Ever bought a pair of dress shoes only to find they pinch or rub in all the wrong places? Maybe you’re dealing with bunions, hammertoes, and big foot issues. Maybe you just need a bit more room for comfort or you bought the wrong size shoes.
If you’re nodding along, wondering how to stretch dress shoes and save your feet from discomfort, you’re in the right place.
We’ve got the tips and tricks you need to make your dress shoes fit like they were made for you. Let’s jump in…
How To Stretch Dress Shoes
Of course, you can always buy dress shoes that are made a little bit wider. I know Allen Edmonds and a few other brands that make really stylish and really great wide-format dress shoes.
So, if you have a super wide foot, this is probably going to be the best option for you, but if your foot is slightly a little bit wider, you have some other options.
Use A Shoe Stretcher
The first and most important thing is that you have the proper shoe stretcher.
I like shoe stretchers that are solid wood because plastic shoe stretchers are not as strong as and they can break easily.
Wood stretchers do a better job of making the toe box slightly wider. It doesn’t have to be cedar, but as long as it’s a wood shoe stretcher, you should be fine.
Other shoe stretchers will make your dress shoe longer so you can add about a quarter to even a half a size of length in your shoe.
They come with different bunion nubs that you can put on the stretcher to help stretch specific areas of the shoe if you have minor points of irritation.
I actually found mine at a thrift shop and I’ve been using it in a lot of my shoes. It’s very simple; you insert it into the shoe like you would a shoe tree and then begin to expand it by twisting the metal rod.
There’s two different ways that you can use your shoe stretcher. One is to just stretch the width of the shoe. If you’re doing that, I recommend doing it over several days in small increments.
If you stretch your shoes too much too quickly, you can permanently damage the leather and even tear it.
I recommend inserting the shoe stretcher into your shoe and then begin adjusting the width so you can hear this stretching and you want to position that exactly the point that you want to stretch the leather.
One of the tricks to help facilitate stretching is to wet the area that you’re trying to stretch using a combination of isopropyl alcohol and water. I recommend using one part alcohol for three parts water or about 25% isopropyl alcohol.
The reason I recommend putting it on the inside of the shoe versus the outside of the shoe is the alcohol can affect the finish.
Now, use a sponge or a rag and start wetting the inside of the shoe. Get the inside nice and wet and allow that to soak into the leather. It’s going to soften those pores, soften the leather, and help facilitate that stretching. Once that’s done, then we’re going to insert the shoe stretcher.
I’ll leave the stretcher in the shoe for a day and then remove it and try it on and see how it fits. If it needs a little bit more, I’ll put it in and I can give it another turn or two, but you don’t want to do too much because you don’t want to break the leather and damage the shoe.
Once you get to the point where that pressure point’s been relieved, you’re good to go.
Again, As I said, there’s a few key things to remember when stretching your shoes and the most important is to do it slowly over time. If you try to stretch your shoes too much too quickly, you can permanently damage the leather.
Blow Dryer Method
For this, you need two pairs of thick socks and a blow dryer.
Before you apply heat using your hair dryer, you need to apply a layer of mink oil on your dress shoes to protect the leather from the high heat.
Put on your socks and start moving your hair dryer around to slowly heat up the leather because you don’t want to overheat any particular spot.
Take your time and slowly heat up the area that you want to expand. Do it for a few times and keep moving your feet around. It may take a couple of minutes.
After about say five minutes of blow drying each side of the shoes, you’re going to be pretty pleased with the results because your shoes will expand and those pressure points won’t bother your feet anymore.
If you still feel your shoes tight, put on more socks and repeat the same process.
After all the blow drying, you may want to finish it off with another layer of mink oil to hydrate back the leather.
Wear Thinner Socks
I know this might sound like a no-brainer because obviously, dress socks are already thin to begin with, but there are some companies that make super thin socks, and even that extra couple of millimeters of thickness is going to make your foot feel so much thinner.
Cobbler
Last but not least, if you really want to stretch your shoes out professionally, you can take your shoes to a cobbler and they will do it for you.
If you have a really nice pair of shoes, I do recommend taking this to a cobbler. It’ll probably be about $25 to $40, but it will be worth it because they know exactly what they’re doing and they will make sure it’s stretched to fit.
Shoe Stretching FAQs
How much can you stretch a dress shoe?
With the right method, you can quickly stretch your shoes at home by up to half a size or even more.
Do dress shoes stretch over time?
While leather shoes naturally stretch with wear, the extent of stretching is limited. If you want to stretch your dress shoes by half a size or more, you need to utilize proper stretching techniques or consult a cobbler for professional stretching services.
How do professionals stretch shoes?
Cobblers typically use stretching machines specifically designed to apply the appropriate pressure without damaging the leather. They use heat guns to facilitate the stretching process.
Should dress shoes be snug or loose?
Properly fitting dress shoes should allow for about one finger’s width of space between your longest toe and the shoe’s end. You can also check the fit by placing your finger between your foot’s heel and the shoe’s heel, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.”
How can I stretch my leather shoes at home?
If you prefer to avoid additional expenses from a cobbler, you can stretch your dress shoes at home using various methods. Get a budget-friendly shoe stretcher to stretch the area where you have more pressure. Alternatively, you can also try the sock and blow dryer technique. Another option is to place a bag of water inside your shoes and allow them to freeze overnight in the freezer. As the water freezes and expands, it will stretch your shoes.
Should you be able to wiggle your toes in dress shoes?
The toe box of your dress shoes should provide enough room for you to comfortably wiggle and splay your toes.
Where should your big toe be in a dress shoe?
Aim for approximately 3/8″ to 1/2″ of space from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Your big toe may not always be your longest toe. Choose shoes that align with the shape of your foot for the best fit.
Does rubbing alcohol stretch leather?
While rubbing alcohol alone does not stretch leather shoes, rubbing the inside of dress shoes with alcohol can help loosen the leather slightly, making it easier to stretch the shoe using one of the recommended stretching methods.
How can I stretch my shoes without stretchers?
If you prefer not to purchase a shoe stretcher, you can opt for the blow dryer and socks method. Another technique is to fill a bag with water, place it inside your shoes, and let them freeze overnight in the freezer.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right fit for your dress shoes is key to enjoying comfort. We’ve shared some effective techniques to stretch your shoes at home without breaking the bank.
Consider trying the blow dryer and socks method or experimenting with freezing a bag of water inside your shoes overnight. These DIY techniques can help customize your shoes to fit your feet comfortably.
Remember, the goal is to strike the perfect balance between snugness and roominess in the toe box. Your comfort matters, and with a little effort, you can ensure your dress shoes feel as great as they look.