Learn how fashion gentlemen take care of shoes

With a pair of perfect shoes, you should not only invest in money, but also love to take care of them. For me, the process of shoe-shining is a pleasure, just like some men like to tease a garden or a goldfish.

I have a soft spot for shoes. I know that there is a saying in China that makes the importance of shoes very clear. I think the ancient taste of China is commendable. Don't buy cheap, poor-quality shoes and invest your money in beautifully hand-sewn leather shoes. You will find value for money for a long time. Every day I will be in the shop and see people carefully selected Alfred Dunhill handmade high-quality shoes. I am happy for them and I also hope to give them some advice. With a pair of perfect shoes, you should not invest only in money, but also take care of them.

First of all, you must not wear the same pair of shoes for two days. Before you wear these shoes again, the leather needs to relax for 24 hours with the help of the shoe support. During the season, long-term storage of shoes should sleep in the shoe bag to block dust.

The maintenance of shoes is also very important, shoes need regular oil. I suggest that you should wipe your shoes once a month. Regular oiling of shoes can even be seen as a healing. Shoe shine also requires some skills, but also has the right tools. As an expert in shoes, here I share my experience with you:

1, must buy a good shoe brush, horsehair hair is a very good choice, it is best to have two shoe brushes: one for light brown shoes, and the other is for dark brown and black shoes.

2. You also need to find some sparse brushes to clean the edges of the shoes. The best choice is the bone or ivory brush of the 20s or 30s. These things are very easy to buy on the flea market. If you can't find it, you can use an old toothbrush.

3. You would also cut white linen into small pieces of about 20cm x 20cm - more suitable are those very old, softened fabrics such as old sheets or napkins.

4, you also need some good quality shoe polish, Berluti on the production of very good beeswax neutral shoe polish. Due to the presence of beeswax, it kept the shoes clean and maintained a good character. I use this neutral beeswax to waterproof and even use it to maintain soles.

5, when you want to buy colorful shoe polish, I recommend the brand Kiwi.

For me, the process of shoe-shining is a pleasure, just like some men like to tease gardens or goldfish. If you want to get a good idea, you need to give yourself a comfortable environment. Choose a sunny day, sit in a comfortable chair, wear apron (leather apron is the best choice), and drink a cup of Pu-erh tea or wine. I almost forgot one indispensable element, that is to put some beautiful music according to your mood. Finally, you have to start enjoying work.

Take out the shoelace, put the shoe in the shoe, firmly hold the shoe with one hand, and the other hand regularly removes the dust from the shoe and other things that may scratch the leather. This is a very important step to clean up.
Next, hook the cloth with two fingers tightly, and open the neutral/white beeswax polish. It should be done in a small area and in a small area. During the wiping process, regular circular motion should be performed until the beeswax seeps into the leather. .

If you want to use colorful shoe polish, I suggest that you can do a little art, such as smear only the upper part of the shoes, or use different colors of shoe polish. You can think of it as oil paint, and you are an artist. You have the right to give your shoes a unique personality.

After all the shoes have been wiped so you have to care for the soles. Many people think that soles do not need to be in charge. This is completely wrong. First take out the small toothbrush and rub it on the edge of the shoe. This process will help the shoes "waterproof". Next, apply a proper amount of clean beeswax oil to each corner of the bottom of the shoe and wipe it again. This helps to protect your sole from moisture and water.

Then you can put this shoe aside and let it dry slowly. Take another shoe and do it again. Finally, leave your two shoes aside for an hour! The above is the basic operation, if you want to learn, there are more interesting methods, such as the wonderful "Patina" technology.

This technique was invented by Olga Berluti. She is one of the greatest women in the history of shoes. It is a great honour for me to be a good friend with Olga. If you want to achieve the legendary Patina technique, use a drop of water or a drop of champagne, point on the leather, and then quickly rub the leather, so that the liquid infiltration into your shoes. You can also repeat this operation several times if necessary. The effect — if successful — will be unbelievable. Your shoes will be different because of this.