How many times have we fallen in love with the perfect pair of shoes, only to realize they’re just too small? It happens far too often, and that’s why we’re excited to share this easy shoe-stretching tutorial here on Your Next Shoes!
No more leaving those adorable shoes behind or suffering through painful pinches—this method will help you make shoes bigger and more comfortable in no time.
YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan has the solution. In her tutorial, she demonstrates how to stretch two pairs of slingbacks: one that’s a half size too small and another that simply needs breaking in.
Inserting a water-filled, sealed plastic bag into shoes helps stretch them when frozen, as demonstrated in this easy DIY shoe-stretching method
Freezing water-filled bags inside these shoes expands them gently, creating a simple and effective way to stretch tight footwear at home
Placing shoes with water-filled bags in the freezer allows the expanding ice to stretch them gently, making tight footwear more comfortable
This method works best for shoes that are only slightly too small; if the shoes are significantly undersized, the ice-stretching technique may not be effective. The how-to video below works best for shoes that are only slightly too tight.
You can also try a professional shoe stretcher to make your shoes larger in 24 hours.
Miserwe Shoe Stretcher With Carrying Bag, $21.94 on Amazon
One important detail Michelle Phan doesn’t mention in the video is that the sandwich bags must be completely dry and watertight before inserting them into your shoes. Even the smallest condensation or leak can cause the bags to stick to the shoes, potentially damaging them.
We also noticed that Michelle Phan focused on slingbacks, likely because they maintain their shape better and don’t appear misshapen like pumps or boots might after being stretched with ice.
But if you do want to try to stretch pumps or boots using this method, here’s a video of a guy doing that with his brand-new Chelsea boots:
Now that you know this, you don’t have to grieve the next time you come across a cute but too-small pair of shoes! Good luck!
For more insights on making your footwear more comfortable, explore our article on five simple tips to stretch leather shoes at home, which includes methods like using stretch sprays and shoe stretchers.
If you’re dealing with bunions, our guide on celebrities with bunions who love wearing high heels offers valuable advice on selecting shoes made from stretchable materials to alleviate discomfort.