In every man’s wardrobe, it is important to have a few pairs of reliable formal shoes that will come in use for occasions such as weddings, balls, office, christenings, funerals, job interviews etc. Whether for business or for that hot date, nothing will make you look more successful or sexy then a great pair of shoes.
It’s important that shoes get the right care as well. It’s especially important that formal shoes are well taken care of. As the overall smart and sleek look of your outfit will be ruined if your footwear is scuffed and worn.
Formal shoes tend to come in either suede or leather, so learning to care for these two unique materials is vital. You don’t need to condition them every day and read them a bedtime story. However, they just need a little care from time to time.
Caring for Leather Shoes
Leather is one of those materials that can look great when it’s worn down a little. However, this isn’t really the truth when it comes to leather shoes. It’s best to keep them looking new, sleek and shined to perfection. Whether you’ve got half an hour to properly clean up your shoes, or a few seconds to give it a once over, there are products out there to help.
A shoe shine kit should include a brush to get rid of any extra debris or grit, a shoe cleaning polish and a soft cloth to buff up the leather. If you’re on the go, you can wipe down your shoes with some handy shoe cleaning wipes. Although you won’t get the same deep clean as a full clean, they’re good to have on hand to give your shoes a quick tidy up.
“I would say that a good shoe is exactly like a good wine. These shoes are going to stay and last for a long time. ”
– Christian Louboutin
Most of your formal shoes will be in leather, and luckily there are hundreds of products out there to help you keep them clean and shined, and in a luxurious finish. A basic way to clean your leather shoes is,
- Remove your laces so you avoid getting any polish on them.
- Brush off any dirt on the shoes with a soft brush or cloth.
- Use a leather cleaner, or saddle soap and a little water, and rub your shoes in circular motions with a cloth in order to get rid of any scuffs.
- Polish your shoes with a cream polish, then buff off in circular motions with a separate clean cloth.
Caring for Suede Shoes
Suede is known for being one of those elegant materials that are tricky to care for. Admittedly, if it gets wet then you’re in for some trouble; but there are now plenty of shoe protection sprays that can actually repel dirt and water without damaging the shoes themselves. Just give your shoes a spray every month or so and they’ll be protected from the elements.
Learn More : What Color Shoes to Wear with Your Suit?
A suede brush is your best friend. As you can’t use the same kind of cleaning products on suede as you can on leather. Thus, your options are a little more limited. It’s a good idea to brush your shoes after every wear to prevent any buildup of debris. However, always remember to brush in the direction of the nap. There are different ways your suede shoes can get dirty, so there are different ways to deal with the damage.
- If you get mud on your suede, wait for it to dry and then carefully chip it off, before brushing out the excess dirty with a suede brush.
- Scuff marks can be cleaned up with a suede eraser or rubber cleaning stone
- Gum can be removed by placing your shoes in the freezer until the gum freezes, then, like the mud, carefully chipping it off.
- Water stains are tricky to remove and it’s likely that your shoes will go a shade darker, but to create an even look stuff your shoes with newspaper and lightly spray them with water. Blot with a damp cloth and leave them to air dry.
It’s important that you brush in the direction of the material, but other than that it’s pretty self-explanatory. Then use a suede eraser to clean up any stains, and then spray with a suede protector. This last point is essential and can save you a world of trouble later on.
If All Else Fails
If, however, it’s too late for that, don’t panic – they’re not too difficult to clean. First, stuff your shoes with newspaper so they don’t lose their shape. Then just get your hands on a simple brush. You’ll be surprised how much you can clean up a pair of shoes just by giving them a good brush.
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