How to Break In Loafers
“If I every let my head down, it will be to admire my shoes”
You’ve probably seen them on every influencer's feet and feed (little stupid word joke there for you) – a pair of black leather loafers. Whether you buy them at a more affordable price range at Zara, H&M, ASOS, or from a luxury brand such as Gucci or Saint Laurent - leather loafers can be a pain to break in.
Let’s cut to the chase here and just be honest that there isn’t really a way to make this process go any faster. Sure, there are articles on the internet that you can soak your Doc Martens in hot water and put them on, so you“mold” them to the shape of your feet, but does that really work? I tried it once, and the only thing I ended up with was a mess in my bathroom and soaked feet.
The same goes for the blow-drying technique. It will only work on your shoes if it’s genuine leather (please don't blow dry your synthetic loafers because you will end up damaging them), and to be very honest with you, I didn’t really notice a big difference even with actual leather.
So…what can you do?
1. STEP BY STEP
My advice is to break into your shoes little by little. Take an extra pair of shoes with you when you head out, and switch when your loafers are getting uncomfortable. Trust me, even if you splurge on high-end luxury shoes, your feet will blister in the beginning.
2. SOCKS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND
Circling back to our favorite influencer's feet, you've probably seen them wear white socks with their loafers, right? Not only does this look great with your outfit, but it also helps protect your feet from directly rubbing against leather—a win-win.
3. BLISTER STICK
I’ve been a Doc Martens girly for at least 20 years, so trust me when I say there are no shortcuts when it comes to breaking in boots or loafers. However, what has helped me make this process easier was Compeed Anti Blister Stick. You simply apply the gel formula onto your feet, and it instantly reduces rubbing on the skin to help prevent blisters from forming.
I know it’s a pain when you buy them at first, and you’re probably thinking to yourself if you made the right decision buying those loafers. But don’t worry. Quality loafers will last you a very long time and are really not going out of style any time soon. Break them in little by little, and they will be your go-to footwear in no time.
