What Shiny Shoes Say about You?

What Shiny Shoes Say About You?

Shiny shoes can speak volumes – whether it is at the office, graduation, a wedding, or any other event, they set you apart as a person who pays attention and cares about your appearance. So, What do Shiny Shoes Say About You? Taking care of shoes will also help them last longer.

What Shiny Shoes Say About You

You don’t have to be a soldier to shine your boots like one

From spit polish to burning the topcoat of shoe polish, there are a variety of ways to get that soldier shine to your shoes and boots. Here are some simple tips on getting that shine:

Protect the area you will be using with newspaper or old grocery bags cut open. Shoe polish has a tendency to be messy.
With a good quality brush, clean all the dirt and dust from your shoes or boots. If you get them to clean, allow them time to dry.
Use a good quality shoe polish brush and apply polish to the entire shoe, making sure to get into all the crevices – allow to dry
With your horsehair brush, remove the excess polish and leave a small amount of shoe polish on the outside
Toe/Heel shine – for that extra shine, use a cotton ball and dip it into the water – squeeze out excess. Put a little polish on the cotton ball, apply to the heel and toes in a circular motion – repeat, and continue until you achieve the shine you want.

Your Personalized Shoe Shine Kit

The basic contents of your personal shoeshine kit should include:

Wax polishes that match your shoes and boots
Quality horsehair brush – for shining
A good quality shoe polish brush to use as an applicator
A small bag of cotton balls
A good quality shoe shine cloth

Achieving a spit-shine look is easy if you follow these steps. With each subsequent wear and shine, your shoes will be easier to care for.

A Man’s Guide to Weather-Resistant Footwear

Weatherproofing your expensive pair of shoes can prevent them from becoming much more expensive because you have to retire them early due to improper care.

The Importance of Weatherproofing your Shoes

Weatherproofing your shoes is important – water will destroy the flexibility of your shoe’s leather. Leather is made from animal skins, most often cowhide, or for hours, the proteins and fat seal in the moisture when leather is tanned. Your shoes can dry out and crack if you do not treat them properly.

Weatherproofing can help ward off the ill effects of salt, oil, and other chemicals that can stain the leather. Once they set in, they can be difficult to remove; if not treated they will is color. A layer of wax could make the difference and save you hundreds of dollars on new shoes or repairs.

Wet, soggy, squeaky shoes are not comfortable – walking around with just socks on at work is not an option.

Making Shoe Water Resistant

However, these steps are important to help you stretch the life of your shoes.

Waterproofing Compounds

Polishes that are wax-based – these provide resistance to salt and water; some brands are available in colors to match your shoes. Consistent application or if the weather is particularly wet is needed to maintain the protection
Specialty waterproof compounds – Sno-Seal Weather Protectant and Obenauf’s Heavy Duty Leather Preservative are top-quality waterproofing compounds. When applied properly these protectants will keep out moisture. Using these compounds along with polish will provide excellent protection.
Spray-on waterproofing compounds – These compounds tend to get the most attention – one of the most common arguments is that it does not allow the leather to breathe. In addition, if it contains silicone, it dries out the leather. However, it provides a quick application.

Test your shoes for chemical reactions to waterproofing compounds

Waterproofing compounds can affect the color of your shoes – always test. Choose a hidden area to test, such as beneath the laces. Test in at least two spots before proceeding.

Applying the Water Resistant Compound

Be sure to create a watertight barrier when waterproofing or you have wasted your time.

Choosing Footwear

Specialty Footwear – Today’s shoes are made from a variety of water-resistant materials, including synthetic leather. They are favorites due to their durability and stylish designs.

Boots – Boots are a great choice- especially for inclement weather; however, the range of clothing with which they can be worn is limited. Choose your dress boots as carefully as you do your dress shoes. Waterproof them regularly.

Galoshes – these have been the favorite over-the-shoe protection for over a century – they keep the feet and shoes dry and provide stability on slippery surfaces.

What to do if Shoes Get Wet

Use a dry towel to remove excess water
Draw out any moisture from inside the shoe with a towel or newspaper. Replace dry paper or dry towel every few hours.
Avoid placing shoes close to any heat! The leather will crack if dried too quickly-this cannot be repaired.
Once dry, clean, then condition with leather cream or balm- polish normally. Follow this routine with each wearing.