Photo: Northampton Museum / Flickr

Shoes aren’t just worn because they’re necessary. They’re trendy and fun and a vital part of any fashionable wardrobe. Shoes have become expensive, though, and some pairs cost more than five outfits combined. Our shoes are really put to the test and have to endure rain, grime, oil, different surfaces and moisture. It is important to maintain your shoes, especially since replacing them with new ones can become quite costly.

Get three for the price of two

When buying shoes, the better the quality, the longer they will last. This is especially true about leather shoes which can really last for a long time. A great tip is that if you find a pair that you want to use on a daily basis, get yourself two pairs rather than one. This way you can alternate between the two.

The pair not in use should be left to dry on a cedar shoe tree, which will remove the moisture from the leather while maintaining the shape of the shoe. A resting day for each pair will make them last twice as long, saving you the need to buy a second and third pair if your first one becomes unwearable.

Looking after your shoes

When you take off your shoes, always put them in an airy place. If your shoes are wet, never put them next to a heater to dry. You can dry them by allowing newspaper or an old cloth to absorb the moisture before airing it out. Store your shoes in the box they came in to maintain their shape and outer coat.

Looking after your shoes will save you quite a bit of money. The UK has weather that will traumatise any pair of shoes and when they are wet, they tend to smell. Keep your shoes well ventilated to avoid this embarrassing problem.

Tags: fashion, shoes