Shoe's: Polish and styles

[Fosgate]

So, I'm a tall guy and finding dress shoes is not easy especially in a smaller area. Each manufacturers shoes fit differently despite being the same size as another. For style one of the best shoes I had was a pair of Allen Edmund Cody's for years and had them rebuilt many times under their life time warranty. I have also always been a sucker for Wing Tip style shoes so I went searching for a pair. Tried on probably 20+ different pairs of shoes. Didn't care for the long narrow tip as my size 13eee ski's are long enough already or just difficult just finding a fit. Finally found the best fitting pair was surprisingly a cheap pair of Florsheims and took them home with another pair of gortex hiking shoe.

One thing I noticed (maybe from my military past) is the lack of people who actually use shoe polish. I mean they still make and sell the stuff yet I see so many people at first glance they do not have a speck of shoe polish on their shoes and they look pretty trashy. I was half hoping that I could find a shoe that at least had that patent leather look or had half a shine to it since I found out many dress shoes are not even real leather on the outside. So I decided I would just make my own. Now mind you one can simply brush polish but you wont get the shine. I could also spit shine them as I did with my boots many of nights in the army, or I could use a product I used in the army for my dress shoes and my Corcoran jump boots called Leather Luster. (bull polish with laquer is for suckers as it always cracks). I opted for the leather luster as I remember how much I hated spending the time every night spit shining boots and totally wigged when I scuffed them the next day or the summer heat starts turning them dull quickly. It took me a little time to find the leather luster and actually surprised it was still available and in the same old packaging no less. Green can with the piece of steel wool.

Anyway below is the before and after I applied the max coats the can said (5 or 6) that was a year ago and they still look awesome. Also pulled out my dress shoes from 20 years ago to see how they looked. surprisingly well for being knocked around that long.

What do you guys like to wear for dress shoes and do you polish them or notice the lack of care others seem to not perform to their dress shoes?

Not bad for being in storage for 20yrs.

[dicko]

I use Saphir shoe polish, it is very good

[markmurase]

Thanks for the tips. I love the shine on those shoes.

[Philski]

I use Saphir shoe polish, it is very good

+1. However I am a bit lazy - there's a guy who has a shoe shine service in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in London who's a magician. He never uses brushes, just massages the product (Saphir) into the shoe and then buffs/strops with a cloth. Uses mink oil and beeswax. The results are impressive - this is a pair of ten-year old shoes of mine that were looking rather dull and tired, so he gave them a bit of a patina treatment (which accounts for the graduated shade from the tips) and a shine, unfortunately no 'before' photo:

They were like mirrors when he last did these.

[TonyAccardo]

I have a pair of Alden Cordovan leather Bluchers that I use Kiwi cordovan color polish to put a spit shine on. I also have some two-tone Allen Edmonds that are creme/brown that I use the Kiwi neutral polish on. And yes, many more men now days, if they can even call themselves true men anymore, lack ANY of the qualities or knowledge of practices that have always made men men! Most men I know or have seen throughout a day are sad, emasculated excuses for the male species and it makes me even more adamant that I keep up practices that men have and should always do(dress well and know the finer points of dressing I.e. different tie knots, shooting cuffs a halfIinch from bottom sleeve of coat, etc. Shaving with a straight razor, sharpening with a coticule hone, stropping, polishing real leather shoes and knowing that you get what you pay for with certain items like shoes, and on and on, practices that have been lost and forgotten by the generation that finds it more manly to sit in front of a computer screen, gaming with their "friends", beating off to internet porn and living with their parents.) Nice shoes by the way too.

[torsion]

I use Saphir shoe polish, it is very good

+1 I mainly use Saphir now and slowly replacing anything that's not. Combination of Renovateur, cream and wax polish. May seem overkill for most but I'm abit of a freak and I wear dress shoes 5 days a week. I used to clean my shoes every few weeks but since got lazier! I think that's due to the fact of looking out for LFTW, 12:12, 24:24!

[ebhead]

My dress shoes of choice are To Boot New York (tough buggers) followed by Hugo Boss/Ferragamo/Paul Smith/Burberry. For casual wear and tear nothing beats Doc Martins though. Allen Edmunds have been good to me too but I seem to not be into them as much...

I'm predominantly a boot (mainly Chelsea Boots), Brogue/Wing Tips wearer.

As for polish I use the Allen Edmunds line, nothing I have used in the past hast come close to their quality.

E

[Diamondog]

I am a fan of Mezlan and JL.....I spend quite a bit of time each week poilishing...relaxing to have a cigar and polish...

[PaulP]

I use Saphir shoe polish, it is very good

Do not settle for less.

