The Shoe Care Products Every Gentleman Needs
There’s an adage that shoes are the most important part of your outfit, they’re, by all accounts, the thing prospective partners notice first. With this being the case, it’s paramount they’re kept clean and polished – don’t allow your shoes to be your social stumbling block.
Romantic implications aside, keeping your shoes in good nick will extend their life by years, potentially decades; meaning the investment in a high-quality shoe care kit will be more than a good one.
These are the accessories you need to procure to ensure your footwear isn’t holding you back.
SHOE TREES
In an ideal world you should be rotating your shoes daily, giving them a day off so you’re not stressing out the leather. Pop in a wooden shoe tree to absorb the moisture in your footwear, preserving the shape and their life. Shoe trees are an absolute must for any man who’s invested in high-quality heels.
John Lobb Wooden Shoe Trees, £100 from Mr Porter
A SHOE HORN
You don’t take a sledgehammer regularly to the walls of your house do you? Every time you put on your shoes without a shoe horn, you are doing the equivalent to your footwear.
A shoe horn holds the shoe open for you and supports the counter (the heel) so you can slip your foot in without crushing it. A damaged counter is detrimental to the structure of your shoes and the support they offer; don’t take a sledgehammer hammer to your shoes, use a shoe horn – ideally this natural horn one from Murdock.
Stag Handle Shoe Horn, £50 from Murdock
A LUXURY CARE KIT
Polishing your shoes regularly ensures the leather is always looking its best. A good clean, wax and polish removes the dirt, salt and grit from your shoes, maintaining the leather’s integrity far longer than if they were left to their own devices.
An all-in-one valet care box is ideal for your first purchase. It’ll have everything you need – two large and small brushes, one for each colour, cloths, wax, polish plus a beautiful wooden box to store it all; and, of course, no more excuses for scuffed shoes.
Wooden Valet Shoe Care Box, £150 from Joseph Cheaney & Sons
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
