On its own, the term “gently-worn” doesn’t sound all that bad. It takes on a whole new sketchy meaning when applied to the realm of footwear, probs because a literal walk in someone else’s shoes means absorbing the unknown state of their tootsies. Few bargains are worth the risk of unpleasant odors and/or fungus. Then again, few scores are as fulfilling as a $200-plus pair of shoes snagged for $20.
Greater risk, greater reward and all that shiznat.
Where secondhand shoes are concerned I obvs say go for it. Just be sure to employ these cautionary tactics in the process, (if only for peace of mind).
Beware The Canvas
If the dominating material of the shoe is anything other than leather (and/or an animal-friendly imitation of the plastic ilk), move on. Secondhand sneakers are particularly ill-advised: We’re not shopping for Athlete’s Foot here, people.
No Gnarled Heels
The staying power of a secondhand shoe directly correlates with how the previous owner treated it. If the pair in question looks used and abused, I don’t want to hear any of this “Oh, but it’s X brand and it’s soooo cheap! I’ll just have my cobbler spiff ‘em up and they’ll be good as new!” crap. We both know those shoes aren’t making it to the cobbler for six months, if ever. Even if you’re motivated enough to get them repaired, they won’t last long enough for you to enjoy them. Avoid.
Stick To Your Style Guns
If you find an almost-new kitten heel of a particularly coveted brand and own approximately zero kitten heels, do not buy said kitten heel on the grounds that it’s a great deal. That’s called buying for the sake of buying.
Know Your European Size
Few things are more irritating than encountering a number like 38 whilst trying to determine the size of a given shoe. Use this handy Zappos chart to convert your American shoe size to its European counterpart, and you’ll avoid the heartbreak of the glass slipper that only looks like it fits. (Note: I was under the impression that my size (7) translated to a 37 across the pond. Not so. Apparently, in Europe, a size 7 converts to a 37 OR a 38, depending on how the shoe runs. Eff the metric system.)
Motivational story time: The odds of finding brand new shoes on the racks at secondhand stores (“new” like unworn, tags still on – NUTS, right?!) have increased significantly in the past six months. All hail the Recession. On a Housing Works pit stop yesterday, I experienced this very phenomenon in the form of a pair of Sacco Flats.
I was initially puzzled by the numbers, as I assumed the sticker meant Housing Works was charging half the shoes’ initial price of $115. While a $57 pair of flats isn’t entirely offensive, it’s hardly a thriftastic score by my standards.
Had I not asked the salesgirl what was up, the following information and eventual transaction might not have transpired:
Me: So, this red sticker… does that mean the shoes cost half of $115?
HWorks Gal: Huh? Oh, no way! Our price is on the back, in silver.
She then flipped the shoe over to reveal the number 10. As in ten dollars.
To review: What happens when you strap on a pair and give secondhand shoe shopping a whirl?
Your reward for stepping outside of your comfort zone just might be a $10 pair of NWT Sacco flats. Niiiiice.
tags: 
More brilliance. Especially the bit about buying for brand, not style. SO important to bear in mind.
Yelllow must be a lucky color for you this week!
Housing works stuff is all donated (it’s not consignment)..also, all proceeds go to to a good cause(I think it might be housing for indigent people with AIDS or something like that)..so shopping there is not only environmentally friendly but also quite charitable!
i’ve always been wary of second hand shoes. throwing caution to the wind, i scored a pair of chanel ballet slipper pink heeled mary-janes. while the $75 i shelled out almost gave me a heart attack – and very non-jap, it was well worth it. when i slipped these bad boys on, i felt like cinderella. it was as if the shoe goddesses came down and blessed me with heels made for my precise feet. a month later and i wear them every day up and down the hills of san franciso – nary a blister or need to switch into flats. images to come later!
[...] posts on their recent vintage finds. I follow Cheap Jap and the author recently did a post on “how to find non-sketchy secondhand shoes” and posted some great finds. And Brianne over at dopeambition posted flicks of an adorable [...]