[Fosgate]

And yes, many more men now days, if they can even call themselves true men anymore, lack ANY of the qualities or knowledge of practices that have always made men men! Most men I know or have seen throughout a day are sad, emasculated excuses for the male species and it makes me even more adamant that I keep up practices that men have and should always do(dress well and know the finer points of dressing I.e. different tie knots, shooting cuffs a halfIinch from bottom sleeve of coat, etc. Shaving with a straight razor, sharpening with a coticule hone, stropping, polishing real leather shoes and knowing that you get what you pay for with certain items like shoes, and on and on, practices that have been lost and forgotten by the generation that finds it more manly to sit in front of a computer screen, gaming with their "friends", beating off to internet porn and living with their parents.) Nice shoes by the way too.

I could not agree more. I was once heading to a job interview not long ago and had was wearing a nice suit with cuff links and stopped by a store to grab something. Elderly woman looked at the register commented on the cuff links how she never see's anyone wearing them anymore, liked my shoes etc. While I get an opposite response from some of this younger generation of women that make comments almost implying I'm a prude or think I am better than everyone else with my "Fancy" cuff links etc. Yet anyone in a decent suit is a prude to them. Honestly when I conduct business and look at someone in a plain black, ill fit suit, shirt gig line off center or untucked, no tie clip, unkept shoes or shoes that look more like casual shoes in a suit. I think to myself "They have the audacity to tell other people they are a professional." I look at it as lazy and people who will do the bare minimum to get by in everything from their career to their friendship and other relationship.

Not that I'm trying to say you have to buy expenisve things all the time. A guy can buy an inexpensive suit, shoes etc just by simply paying attention to how they should look rather than the tag and spend maybe an extra $20-40 in inexpenive cuff links, tie clip, shoe polish kit. They would look 10 times better by showing they have attention to detail.

[...]

I could not agree more. I was once heading to a job interview not long ago and had was wearing a nice suit with cuff links and stopped by a store to grab something. Elderly woman looked at the register commented on the cuff links how she never see's anyone wearing them anymore, liked my shoes etc. While I get an opposite response from some of this younger generation of women that make comments almost implying I'm a prude or think I am better than everyone else with my "Fancy" cuff links etc. Yet anyone in a decent suit is a prude to them. Honestly when I conduct business and look at someone in a plain black, ill fit suit, shirt gig line off center or untucked, no tie clip, unkept shoes or shoes that look more like casual shoes in a suit. I think to myself "They have the audacity to tell other people they are a professional." I look at it as lazy and people who will do the bare minimum to get by in everything from their career to their friendship and other relationship.

Not that I'm trying to say you have to buy expenisve things all the time. A guy can buy an inexpensive suit, shoes etc just by simply paying attention to how they should look rather than the tag and spend maybe an extra $20-40 in inexpenive cuff links, tie clip, shoe polish kit. They would look 10 times better by showing they have attention to detail.

I get what you are saying and I don't want to cause any trouble but I just don't share these values. Presentation is an important part of our societies but an overambundance of tossers in suits have ruined it for me. I don't associate the two without evidences, of course, but I tend to value what's under the suit more.

Now, since most people value presentation, I play the part and wear a fitting suit to make sure I don't discredit myself solely based on presentation...

My 2 cents

[headstand]

I get what you are saying and I don't want to cause any trouble but I just don't share these values. Presentation is an important part of our societies but an overambundance of tossers in suits have ruined it for me. I don't associate the two without evidences, of course, but I tend to value what's under the suit more.

Now, since most people value presentation, I play the part and wear a fitting suit to make sure I don't discredit myself solely based on presentation...

My 2 cents

You raise an important point by looking at the man behind the suit. Nothing more vapid than a shallow intellect/character in an expensive suit and primo tie, and sadly I dealt with a handful of these in my career. Conversely the most astute and successful business man I ever met could have passed for the UPS delivery man... Personally I always tried to present myself as " put together" as I could within the norm for my peers at the workplace; pressed shirt, shiny shoes, well groomed. In retirement now, what I miss the most is my pressed shirts, but they don't quite fit with the gentleman farmer life. Shine away...

[Lotusguy]

I am in sales. Suits are rapidly turning into in an anachronism. I haven't worn one to a customer meeting in years - my customers would laugh me out of the building... You can still look well-kept without a suit, cuff links, et cetera.

[PartagasIV]

I'm a **** for cordovan shoes/boots, so regular Saphir Reno'ing +1.

