How to Take Care of Men Dress Shoes

A timeless pair of men dress shoes that is durable yet comfortable will set you back anywhere from $100 to $500. So now that you’ve splurge on that piece of leather beauty, how are you going to get the most out of your investment? With proper care and preventive maintenance, of course! We share with you in this article little trivia when it comes to men dress shoes care 101.

1. Shoe trees

What are shoe trees, you ask? If you have that question in mind, clearly you’ve been neglecting the necessary maintenance care for your dress shoes. So, do them a favour and go to any reputable shoe store today and get this piece of nifty device available at a price of $20. This device works impeccably with all sizes, thanks to the coiled metal spring stem. But, most importantly, it fills out the shoe thus helping the supple leather keep its form. Try not to skimp on the quality of shoe trees and opt for ones made from hard wood, preferably cedar which helps eliminate detrimental moisture and that offensive odour especially after a long day of walking in your dress shoes.

2. Water repellent



Most dress shoes at the store come readily with a layer of water repellent, or so they claim. But for quality ones that come with a hefty price tag that is usually the case. But, as suspected that layer of protection tends to deplete with each wear. So, be sure to habitually reapply a coat of water repellent to the leather on a regular basis but it all boils down to the frequency of usage. This way those fashion statement on your feet can take a beating from elements such as rain and snow.



3. Clean, Condition, Polish



Here comes the most laborious part of dress shoe care and that too is in fact three simple steps. First, remove the grime off the top of your shoes with leather cleaner. A good one will effectively eliminate all traces of dirt, stains and most importantly, residual built-up polish. Secondly, an equally important step of shoe care is conditioning to replace the leather’s natural oils, keeping it soft. It is crucial to note that this should be done right after a good cleaning, when the leather is still slightly moist. Lastly, proceed on to buffing your shoes. You can use either wax, cream or paste polish but avoid liquids at all cost.



4. Protective soles













For that amount of money you’re shelving out for a good, high quality pair of leather shoes, chances are you’re also paying through your nose for leather soles. For me, personally, it is a pain to see the most vulnerable part –the soles of my favourite pair wear through the elements and with leather soles that pain turns into agony. So, why not add a rubber sole protector to lessen the impact of constant abuse? Stylishly thin, these rubber soles cost about $1 each, truly putting them at the front line of defence for your dress shoes.



5. Avoid heat



It is a huge mistake to dry out leather shoes with direct heat, a sin equivalent to murdering that exquisitely hand crafted piece of leather artistry. Yet, most men have committed such crime. Leather should always dry under natural circumstances. Never, I repeat never, overheat it by placing them near an open fire or stove. This will literally cook the leather, robbing it so intensely of moisture that it turns brittle.





Give your men dress shoe a little pampering once in a while to keep it even more durable and lasting.

Man Fashion: Handmade Footwear from Hungary

Built for a discriminating consumer by the world’s foremost artisans,

Ildikó Gál represents the very best in bespoke footwear for men. The first collection of men’s handmade dress shoes, all constructed by third generation Hungarian shoemakers, debuts in America this month.



Towards that end, Ildikó Gál has opened a showroom in New York at 501 Fifth Avenue. Ildikó Gál (www.IldikoGal.com) is an emerging lifestyle brand that combines modern technology with Old World craftsmanship to produce luxurious products of unsurpassed quality. Hungarian shoe artisans have perfected their craft over hundreds of years.

In spite of modern techniques and the changing world around them these craftsmen remain true to this special art form, one that has been handed down through generations. Not only have their methods remained unchanged but so too have the habitats where they live and work. From small towns and villages in rural Hungary, these shoemakers produce stunning, handcrafted footwear much like their fathers and grandfathers before them. Now, Ildikó Gál marries that magnificent tradition with the discerning taste of a modern, 21st century palette and is able to make them available to a discerning clientele here in the US.

Constructing a perfect shoe starts with a state-of-the-art scanner that measure each foot from all angles. The foot scan data is instantly transmitted to the last makers, who create lasts that reflect a customer's unique feet. Once scanned the data remains in the system so that custom lasts can be made for any future style.

The shoe design is executed completely by hand using traditional methods and the finest skins.



Each pair of bespoke footwear is delivered in a custom fitted wooden box, with custom made shoe trees, silk shoe bags and special polishes.



A mere six weeks after placing an order, a customer receives his signature Ildiko Gál handmade shoes. Priced competitively (retail starting about $2,500) when compared to the best handmade shoes in the world, Ildikó Gál footwear is made to last. The brand is designed to be sold in leading couture fashion retail stores as well as through its New York-based showroom location.



All finished footwear is stamped with the artisan’s signature and each pair is unique, a true work of art.



You can join Ildiko Gál's Facebook fan page at http://Facebook.com/ildikogal