Thursday, November 6, 2014
Caring for Suede Shoes
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| Shopmadeinchina - I probably wouldn't shop here, but that's where I got this pic |
Maybe this is going to sound out there, but I'm a convert. I love my suede shoes.
I barely even wear socks in the summer now, and I definitely don't shy away from suede in the cooler months. (I am a big believer in texture after all!) Especially when I can get some White Bass or Tan Buks from DSW for only $50-$80.
But before I was an owner, I was a worrier. How was I going to keep them clean, what if they got a spot of rain on them, or worse yet what if someone spilled a drink on them? Well, while you don't want to soak them, there are precautions you can take.
Today's post is a bit of a cheat since J. Crew did all the work...but Pinterest is just a collection of other people's photos and they're a huge success, right? So without further ado, thank you J. Crew Blog:
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| 1 - Remove scuffs with a suede eraser |
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| 2 - Brush away any dirt |
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| 3 - Spray Suede Cleaner |
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| 4 - Use the Cap-Brush on that cleaner to work it in |
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| 5 - Apply Suede Protector |
My Shoes Right Now, I Swear I Wasn't Even Planning on Snapping a Pic
Even without all this care, I've been getting tons of use out of my suede. Walking the dog (and having that dog step on my feet), hiking around monuments, seeing the super messy nieces and nephews (and having those relatives step on my feet), going to bars...I even think I helped change someone's tire. And my shoes are still in great shape.
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| One small scuff, so what? I've been wearing these for months...and it just adds character. |
Buying the Kit
I have to give a huge shout out to J. Crew for making such a great pictorial guide...but I also have to chastise them for charging so much for their kit.
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| Rochester Shoe Tree Company for J. Crew Suede Shoecare Kit |
$98 for the Cleaner, Protector, Pumice Bar...and the leather case. Don't forget about that leather case, because it's costing you $73!
Instead, you can just buy the parts (without the case) from J. Crew separately. The same cleaner, $8. The same protector, $8. The same Pumice Stone and brush, $9. Much more reasonable.
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| Buy These Individually from J. Crew to Save Enough to Buy Another Pair of Suede Shoes |
In fact, you want to get reasonable...go directly to Rochester Shoe Tree Company and get the Pumice Stone there instead, which also includes a brush, for only $7.50. (you may not actually be saving any money when you include shipping, but I want to give you the option)
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| Rochester Shoe Company Kit |
There you have it. I'm not trying to sell you some extended warranty on a TV here. But I am saying $23.50 to protect multiple pairs of shoes (like those featured just last week in my Suitsupply Fall Wave of Wool post) may help make your decision to wear suede a little more palatable.
Got a favorite color suede shoe for a certain outfit, or an opinion on when you should and shouldn't wear this shoe? Let us know in the comments section below.
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