Tips

1 – FIND YOUR SIZE
2 – PUTTING ON YOUR BABY'S SHOES
3 – PUTTING ON YOUR CHILD'S SHOES
4 – WEAR HEELS
5 – MAINTAINING YOUR SHOES
6 – WELL-BEING OF YOUR FEET

1 – Find your size

Step 1: Measure your foot

Stand in your socks, preferably against a wall, and slide a sheet of paper under your foot. Make sure your heel is against the wall and that your foot is flat on the paper. Draw a line in front of the longest toe and another behind the heel. Measure the distance in cm between the two lines.

Step 2: Find your shoe size

The table below will help you to determine your exact shoe size. If your result is between two measurements, we recommend that you take the next larger size.

2 – Putting on your baby's shoes

With feet averaging 7.5 cm in length at birth, your baby will grow from a size 12 to a size 24 until he is 3 years old. You should therefore buy new shoes regularly, on average every three to four months. In order for your baby to be perfectly comfortable in his shoes, it is therefore essential to take the exact measurement of his foot. You can refer to the previous chapter to find out his size. If the insole is removable, you can also take it out of the shoe and compare it with your baby's foot.

It is not advisable to put a baby in rigid shoes before the first steps. 
For better development, it is advisable to leave your child barefoot or in layettes.
 So, when will your baby get a real pair of shoes? The question of your baby's first pair of shoes should be asked when your child starts to walk on his own or if your baby stands for about half the day.

To make sure that his shoes are the right size, press the front of your baby's shoe: there should be enough clearance between the shoe and the foot. A pair that is too small or too big will be uncomfortable or even painful for your baby. But putting a pair of shoes on a baby is not easy... Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Sit your child on your lap with his back to you.
• Take his ankle in one hand.
• Open the shoe as much as possible (laces pulled, tongue open, ...).
• Put the shoe on with your other hand, in a circular movement from top to bottom, always holding your baby's ankle.
• Hold both sides of the shoe firmly, and pull towards you to fit the foot perfectly into the bottom of the shoe.
• Tighten the lace around the instep and tie the laces well: it is important that the foot is held in place as well as possible. Good foot support is essential for muscle development and arch formation.

Your baby is now ready for new adventures in complete serenity, perfectly held in his shoes...

Be careful not to use second-hand shoes, as the previous child has left his mark on them and deformed them in his own way.

For his little feet, Chaussea offers three "First Steps" ranges adapted to baby, perfect for learning to walk: DEMON BABY for her, P'TIT DOUDOU for him and JUST CUIR ENFANT. The soles of Chaussea shoes do not restrict freedom of movement and allow the toes to bend as they wish. Your baby will now be well shod!

3 – Putting on your child's shoes

Your child's feet grow fast. From the age of 3, they grow by 1 or 2 sizes per year. To ensure that your child is perfectly comfortable in his shoes, it is therefore essential to take the exact measurement of his foot. You can refer to the previous chapter to find out his size. You can also check the size by placing your child's foot directly on the outer sole of the shoe, heel to heel. There should be a minimum margin of 1.5 cm between the edge of the foot and the edge of the sole.

Furthermore, a child cannot necessarily tell if he is comfortable in his shoes, as his skeleton is still flexible. He will feel very little pain if his shoes become too small. This is why it is important to be vigilant and to regularly examine the pair of shoes he is wearing.

A shoe that is too short or too narrow compresses and damages the foot. The toes do not move freely. The child falls frequently. He or she may make you aware of his or her discomfort by refusing to wear the shoes...

A shoe that is too long or too wide does not hold the foot properly. The foot slips inside and heats up. The child has poor control of his or her movements and falls.

A child's foot must be supported but not too tightly by the shoes. To be sure that the shoe is the right size, you should be able to slip a finger between your child's heel and the shoe. This gap takes into account growth and walking movements.

4 – Wearing heels

Wearing heels is above all a question of habit and comfort. Heels are a very strong feminine symbol. They slim down the figure and make the silhouette look elegant and slender. Most of the time, women prefer to walk on a fairly wide heel, 3 to 4 centimetres high, which ensures better balance than thinner heels, because it has to be said that wearing heels is sometimes a challenge.

How to walk well in heels?

First of all, you need to train on small courses, either at a local shop or at home. This will allow you to make your shoes more comfortable, to get your foot used to the arch and your balance to the height. This will make you feel more confident when you go out. To walk well in heels, you should then adopt a slightly shuffling gait.

Which heel height to choose?

If you tend to have back pain, choose shoes with a very small heel of at least 2 centimetres rather than extra-flat shoes. Over 9 centimetres the foot will be very arched and you risk being unbalanced if you are not used to it. The most comfortable height is about 5 or 6 cm.
It is your stability that counts. When trying them on, your foot should not be shaking. Your knees should not bend too much either, to avoid heaviness.

If you are an apprentice and mainly wear trainers or ballerinas, you should know that walking exclusively in ultra-flat models is not recommended for your back. Don't try to jump from a spartan to a pump with a 10 cm heel, especially if you are really inexperienced. Instead, choose a maximum 6 cm heel or opt for wedges, which are more stable and easier to wear.

If you are a fan of stiletto heels, treat yourself to vertiginous pumps from our collection LAETITIA IZARO ou let yourself be seduced by one of the models bearing the label LONG SLIM EFFET by CHAUSSEA, models specially designed to give your leg a new boost of elegance and sensuality. But don't forget to bring a spare pair of low shoes if you feel tired at the end of a working day or after a party... Finally, don't forget that to be comfortable in your heels, you should alternate between high and low heels in order to preserve your joints and your back.

Which heel for which figure?

