Internet Horrified by Man's Wardrobe Disaster at First Wedding in Years

A wedding guest had an unexpected fashion disaster when their shoes completely disintegrated as they arrived at the venue.

Reddit user u/Srovium shared their unfortunate mishap in a post on the subreddit r/MildlyInfuriating, where they revealed how their footwear fell apart just as they reached the wedding. The post quickly went viral, garnering more than 82,000 upvotes and plenty of amused reactions.

"My shoes decided to give up just as I reached the wedding," the poster captioned a photo, showing the crumbling rubber soles scattered on the floor. In the comments, they said that they hadn't worn the shoes in a couple of years, which likely contributed to the issue.

"First, half a sole went, then half of the other side … Then I just said, 'F*** it, I better remove all the other bits; otherwise, I'll leave a trail of rubber all along the floor,'" they wrote.

Fortunately, the guest managed to go unnoticed, despite their footwear failing them at the worst possible moment.

Why Do Shoes Disintegrate Over Time?

The culprit was likely hydrolysis, a process that affects shoes stored for long periods without use. It occurs when moisture in the air breaks down polyurethane soles, causing them to crumble.

This process is accelerated if shoes are stored in humid conditions or left unused for extended periods.

Shoe brand Safety Jogger says that hydrolysis is a leading cause of shoe deterioration, especially in synthetic materials.

Leather shoes, on the other hand, are more susceptible to dry rot, which happens when the leather loses its natural oils, leading to brittleness and cracking.

To prevent dry rot, experts from Stone & Clark recommend:

• Storing shoes in a cool, dry place.
• Wearing them occasionally to maintain flexibility.
• Keeping them in breathable storage bags instead of airtight containers.
• Using silica gel packs to absorb excess moisture.

Reddit's Take on the Mishap

As expected, Reddit users had a field day with the situation, delivering plenty of witty one-liners.

"Could be worse. Not sure how, but could be worse," posted one user.

"Right, the pants could have done this instead," commented another.

"Forgot to renew the subscription," wrote a third.

"God rest the soles of all the dearly unparted," another reply read.

The poster joined in on the humor, replying: "May they rest in pieces."

Another commenter, u/Jonnyabcde, wrapped up the lighthearted banter by writing: "While we learn to live with the meaning of having cold feet at weddings."

Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on "WSID" at Newsweek.