Nothing can ruin a look like an ill fitting suit or a pair of unpolished shoes. The crisp look of a clean shoeshine is one of the hallmarks of a well dressed gentleman. Indeed, a true gentleman polishes his own shoes. There is a certain relaxing ritual to it. The laying out of all the needed materials, the step by step process akin to cleaning a weapon or in some cultures, the elaborate making of the perfect cup of tea.
1. Start with gathering the right materials. You will need the right type of shoe polish – cream/paste or was. Forget about the liquid bottles with the built in sponge. Instead choose a tin of high quality cream or paste polish with mineral oil in the correct color. We recommend paste or cream because it will absorb into the leather over time (wax tends to seal the leather and can cause drying over time). You will also need a quality horsehair brush; a soft cleaning towel (and old t-shirt will work or a plush cotton towel).
2. Brush the shoes to clean away dirt and dust.
3. Then wrap the towel around your hand and dip it into the cream polish and apply a small dot onto the shoe. Work the polish into the shoe in small circles, moving from one side to the other and finishing with the top. Some guys like to buff to a high sheen with a spray of water and then a soft rub of cloth but be careful to apply only the smallest spray (aka a spit shine.)
Ask a Knot Standard bespoke advisor to recommend the best shoe polish for your shoes’ leather or visit our website www.knotstandard.com for more information about making a great suit to the perfect pair of shoes.