• You are rather round: Choose high heels that will slim your figure. In addition, walking in heels often will build up your muscles without you even noticing.
• You are rather small: Of course, heels will make you gain a few centimetres. However, choose shoes that are comfortable to wear, such as wedges with thin soles or babies with square heels.
• You are rather tall: There's no need to perch on stilts, especially if it makes you uncomfortable. Instead, wear pumps with thin 6 cm heels.
• You are rather thin: For you, anything goes. All you have to do is choose!

5 – Maintaining your shoes

Your shoes are exposed to external aggressions every day (rain, snow, stains, pollution, etc.). To keep your shoes looking young and shiny, here are a few maintenance tips:

Before applying any product, it is important to clean your shoes with a cloth or a soft brush. Also remember to remove the laces systematically before starting to care for your shoes. This is the best way to clean the tongue and avoid staining the laces.

LEATHER
Leather deserves all your attention because it is fragile: too much exposure to rain or snow makes it fragile, heat dries it out and the sun discolours it? Moreover, it is a material that continues to evolve over time: it develops a patina and becomes marked.
• Smooth leather: use a cream or shoe polish in a suitable colour. Let the shoe polish penetrate for a few minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. Then spray with a protective and waterproofing spray.
• Greasy leather: use special grease.
• Patent leather: no waxing, use ONLY a specific product.

NUBUCK AND SPLIT LEATHER

Clean and dust your shoes with a brush or special eraser, then spray with a colourless waterproofing and protective spray. Occasionally, use a coloured spray to give your shoes a youthful shine.

OTHER

• Varnished shoes: apply a little cooking oil with a cloth or recycle your make-up remover wipes: it's magic, it shines!

• Synthetic: dust, then sponge. Waterproof if necessary.

• Textiles: wash with water and Marseille soap. Then spray with a protective and waterproofing spray. Do not use your washing machine to clean your canvas shoes (unless your shoes are labelled "machine washable"). Even at low temperatures, the material may lose its shape and the soles may come off.
• Sports shoes: canvas, leather, synthetic, single or combined materials: brush with soapy water (Marseille soap). Then spray a protective and waterproofing spray on the textile parts and apply a colourless shoe polish to the leather or synthetic parts, then polish with a soft cloth.

In order to maintain the shape of your shoes and to prevent the material from deforming, it is advisable to use shoe trees. If you cannot use a shoe tree (e.g. for shoes with straps), fill the toe of the shoe with newspaper or cloth. Never store or leave shoes to dry near a direct heat source: this will damage them.

For almost a century now, KIWI is specialised in shoe care: find at Chaussea the whole range of products of this care specialist and give your shoes all the attention they deserve!

6 – Well-being of your feet

A new pair of shoes can sometimes be a real torture, so don't take your pain lightly. The wrong pair of shoes can lead to foot pain, of course, but also to ankle, spinal and knee pain. This is why it is so important to know how to fit your shoes, to have the right size and the right shape.

A compulsory fitting

Trying on a pair of shoes is essential for your comfort and to definitively validate a purchase. We recommend that you always try on your shoes in a standing position because your foot lengthens when you walk.
Also, always try on both feet when trying on shoes, as one foot is always slightly larger than the other.

Buying wisely

Shoes with pointed toes can make your toes suffer if they feel too cramped. In your new mules, the back of your foot is free and your heel can slam into the sole, causing calluses, and wearing heels can be a real challenge.

The ideal is to find the right compromise between style and comfort so that you feel as comfortable as you look in your shoes.

Clever soles

Great allies of the 2000s, insoles have become indispensable to us. Always discreet, they allow you to remedy the problem of shoes that are too big, to guarantee optimum walking comfort, to keep your feet pleasantly dry and without any annoying odour, to keep your feet warm or cool according to your wishes and to support the arch of your foot during prolonged standing, to absorb shocks during running... a quick and simple way to pamper your feet in all circumstances!

For guaranteed performance every day, the insoles should be placed in dry, clean shoes. Remember to remove them from your shoes every evening! Find the entire range of insoles at Chaussea KIWI, specialist in shoe care, and give your feet the attention they deserve!

Pampered feet

Heavy, tired, damaged feet... our feet are subjected to an intensive daily routine. No matter what the season or fashion, you must first and foremost take care of your little feet!

Here are a few tips to make you feel light and beautiful:

- Do not cut your nails with nail clippers and use straight scissors instead.

- To soften the skin of the heels, use a soft rasp and gently rub it in, preferably every day. You can follow this with an exfoliating treatment and massage your feet with a nourishing cream for dry or normal feet. This will not only moisturise your feet, but will also help you relax!

- After your shower, always remember to put a towel between your toes to prevent fungus.

- There's nothing like a good foot bath to relax your tired feet after a hard day's work or shopping! Opt for a foot bath in warm water (especially not hot!) with a few pinches of Guérande salt or white soap, accompanied by soothing essential oils. Done 2 or 3 times a week maximum, this treatment will soften the skin, relieve tension and allow you to combine care and well-being!

- Finally, massage your feet with a relaxing body oil. Place both thumbs parallel to each other and work your way up from the heel to the toes in a rotating motion. Finish by massaging each toe individually.

Now you're relaxed and feel like you're growing wings!

Ladies, to finish off this beauty treatment, we couldn't add the final touch that will embellish every toe: the application of varnish. As long as the toenails are short and clean, all colours are allowed! This is the opportunity to let your desires, creativity and eccentricity speak for themselves according to your tastes and outfits. To optimize the hold of the varnish, we advise you to polish the top of the nails with a polishing block. To facilitate the application, you can use a toe separator. Then apply a base coat, your nail polish and a protective layer.

And don't forget that at Chaussea, you will find a wide range of shoes with the CONFORT FLEX, as well as in the SANÉFEET, which guarantees healthy and serene feet.