Shoe Smitten

I recently got this reader question in my inbox, and it’s a tough one!  Read the Q&A and leave your thoughts below.

Q: I recently bought the cutest shoes by Guess - called the GW Fountain in Pink at my local Macy’s store. What was even sweeter was the fact they on the sale rack AND I also had a coupon that brought them down to $18, quite a steal. I wore them out of the store after buying a top to go with them. I was looking pretty cute so I was telling myself. I continued to do a little shopping in the mall and went home. When I took them off, my ankles were quite sore and the skin had worn off where the straps hit when I walked.

I really like the shoes and want to wear them again, but other than wearing Band-Aids, what is the tip to wearing ankle strap wedges? I even loosened up the straps after walking a few steps and found them to be too tight.

Thanks for your help.

- Donna E.

A: Wow you really did get a bargain! The GW Fountain sandal usually retails for $79.99 at guess.com. Way to go, my frugal fashionista!

Now, for your question.  My first inclination is to say that it might just be the shoe’s material that is irritating your ankle.  It the strap is made of a cheaper/imitation material, there isn’t much you can do besides treat the skin where it gets chaffed.  Blood for fashion, baby!

However, you can try to minimize the irritation by either wearing sheer hose with the sandals, or you can try rubbing some Vaseline underneath the areas that get irritated by the straps before going out in these shoes. This should help prevent chaffing.

Hope this gives your poor ankles some relief!

Do any of my fabulous readers have additional ideas for Donna?  Leave your comment now!