Do you ever look at your shoe collection and realize there are some that you just don’t wear anymore? It could be because you have worn them so much you have grown bored of them. They might be looking worse at wear. Or they could be broken in some way. You might consider throwing them in the trash. But before you do that, why not think if you can give them a new lease on life?
1. Reviving an old pair of shoes
Shoes that are well-worn can easily be revived. New heels or soles can be added by a shoe repairer. If they are leather shoes, there are plenty of products out there that can be used to fix them. Shoes that have lost their color or have stains can be dyed. This can transform their look to appear like new again.
Old sneakers are great for dyeing, and there are plenty of online guides on how to dye sneakers using natural products such as coffee or red wine. You can even do this with new sneakers for a personal touch.
If you want inspiration, do an Instagram search for sneaker dyeing and you’ll find tons of ideas. Sneaker dyeing has become a bit of a cult hobby over the last few years.
2. Get creative with shoe design
If you want to be creative, you can even redesign an old pair of shoes. This way, you can reuse your old shoes and finish up with something completely original. Think about the material that you can add to an old shoe to give it a new look.
If you need inspiration, look at some of your favorite designer shoe websites and try to recreate a look. It is amazing what you can achieve with a little creativity. Social media sites like Pinterest are great places to get ideas on how to give your old shoes a makeover.
If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could even turn an old leather skirt and a pair of shoes into a pair of over-the-knee boots.
3. Fixing and repairing shoes
If your shoes are broken, also think twice before throwing them away. Many problems can easily be repaired, from broken heels to soles that have come loose. In case you cannot resolve a problem yourself, you can take your shoes to a professional repairer.
It is amazing how an old pair of shoes can be rejuvenated in the right hands. With careful repairs and regular maintenance, a good pair of shoes could last you decades. This is especially true if you buy the best quality shoes you can afford.
4. Recycling your old shoes
If all else fails and you simply must throw a pair of shoes away, then recycling is the best option. But recycling shoes is notoriously difficult so make sure you know where they are going and what will happen to them.
Companies like UK-based firm TRAID will collect unwanted shoes if you have at least one large bag full to donate. They also have shops where you can donate in-store. There are several companies also in the USA where you can recycle your shoes including Terracycle, Soles$Souls, the Reuse-A-Shoe Program, and the American Textile Recycling service.
Recycling where possible is preferable instead of throwing shoes away. Shoes that are discarded with the trash will usually end up in a landfill. Many of the materials used are not biodegradable and this can cause issues. For example, ethylene vinyl acetate, which is often used in the manufacture of sports shoes could last up to 1000 years.
These are just a few options for what to do with your old shoes. You might come up with some more of your own. But remember, the best shoes are designed to last, so look after them and they’ll look after you for many years.
Keep being AllDayChic!
