A good pair of formal shoes is an essential part of a perfect outfit, and if we are honest, these shoes do tend to cost a bit more than our regular sneakers and flip flops. And let’s put things into perspective; looking at how men’s footwear trends have evolved over the last few years, there’s absolutely no dearth of shoe styles to add eccentricity to menswear. But even now, nothing quite cuts it like a suave pair of shoes.
Now before its gets to being euphoric, the one thing to note is that the ‘suave’ quotient of formal shoes needs regular upkeep to stay perpetual through its life.
Water Repellent
This isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but spraying your formal shoes with a water repellent is always a good idea. It might be a dry time of the year, but emergencies and accidents do not happen with a warning. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Storing
Leather is normally a sturdy material, but it is also pliable and storing it without care can cause a good pair of shoes to distort in shape. Whenever you are not wearing them, make sure that your formal shoes are stored in a well-ventilated area, away from sunlight, and are stuffed with paper or a shape-holder, to ensure that they maintain their shape.
Water Damage
If despite all your precautions, your formal shoes get wet, get home as soon as possible. You will have to dry your shoes out completely. Stuffing newspaper in the shoes can help with absorbing the moisture completely. After you’ve stuffed the shoes, put them, again, in a well-ventilated area.
Polishing
Polishing is a good habit so do ensure that you do it often enough. Always give them a good rub when you’re about to put them on. And while we’re on the topic, make sure that you invest in a good shoe polish. Going for a cheaper polish may seem like a better idea at the moment, but in the long run, quality is what you need. Also, sponge applicators are not the best option for good leather shoes. Instead, opt for a normal wax polish and a natural hair brush.
Suede Shoes
Not all formal shoes are leather. They can be suede too, and suede shoes require a different cleaning ritual. Use a protective suede spray. It will protect your shoes from the elements like water, mud, and salt. Make sure that you test the spray before you use it as sometimes the spray can change the color of your shoes. The next thing you need is a good brush and a suede eraser. The eraser is used to target the stains, followed by the brush to bring the shoes back to normal.
Rubber
Before wearing your new shoes, you can ask your cobbler to add a layer of rubber to the soles. This layer helps protect the soles from damage and also provides better traction.
To make a good pair of formal shoes to last for years, you just need to take a little care. With these handy tips and tricks, your shoes will look as good as new for a long time to come.
