Shoe care tips for your high-end dress shoes

A pair of high-end men's dress shoes usually start at US$350(Alden, Crowkett & Jones, Edward Green, John Lobb, Jeffery West, J.M. Weston, New & Lingwood, Tanino Crisci) not only looks good but are exceptionally hard wearing.  Inevitably they will need to be refurbished at some stage.  The sole should be replaced when the centre becomes soft and worn.  Toes should not be worn into the welt and heels need to be replaced when the back of the rubber top piece becomes worn and thin. 

Fitting rubber soles on top of the original leather sole is not advisable as the interior components may become damaged thus involving a considerably more onerous repair because moisture from the foot is unable to evaporate through the sole.

Shoes that need to be refurbished should always be returned to the factory for repair on the original last to ensure they retain their original shape and comfort.   They will replace as much as is necessary returning them to you looking even more beautiful than they were originally but often, the factory cannot be responsible for repairing shoes which have been repaired previously 'outside'.

Storing your shoes

Always store each shoe on its own shoe tree to maintain its shape, separately in a bag to prevent damage and protect from dust. 

Caring for your shoes

If the shoes have been worn in icy weather, rinse liberally with fresh water to remove street salt.  Otherwise, simply remove all traces of dust and dirt by using a dry or slightly damp cloth.  A soft brush can be used to remove dry mud from the welt.  Apply a good quality polish which has little pigment and no silicone.  Using an applicator brush apply wax between the welt and the upper.  Leave to be absorbed and then use a normal soft shoe brush to remove any excess, brushing until the desired finish is achieved.

To maintain the original colour, choose a polish slightly lighter than the original colour.  To darken or to maintain an antique finish, choose a slighly darker polish.

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