Elyse Hauser
Have you ever bought a new pair of shoes, only to take them home and realize they don’t fit like they did in the store? The issue could be the time of day you tried them on.
Many factors can affect the way new shoes fit. For example, leather shoes tend to stretch, so you’ll want them a bit tight. And measuring your feet in the store can help you get a better fit, as can trying on shoes while wearing the socks you plan to wear with them. However, few people realize that swollen feet can affect the way shoes fit, too.
If you have severe or painful foot swelling at the end of the day, you should consult a doctor to figure out the cause. But for most people, this late-in-the-day foot swelling is hardly noticeable. You might not be able to see or feel it—but it will change how your shoes fit.
In the morning, your feet are at their smallest. You might find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly well at the start of the day. But as your feet swell throughout the day, the same shoes will start to feel painfully tight.
To avoid this problem, save the shoe store for the end of the day, or try your online shoe buys at night. Make sure you’ve done some walking and standing that day, so you’ll get an accurate result. If the shoes feel a little tight, that’s okay, because your feet will be a little bigger than your true size. But if they feel truly uncomfortable, try the next size up to ensure you can wear your new shoes all day long.
Also, keep in mind that your feet will swell even more when it’s hot out. In the summer, you might actually find yourself needing slightly bigger shoes—or you can opt for open-toed shoes on hot days to minimize the problem.
