Having impeccably shined leather shoes is essential not only if you want to be taken seriously by others, but it is also a sign of self-respect.
Shining your shoes can be done impeccably if you are following a few pointers. On top of that, knowing some special tricks will take your shine to a new level.
Here are some tips you will find useful the next time you are polishing your leather (not suede) shoes:
Wax vs. cream
Shoe polishes fall into two big categories: wax and cream. You can use these interchangeably or together (cream goes first, then wax). If you need help to decide, remember that wax polish protects your shoes more and can be smoothened to a high gloss. On the other hand, cream polish cleans and conditions the shoe and doesn’t offer a very high degree of shine.
Getting the color
If you can’t find the exact shade
Often times, you won’t find a polishing cream that has the exact same shade as your shoes. If you find yourself in this situation, always go for a lighter shade, not darker. A darker shade will change the color of your shoes.
Dying your shoes
Sometimes, no matter how much you polish a pair of shoes, some areas, which have completely lost their color, won’t look good. In these instances, a good idea might be to have your shoes professionally dyed. This way, they will look like new!
Go for the details
To have shoes that look like no other, you always need to pay close attention to the details. If your shoes have leather soles, we recommend using a little polish around the edge in order to darken them up.
Also, leather soles can be protected by rubbing mink oil or shoe grease on their surface.
Less is more
You should polish your shoes only if it’s necessary. Old polish can build up over a larger time frame and crack. Also, never use too much polish – a thin layer should do the job well.
Additional information
As you probably know, some polishing products, especially wax, can be quite messy when you use them. Therefore, it is always advised to do the whole process on old newspapers or on another area that protects your permanent ones.
Also, be reminded that some leathers are made to be conditioned only with shoe grease or mink oil and not polished (like Doc Marten shoes). Make sure you know exactly how your shoes should be cleaned. Otherwise, you risk destroying them.
Last, but not least, for a good maintenance of your shoes, always make sure you use shoe trees when you are not wearing your leather shoes.
Now it’s time to go ahead and polish your shoes like an expert. Sometimes, one needs to practice more in order to obtain that great shine, but, as they old saying goes, “practice makes perfect”, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work from the first try and always reach for the gold.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
A guide to leather shoes
The guide to choosing fitting dress shoes
The guide to overshoes
6 ways to maintain your shoes in the winter
The different types of men’s dress shoes
The different types of men’s dress boots
What are the differences between loafers and moccasins and how to wear them?
The guide to colorful shoes
P.S. We want to hear from you! How do you polish your shoes? Do you use wax or cream? How often do you polish them? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
