Hey guys, did you know that in a national survey 88% of the participants cited that positive impressions are made based on well maintained footwear? (Your) shoes are as important a part of your wardrobe as any other piece of clothing, and in today’s competitive business environment, your appearance matters.
A professional image starts from the ground up (the barbers at Salzano’s Euro Barbershop will say it starts from the top down, but I disagree). So, here we are going to talk about how to pick good shoes and how to take care of them.
Tip #1 Buy good quality leather shoes with leather soles. I know some people prefer rubber soles for comfort but most rubber soles can’t be replaced. Contrast this with leather soles you can repair or replace them for years to come which saves you money over the long run.
While we are on the subject of money, Do Not buy cheap shoes! If you look at purchasing shoes as an investment, you’ll get more bang for your buck by getting a brand like Allen Edmonds instead of a cheap brand you may be wearing now (you know who I’m talking to).
A quality pair of shoes will set you back a few hundred bucks but can last 10-20 years with proper care and maintenance. Buy that cheap pair of shoes if you want but you are going to be buying a new pair in a year or two and possibly develop foot problems because of the shoddy craftsmanship.
Tip #2 Rotate your shoes. You should have more than one pair so you will not be wearing the same pair of shoes everyday. This will help cut down on wear and tear and give your shoes a chance to breath in between wears. The main cause of foot odor (besides not washing your feet!) is wearing the same shoes everyday. Odor causing bacteria builds up inside your shoes if you don’t allow them to dry and air out every few days.
I recommend having at least 3 pair of shoes, one black, one brown and the other cordovan. In this way you’ve got all your bases covered and no matter what clothes you wear you’ll always have a pair of shoes to wear.
Tip #3 Use aromatic cedar shoe trees. The unfinished cedar absorbs moisture and deodorizes shoes naturally. They also help prevent the upper leather from cracking and curling, thus maintaining the shape of the shoe. Every now and then your shoes need a tuneup Tip #4 Always use a Shoe Horn. When putting on your shoes use the shoe horn. This saves the heel collar (top part of the heel) from breaking down prematurely.
Tip #5 Keep your fine leather shoes clean and conditioned. This prevents the leather from drying out and looking old and developing cracks, etc. Good leather conditioners and polishes help restore the shoes natural oils. This makes the shoe more durable, not to mention better looking. My next post will go into detail about how to properly clean and polish your shoes, so look for it in the future.
Tip #6 Keep your shoes dry. This starts by keeping them polished. The materials in the polish act as a water repellent. You should also have a rubber sole protector to put on your leather shoes in wet conditions to help prevent the shoes sole from absorbing water. The best way to dry wet shoes is to let them air dry at room temperature. Never apply direct heat to leather as it will cause your leather shoes to dry out and become stiff and brittle.50%
Tip #7 Salt stains should be removed immediately with a mixture of 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% water. Simply wet a dry cloth with this solutions and wipe the area clear of all salt. If you neglect to do this the stains will set in and become all but impossible to get out later.
Tip #8 Take your shoes in for regular maintenance. You put lots of miles on your shoes just as you do on your car. Every now and then your shoes need a tuneup just like your car and some preventive maintenance. The soles of your shoes can get holes in them and heels wear down, etc. Hook up with a good shoe care shop that can keep your shoes going for thousands of miles and your feet will thank you.
I hope you found this helpful. Be sure to check back for my next post where we will go into more detail about how to clean and polish your shoes. In the meantime, feel free to call me at 513 498-6331 with any questions or feel free to visit me at Salzano’s Euro Barbershop in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Get your shoes checked by a Pro.
Tip #6 Keep your shoes dry. This starts by keeping them polished. The materials in the polish act as a water repellent. You should also have a rubber sole protector to put on your leather shoes in wet conditions to help prevent the shoes sole from absorbing water. The best way to dry wet shoes is to let them air dry at room temperature. Never apply direct heat to leather as it will cause your leather shoes to dry out and become stiff and brittle.50%
Tip #7 Salt stains should be removed immediately with a mixture of 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% water. Simply wet a dry cloth with this solutions and wipe the area clear of all salt. If you neglect to do this the stains will set in and become all but impossible to get out later.
Tip #8 Take your shoes in for regular maintenance. You put lots of miles on your shoes just as you do on your car. Every now and then your shoes need a tuneup just like your car and some preventive maintenance. The soles of your shoes can get holes in them and heels wear down, etc. Hook up with a good shoe care shop that can keep your shoes going for thousands of miles and your feet will thank you.
I hope you found this helpful. Be sure to check back for my next post where we will go into more detail about how to clean and polish your shoes. In the meantime, feel free to call me at 513 498-6331 with any questions or feel free to visit me at Salzano’s Euro Barbershop in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Get your shoes checked by a Pro.