It's hard to resist a pair of leather shoes, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. Genuine leather is durable, classy, comfortable and usually expensive but worth the price because a well made pair of leather shoes can last a person for years.
Leather is sold in three forms, these being full grain leather, corrected grain leather and sued. Full grain leather is natural leather made from the finest of all raw materials and this case only the hairs have been taken away while the hide is left clean and natural. There are a variety of forms of leather and these include vegetable tanned leather, alum tanned leather (alum meaning aluminum), rawhide, boiled leather and chrome tanned leather. For men dress shoes mean leather shoes and that means oxfords. Men's oxfords come in a variety of styles and these include open laced oxfords (or Bluchers), close laced oxfords (or Balmorals), "saddle" oxfords, "kiltie" oxfords, and "wingtip" oxfords.
Oxfords are men's shoes that lace up and don't come up any further than the ankle. Blucher oxfords are open laced leather dress shoes which have the sides of the shoe sewn on the front part (the top to be exact). Balmoral leather oxfords are close laced shoes in which the laces are sewn in a very unique way under the front part of the oxford and then the laces close over the tongue. The end result is a smooth, streamlined shoe that has the appearance of being constructed from only one piece of leather.
"Saddle" oxfords, as the name suggests have a piece of leather on them that is the shape of a saddle, the saddle being a different leather type or color than the rest of the shoe.
Another type of oxford shoe referred to, as "kilties" are fancy in their design with a fringed leather tongue that comes over the instep of the shoe and covers both the eyelets and the laces.
By far the most popular type of oxford shoes is the "wingtip." This pair of fashionable men's footwear gets its name because the toe brogueing (or leather embroidery) looks a lot like the spread of a bird's wings.
The variety of oxford styles gives men plenty of options when shopping for business shoes. Some include a separate piece of leather that is to be found on the toe of the shoe (or the "cap toe"). Sometimes this piece of leather is plain and other times it is decorated with leather embroidery (also refined as brogueing).
Genuine leather shoes are the only way to go if you are in the market for a pair of oxfords. And black is the color to go with because all black leather oxford style shoes, regardless of the style of leather finish or structural design will complement business attire. The most formal of all men's dress shoes are the black leather close laced oxfords (Balmorals). Not to be denied their due, open laced leather oxfords in either brown or oxblood look great when paired up with light suits and sports coats and even more relaxed, casual wear such as jeans and khakis.
Clean leather shoes regularly. To efficiently clean your shoes without harming them, use soapy water and a soft cloth and wipe the excess. Apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out and wipe the excess again. Dry the insides carefully. Place a sheet of tissue paper or a paper napkin inside the shoe and leave it for a few minutes. Repeat the process to dry out the shoe entirely. After this, dust some talcum powder to suck up any remaining moisture. Remember that leather is skin, literally and figuratively, so treat your shoes as carefully as you would your own skin. If possible, clean the dirt off after every wear with a soft rag or brush.
Waterproof your casual shoes and outdoor leather boots with a quality shoe care product to shield your footwear from water, snow and salt stains. These products usually come on a spray. Apply a good two to three coats to make sure that your shoes are covered properly. Reapply the proofing on a regular basis to guarantee protection from weather and water damage. Leather tends to shrink and get hard if it gets wet, so waterproofing your shoes are essential. If they do get wet, let them dry naturally.
Condition your shoes to keep the leather soft and supple, to avoid cracks and to maintain a comfortable fit. Use quality leather conditioning oil or lotion. All-natural products are preferable as they allow the leather to breathe better, and harsh-chemicals can be harmful to the leather. Silicone-based products sit on top of the leather, making it look shiny. Leather conditioners are available at most large pharmacy chains in the shoe-care section.
Store your leather shoes on shoe trees to soak up excess moisture and maintain the shape of the leather. Do not put leather shoes near direct heat, and place them somewhere dry to avoid mildew. Do not put them immediately away after you take them off. Switch on the ceiling fan and allow them to air out. Leather retains moisture from your feet, which will eventually cause it to dry and crack if you don't give them a chance to air out for a day or so. Shoes need at least 12-24 hours of rest between wearing to avoid deformity.
Repair minor shoes problems before they became lasting impairment. Broken heels and worn soles are not only unpleasant and can cause further damage to your shoes, but they are also uncomfortable to walk on and can be potentially unsafe for your feet. If you see anything that needs repairs, bring your shoes immediately in local shoe repair shops.
Both Joshua Poyoh & Alex Gwen Thomson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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