This series is designed to help you become a new improved man in 30 days or less. These are simple things that cost little to no money and use very little time, yet when completed, you will feel like a different person.
Today, we are going to polish our shoes. Why? It’s simple really. First impressions are everything. You can have the perfectly tailored suit, a neatly pressed shirt, and a clean face, but if your shoes are scuffed or dirty, all bets are off. Employers notice your shoes, but what’s more important, females notice them. You want to stand out in the world? Polish your shoes. It amazes me on Sunday mornings when I look down at another gentleman’s feet and notice how ill kept his shoes are. Where is your pride, gentleman? Do you want your cheap dress shoes to look like $300 shoes? Polish them. Do you want your $300 shoes to remain in top condition? Polish them.
I remember growing up, every Saturday night my father polished his shoes. I also make it a point to keep my polished weekly. Sure, it can be time consuming, but even a 10 minute job is better than nothing. So, gentlemen, start with the shoes. Let’s clean them up.
What you need:
Polish (duh): I use Kiwi, which can be purchased anywhere for about $3 a can and it lasts a long time.
A soft cloth: An old t shirt will do just fine
Horse hair brush: For buffing
Water: to keep the polish moist
Actually, your best bet is to just buy a kit if you don’t have any of these items. They run about $10
These are the steps I take to keep my shoes looking nice:
1. Apply polish to shoe with applicator or t shirt. I use small circular motions to apply the polish. Repeat this for each shoe until it is covered with polish.
2. Spray shoe gently with water bottle and allow to dry (about 3 minutes)
3. Buff away polish with horse hair brush.
4. Repeat until you get the desired shine.
Bonus tip: Invest in cedar wood shoe trees. They will help your shoes maintain their shape and they absorb moisture so your feet smell fresh. The trees posted below are available at Bed Bath and Beyond for $10 a pair.
