Sporting a polished pair of men’s shoes is as classy as it gets. Whether you want to make a good first impression at your work or on the date of your dreams, it is important that you learn to shine your shoes. A faded pair of shoes can ruin your entire dress ensemble, and it’s almost as bad as wearing an unfitted suit.
By polishing your shoes, you get to elevate the way you look (that’s our goal at Spiffster Tie Club). So that’s why we have prepared a simple series of steps that will help you polish your shoes in no time.
Let’s get started.
1. Gather the Tools and Set the Stage
The first thing that you need to do in order to polish men’s shoes is gather the required tools. The thing about polishing shoes is that it is similar to painting as you need to cover the entire area. And just like painting, you have a set of tools required for preparation and the application. You will need the following to polish and shine your shoes:
- Shoe Cream/Wax Polish
- Cleaner/Leather Conditioner
- Dry, Cotton Cloth
- Horsehair Shoe Brush
- An Old Towel or Newspaper
Once you have the required items, start by laying out the newspaper or an old towel. Make sure to remove the shoe laces first to make the job easier.
2. Brush
Next, you must brush your shoes before you apply the polish. It will help remove surface dirt so that it does not get into the welt of the shoes. You have to apply light pressure and ensure a back and forth motion. It is best to use a horsehair shoe brush. The difference in quality (and the ability to get the tiny specs of dirt) will make you realize the brush is worth the cost.
3. Condition
After you have brushed the dirt off of your shoes, you will need to condition your shoes rather than applying the polish. Go for a leather cleaner or conditioner. The last thing you want is to trap surface dirt under the polish. Dab a small amount of the conditioner around the shoe. A high-quality leather conditioner will help nourish the shoes as they are made of animal skin.
4. Polish
When selecting a shoe polish, go for a cream color that resembles the shoes color. However, a neutral shoe cream should be used if you have shoes that have an unorthodox color.
Now that you have conditioned the shoes, you can polish them. Apply the shoe polish using a small applicator brush. If you don’t have a brush, any soft cloth will do the trick. It is always better to use a soft cotton cloth as it provides you with greater control over the product used. Be sure not to over-apply the shoe polish. Start by applying a small dab and rubbing it on the shoes and add more as you go.
If you decide to use a horsehair brush instead of a soft cotton cloth, it will require more shoe polish. Once the polish has been applied, let the shoes dry for a while. It will allow the polish to make its way into the leather and truly nourish it.
5. Buff
Finally, you just have to buff the shoes to give them the perfect touch. Now that the cream has dried, you can use a soft cotton cloth or a large horsehair brush to buff the shoes. Only apply gentle pressure and ensure a similar motion for an even look. You will be able to see instant results! The shoes will shine immediately. Make sure to apply a sole edge dressing as the final touch. It will make the shoes look completely new.
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