Those perfect, stylish, on-sale black shoes you bought just left black marks on your feet the first time you wore them, which, of course, makes them less than perfect. You have a couple of options. You can toss them in the back of your closet and forget about them, or you can try a few simple steps to keep the black leather dye where it belongs -- on your shoes, not your feet. The choice is up to you.

Keep your shoes dry. Dye is most easily transferred from the inside of your leather shoes to your feet when the shoes get soaking wet. Wear rain boots on rainy days and carry your shoes with you to change into when you get to work. If carrying your shoes is too cumbersome, purchase an inexpensive pair of rubber waterproof shoe covers and slip them over your shoes before you leave the house. Avoid walking through puddles or accumulated snow.

Wear socks. Socks can act as a barrier between your skin and the leather dye inside your shoes. Unless your shoes are pumps or sandals, you can wear socks to keep the dye from rubbing off on your skin.

Clean the inside of your shoes. There may be too much dye on the inside of your shoes, and you can wash some of it off. Use a minimum amount of a mild soap and a washcloth dampened with warm -- not hot -- water. Gently scrub the inside of your shoes with the soapy washcloth and wipe away the soap with a clean damp cloth. Allow the shoes at least 24 hours to air dry thoroughly before you wear them again.

Seal the inside. You can also use the weatherproof sealer designed for the outside of your shoes inside to keep the dye from transferring to your foot. The sealer will act as a barrier. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the waterproofing spray or cream and allow the shoes at least 24 hours to absorb the sealer and dry before you wear them again.