Everyone has different shaped feet and legs, and some styles of shoe will suit some people more than others, so when you are shopping for shoes it is important to be realistic about your shape, and buy a shoe that will flatter you and your individual style.

Large Ankles
If you have strong, large ankles then you do need to avoid shoes that have ankle straps or boots that have low ankle cuts, as they draw attention to this area and make your ankles look even bigger. Opt for slingbacks and pumps instead which will draw out the length of your ankles and make them appear slimmer.

Short Legs
Avoid ankle straps or t-straps as these will make your legs look even shorter, and also try and avoid very flat pumps as these will have the same effect. Opt for a slight heel for every day shoes to help stretch out your legs, and high heels for the evening as these will give the illusion of height and combined with pointy toed styles will help make your legs look as long as possible.

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If you are interested in vintage clothing and styles then you will need to do some research into sizing and fit from different periods, as these can often be very different from the modern way of fashioning and tailoring clothes, which can make it more different to choose the right sizing. This is particularly important when it comes to choosing vintage shoes, as badly fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable but they can affect your overall posture and cause foot, leg and back strain.

Quality and Condition
It is amazing to think that shoes made over 50 years ago can still be worn today, but remember that in most cases shoes made in the early to mid 20th Century were handmade by specialised craftsmen, and the quality is outstanding and comparable today to shoes that cost well over several hundred dollars per pair. High quality vintage shoes are well sought after, but you can still get a pair in good condition for as little as $30-$50 dollars, and these will just keep on going with a little tender loving care. Be very careful when vintage shoes are described as ‘worn’, as this usually means they are almost worn out, and it is worth paying more for a pair in better condition as this will save you money on any expensive repairs. Most vintage shoes that are described as in ‘good’ condition may only need a few minor repairs such as a heel tap (around $5 in any good shoe repair shop) or a really good clean and polish.

Sizing
The main problem with vintage shoes is that many of the handmade ones do not have any standardised sizing, so you would have to try each pair on to know whether they fit, and if you were a size 6 in a modern shoe you may be anything from a 5.5 through to a 7.5 in a vintage shoe. Also vintage shoes tended to be much smaller and narrower than modern shoes, and finding a vintage ladies shoe in anything over a size 7 can be quite difficult.

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When you are buying leather jackets you will need to understand the terminology used in the leather industry, so that you know what type of material you are buying and how it has been treated:

• Analine Finish – this is when hides are drum dyed and then coated with a resin, wax or proteins in order to create an extra smooth, soft finish.
• Embossed – this technique involves heat presses a pattern into the leather.
• Distressed – this is when the leather surface has been buffed to create a slightly uneven colouration for that classic ‘worn in’ look.
• Glazed -this is when the leather has been highly polished using steel or glass rollers.
• Napa – this term is used to describe the surface/top grain of leather.
• Suede – this is when the underside of the hide is finished by buffing it to a velvety feeling texture.
• Nubuck – this is a lightly buffed top surface, which is smoother than suede.
• Patent -this is when leather has been treated with a highly polished, glossy finish

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Wristbands
As watch faces and mechanisms differ widely so do watch wristbands, and there is a great range of materials on offer from gold links through to tough lightweight carbon fibre composites. Many watches also come with interchangeable wristbands so that you can swap the band if you do not like it or it becomes very worn.

Casing
The type of casing is important on a watch, as this is what protects the watch face or digital read out from wear and tear. If you intend to wear your watch daily then you will need to purchase a scratch resistant casing, and the best that money can buy is a sapphire crystal casing, which will provide a high level of protection for your watch against scratches and abrasions.

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