If you want your shoes to match your dress, dyeable shoes are one option. Dyeable shoes are made of fabric that can be dyed after the shoes are made. That fabric is usually satin or crepe that has been treated so that it accepts dye more easily. If you are planning on wearing dyeable shoes for your wedding or special event, though, there are some things you should know. Here are some suggestions to help you choose and buy dyeable shoes.
Choose the right fabric to get the right color for your dyeable shoes
Colors look different on different kinds of fabric. Since it is very unlikely that your shoes will be made of the exact same fabric as your dress, even the best dyer will not be able to make an exact match for the color of your dress. However, choosing the right kind of fabric for your shoes can make it far easier to match your color more closely. If your dress is made from satin or another shiny fabric, choose satin shoes, which will have the same reflective quality as the color of the dress. If your dress is made from a matte fabric, choose shoes made from crepe or another non-shiny fabric. That will ensure that your shoes absorb more light than they reflect, resulting in a color that is closer to the color of your dress.
Order your shoes early if you plan to have them dyed
It can take between 8-14 days to get your shoes back from a dyer, so be sure that you order or buy them well in advance of your big date. If you are buying your shoes online, take shipping time into account and be sure to build in time for a return if the shoes do not fit properly. Since you will want to have your shoes ready to wear for the final fittings on your dress, you should have them ordered at least three months before the special day.
Bring a swatch of dress fabric
Be sure to take a swatch of the exact dress fabric with you when you bring your shoes to be dyed so that your shoe dyer has a good sized sample for comparison. Don't rely on memory to help you choose the right color for your shoes. Ask your dressmaker for a fabric swatch that you can take with you to a shoe shop when having your shoes dyed to match your gown.
Remember that colors look different in different light
Make sure that you check the shoe color match under the right light. Natural and artificial light have completely different effects on color. This might not matter in some things, but if you are trying to get an exact match in color for your shoes, you will want to see the color of your shoes and dress under the same kind of light that you will be wearing them under. In other words, if your wedding will be held outdoors, make sure that you see your shoes and dress in natural outdoor lighting. If it will be indoors, check the color out under the same kind of lights as the lights at your wedding venue.
Minimize slight color differenced between shoes and dress by picking the right style of shoe.
Choose shoes with embellishments or with little fabric to dye in order to minimize the impact of any color differences between your dress and your shoes. Color differences will be far less obvious if you choose a high heeled strappy sandal with rhinestone trim than they would be if you were wearing pumps or slides with far more colored surface area.
Be sure to apply a waterproofing coating to your shoes before wearing them
Dyed shoes are not weatherproof. They may run or stain if the weather does not cooperate. To reduce the chance that your shoes will run if it rains, apply a coat of water repellant, but don't expect them to be completely waterproof. If your shoes get wet, reapply the water repellant.
If you are dyeing shoes, choose a shoe that is ecru or ?bridal white? for dyeing
Bright white shoes have a blue undertone that can add a hint of blue to your dyed color, turning gold to green under some lights. Many shoe manufacturers combat this by making dyeable shoes in a warmer white that takes dye more truly. If you can't get the right white, there are products on the market that will tone down the white before dyeing.
Choose factory-dyed shoes that are matched to your dress color
If you order your dress and shoes from the same bridal salon, you may get a match that is as close to an exact color match as humanly possible. That's because the color dyes are created to match colors that are being used in the bridal and prom fashion industry that season. It's an easy way to get shoes that match your dress without going through the hassle of having them dyed yourself.
Dyeing shoes is considered by some to be an art, not a science, and it is for this reason that you should leave this art to a professional shoe dyer. If you are considering purchasing a pair of shoes online from a supplier who does not offer this service, look for a professional close to your home. Most shoe repair shops dye shoes as well, this should not be difficult to find.
Having this professional shoe dyer come to your home can help when you have to be in contact with them in order to select color swatches and check color hues. This can help make matching the colors much easier. This is important because mixing colors is not an easy job and you may need to approve the final color. You can be sure of what your shoes are going to look like when they have been dyed.
However, if you are dealing with a company or online store from whom you have bought your dress or outfit from, they are in possession of your fabric colors already, and you should have no problem with the results.
First Steps to Success
It is good to know that dyeing your shoes can take one week to ten days. If you want your shoes ready to wear on the day of your celebration, you need to allocate enough time.
Choosing the correct color is obviously the first stage, but cleaning the shoes comes next and is extremely important. Even if the shoes are new, they need to be cleaned and prepared as any dirt may show up as white spots after dyeing. Different fabrics require different cleaning methods. For instance, leather shoes have a protective surface applied to the material during the tanning process, which has to be removed before dyeing. Removing this protective layer makes the leather more receptive to dye. The cleaner should be applied with a damp cloth. Some leathers have a lacquer coating and this has to be removed using a solvent.
A different cleaning preparation is used for suede shoes in order to restore the original surface of the fabric. It is very important after cleaning to allow the suede to dry completely before the dyeing process. Using an aerosol suede spray is preferable as they are convenient and they keep moisture to a minimum. If you intend dyeing satin or synthetic materials use only cleaning materials that are suitable to that fabric and follow the advised method for cleaning. Allow the shoe to dry completely for going on to the next stage.
Ensuring a good end
Once you have chosen your color or matched it to your fabric, the dye has to be mixed. At this stage, it is a good idea to ask a professional for a color swatch before commencing with the dyeing process as this can eliminate any future problems with the final product.
Not all dyes are suitable for every application. The dye chosen has to be correct for the material of the shoe. Most dyes are specific to a fabric type and may not work on other types of fabric. The dyes that are used for satin or material fabric shoes are generally water based and are therefore not waterproof. It is advisable to seal the shoe with a water repellent spray before wearing them. This should also help prevent staining. On this note, satin shoes accept deep color tones such as navy and burgundy very well and due to the reflective quality of the material, you may experience the greatest variance in colors between outdoor and indoor lighting. Unfortunately, once dyed, satin shoes should not be cleaned.
Everything in-between
Therefore, once you have bought your shoes, it is time to for the professional to take over. He or she can help you with the final color selection; choose the correct type of dye dependent on the fabric, clean the shoes and then the art of the dyeing process can begin. Satin and material shoes absorb more dye more easily, while the process is trickier for leather and suede.
The dye should be applied using a small amount of the dye on a small sponge, spreading it evenly and thinly over the entire shoe. If too much dye is applied, streaks may appear which can be difficult to control. It is usually necessary to apply more than one coat in order to achieve the desired color. Between each coat, the dye must be allowed to dry completely. Should any scratches or blemishes become noticeable on the shoe, use a small brush dipped in the dye to touch up these areas.
A full twenty-four hours should be allocated to allow the shoes to dry completely before wearing and a protective coating should be applied to leather. This conditions the leather while helping to maintain the color.
Both Suzannebradley23 & Jennifer Bailey2 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Suzannebradley23 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Invitation Ideas, Modelling and Jewelry. Suzanne Bradley is a freelance writer who writes about weddings, often focusing on a specific aspect of weddings such as