Dress shoes are an essential part of every modern man’s wardrobe, but they don’t always receive the care and attention they need. Your shoes take a beating with every step, and can even incur damage in storage. The following guide will help you prolong the life of your footwear.

How to Make Dress Shoes Last

1. Establish a Cleaning Routine

Removing the dirt and grime that accumulates on shoes will help extend their lifetime. Use a soft, clean cloth to rub off any loose particles. Apply a quality shoe leather cleaner and gently scrub it into the material in circular motions, then allow your shoes to dry completely at room temperature. To moisturize the leather, use a soft cloth and rub in some shoe conditioner.

Polishing leather dress shoes allows them to shine like new while adding an extra layer of protection. After the conditioner has dried and set in, add a small amount of wax-based polish to a soft cloth or horsehair brush, and apply it to your shoes with a slight amount of pressure. The color of the polish should match your shoes, but if you can’t find an exact fit, get a neutral polish. Complete this process once a month.

The elements also cause considerable damage to your shoes, especially when it rains or snows. Excessive moisture can dry out and crack leather, while salt can permeate the material and leave stains. Thankfully, there are many weatherproofing solutions available to protect your shoes. You can use beeswax polish, leather water protectors, or spray-on solutions to guard against the elements.

3. Rotate Your Footwear

An ideal wardrobe consists of at least two pairs of dress shoes—one black and one a shade of brown. Wearing the same pair of shoes every day puts an unnecessary amount of wear and tear, so you should rotate your footwear daily.

3. Use Shoe Trees & Horns

Shoe trees are an excellent investment that preserves the shape and integrity of your footwear. Purchase wooden shoe trees for each pair of dress shoes you own, and use them whenever you’re not wearing them. These foot-shaped inserts provide support and absorb excess moisture from the lining of your shoes. While the tree maintains the shape, if the shoe is newer and is still stiff, struggling to pull it on can stretch the material. Using a shoehorn makes putting on shoes much more comfortable and maintains the work of the shoe tree.

Whether you need reliable shoe repairs or a new pair of high-end dress shoes, come to Hunt Club Clothiers in Downtown Cincinnati, OH. Since 1973, this fine men’s clothing and custom tailoring service has provided the best in quality formal wear, personalized customer care, and professional alterations. If you need help selecting fashionable clothing and suit accessories, each staff member has an eye for style and will find the piece that suits your tastes and preferences. Call (513) 721-2004 or visit them online for more information about their services.