Do not buy Shoes strictly by size:

Here are a few things to remember before you buy footwear:

* Don't buy shoes strictly by size. Walk around in them for several minutes before making a final decision. Shoe sizes can vary, depending on the style and manufacturer, and your feet can swell up to a half size larger if you've been walking a lot.

* Resist the temptation to wear your new shoes until you have polised them. (This tends to darken the tan of your leather shoes).

* If your shoes are a little tight, saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and rub it inside the shoes at the tight spot.

* If your shoelaces are constantly coming off, dampen them before you tie them.

* Don't wear the same shoes two days in a row. Give them time to recover their shape and get rid of accumulated odours.

* For wet shoes, stuff them with paper cloth, polish them first, then apply a light coat of floor wax.