How to Care for Your Shoe Collection

How to Care for Your Shoe Collection

Services of a modern cobbler go way beyond the classic shoe shine.
By Elizabeth Larkin, About.com Guide

I know a very wealthy man--we’re talking private jet owner here--who hasn’t purchased a new pair of shoes in a decade. He gets them shined regularly, and once a year he takes them to the cobbler where they are re-soled, re-lined, cleaned and back in fighting form within two days.

A good cobbler can transform your shoes into something that very closely resembles “new.” Before you buy a new pair of shoes, consider the services a cobbler can offer:

Basic Shoe Repair:

•Replace heels and soles
•Install a protective outer sole
•Replace or repair inner sole (tip: Don't repair, just replace the insole!)
•Cleaning and reconditioning
•Stretching – this is key for people, like me, who have one foot slightly larger than the other.

High Heels:
•Repair the heels
•Recover a heel in new fabric (suede, leather, etc.)

Boots:
•Waterproof the outside
•Stretch or tighten the shaft

Beyond the Basics:
In addition to the basics, a “luxury” or “upscale” shoe repair outfit may offer the following services:
•Change a wide heel into a stiletto
•Additionally, can widen a stiletto into a traditional heel
•Lengthen or shorten straps on your strappy sandals or sling backs
•Have shoes dyed to a new color (tip: Many women do this to their wedding shoes.)

If you're not sure where to find an upscale cobbler ask around at the most high-end stores in your area. My friend Meghan, a confirmed fashionsita on a budget, once needed a pair of J Crew pants hemmed. She asked the store and they sent her to their own tailor who works independently at a store front in her neighborhood. Score!

TIP: Once you get your shoes back, don’t expect them to fit exactly the way they previously did; think of them like new shoes you need to break in.

MY THOUGHTS

i've been planning on doing this. just need to find the time and take the trip to a really good shoe repair shop.well, at least for the basic shoe repair. i don't about water proofing and beyond the basics. worth checking out.