[Fosgate]

I'm not saying that is how I solely brand someone but I believe subconsciously when we notice these that people often cast doubt. Really no different than when polls are conducted showing overweight people not being as successful as their counterparts in better shape.

http://business.time.com/2012/05/02/why-being-overweight-could-earn-you-a-lower-salary/

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/03/04/how-being-overweight-can-hurt-your-career/

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/dont-right-obese-work-78497

I'm sure many people say they would never consciously make that decision but if you think about some of the advise that has trickled down..."Dress for Success", "Dress for the job you want, not the one you have." Get where I am going, those are subconscious ques that we use to get out way. So if you dress up and have to wear nice shoes like this or the whole getup of a suit, tie etc, Learn how to properly tie a tie, use an iron on your shirt and maybe a little starch, use shoe polish, watch your alignment of your shirt with your belt buckle and trouser fly etc. You never know, show up looking like you were out partying wearing that suit, shoes etc the night before or you pressed your suit by tossing it between the mattress. Someone ex-military is thinking as the person is walking up with their hands in the pocket as a "Gomer Pyle" and they have to overcome that doubt vs walking in both looking and acting squared away. Point is we put labels on people both consciously and unconsciously. I know I do unconsciously because researchers prove it and because of my military past of looking at that stuff. (That is before the army started issuing the pajamas and brown furry boots that they don't have to press, fold and tuck nor polish)

[SMQQKIN]

Old Army infantry guy who spent countless hours shining my boots for inspections. Clean them thoroughly, kiwi, ice cold water, cotton tshirt, heal dressing & elbow grease is all that is needed. I agree that You can tell a lot about a man or woman based on their shoes.

[polarbear]

I was having a similar conversation with my missus last night

I rarely need to don a suit in my job, so I always enjoy when I have the opportunity to.

I think the important thing when dressing to impress, whether it be a work meeting or a social one, is to put some effort in

If you're wearing nice dress shoes, make the effort to get them to at least shine a little

If you're wearing a suit, make the effort to ensure it fits you properly

If you're wearing a tie, make the effort to tie a neat and decent knot, clip on ties are for toddlers

If you're just wearing a dress shirt and slacks, make the effort and tuck the shirt in. Find a nice belt to match and ensure your gig line is straight

If you're going super casual (dress shirt, no tie, sleeves rolled up), make the effort to try and get the rolled sleeves even and symmetrical

If you're gonna do something, make the effort and do it properly

Also, love the shine on those shoes. Impressive

[StingMeadery]

I get my wingtip spats custom made from an old Polish guy with a little shop on the North shore.

They fit perfectly and I can choose the quality/colour leather combos which is great.

He recommends shoe cream in correct colour for the leather as much is painted leather, scratch it and it's ruined.

The cobalt blue and white pair were particularly flashy with a double breasted lavender Armani "rip off" from Thailand haha

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fosgate]

That's awesome. We have no small shoe makers left in the area here. Only one place left to go and get shoes resoled, repair or zippers for coats replaced. Wonder how cool of a business concept would be if you could walk into a business and have a couple stations setup that you can see how shoes are being custom built. Kind of a modern concept to an old industry. I bet hipsters would be keen on the idea. Wonder if you could keep it affordable to the masses.

[StingMeadery]

The most awesome thing is seeing the exact size template replica of your foot on the shelf and the fact every time you ever purchase a pair of shoes it will be the perfect size.

Old skool skills...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[acidmase]

If you looking for something that can take a beating which some military guys use.. Go on amazon and buy leather luster. It's only for black shoes. Only problem is you have to apply in the garage or outside because of the fumes, but one on you don't have to worry about it for 6 months!

BTW you should only polish the shoe tips and heels... but thats a miltary thing!

[Fosgate]

If you looking for something that can take a beating which some military guys use.. Go on amazon and buy leather luster. It's only for black shoes. Only problem is you have to apply in the garage or outside because of the fumes, but one on you don't have to worry about it for 6 months!

BTW you should only polish the shoe tips and heels... but thats a miltary thing!

That's the stuff I used on my Jump Boots. Supposed to shine the whole boot on those. Yeah, Issue boots was just toe and heel though. Leather Luster was the good stuff and what I applied to the dress shoes above.

[TonyAccardo]

That's the stuff I used on my Jump Boots. Supposed to shine the whole boot on those. Yeah, Issue boots was just toe and heel though. Leather Luster was the good stuff and what I applied to the dress shoes above.

Those are beautiful boots! I'd love to have that exact boot made inHorween Shell cordovan leather! Imagine the shininess on those and the look of the creases after they were a couple years older with some wear on them. Cordovan, I've found, is the only leather that actually gets neater and more unique as time goes by and they're worn, but only if they're taken care of and never left to the elements for too long.