less cash on your risk. If it turns out you adore this style of shoe, you can always invest in a higher quality pair. For now, keep risks at a lower cost.
They are too big.
Sometimes, we fool ourselves into believing that we can, “make it work.” Sure, you can buy inserts and those are super helpful. But the goal is to have shoes that fit in the first place. If the shoe is falling off of your feet when you walk or if you can tell you have ample room to move, they need to go back. Don’t compromise with thicker socks or other fixes if you don’t have to.
They are too small.
Yes, you can use a shoe stretcher or my favorite shoe stretching spray. And again, if you must make it work, those are great solutions. But, if not, send them back. Of course, leather stretches. But don’t be overly optimistic. Wear them around the house all evening and see how much give you’re experiencing. Then, make your decision.
They are in the wrong color.
Defining your color palette is an integral part of an intentional wardrobe. Don’t feel restricted to a small color palette with a few colors. Poplin clients receive a color palette that includes 36 or more colors, each one working with the others for a cohesive approach. Some color combinations are bolder while others are more subdued. Sticking with the same palette ensures that every item works with the others. In this case, a pair of citron shoes will be as practical as a black pair simply because citron is in the color palette. Yes, they’ll have a different impact on the outfit. But they also will match each look and can function as a neutral, if desired.
The key is to ensure that you love the color and that it’s in your palette. There are lots of other aspects of shoes or clothing that can be changed. Color is not one of them. Do no compromise here.
They aren’t functional for your lifestyle and/or you can’t walk in them.
Sure, you can have a beautiful pair of shoes that exist just for photo shoots or to use as a display in your home or office.
Other than that, shoes are meant for walking. Your clothing and your shoes should empower you to live the life that you want to live. Looking forward to a life filled with fun and dancing? The shoes you wear to a wedding must be comfortable enough to dance in. In Seattle, we often focus too much on functionality and forget style. Remember your style key words and the life you want to be living. If “feminine” is one of your words, frumpy flats aren’t going to get you there. If you, like me, love interacting with folks about your style, push the envelope with your memorable pieces. My silver boots help me enter a room on another level compared with a similar black pair. Embrace who you are and fearlessly head that direction. Your shoes are an essential component of this journey.
While we’re here, let’s talk about incline, support and heel height. If you are going outside of your typical comfort zone for heel height or shape, it’s even more important to wear the shoes around the house first to make sure they are walkable before they become permanently yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands, heights and shapes. You’ll be surprised and delighted at the array of shoes that are both functional and fashionable.
Let’s face it, returning is not fun. But, squandering away money on pieces that don’t bring you joy is definitely not a good use of your resources. Check out our next blog post on making sure you don’t get stuck with unwanted items.
Pin This!
Come on In!
Holy crow there are a lot of benefits to being a member of the Poplin community. You’ll receive my Top 100 Favorite Retailers Organized by Personal Style AND the Wildly Popular Six Weeks of Style Tips. Poplin email subscribers also get the newsletter directly to their inboxes every other Friday PLUS all sorts of bonus content that is not published on the blog. Sign up! We won’t spam you or share your info with anyone else. Already on the list? Share Poplin with a friend who’d love this content, too!
