This week, I noticed quite belatedly that my poor oft-used Clarks shoes were starting to look shabby around the heels. Therein lies the hazards of wearing your shoes while driving. It doesn’t help that I also walk a lot in them, and find myself stepping into holes, uneven surfaces and catching my heels on stuff. I’m a bit of a klutz – no Louboutins for me 😛
So, my heels look like crap 🙁 I also discovered that the heels were plastic and the white bits showing after the black overlay has been scraped off, looks terrible. I also discovered this belatedly before I had a dinner to attend.
What’s a girl to do then? Why, improvise of course! 😉
I picked up a black permanent marker from my office desk and proceeded to colour in the white plastic bits. Its not a perfect solution, I’d warrant. But it’d do in a pinch. From afar, nothing looked amiss (see picture on top) and lets face it. Who would be crawling on their hands and feet in a public place observing the state of your shoes eh? 😉
I also coloured in part of the worn leather bits. As I said, its not a perfect solution but it makes you look less scruffy. Ideally of course, you should notice all this BEFORE you leave the house. I sometimes get distracted or am in a hurry and just wear the same pair of shoes all the time hence my problem and emergency rescue.
Have you done something similar? Do you have an emergency shoe rescue tip to share?
You just never know when a tip you share might come in handy for someone else 😉
Paris B
Janessa says
September 9, 2012 at 9:48 amThis is such a great idea! I have used permanent markers to touch up scratches on wood and fabric, but not shoes. :]
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:53 amThe ideas one gets when born of desperation 🙂 I’ve seen some markers meant for furniture too!
Kari says
September 9, 2012 at 10:09 amI do this to my black belts when the (faux) leather gets scuffed off from too much use! Permanent markers are awesome.
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:54 amAh that’s another clever idea! I didn’t think of belts 🙂
Tuti says
September 9, 2012 at 10:15 ami used this for my handbag, ehhehee….so i can prolong my handbag, save money 🙂
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:55 amHaha clever girl! After all most of the time, the scuffs are only at the corners and easily concealed 🙂 run some polish over it after that and it’s as good as new
Kay says
September 9, 2012 at 10:51 amI’ve seen shoe repair shops do this, especially around the front and edges of soles where the color wears off. It makes them look new again!
I’ve used brown and navy markers on my brown and navy shoes. Black markers can be substituted if the shoe is pretty dark and scuffs small. Polish over the whole thing every once in a while and your shoes will last forever…I have Ferragamo pumps which have lasted over a decade and still look good even though they have been used regularly for work.
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:56 amAhh I didn’t know shoe repair shops did this too! Maybe special markers? I dare not try this on anything too pricey though. I’d probably use proper polish for my good shoes 😉 I gotta say Ferragamo shoes are lovely stuff. The leather is sublime and really shines even after years of use!
Kay says
September 11, 2012 at 1:39 amWhat I’ve seen is the regular permanent markers everyone uses! Yeah, I know, I was surprised, too. I’ve had a couple dozen Ferragamo and use permanent markers to pretty up the sides of the soles when the dye wears off. Been doing it for years.
For the leather, I prefer shoe polish and shoe stains but have resorted to permanent markers in tiny areas when these don’t take well. You need to make sure to make sure the color matches and blends in — you don’t want it stand out even more!
Paris B says
September 11, 2012 at 1:27 pmIts good to know that Ferragamo shoes hold up well 🙂 its fast turning out to be a brand I like because my feet seem to fit well and it looks so good! 🙂
synical says
September 9, 2012 at 12:14 pmI was about to suggest black nail polish, but it depends on how well it’s applied, I suppose..
Sandra says
September 9, 2012 at 9:36 pm😀
I once used a clear nail polish to hide some scratches…
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 10:16 amYay for clear nail polish! You can use it to stop a run in stockings too!
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:58 amI didn’t think of black nail polish but now I think of it, I don’t have any except the sparkly sort lol!
Jyoan says
September 9, 2012 at 2:10 pm=P I never do this. Maybe can try one day.
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 9:59 amHaha maybe the need just never arose 😉
xin says
September 9, 2012 at 2:22 pmi have done it to old car wipers once! before we sold it off 😛
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 10:00 amLol!!! Excellent idea! 😉
Wojis says
September 9, 2012 at 3:29 pmI have boots and when the heal gets worn, I use shoe polish to make touch ups. Also works a charm.
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 10:01 amI used to use black shoe polish to touch up my worn leather shoes. Didn’t realize it might work for the heels too! Thanks for the idea
Jess says
September 10, 2012 at 1:51 amI thought Im the only person who secretly do this during emergency. Haha now I found my friend 😛
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 10:21 amHahaha!more like I found mine! 😉
SharonC says
September 10, 2012 at 9:24 amI’ve been doing this for ages. Coz i used to drive with my heels/flats on but now I keep a pair of flip flops in my car.
Been ‘colouring’ alot of my stuff with black marker but only for black stuff. The browns/navy/blue markers just don’t match what I have. LOL.
Paris B says
September 10, 2012 at 10:25 amHaha good to know I’m not alone 😉 you’re right. Only the black markers work and even then, only for certain types of black!
Lisa says
September 10, 2012 at 8:05 pmI do this too. Haha and for anything that’s black and needs touch up.
Another one is using double sided tape to close up any openings of button down shirts from the side between two buttons. Some shirts can and have been embarassing. Works like a charm.
Paris B says
September 11, 2012 at 1:19 pmLol I better keep some double sided tape around! I always have a problem with dropped hems 😉
Ginny says
September 12, 2012 at 3:55 pmThat’s what Julia Roberts’ character used to disguise the scuffs and scratches in her thigh-high boots in “Pretty Woman”! Great minds, eh?
Paris B says
September 16, 2012 at 9:50 pmOh wow I didn’t remember that! I should rewatch that movie. It was a good one!