Working Shoe for Young Exec

[theRenaissance]

theRennaissance, what colour do you use to polish the maroon/burgundy pair of doublemonks you posted?

I started off with using black at first to darken the burgundy. Then added Burgundy wax and finished off with dark brown wax at the toe puff. Close up from some time back:

 

[josephkjc]

Dudes out there who polish their shoes will tell you its therapeutic, and very satisfying when you achieve that pretty shine. I just use a combination of Kiwi and Saphir cream/waxes with water.

I spent more than 30min with Saphir Pàte de Luxe and some water and making small circular polishing and couldn't get it to shine much. Can you share on tips to make it shine?
Should I use n applicator brush to apply a thick layer of Pàte de Luxe, wait for it to dry then use a lightly damped cloth to make small circular rubbing movements? Do I keep rubbing until I see a shine then stop and move to another spot?

 

[Wy8098]

Do u have size42? Tks

 

[Ind1go]

Just came back from HK.

Came close to pulling the trigger on a pair of cordovan plain toe bluchers from Alden, but the SGD$1k price tag made me reconsider.

 

[theRenaissance]

I spent more than 30min with Saphir Pàte de Luxe and some water and making small circular polishing and couldn't get it to shine much. Can you share on tips to make it shine?
Should I use n applicator brush to apply a thick layer of Pàte de Luxe, wait for it to dry then use a lightly damped cloth to make small circular rubbing movements? Do I keep rubbing until I see a shine then stop and move to another spot?

Heres my steps for just polishing:

1. Dry brush/cloth to apply a layer of polish all over the shoe. Do not attempt to rub or polish it yet.
2. let the wax stay awhile on the shoes (3-5 minutes)
3. Take a lightly damped cloth and dap a little wax
4. Proceed to make small circular motions, working your way through the shoe as you deem fit
5. Occasionally wet the cloth when it has become drier
6. Keep doing it and the shine should be able to show after 10-15 minutes (it also depends on the leather)
7. Repeat this step between 2-5 coats, depending on how much a shine you want your shoes to be

You can also try mixing waxes to change the leather tone and depth. My friend has tried black on a tan leather pair, I have personally tried working brown wax on Navy shoes, black wax on burgundy pair. Results are pretty sweet, the leather literally takes on a new shade after time.

 

[boysdontcryy]

Shall we have a shoe shining session for shoe enthusiasts? I'd love to meet up and have a chat over clothing, and shine some shoes together.

To me, that'd beat spending an hour shining shoes in silence.

Here are shoes I've shined:

Left un-polished.



Polished the left top-cap



Done:

 

[almerickso]

I spent more than 30min with Saphir Pàte de Luxe and some water and making small circular polishing and couldn't get it to shine much. Can you share on tips to make it shine?
Should I use n applicator brush to apply a thick layer of Pàte de Luxe, wait for it to dry then use a lightly damped cloth to make small circular rubbing movements? Do I keep rubbing until I see a shine then stop and move to another spot?

You need to get the right balance of water and wax... keep adding a little bit of water by using your pinky as a dip stick. Also, the texture of the cloth will make a difference - use a softer cloth to reach a high shine.

 

[dark_aLLeY]

boysdontcryy,

I think you're a super role model for the gentlemen in Singapore.

 

[theRenaissance]

Shall we have a shoe shining session for shoe enthusiasts? I'd love to meet up and have a chat over clothing, and shine some shoes together.

To me, that'd beat spending an hour shining shoes in silence.

I am all game for this. Anyone else wanna come together for some shoe shine and coffee?

 

[boysdontcryy]

Thank you. I like to believe we can all be gentlemen.

Hope to share my knowledge so we can all benefit.

Hopefully, people are interested in a shoe-shining session.

There are two in already. Any more?

Here's an article and video on shoe-polishing by a stylish gentleman --

Why Gentlemen Should Polish Their Own Shoes | Style | HongKongTatler.com

And here I am, getting my shoes polished in London by a shoe-shine boy. LOL. One of the rare occasions I get them shined by somebody other than myself.

boysdontcryy,

I think you're a super role model for the gentlemen in Singapore.

 

[boysdontcryy]

As an aside, I believe in polishing my shoes, not merely because it's a sign of discipline, but also because it's an indication of frugality.

The wealthy will plow their shoes in all sorts of conditions, and then throw them away. I don't wear my shoes out and throw them away. I take care of them, believing them to give me years of wear.

In addition, it vastly enhances the character of a shoe, and helps it age more 'gracefully'.

Who says old shoes don't look better than newer ones ;P

Here's the shoe when originally received:





After I polished it, and wore it once:

 

[regityoung]

Well said. And I love the "aged" attained in your last pair. Certainly lot more interesting than one when new.

Love the socks/slack/shoes combo as well... maybe it is time we talk about socks as well

As an aside, I believe in polishing my shoes, not merely because it's a sign of discipline, but also because it's an indication of frugality.

The wealthy will plow their shoes in all sorts of conditions, and then throw them away. I don't wear my shoes out and throw them away. I take care of them, believing them to give me years of wear.

In addition, it vastly enhances the character of a shoe, and helps it age more 'gracefully'.

Who says old shoes don't look better than newer ones ;P

Here's the shoe when originally received:





After I polished it, and wore it once:

 

[patryn33]

Reminds me of my npcc days

 

[theRenaissance]

Reminds me of my npcc days

Oh come on!!

 

[cokiee]

I started off with using black at first to darken the burgundy. Then added Burgundy wax and finished off with dark brown wax at the toe puff. Close up from some time back:

that is very nice. Thanks for sharing!

 

[dark_aLLeY]

I'm so tempted to get this pair.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.369453436488462.1073741863.147956351971506&type=1

Diamond Walker wingtip oxford in black and wine

In black and light wine addo Italian calfskins + Texon midsole reinforced with steel shank + full cowhide innerlining + cemented full leather outsole & heel

 

[dark_aLLeY]

Thank you. I like to believe we can all be gentlemen.

Hope to share my knowledge so we can all benefit.

Hopefully, people are interested in a shoe-shining session.

There are two in already. Any more?

Will you pass me some of your cigars?

 

[boysdontcryy]

How do you know I smoke cigars? Bah!

I thought of the perfect place where we can shine our shoes -- at a cigar lounge. One can probably buy cheaper cigars to start off. I think they can be had for 10 sgd and above.

A more budget location is also available. Maybe outside Far East Plaza. HAHAHAAHAH. I can imagine a whole bunch of guys dressed to the nines polishing shoes at the stone tables outside Far East Plaza. LOL.

Will you pass me some of your cigars?

 

[boysdontcryy]

If anything comes out of the meet-up to shine shoes/discuss about clothing plan in the future, let me propose two locations:

Location 1



I like this place. Nice, cozy, and I like unwinding with a cigar and book here.

Can polish shoes, though one shouldn't put the shoes on the table. LOL.

Probably slightly more upscale, but wouldn't want to exclude others who don't want to smoke, so the second option is ...

Location 2 (for laughs. Other suggestions?)

 

[josephkjc]

Espanade the main entrance lots of open space or the big space at MRT from city link nearing the Espanade