Shoes are an essential yet often overlooked element of a man's wardrobe. It is often said that shoes can make or break an outfit but we still let them get scuffed and dirty without realising we no longer look our best. To ensure we're consistently putting our best foot forward it's important to take care of our shoes. And not only that, but when shoes are well maintained they last a whole lot longer.
It's actually not that hard to do. Just follow these 4 simple steps to prolong the life of your shoes and keep them, and you, looking great.
1) Always use a shoe horn when putting on your shoes.
Probably the fastest way to ruin a pair of shoes is by jamming your heel into the shoe. We've all been guilty of this at some time or the other but eventually this will tear the lining around the heel and potentially compromise the structural integrity of the shoe. If you do find yourself in a situation without a shoe horn try using your index finger to hold the heel of the shoe and slip your foot in.
2) Rotate your shoes.
To prolong the life of your shoes, they should be worn every other day. It's important to give your shoes a day of rest after each day of wear. In turn, they will thank you by lasting longer. The same goes for your suits actually. Just like leather, wool is a natural product that needs a day to recuperate between wears.
3) Use shoe trees.
Inserting cedar shoe trees into your shoes as soon as you take them off will absorb the moisture left behind by your foot and help to minimize creasing in the leather. Wooden shoe trees can be a bit heavy so if you're travelling a lightweight plastic pair will help your shoes along the journey.
4) Clean your shoes regularly.
Cleaning your shoes and applying a fresh coat of polish or shoe cream every couple of weeks will keep them water resistant and the leather supple.
We've experimented with a lot of difference polishes and creams recently and by far and away the best is the Saphir Medaille D'Or shoe cream.
Because we use a naturally finished leather, the Saphir neutral shoe cream is the only colour you will really need as it will enhance the natural finish. The neutral Saphir cream also darkens the leather a little and adds some depth to the colour (it is also great for refreshing belts as there isn't any pigment that can bleed onto your clothing).
A word of warning, the more pressure you apply when using the shoe cream, the darker the shoe will get. This can be used to add a subtle burnish to the toe and heel but if you'd prefer an even finish we recommend using a sponge to apply the shoe cream instead of a cloth.
If you're interested in a more dramatic burnish for your shoes, you can check out our post on the subject.
And that's all it takes. Just follow the 4 simple steps above to get the most out your shoes!
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